My Only Exception

Chapter 3

"What if we matchmake?" Sam suggested.

"All wrong. He found the one," Seb silenced them all. "The one and only. Pinakawalan nya nga lang."

"You haven't moved on? It had been four or five years now, Bro," Ryan counted.

"He never moved on obviously. He's still waiting."

Ethan silently watched his friends talk about his lovelife. He shook his head and smiled hearing them.

"I have her taken out of my life and my system. If I am single right now, it's by choice," he said and took another shot.

"And the thing is, she's back," Allie told them. "Pero ayaw nya na may gawin."

"She's back?!" the others asked, surprised. "Since when?"

"A few days ago," Seb answered. "She's a known writer now."

"Have you seen each other already?" they all turned to him.

"I have no intention of finding her."

"Halata naman bro na hindi ka pa nakakamove on. Mahal mo pa din?"

He didn't answer.

"Kung ayaw mo, kami hahanap. Let's do a way to find her," Jacob turned to the rest. "If she wrote a book, she'd be known. If she's known, it would be easy to find her. If we know where she is, I don't care if I have to resort to kidnapping just to get her para ipakausap dito sa kaibigan natin."

"Hindi na kailangan," Ethan told them. "Hindi ko din naman kakausapin. Isa pa, masaya na sila ni Seff."

"Is it Sophia Rafaella Castillo?" singit ni Alexa. She's new to the group and didn't really have a chance to meet her personally. "Look at this. This is an interview."

Alexa showed them her phone where she was researching.

"This is an interview. I got this online. Apparently, my friend follows her," she said and started reading the article. "Rising author Sophia Rafaella Castillo, commonly known as Raffy Castillo, has finally released a copy of her book in the Philippines. It was said that she would be conducting a special lecture for those interested at her Alma Mater's auditorium every Thursdays for one month. She would be discussing literature topics like... Let's skip that part."

All ears were on her now. Ethan pretended not to listen.

"She was asked to dedicate her book to one person and she said it would be for an old friend but didn't give any details. She also mentioned that a certain Cali is the most important person in her life right now. The pretty author is quite private and we haven't had the chance to get much details regarding her personal life."

"Sino si Cali?"

"Her son," Ethan answered.

"Sinong tatay?" gulat na tanong ni Marco. "I didn't know she got married."

"Kuya ko."

And it made the rest shut up.

•• 

(His Thoughts)       

Shit. I don't really know what to do.

I waited for this for five years. I never dated nor went out with anyone since that day. Never. Not even once. I didn't choose the life of celibacy - yes, celibacy - if I wasn't waiting for her. Now she's back and I still feel that same old desire of wanting to be with her and just her.

Despite what happened.

Tinanong ko na din ang sarili ko dati. Paano kung ako yung mali? Pinakawalan ko yung taong pinakamahalaga sa akin. Akala ko simpleng seatmate at simpleng girlfriend. Pwedeng mawala, pwedeng magbago.

I didn't realize I was already thinking of marrying her and building a family with her.

I became busy striving really hard for us. I was so focused with the resto-bar I started para makapag-ipon ako. I would be using that money for the wedding and the house I have in mind.

Hindi ko napansin na napapabayaan ko na pala si Raffy. I lost time for her and during those times, my brother was the one who was there for her.

Si Raffy na pala mismo yung nawala sakin.

It was a tough and rough situation. Me against my brother, our family torn. I know they talked to Raffy but I didn't care what she told them.

Until all these mess pushed Seff to accept an offer abroad. He left for the US. Akala ko it would be better for us dahil wala na si Seff sa paligid ni Raffy pero I was wrong. Hindi pa din kami nagkaayos ni Raffy.

She left for the US kahit na nagmakaawa ako sa kanya na wag na syang umalis.

And now she's back. I haven't really let her explain. Should I or is it too late? Anong sasabihin nya pag nagkita kami? Anong sasabihin ko?

I wish you and Seff happiness?

Wala na din naman akong lugar sa buhay naming tatlo. They have their own family. Nakita ko na yung pamangkin ko sa pictures and I say na the kid really got his looks from our side.

Kakausapin ko ba? O hahayaan ko na lang kung pagtatagpuin kami?

If it would end up bitterly, ano, magsisimula na naman sya sa moving on process, step one?

Napailing na lang sya sa sarili.

•• 

(Her Thoughts)

I want to see Allie. I miss my friends badly.

But it would mean seeing Ethan too. I want to see him but I don't think I can face him after what happened years ago. I never had it out of my mind. I had my own share of pain, hatred, sacrifice, and regrets.

Maybe I can bargain with Allie. I'll only meet her if she promises she won't tell Ethan. But I know Seb would find out. At the same time, someone we both know might already know I am here. He might find me. That is, if he's still looking for me.

Five years? I don't think so. Isa pa, he let me go. Ibig sabihin, ayaw na nya sa akin dati pa.

Even if I see him, it wouldn't be forever anyway. Two months and I would be leaving back for the US. Wala akong kailangang isipin.

I went here for the book. And for Cali. Not for Ethan.

Stick to the plan.