Well who would have thought that he would end up here right at this very moment?
Edward was expecting it to be just a normal night, staying home and playing video games when Donny successfully forced him onto attending this party. For Edward – he would call it 'stupid' not because he doesn't like parties but the mere fact that he's seeing his ex-girlfriend sucking faces with her new man right in front of his very eyes. Ever since the break up, Donny has been taking him to every party, hoping that Edward would meet "new" people and wish that he could get back to his old self. However, despite the efforts, Edward just can't seem to forget her.
Her.
Ashley.
Was Edward's main source of happiness in almost his entire college years, and now known as the bitch, who broke up his heart. He knew he loved Ashley the very first time he met her in orientation week since they were both Film majors. What made him fall in love with her was because of her aura. She was free spirited, independent and beautiful. She was everything that Edward is not, in which he knew that she was the kind of girl he needed in his life. She wasn't perfect as she had a reputation - a reputation that she would break hearts. Edward knew that this wasn't just an infatuation as he believes that there is more to her than meets the eye. In their sophomore year, Edward got the chance to know her even more, they were almost all their classes were the same, plus the fact that they got along made them closer to the point that Edward wouldn't want to waste the opportunity. On the same year, he confessed his love to her and she said yes.
"Edward, you've been standing on the same spot for the past half hour, staring at your ex with her new guy. Come on, it's been a month. Isn't it about time to move on?" Donny said as he hands him another bottle of beer, finally disrupting his train of thoughts.
"Tell me. You think Paul is better than me?" Edward could not erase the moment when Ashley ended the relationship. It wasn't just simply a break up because she stated her reasons – Ashley declared that she has found someone new and better, 'not someone who's plain and boring like Edward' to be exact and that shattered Edward's heart into pieces.
Donny heaves a sigh, "Wake up, Edward! You have done nothing wrong. If she doesn't appreciate you then, it's her loss. Think about the whole time you were with her. Were you able to feel loved by Ashley? Don't get me started with the whole "physical" love, cos everyone knows that Ashley isn't embarrassed for a full on PDA. Cos from my point of view, something went wrong and I know it isn't on your part"
He then turns to Edward again, "What I meant was - did you feel any emotional love from her? Like, did she even reciprocate the amount of emotional love you gave her? Think about it. Maybe she isn't the girl you were looking for after all."
Donny was right, Edward thought. In the duration of their relationship, he felt that there was lacking there of, a sort of lack in emotional attachment on Ashley's part towards Edward.
Funny, huh?
Memories of Ashley and Edward came flashing his mind, and it made his heart hurt even more.
Maybe I was just too blind to see it that time, he thought.
---
Marydale, on the other hand, is having a not-so-wonderful time as she caught her boyfriend, Ivan, cheating on her. Right in front of her eyes was Ivan, with his girl, Cath, sitting on his lap. They were acting all mushy as if no one was watching, and that signalled her to make her way towards them. She was on the verge of tears as she was walking up to them, and so she took a deep breath to kept it all in. She had to control her emotions. Besides, she wouldn't want her peers think that she's weak.
Si Marydale toh noh? She's strong and she doesn't depend on guys too much for God's sake.
"Gago."
She whispered.
This time, she shouted the word loudly for everyone to hear, and Ivan turned around immediately. He was shocked, as she pushed Cath off of him. As Ivan faces Marydale, an apologetic expression suddenly was written all over his face, he then held both her arms for her to not leave.
"I can explain."
The statement made her stare at him in disbelief, "Anong explain? Wala na. Tapos na tapos na no. Kitang-kita ko na. Gagawin mo pa talaga akong tanga ha?!"
Marydale turned her back towards them, leaving Ivan and her girl in complete embarrassment. She then made her way outside the bar, as she searches for a spot where no one could see her. Fortunately, she was able to have found an alleyway that wasn't too creepy, yet she still feel safe. There, she cried her heart out. What hurt her more was that she saw the proof. At first, she didn't want to believe what others have told her that Ivan was a playboy. Still, she followed her heart and trusted her instinct that he was different.
And she was wrong.
Marydale crouched down, leaning on the brick wall, as she covers her faces and to stop herself from crying. She was both angry at herself and Ivan and at the same time, feels pain after what she has seen. What hurt more was seeing Ivan smile with another girl, something she has not seen in him for a long time. She continued to cry, tears rolling down her face – without knowing it, there was someone who's actually seeing all this happen.
"Uhm, are you – uhh – okay? All along it was Edward who has been watching her – not knowing what to do next.
Marydale looked up and saw Edward. Much to her surprise, she got embarrassed and quickly stood up to face him properly.
"Ay. Sorry." Marydale wiped her tears, as she tried to give him a smile even if it's difficult to do so.
They rode in silence for a few minutes until finally Edward had the courage to speak up.
"Are you okay? I feel like you need someone to talk to, I can listen to you if you want."
Pakshet naman oh, nag-eemote ako dito tapos englisher pa tong kaharap ko.
"Ayoko nga, English ka eh." Marydale said, in which she thought only her was able to hear it.
"I can understand Filipino." Edward smiled.
SHET.
Marydale laughed nervously, as Edward just stared at her, concern all over his face. He saw how puffy the girl's eyes were and sadness was evident on the way she speaks. For Edward, it was weird to feel this way since he has never met the girl before. The funny thing was although she was a stranger, why does he have the urge to comfort and care for her? That's so unlike Edward.
Edward wasn't a type of guy that would bring girls to places on their first meeting. Edward did things slowly but surely – it has always been about thinking things through before doing. For him, it is important to undergo a process before finally making things happen. But tonight was an exception. As much as he wanted to stop himself from these next words, his heart betrayed him.
"Do you want to go some place else?"
Marydale wasn't the type of girl that could easily be taken by some guy she just met. She liked to take things slowly but surely. Despite her strong and fierce attitude, she still considers herself as a 'dalagang Filipina'. However, the question that Edward had asked her is quite too tempting tonight.
He looks harmless, she convinced herself.
As much as she wanted to refuse, her heart betrayed her.
"Let's go."
--
Marydale prepared herself on what happens next, besides if anything bad happens; she would definitely blame herself without hesitance.
"Breakfast place, really?" Marydale grinned.
They were now seated at a booth at Rita's Diner, both are now scanning at the menu in order to look for what to eat.
"What were you expecting?" Edward smirked at Marydale. With the lights on, Edward have finally noticed how beautiful she was – bare-faced yet her simple beauty still got my attention.
"Ah wala wala, order na tayo. Hehe."
The waitress approached us, and asked what our orders were.
"Uhhhh – you go first, what's your name?" Edward began.
"Marydale. I'll get a breakfast burrito and an iced tea. What about you, --?" She asked.
"Edward. I'll have cheese omelette and coffee." He smiled.
Awkward silence took over as they waited for their food to arrive. After all, they were strangers to each other and it was odd for the both of them to hang with someone they haven't met before. Maybe it was the ever presence of the dawn that made them both brave to do the things they haven't done before – especially this. Edward took a peek at Marydale, who was now playing with the spoon and fork on the table. Silence continued – not until Marydale had finally got the guts to break the silence this time.
"I saw my boyfriend cheating on me with my two eyes." She sighed. Edward sensed that Marydale wanted to cry again, though he wanted to stop her, he realized that it is better to let it all out. Besides, he believes that 'crying is good for the soul'. Edward listened to her stories about what a jerk she had for an ex-boyfriend. Still, he was amazed that he met someone who was on the same page as him. People who aren't worthy of crying over, dumped them both.
Coincidence? Probably. Edward wasn't a sucker for destinies, fate and all.
"How about you, Edward? Ano storya mo?"
Edward was a bit hesitant on telling his story. He's not the type of guy who trusts people easily so it was difficult for him to open up to Marydale. But Marydale had her share already, this pushed Edward to talk.
"I got dumped last month. Said she found someone BETTER. Emphasized on the better. And a while ago, I saw her with her new guy." He laughed in disbelief.
"Grabe naman. Parehas pala tayo. Tang ina nila noh? Ang papanget nila" Both of them burst into laughter.
The food finally arrived. They ate happily and continued their conversation, not caring about the time and are now gradually forgetting their sorrows in love away.
--
The meeting between Edward and Marydale was unexpected. Both were heartbroken but because of this, they were able to bond and that bond were slowly helping them mend their broken hearts. Days and months passed by, they became really close friends. On the same night of their first meeting, they found out that they go on the same school, but have different majors: Edward in Film and Marydale in Business. Despite conflicts in schedules, they managed to find time to hangout; they would eat out, go to cinemas, watch live bands, (sometimes they bring their own barkada together) and more. Their peers saw the change within them, and the effect they have on each other. People have started to tease them because it was evident that there might be something more between Marydale and Edward.
As the season changes, so was their relationship. At times they would kiss, just because the heart tells them to. They love to be in each other's arms to pass time, just because the heart tells them to. Besides, both Marydale and Edward can't betray their beating hearts because after all, they have considered each other special. They are still the same Marydale and Edward – they take things slowly, but surely. Hence, the non-labelled relationship speaks for themselves. They have gotten to know each other so well as days pass by, have learned to love and care for one another – but still have chosen not to be in a commitment.
Must it be fear of getting hurt again?
Their relationship: no labels, no one will get hurt.
Still, there is no doubt that Marydale and Edward care for one another. They are just too scared and wasn't sure to admit it yet.
--
It was 2 am at Edward's condo when the doorbell rang.
Who could it be looking for me at 2 am? He thought.
He lazily came up to the door and slowly turned the door knob.
"Ashley?"
He sees Ashley, her eyes wet with tears.
Edward didn't know what to do.
In the end, he chose to let her in. As the doors were closing behind them, Ashley intensely grabbed him and hugged him tightly, crying.
Edward's heart softened as he combs her hair with his fingers,
"It's alright, Ash. It's alright".
--
It was just another typical day as both Edward and Maymay are seated in their university cafeteria, waiting for their next classes.
They were just having their normal heart-to-heart talk when Edward felt a peck on his right cheek.
Edward turns around - "It's me."
Ashley.
Maymay couldn't help but feel irritated by what Ashley did.
It's not like me and Edward are together, she thought. Hmp. It irks her seeing Edward and Ashley acting all mushy right infront of her. As much as she wants to tell Edward that she was indeed jealous, she doesn't have the right to since first and foremost, Edward and Maymay aren't even commited with each other. But the image of Ashley and Edward's PDA in front of her is making her uncomfortable.
She's hurt.
"Uh, oops. I better get going, gotta be early for my next class. Uh--uhm bye Edward...nice meeting you, Ashley."
--
Since then, Maymay avoided Edward. What she wanted to do is to guard her feelings. If she won't see them together, no one gets hurt. That was her motivation. All the more, she misses Edward.
Really misses him. Big time.
On the other hand, Edward hung out with Ashley again. Though he's with Ashley, he couldn't help but miss Maymay even more. It was obvious for Edward that Maymay is avoiding him, but he doesn't know what to do. He wasn't happy with Ashley, he was just hanging out with her because Maymay doesn't even want to talk to him.
There is one thing he was really sure of, he just couldn't stand not being with Maymay.
This gave him a realization. He has to see Maymay, and tell her his feelings right away.
--
The next day, Edward waited for Maymay, without her knowing it.
Every Tuesday, Maymay would stay in uni till 7pm due to Business Society Association duties.
As Maymay walks to the parking lot to look for her car, she sees Edward, his back leaning on her car.
"Uy Edward, hehe. Anong ginagawa mo dito?" She tells him, trying to avoid eye contact with him. For Maymay, she just didn't want Edward to see that she is hurting, rather she wants to show him that she's fine, alone.
Maymay continues, "Ikaw ha, siguro love advice kailangan mo. Kamusta na kayo ni --".
"Di naman naging kami ulit. I don't have feelings for her anymore, like never again. Cos all this time, you have a special place in my heart, May. I know we didn't label things between us ever since, and I'm such a jerk for doing that. That's why right now, I don't want to be a coward, ugh. I hated myself for being a coward. Kaya, here it goes: The truth is, I love you. I love you, Maymay. So much." Edward says passionately, as if his life depended on it.
Maymay couldn't react rather, she was speechless. Speechless, in a good way as she has been waiting for this wonderful moment to come. As much as she wanted to conceal her feelings, this time she won't as she is just as ready to fall in love again. Things would not be as easy, people could get hurt over and over again. But with love, she believes that love conquers all. She trusts Edward and she knows that Edward trusts her too. With that, she will just erase and forget all her fears and will choose to be happy again.
Maymay hugs him as if she didn't want to let him go.
"Same, Edward. Same."
With that, Maymay kisses him as a reply to his confession.
"I love you too" she reassures him.
-END-
*unedited*