When It All Started Once More

May 26, 2003 at a coffee shop inside one of the malls in the old city of Manila, Bro Bear and I decided to meet up for the first time after almost six years of disconnection. I never thought that we’d see each other again, although in that gap or span of loneliness, I kept on wondering how he’d been and what he’d become. It was such a rainy day that time when I waited for him in the coffee shop.

 

Then an umbrella was carefully placed on the table in front of me. I looked at my side and there emerged from behind me was Bro Bear. He sat opposite me. He took his time in placing his sling bag on a chair. There were a few awkward silent moments, perhaps brought about by anxiety and giddiness of the reunion. I remembered that he said something first. It was a question. And I remembered how my anger flew away from me the instant that I saw his face again.

 

We seemed to talk for hours and we didn’t realize that the night was getting deep. I looked into his face again and I admitted to myself that I missed him all along. I couldn’t bring myself to look straight into his eyes for I knew that I’d done something awful and I left him hanging in the air. I looked down instead and brought myself to explain to him why I didn’t say goodbye.

 

I saw his hands touching my arms and then the old feeling began to fill me up once more. I started to wet my eyes. My tears began to roll on my cheeks as I raised my head and bravely sought his eyes. He said, “it’s okay.”

 

We left the coffee shop and went out of the mall and walked the street towards Taft. Just below the LRT track, at a corner, Bro Bear pulled me towards him and he hugged me very tight. I never had the time to digest what was happening but I automatically opened my arms to him and hugged him back. I buried my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

 

No words were uttered. But I realized how much we missed each other. We continued to hug, unmindful of the people who passed us by. By then we knew that we belong to each others arms again.

 

It has been 5 years since. Bro Bear and I are still together. This time, we decided to spend our anniversary in the historic island of Corregidor.

 

Through Thick and Thin, Long Hair or short, good and bad times,

 

 

We take a shot on this wonderful experience

 

We smile and learn to appreciate why we are still together

 

 

I know I may be so serious at times but

 

You make great effort to make me smile when you tickle my bones

 

 

 

with your funny stories and antics.

 

Rain or shine, we could make this thing work

 

No more doubts, no more second guesses

 

 No more looking back on things that might have been.

 

There could only be one direction to take, and that is the future.  Dreams, ambitions and plans for the years ahead may be difficult to achieve but if we do it together, it may all be possible.

 

Let us be guided with our feelings for each other. Let’s begin to share the future together and make ourselves believe that we can do it. We may sometimes doubt our abilities to achieve great things but let us not stop encouraging each other to push for better things.

 

Let us be an inspiration to each other. Or better yet a cheerleader.

 

Let’s make our relationship stronger.

 

 

 There may be times that the path would be dark and difficult, be let us try to make adjustments and changes.

 

The path to our future may or may not be good but let us try to make wonderful moments and experiences out of it. The final destination may seem very important but usually, the steps and the paths matter more.

 

And I would be always grateful for every new day. A new day may bring opportunities for us to grow and to nurture our relationship. And I could never thank you enough.

 

We have gone a long way. Our destination is no way near yet.

 

 

Some pictures from the trip:

 

 The Budhha and the Tunnel

 One of Corregidor’s Big Gun at the Tail Side

 

  

The Statue of the Farmer-Soldier and the Eternal Flame of Freedom

 

 

The Middle Barracks

 

  

Battery Way and the Mile-Long Barracks

 

 

 

Bonne Anniversaire to us Bro Bear!!!!