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A LOVE OF A LIFETIME

 

 

The first time, we were in college. You asked me out on a date, and I 

said

yes, later, when 

school's over for the summer. You were happy with that for a moment but 

the

next moment you wanted more. "I'll wait for you after class, ok? "You 

told

me. 

"My last class is until nine." "I'll wait." "Why?" "So I can walk you

home." "Why?" 

"So I can make sure you're all right." And you waited until nine that 

night

and many 

more TThS (Tuesday, Thursday,

 Saturday) nights afterwards. Until almost

every night, you were already walking me home, which actually meant we 

had

to take two jeepney rides and an LRT ride together. At around 11:00 

p.m.,

after you've said goodnight to my parents, you'd take another three 

jeepney

rides (because the LRT had closed). 

You'd get to your home at past midnight. Seven hours later, we'd see 

each

other again at school, and you'd smile at me as if you'd had enough

 

sleep,

and I'd smile back as if I hadn't stayed up wondering if you were ok. 

The

hundredth time, I was in Makati. I was getting used to my first job and 

you

were getting used to yours. I thought graduation meant we would soon 

have

to break up and either tries to be friends or try to forget about each

other. When you had to work and live in Cavite, I knew in my heart that

everything would soon be over. But it was never over because you called

 

me

one lunchtime and said, "I'll pick you up." So from Cavite to Makati 

you

came, then to Paranaque to make 

sure I made it home all right. You called each lunchtime afterwards and

made that 

seven-hour trip each evening to bring me home safely and then get back 

home

to your place. My friends made me realize that not all boyfriends do

 

the

things you do. My mom made me realize you would take care of me for the

rest of my life. The three thousandth time, we were married. And now 

you

weren't just picking me up anymore. In the mornings you would drive me

first to my office before driving on to yours. You endured each hour I

spent in the bathroom putting on makeup, patiently looked over the 

clothes

I kept pulling out of the closet, ignoring each memo from your boss 

that

told you to come in earlier. In the afternoon you still waited for me 

(in a

car this time, so no more jeepneys), ready

 to make sure we got home to 

our

baby safely. The last time, I think we'd be really, really old... Our 

kids

would all be grown up with families of their own and you would've lost 

yourhair and I would've lost my 24-inch waistline. On that day, the sun 

will be

shining, but I'll be crying because the doctor will tell me there's 

nothing

more they can do for you. I will see your calm face as they cover you 

with

a white blanket and for a moment I will think, "Who's gonna make sure I 

get

home all right?" But then, in that hospital room, I will suddenly

 look 

up,

and you'd be there beside me looking as cute as when we were in 

college.

"Come on," you will tell me. "Let's walk home together." And I will 

take

your hand, stand by your side and together we'll walk away from that 

hospital room. And that will be the last time, because from then on you

wouldn't need to look after me because we'll never have to leave home 

again.