The Woman who was Never Mine (English Version)

Chapter 3

Levi

Since that night, the days we spent together slowly became more frequent.

It wasn't just Fridays anymore.

Sometimes Maya would invite me whenever she and her daughter, Amaya, went out. When that happened, I would bring my nephew Ion along with us.

The kids were almost the same age, so they quickly became friends.

Whenever we went out together, Ion and Amaya would run around playing while Maya and I watched them.

But there was something I noticed about her.

Every time we passed by a couple—holding hands, laughing together—Maya would suddenly go quiet.

I could tell what she was thinking.

She missed being in that situation.

She missed having her husband beside her.

Sometimes she would tell me stories about him—how sweet he was, how he always took care of her.

Anyone who listened could easily see how deeply she loved him.

Honestly, I sometimes thought her husband was the luckiest man alive.

It turned out we had something else in common too.

We had both recently moved back to this town.

Maya used to live in Manila because it was closer to her job, but her husband wanted her to move back here so she could stay near their families.

And just like me, she had also decided to take a one-month break from work.

Maybe that was why we got along so easily now.

Our lives were strangely similar.

Before I knew it, almost a month had passed since we started hanging out like this.

And tonight—It was Friday again.

Which meant another night at the bar.

Apparently, Maya liked going out on Friday nights because it was the only time she could enjoy her social life.

Just once a week.

Tonight, I arrived earlier than her at the bar with the live band.

Ten minutes later, she walked in.

"Have you been here long?" she asked.

"Not really," I said. "I just got here too."

She sat down across from me while I called the waiter so we could order drinks.

"Oh right," I said casually. "Ion's birthday is coming up."

"The nephew you told me about?" she asked.

"Yeah. He said he wants to have a picnic."

"Well then take him somewhere nice," she said. "There are plenty of places for that."

"You and Amaya should come with us."

She blinked.

"Why would we come?"

"You two can just go together. It'll be your bonding time."

"Well... the thing is..." I hesitated.

"I'm not sure where we should go."

She laughed lightly.

"You could go to Tagaytay," she suggested. "If you want somewhere closer, Quezon Circle Park is nice too."

I scratched my head awkwardly.

"That would be easy if I were in your situation."

"What do you mean?"

I sighed before answering.

"I don't have a car."

"Unlike you."

"I don't want to rent one either. It's just extra expense."

Then I smiled sheepishly.

"So I thought... maybe you and Amaya could come with us. You know... so you can enjoy the trip too."

"I'll cover the gas," I added quickly.

"And I can drive. You know that"

She didn't respond immediately.

For a moment, I wondered if I had asked too much.

Then she nodded.

"Well... if we have a car, we could visit more places."

She smiled.

"Alright. I'm in."

"Yes!" I grinned.

"Thanks. I just wanted to save money too."

She laughed.

"So when is this picnic?"

"Sunday."

"Sunday?!" she exclaimed.

"Why? Are you busy?"

"No," she said, shaking her head.

"I was just surprised. You really don't waste time planning things."

We both laughed before turning our attention back to the band.

After a while, I spoke again.

"Maya..."

"Yes?"

"Does your husband know we hang out like this?"

"Of course."

Her answer came immediately.

"He doesn't get jealous?"

"Why would he?"

She shrugged.

"My husband trusts me. And I trust him too."

I nodded.

She was right.

There was nothing wrong with what we were doing.

We were just friends.

Soon, we finished the first bucket of beer.

"Another round?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"No. We have plans on Sunday."

"And I want to go home early. Amaya likes sleeping beside me."

That was fair.

It was still early anyway.

Only a little past nine.

"So I'll head home first," she said while standing up.

"Let's just talk through text about what we need to bring for Sunday."

"Sure."

"I'll leave in a bit too," I said. "I'll finish one more drink."

"Don't get drunk," she warned with a small smile.

"And go home early."

Then she waved goodbye and left the bar.

Leaving me alone with my drink.

Sunday

We left early.

Really early.

It was only 5:30 in the morning when we started driving toward Tagaytay.

The kids had the time of their lives.

They ran around the picnic area, laughing and playing nonstop.

Ion was especially happy with the gifts Maya and Amaya gave him.

Maya even bought him a cake, so he could blow out candles for his birthday.

To entertain them more, I showed the kids a few magic tricks.

They loved it.

Amaya clapped excitedly every time I finished one.

But what surprised me was Maya's reaction.

She looked amazed.

Like it was the first time she had ever seen my tricks.

Which was strange.

Because I was pretty sure she had seen them before.

While we were eating lunch, Maya suddenly asked—

"Levi... how old are you now?"

"Thirty-two," I answered. "Why?"

"So you were almost thirty when your wife died?"

We had talked about it once before, so the topic didn't feel awkward anymore.

"Yeah."

"Did you have a child together?"

I nodded.

"We did."

"Then why didn't you bring them today?"

My hands tightened slightly around my spoon.

"Because his with their mother."

She looked confused.

"I don't understand."

"They both died," I said quietly.

"Mother and child."

I looked away.

I didn't want to talk about it any further.

Even now, remembering them still hurt.

And no matter how much it hurt—I knew they weren't coming back.

"I'm sorry," Maya said softly.

I didn't respond.

Instead, I finished eating in silence.

After lunch, the kids wanted to try the rides nearby.

While we were walking, Ion suddenly tugged my sleeve.

"Tito Levi... it's cute."

"What is?" I asked.

Maya looked curious too.

Ion grinned.

"It feels like you're my dad."

"And Tita Maya is like my mom."

"And me and Amaya are twins."

He turned to Amaya.

"Right?"

Amaya nodded happily.

"Yeah! I wish he was my daddy instead."

For a moment—Everything went silent.

Maya and I looked at each other.

Then she quickly looked away.

Awkward.

She started walking ahead of me as if she wanted to avoid the moment.

On the way home, the kids fell asleep in the back seat from exhaustion.

Maya woke up when we were already close to town.

She checked her phone.

"Levi, stop at that restaurant for a moment," she said.

"My parents are at home. I'll just take some food with me."

I parked where she pointed.

The restaurant had a beautiful overlooking view.

While waiting for her order, Maya stepped outside to enjoy the scenery.

I left the engine running so the kids could stay comfortable, then locked the car and walked toward her.

When I got closer—I saw her wiping her tears.

"Hey," I said softly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"I just miss Kaiden." She forced a small smile.

"I wish we could travel like this too. Even when he's in the country, he's always busy."

"He'll come back soon, right?" I said.

"You don't have to cry. He didn't leave you."

"I know," she whispered.

"I just can't help feeling lonely sometimes."

Then she looked at me.

"What about you? Don't you miss your wife?"

I smiled faintly and looked at the horizon.

"Of course I do."

"But I've already accepted that she's not coming back."

"I just miss Kaiden's hugs," Maya said quietly.

"I miss having my husband beside me."

She turned away from me again.

Maybe because she didn't want me to see her cry.

Before I even realized what I was doing—I stepped closer.

And wrapped my arms around her from behind.

"L-Levi?" she stammered.

"That's not what I meant. You don't have to—"

"Shh."

I gently stopped her from talking.

I knew she didn't want my hug.

She wanted her husband's.

But for some reason—Holding her made the sadness inside me fade a little.

She kept her hands against her chest while I held her.

And I could feel that she was waiting for me to let go.

When I finally did—She took a deep breath.

Then she looked at me.

And suddenly—I kissed her.

I didn't know why.

I knew it was wrong.

But it felt like something pushed me to do it.

For a moment—Time stopped.

That kiss...

It brought back memories.

Memories of a love I once had for Maya.

A love I never truly understood.

She didn't pull away.

Maybe because my hands were still around her waist.

Or maybe—Because part of her didn't want to.

When I leaned closer again—She moved too.

My grip tightened around her waist.

I wanted to kiss her again.

Hold her tighter.

But suddenly she stepped back and turned away.

"L-let's go," she said quickly.

"Our order might be ready."

She walked back toward the restaurant without looking at me.

I ran a hand through my hair.

"Shit..." I muttered.

What the hell did I just do?

She loved her husband.

Completely.

But somehow—I still couldn't stop myself from being drawn to her.

And even though guilt was slowly creeping in...

Deep inside—I knew something.

I liked what happened.

Even if it was wrong.

Flashback

11 Years Ago

"Wait... you have a boyfriend?"

"Yes," Maya said casually.

"Why? Are you surprised?"

"Well... yeah," I admitted.

"Where is he? I never see him around."

"He goes to a different school," she explained.

"He couldn't enroll here because his course isn't offered here. And I couldn't transfer to his school because my grades didn't meet their requirements."

So she had a boyfriend.

Great.

There went my plan of asking her out.

But then again—People say even marriages can be broken.

So what more a boyfriend?

I wasn't giving up.

After all—The guy who stays beside her has a bigger chance...

Than the one who's far away.

And besides—I had already fallen for her at first sight.

So if I couldn't win her through courting...

Then I'd win her through friendship.

Sooner or later—I believed she would fall for me too.