Faith.Hope.Love

25. Finally Beside Her

I opened the door of the New Beginning Cafe. I almost dropped the eyeglasses I was holding when I saw Faith being embraced by the same man she told me as someone from her past.

I immediately turned away and decided not to come inside. My heart was beating so fast that I could almost hear it. It was not a good idea to come here after all. I should have waited for her in the office tomorrow. When would I ever learn my lesson?

I looked at Faith's cat-eye shaped eyeglasses. I must give this to her. I accidentally put it in my pocket when we were in the hospital. I was sure Faith has another pair of eyeglasses but this one was her favorite. My feet slowly carried me in the pathway as I saw the lights of the fireflies. I remembered when Faith and I were walking here. She was so amazed and happy. I wished she could see them at this moment. I went to the other side. I tried to capture a firefly but I still couldn't catch one. I closed my eyes to feel the cold wind that somehow eased the pain I was feeling. I started to blame myself for walking away from her. This time, I would go back.

"Where are you? You said I'll find inspirations here..." I was sure that it was Faith's voice.

"Faith!? What's wrong?" I noticed her eyes. Is she crying?

When she saw me she turned her back and walked away.

"Faith, wait for a second." I tried to catch up with her.
"Sorry Gabriel, not now...I have to go." She headed to the direction of her car.

Faith really had a habit of walking and running away.

"Faith..."

"Gabriel, please, not now."

I knew that no words could possibly stop her.

I took her hand and held her tightly in my arms. I could clearly feel her heart beating so closely in mine.

"I am taking you home right now," I said as I wiped away the tears from her eyes.

Faith and I didn't talk along the way. I was glad that she fell asleep. She was still sleeping when we arrived at their home. I couldn't help myself but stare at her. The one I've been searching for so long was just beside me. I didn't wake her up so I could see her face a little longer. I really loved the way she sleeps so soundly. I wondered what happened to her back in the coffee shop.
I slowly touched her arms to wake her up.

"Faith, we're here..." I smiled when she opened her eyes.

"Oh my, Gabriel! " She was surprised to see me.

"You could at least say thank you, Faith?"

"I'm so sorry. Thank you very much." Faith hurriedly got out from the car and I followed her.
"How do we get here?" asked Faith, still looking so confused.

"We'll talk about that tomorrow Faith. For now, just go inside."

"All right... "

"And here's your eyeglasses..." I handed it to her.

"Thank you, Gabriel. By the way, how will you get home?"

"Don't worry about me. It's not that late, I'm sure I can still go home."

"Would you like to come inside. Have some coffee perhaps?"

"I'm fine. You go inside..."

"Is that you Faith?" A man and a woman in their late fifties came out.

"My Mom and Dad..." Faith told me.

"It's me."

"Dad, Mom this is Gabriel, my friend from the mission organization."

"Nice to meet you, Gabriel. Gabriel de Vega right?" Faith's Dad held out his hand.

"Yes, sir. I am Gabriel de Vega. Nice to meet you, too!" We shook hands.

"I read your stories, they were all nice," he said.

"Oh, thank you, sir... it's because of Faith."

"And thank you for sending our Faith home. We really appreciate it," said Faith's Mom.

"Gabriel has to go home Mom, Dad..." Faith signaled me to leave.
"But, Gabriel would you like to stay for dinner?" Faith's Mom offered.

I thought it would be perfect if I stay but Faith winked at me. She wanted me to go home instead.

"He has to go Mom...right Gabriel?" Faith exclaimed.

"Yes, Ma'am. I really have to go..." I politely said.

"Okay, promise next time you'll join us. And I will not take no for an answer," she said.

Faith thanked me and I waved my hand as I left.

***
"Gabriel de Vega, how could you do this to me?" Sam bantered as I approached my car.

Sam waited for me in the gasoline station, a few blocks away from Faith's home. I was really glad he was in the coffee shop. He agreed to follow while I was driving Faith home. Sam was one of my friends in college. Just recently I learned that he was the co-owner of the New Beginning Cafe.

"Thank you, Sam." Sam went out from the car and transferred to the passenger's seat.

"You owe me big time Gab!"

"I owe you really, thank you."

"Oh no, I knew that look."

"What?"

"So, who is she?"

"Faith."

"You found her?"

"I did. Finally."

"And?"

" I don't know if this is the right time Sam."

"Well, if this is not the right time, when will it be?"

"She's with the same man I saw back in the University..."

"And?"

"They might be together again," I confessed.

"They might be? So, you're not yet sure?"

"Well, I am not sure. But I saw him embracing Faith."

"It doesn't mean that they are together."

"But what if they are?"

"Gabriel, don't make the same mistake again. You have to make sure. Haven't you learned yet?"

I had to smile. Sam never changed. He was the same guy I knew then.

"Why are you smiling?" he asked.

"Well, I think you have a point."

"Of course, I have a point. Absolutely!"

"All right, I absolutely agree."

"If you really love her. Let her know. Isn't she worth fighting for?"

"More than enough to fight for... I wouldn't find her if she's not."

"Let her know. Don't walk away. If you do that, you may no longer find her in the next decade." Sam teased me.

"How could I let her know?"

"Just simply tell her."

"Was it really that simple? But why can't I do it?"

"Do you really want to know why?" Sam was really something.

"Why?"

"Because you're so afraid. You're so afraid to love and to be hurt.
But in the end, you're not only hurting yourself. You're also hurting the one you love...What if Faith feels the same way for you? What if she's been waiting for you also?"

"Remember Gabriel, perfect love casts out fear!" Sam reminded me.

Sam was right. I was really afraid to let her know. I had prayed for this to God and I should put my trust in Him.

I dropped off Sam in his house in Laguna and we agreed to meet again in his coffee shop.

"See you again Gabriel. I'll pray for you and Faith."

"Thank you, Sam!"

I finally found Faith.

I will not walk away from her again.