Boulevard to Polaris (Virago Series #1)

thoughts; forgotten

Nang makarating ako sa site, I stretched my neck a little bit bago nagsuot ng shades. I wore my sunscreen and a sunblock an hour ago kaya walang hesitasyon akong lumabas kahit halos manuot lalamunan ko sa init. Luckily, may payong naman ako.

"Fancy seeing you here, Aster. The construction's at its best state. You don't need to worry."

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at napangiti nang makita ko si Ashton Puevlo, the engineer who's managing the whole site. Tumango naman ako bago tinignan ang kabuuan ng kompanyang pinapatayo ko. Malaki naman kasi ang tiwala ko kay Ash kasi magkaibigan naman kami back when we were in College kahit magkaiba kami ng department at alam kong kahit na medyo sutil siya ay pinag-aralan niyang maigi ang structure nitong plano namin.

"It's been years ever since I dreamed of building this. The nostalgia I'm feeling right now is insane." I chuckled, "Ang tagal na 'no?"

"Yeah." He nodded, "Been so long ever since we graduated with flying colors, too. Kamusta ka na? Are you still single?"

I smiled. Sasagot na sana ako nang biglang lumitaw si Gazer sa isip ko. His laughs, his smiles, and his eyes. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mangiti lalo.

"Yes. Though, I like somebody now." I whispered bago tinignan ulit ang kompanyang malapit na matapos, "It was unexpected, don't you think?"

"Honestly, yes. I never thought that you're capable of liking someone kasi kilala ka sa batch natin bilang babaeng pinapasukan lahat ng opportunities pero nirereject lahat ng lalaking manliligaw sakanya. I'm one of them." Tumawa kaming dalawa dahil sa sinabi niya. 

Well, it's true. Ashton likes me back then. He confessed that back in the graduation along with a large set of bouquet and a lot of gifts to congratulate me. He said he never hoped for a relationship with me because he knew damn well that I'm a very career-oriented woman and I will never settle for a relationship unless I secure my spot in business and career. He respected that decision of mine and never forced to court me aside from an approval that I acknowledge his feelings, and I did.

I even received a large backlash when I rejected him because he's known as the MVP of both the football and swimming team. He topped the board exam, he's good-looking, he's wealthy yet humble and kind. He has it all, to be honest, at 'yun ang naging dahilan bakit ako na-judge at na-bash sa school website namin. Bakit ko raw siya ni-reject at kung ano-ano pa.

That's also the reason why I'm the most inactive in my social media accounts. Nakakatemp tuloy na buksan para lang magpost ng selfie. 

"You're so mature handling the situation back then, you know that? Back when you were hated in our school kasi ni-reject mo ko even when I explained that I never hoped for a relationship with you." Ashton chuckled as he said what's in my mind at hindi ko rin maiwasang hindi matawa.

"Hates and explaining things especially when they have a different perspective than mine aren't my thing. It's a waste of time lalo na kung alam mong nag-decide na silang huwag kang paniwalaan. You know that, too, don't you?" I darted at him and he nodded while laughing. 

"Hay, sobrang tagal na nga rin." He sighed heavily, "Pero balik muna ako ro'n. Baka hanapin ako ng mga trabahador. Just go check it out if you want to, Aster. It's nice to see you again here and just so you know, it's nice seeing you building your dreams."

I chuckled, "Go back there, Ashton."

Tumatawa siyang umalis, bagay na ikinailing ko na lang. Hindi ko rin naiwasang hindi maisip kung ano na nga ba mangyayari sa'kin kung puro lang ako trabaho at hindi ko binibigyang-pansin lahat ng mga nagbalak na manligaw sa'kin. I just guessed that love isn't for me since I was young but the truth is, I'm afraid I'll fall apart once I decided to take that path.