"I really hope you will think this over, Ivory." Doc Gregorio said to me before I went out of her office.

As soon as I returned to my room, I exhaled slowly and tried to digest what had happened a while ago. My signature is the only thing missing in this document and soon, I will have that title on my name in just a snap of a finger. She gave me a week to think things through so I decided to move forward.

The day passed by quickly and as I was about to head home, my phone rang with an unknown number appearing on the screen. I stopped at the waiting shed and read.

"Hello?" I asked and a voice I remembered so well answered.

"Hi! Is this Ivory?", his deep voice resonated in my ears as I struggled to find my own.

"Uh, yes." I said almost in a whisper.

No doubt. He still has this effect on me.

"Are you free today? Let's catch up!" He said in a perky voice. "Still working there?" He asked pertaining to my workplace.

I'm torn between telling him where I am or not. I closed my eyes and a wave of memories returned.

"Still there, Ivs?" He asked and I blew out some air.

"No. Lumipat na ako ng work." I said and I found myself meeting him again.

He really was within the area. In just a span of ten minutes, a blue Honda Civic stopped in front of me. He opened his car window and his bright smile greeted me.

"Been a while, Ivs. Hop on." He said and I blushed at his remark. I went inside and sent a quick message to my parents saying I will be home late to catch up with a friend.

"Saan tayo?", "Sa Nito's tayo?", we both said in unison and burst out laughing.

"Alright! Off to Nito's!" He grinned and we drove off the campus. It took us only fifteen minutes before we arrived at the small restaurant we used to hang out back then.

"Good evening po, Aling Nita!" He said and a woman in her late fifties looked at us as if we were spitting rainbows.

Her eyes widened when she recognized who we are, "kayo na ba talaga 'yan, Ivory at Jasper?", she asked and when we nodded, she hugged the both of us tightly. "Halika, pasok kayo rito sa loob. Lilia! Paghain mo nga sila ng adobong pusit at kaldereta!"

"Kumusta na po kayo, Aling Nita?" I asked as we sat down in a comfy spot here in her carinderia. "Nakakatuwa naman at malago na ang inyong negosyo." That was true. Every time I passed by their place, it was always packed with customers.

"Ayun, awa ng Diyos, nakaluluwag na. Kayo? Kumusta? May mga anak na ba kayo? Akalain mong kayo pa ang magkakatuluyan!" She blabbered on and I fell silent while he covered his disappointment with chuckles.

When our foods were served, all that we can hear are the sound of utensils as we ate. My eyes traveled to his left hand and saw our engagement ring still on his finger. My heart thumped and I knew I will make the biggest decision ever.

"Restroom lang ako." I said and stood up to get rid of the jitters.

"How are you, Ivs? I know it's sudden but I missed you terribly!" He began when I came back and our eyes met. I chewed on my food first before wiping the corners of my lip with a table napkin.

"I-I'm good!" I found my voice and soon found ourselves conversing like old friends. We tried to avoid the topic but with Aling Nita's words earlier, it became impossible to.

"Alam kong ayaw mong minamadali ka, but I don't want to wait any longer." Jasper said and reached out for my right hand. "I want to know your decision now."

I removed my hand under his and rummaged through my bag. As I felt the little accessory within my grasp, my heart beat wildly. I saw how his eyes watered when I slid the ring at the center of our table.

"Can you wear it on my finger? Hindi ko alam if kasya pa ito uli sa'kin." I smiled and he grinned at me. He eagerly slid it into my left finger and shortly after, we started crying for our almost lost love. "Thank you for your patience —", he giggled, "— it's about time we get married."

The next day, I returned the unsigned appointment letter to my Boss and thanked her for considering me for the position as Director of our Department.

This time, I chose to be happy. I chose to be with the one who matters most. The love of my life.

End