A Chance of Forever

Simula

“Then, tell me the truth. Are you in love with my brother?” Lorenzo's hands formed into fist as he looked at Maeve expectantly to say no.

Maeve bit the inside of her cheeks and closed her eyes as a single tear rolled down on her face.

“‘Pag sinabi ko bang oo, titigilan mo na ako? Are you letting me go?”

Mariing umiling si Lorenzo. "No. I never and will never stop loving you, Mae. Pero sagutin mo ang tanong ko." He held her arms tightly. He felt his chest tightened as he was waiting for her answer. Ganito pala ang nararamdaman ng dalaga noon pero mas masakit ata ang nararamdaman niya ngayon. Ang bigat.

"Yes," Maeve whispered, her voice cracking a little.

Tumulo ang luha ni Lorenzo at mabilis nitong iyon pinunasan bago tumingin sa kalangitan na puno ng bituin.

"My brother i-is lucky to have you, Mae." Tumingin ito sa dalaga na mapula na ang mata. He reached out and wiped her tears.

"Don't cry, Mae, wala kang kasalanan. I deserved this. I'm willing to be hurt again, hanggang sa mapatawad mo ako, even though I'm not the man who is inside of your heart anymore. Ang hirap lang bitawan ka." He forced a smile.

"You have been part of my life, Ren, you always are. Minahal kita. Ikaw ang first love ko, eh," ani ni Maeve at tumawa. Ren, it was her nickname for him when they were still together.

Huminga ng malalim si Maeve at tumitig sa mata nito. "You have to let me go. I need you to let me go kasi imposible ng maging tayo."

“How can I forget about you, Mae?” Lorenzo muttered under his breath. He was leaning on the hood of his car, a can of beer in his right hand, marveling at the ocean's ripples and waves as he remembers what she said. Paano ba mahihilom agad ang pusong lubhang nasaktan?

Si Maeve lang ang bukod-tanging babae na tinanggap ang imperfections niya dahil alam n’yang mahirap mahalin ang tulad niya. He didn’t even plan on falling in love dahil naka-focus siya sa pag-aaral pero hindi niya napaghandaan ang pagdating ni Maeve sa buhay niya. She was like a fire, slowly creeping into his heart. He first meet her nang may pageant sa university nila at isa ang dalaga sa mga candidates. Maraming magaganda pero si Maeve ang nakakuha ng atensyon niya sa lahat. She smiled seductively at the crowd and her gaze was captivating the people’s heart. No wonder, kilalang-kilala ito sa university. Hindi ito katulad ng ibang babae na mabait, sweet at may hiya sa sarili, she was the opposite. She’s bold and wild. Maarte at mataray kaya hindi nakakalapit agad ang mga gustong kumausap dito. She’s confidently beautiful and she knows it.

Sigawan ang namayani nang lumabas ito wearing a piece of sexy dress, it turns out dancing is her talent. Nang magsimula itong sumayaw ay biglang tumibok ang puso niya ng mabilis. Wala naman talaga s’yang interes sa mga ganito but it was required by the school that all of them should attend. She danced as if it seemed it was the only way her body knew how to communicate. Her charm and sexuality exploded onto the stage, painting the most vivid picture of a stunning woman. Lorenzo stood there watching her dance to the music that was filling the whole gym. Then, when it was nearing the ending, her gaze clashed into his, making his heart palpitate.

Damn! What happened to him? Why did his heart race like a horse?

He still remembers their first meeting and after that his world take a roller coaster ride.

Suddenly, his phone rings. Inubos niya ang lahat ng mayroon sa can in beer bago kinuha ang phone at sinagot ito.

“Hello?”

[Nasaan ka na, brother? The event will start soon,] ani sa kabilang linya. It was Levine, his brother, the one who got Maeve at the end. After so many years of waiting, he found her in their house ipinakilala bilang girlfriend ng nakakabata n’yang kapatid. He can’t think at that moment. She’s getting more gorgeous but she never looked at him, seeing her happy with Levine made him uncomfortable. Maeve was also working as Levine's secretary, which he discovered. He watches them bickering and flirting with each other on a daily basis, which only works to aggravate him.

“I’ll be going in a minute,” sagot niya. He closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. He opened it and threw the can in the bin before storming to his car. Hopefully, sa gagawin nila ay maging masaya na ang kapatid niya at si Maeve.

-----

Levine and Rachell’s engagement.

“I want to thank all of you for joining us here. I know you all know what is going to happen since it was all over the news,” Alberto laughed. His eyes went down to his youngest son before looking out for the crowd again.

“It is a joyous occasion for the Mondragon and Atienza families to join two hearts of our children. Let me introduce them to all of you. Rachell and Levine.”

The people clapped their hands. Sa sinabing iyon ni Alberto ang iba ay hindi gusto ang nangyari dahil alam nilang mag-eexpand na naman ang business ng mga ito. Levine went up with Rachell clinging in his arms. Bagay na bagay ang magpares sa mata ng iilan pero ang iba ay hindi dahil alam nilang hindi naman ikakasal ang dalawa dahil mahal nito ang isa’t-isa. They are just using each other for the benefit of their business.

“Handa ka na?” bulong ni Lorenzo sa tenga ni Maeve. She put down her drink and flipped her hair. She's still stunning as ever. Hindi mawawala sa puso niya ang babaeng 'to.

“Bakit ako? Hindi ba’t dapat ako ang magtanong niyan?” She smiled wickedly. “Are you ready, Lorenzo?”

Bago pa man makasagot ang binata ay narinig nila ang tikhim ng isang boses kaya pareho silang napatingin sa stage at nakita ang matalim na titig ni Levine sa kapatid.

Maeve giggled and winked at her man.

“You playful woman. You know that your man was easily triggered by jealousy because of me,” napapailing na sambit ni Lorenzo at tumingin kay Rachell na ngayon ay nakatitig sa kanya. It was like something was pulling him to her at hindi niya maputol ang mata sa inosenteng mata niyon.

Maeve tapped him on his shoulder as a sign and he stood up and walked towards the center of the floor where everybody could see him.

“Oh, the great Lorenzo is gonna do this for that girl,” Maeve murmured with a smile. Magiging kupido ba siya sa dalawang ‘to? No. Hahayaan niya na lang ang dalawa. She’s sure that in time, Lorenzo will open his heart again.

Lorenzo looked at his father with serious eyes and with pursed lips, he opened his mouth.

“I don’t agree with the engagement, father.”