Two Years Later ...
I was smelling the pink tulip in my hand. It smelt really good and fresh. A secret admirer dropped it again in front of my doorsteps. It has been six months without fail in sending me flowers. It started six months ago when this person kept on leaving a bouquet of tulips for me. The tulip has always been my favorite.
I have also been living here in Vancouver, Canada, for two years. I stayed in an apartment near downtown, specifically in the Financial District where our family business was located. Dad let me handle our business branch here. I was appointed as Assistant CEO for a year now, and I was working in a shadow. I stayed hidden and in private. Only those executives knew about my existence, and they all needed to keep it a secret. Thanks to my mother for making it possible.
So far, staying here has really been the best decision that I have ever made. I felt at peace, and I knew to myself that I was slowly healing. Those scars deep inside me were slowly recovering, and I was glad that I made it this far.
At first, it was so hard. I kept on having nightmares whenever I was asleep. But now, nothing. The nightmares just suddenly stop. I could peacefully sleep at night.
I went inside the apartment and decided to put the flowers in the vase. I put the flower on the table first and was about to take a vase when suddenly my phone rang.
I took my phone in my pocket and smiled right away when I saw who was calling.
"Philip," I answered the call.
It's been a year since we had communication with Philip again. And I’m glad he’s happy now. We remained friends, and I was delighted with what we became. Philip always had a particular part in my heart. And I was glad that what happened to us two years ago didn’t even become a hindrance to our friendship.
[“Cris…”] he called my name.
"You called? You already know how expensive international calls are, don’t you?” I said, laughing.
[“I think you need to come back home,”] he said seriously.
"Why?" I asked while my forehead creased.
[“I’m getting married,”] My eyes widened at what he said.
“Holy shit! For real? Oh my god! I’m so happy for you, Phil. ”
I’m really happy. Since our communication was back, there was no day that we would not talk about Angel, his girlfriend. Angel was one of his pro-bono clients. Now, look where it led him.
[“She wants you to be her maid of honor. You know how she loves you, right? So you have to be here. She will not marry me unless you are her maid of honor. So I’m begging you, come home— “]
[—Cris! Please be my maid of honor? Please! Please! Pretty please! ”] It was Angel’s voice. Hearing her sweet voice made me smile again.
When I first met Angel, I immediately liked her. She’s very kind. And she and Philip were just meant to be.
“Do I have a choice?” I joked.
[“Nope.”] They both said in the other line.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. When is your wedding, by the way?”
[“Next week. So you need to be here tomorrow for the gown fitting. I’ll text you the details. We gotta go,”] Philip said.
[“Bye, Cris. See you soon! ”] Angel said before the line was cut-off.
The smile on my lips lingered even if the call was already done. I was genuinely happy for them. I could not feel remorse in my heart. I made the right choice. And seeing Philip happy made me happy too.
I guess I really needed to go home, huh? Well… It has been two years. I think I was ready to go back.
***
“Cris dear? Are you going on a vacation?” It was Mrs. Thompson. She has been my neighbor since I moved into my apartment.
“I guess so, Mrs. Thompson, ” I smiled at her. She was walking beside me. I dragged my suitcase to the elevator while she was carrying a plastic bag.
Today was my flight back to the Philippines. After that call yesterday from Philip. I immediately booked a flight home. I was actually excited to go home.
Nicholai’s face suddenly flashed in my mind. I haven't heard from him since I left the country. The last time I heard, he also flew out of the country. But I didn’t know which country. I could say that I already forgave him. Life was too short to resent people for so long. Forgiving him meant that I was totally moved on from the past. I hoped he was doing well. I also wish happiness for him.
"Are you going back to the Philippines?" she asked again with a smile on her face.
“Yes. It’s my friend’s wedding,” I replied with a smile.
“Oh! Wedding! I love weddings. How about you? When are you going to get married? ”
I almost choked on her question. I didn’t even have a boyfriend, how do I get married? I'm an old lady. Tsk!
“I will find a boyfriend first before I will do that,” I said and chuckled.
“Oh! I thought you had a boyfriend? I always saw a man putting flowers on your doorsteps. ” My eyes widened at what she said.
She saw my secret admirer!
I was dying to know who he was. I tried to catch him a few times but I couldn’t really catch him. I thought he would appear in front of my apartment and introduce himself, but it had been six months and he was still not doing it. I could only say one thing. He was so timid. Tsk!
At first, I thought it was Philip. But I was wrong. I thought Nicholai too but it was very impossible because Mom said Nic left the country and rehabbed there.
Who could this man be?
I was about to ask her about the man she was talking about when she suddenly bid goodbye. Ugh! Maybe next time. When I came back from the Philippines.
I immediately took the elevator and went down to the ground floor. I immediately hailed a taxi to take me to the airport. Before I got inside the taxi, I took a last glance at the building of my apartment and smiled.
Goodbye for now, Vancouver. And I guess see you in the next 15 hours, Philippines.