Special Holiday from Work

March 20, 2003, Thursday... It should have been a normal day at work... It wasn't a holiday or anything... but well.... Cris and I decided to take time off work... hehehe .... Actually, it was Cris's plan (she influenced me)... She invited me to breakfast at McDonald's at St. Francis Square, in front of Megamall... how can I say no to that... She was the first to arrive. I met her upstairs and we went down to order .... I got pancakes... Yumm... How I love them... We went back up and sat somewhere near the window. We ate our breakfast as we talk about so many stuff...

We didn't really have a plan but heck, who cares... as long as we are together, that's ok. We went to the Powerplant mall in Makati and we decided to watch a movie, Chicago... After the movie, we had our late lunch at Cibo... Again, we talked about so many stuff as we ate our food... After lunch, we're supposed to get something for her sister (I think it was her birthday)... Cris had a hard time deciding, but she was looking for some cologne... We ended up going to the Shangri-La Mall in Ortigas and was able to find a good store that sells the type of cologne she was looking for...

It was a bit of a long day for us already... we were a bit tired from walking... but again, we didn't really care... we're enjoying our Office holiday... hehehe... we stopped by at Starbucks and got some drinks... It was already 6:30 PM.... and our day was almost over... Cris needs to go back to Glorietta 4 where she is supposed to be picked up by her dad (She pretended that she was at work... hehehe)... We went to parking lot of Shangri-La mall and entered the car, talked for a few minutes ... and ..... ..... ..... ..... drove back to Makati... ;)

It was the best Holiday ever... that is our very own special holiday from work....

The Symbol of Love

hey hey hey.... It has been quite awhile when we posted something... Been very busy with work... and for that, our sincerest apologies to our avid readers... :)

I think it was Cris's turn to continue the story... but that's ok... let me do it... so, where did we stop the last time.... hmm... ahh... as I was saying, things got a bit better day by day. We went to see each other after office hours (remember that time she was still with Sun, and I was with Accenture). It was really a good thing that our office was just a block apart. Back then, our normal hang out place is at the Enterprise Building since it is just a block away from us. I remember times when I will walk Cris towards that building. This is where she normally takes her shuttle to go home. That time, she was still quite hesitant for me to bring her home given that her parents were still not aware about us being a couple. This is besides the fact that there were times that I need to stay really late at the office to finish some work... you know Accenture... ;)

One night (March 12, 2003), she was a bit excited to see me after office and was telling me that she has a surprise for me. We went to see each other at the Enterprise building. She was taking the shuttle that day. We talked for a while and had some drinks first at the food court. We didn't really have the luxury of time given that it was really getting late and she still needs to catch her shuttle. We went down at the back of the building to the place where the shuttles normally parked. Before we reached the place, she got something out of her bag and opened a small box. It contained a silver keychain of some sort and handed it to me. The keychain had the words "St. Bridget School" marked on the upper part and had the name "CRIS" at the bottom. I was a bit puzzled and didn't quite make any sense to me at first. But then again, I was a bit happy because I sensed that it has some kind of sentimental value to her. She then explained to me that she got this from her old school. She made a promise to herself back then to give this keychain to her future boyfriend. In short, to the person to whom she will find true love... (Hem... hem....) I was a bit speechless that time and didn't know how to react.... I smiled and said thanks... For the first time, she said "I Love you"

I would have kissed her if I could at that time... hehehe... I walked her towards the shuttle and waved goodbye... I then walked towards my office buildling as if I was floating in the air... :)

Bless The Broken Road

Just a break from our kwentos..I came across this song..I find it so perfect for us..we might have not been able to tell the whole story here...kasi ang dami pa e..If you really want to appreciate the whole thing that happened, you need to know our lives prior to our first meeting..ang galing..it seems that everything was molded from the very start..and eveything that happened has a reason..

But....we find it unreasonable to include it here since they are all bad experiences from our previous "chapters"..and we just want this blog to contain things that only concern us

Anyhoo...just want you guys to have a background on why I find this song so special..this'll be included on our wedding songs list for sure..every line corresponds to one event of our lives..and with this, we share this song to you...

Bless The Broken Road

~OoooO~

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

A Rollercoaster Ride

I must admit that I had a hard time during the first few days of Cris and I being a couple. Its also true that whenever I hear the phrase "We need to talk," it gives me the shivers... I really can't blame her for that. I knew that she was having a hard time herself. I was her first boyfriend after all (lucky me) ... What really frustrates me are those people who kept on intervening, as if they are the ones involved in the relationship. What's worst is that they aren't even our relatives... geez... such nosy individuals. Of course, they didn't know (probably until now) that Cris told me everything about it ... the comments, the stories, and the lies that they told against me. It was really sad... so much black propaganda ... I would have understand if I had done something bad against these people, but as far as I knew, I did my best to help them... to find a job, to train them, to fight for them ... Geez.... THANKS A LOT!

Anyway, like Cris mentioned previously, she tried breaking up with me the second and third day... It was quite difficult to face... I didn't really know what to do ... I did call some friends to seek comfort but they kept on telling me to fight it.... I even remembered my friend Olive telling me that if Cris broke up with me, she'll get really mad at her... but then again, she told me that Cris wouldn't do that... Glad that I still have a number of good friends .... "Loyal ones" to back me up , believe in me, and try to help me be strong ...

Of course, there was much talking between Cris and I... I do understand the confusion she was feeling at that time... I need to be patient... I need to be strong... and I need to believe that we have a great future ahead of us... Whenever I was with her, I tried to be brave... tried to show her that I'm worthy of that decision... but whenever I was alone... tears would also fall from in my cheeks, praying that she remains strong and firm with me...

There's also the fact that she hasn't really told her parents about us... Of course, they knew that we became good friends, but as a couple... a bit more complicated I guess. Cris told me that she'll just inform her parents when she's ready. The only one she confided to was her sister... There was another person who found out about us... one of her officemate/suitor (that time). If I remember it right, he got to know about it by accident. Actually, he was one of the first person outside the family who got to know about us being a couple already. Probably Cris can tell you more about it... hehehe :p

Another thing that happened that's probably worth mentioning is the day after she said yes to me... Probably between 5:30 to 6 PM, I was walking towards her office to pick her up... to my surprise, there she was at the underpass with a bunch of her officemates, in between two other guys, who tried to court her... I was a bit shocked... Obviously, they weren't aware of what had happened the night before... except for one of them (still in-denial I guess)... I didn't know where they are going... I sneaked behind Cris and tap her shoulders... She was really surprised to see me... She told me that her officemates invited her to the mall to celebrate with them and have dinner ... I can't blame her.... I knew that she was really having a hard time and didn't know how to deal with it... I kept my calm of course... I didn't want to humiliate her in front of her officemates (did I mentioned that they were also my officemates for several years...). It was just perfect timing, I guess... probably, she was also looking for a way out of it and I was the perfect excuse... She told them that it was getting late and she needs to go home...

Criticisms were thrown here and there... probably some even raised their eyebrows... but who cares... to hell with them... I am happy... I know Cris is happy... Both of us are having the time of our lives... We went to see each other after work... Things got a bit better day after day... She even gave me something... any idea? Well... you have to wait for the next entry from Cris..... ;p

Do I Really Love him?

So there..we're officially a couple! The first thing that got into my mind that time was: "whoah! did I actually said yes to him? Are we on?"

Then again..a part of me was convincing my other part of me that it's about time I get myself a "real" boyfriend...enough of those "undefined relationships" and enjoy the life of being somebody's girl...

But no..it can't be..how would I tell my friends? my officemates?........ my parents?

I walked away from Mac's car since Dad was already at the other end of Libis waiting for me. I was actually hoping that he'd run after me and clarify what I just said..but then again, the other part of me was praying he'd stay there (inside the car) so that my Dad won't see him...and also, I'm not yet ready to face him and validate what he just heard..

When I went inside the car, my Dad's car that is, I was practically convincing myself that what just happened was real. So..how does it feel having someone you can really call your own? Well, quite confusing..at first

When I got home..I told my Ate..she was asking me if I'm really sure about Mac...the same question that keeps on popping inside my head..
"Aren't you just overwhelmed with the attention that Mac has been giving you?"

Oh...what would I do...I know I like him...but do I love him? (mushy! Mushy! mushy!)

The next few days was really difficult not only for me...but especially for Mac..My fickle mindedness starting to rule over me again..and I have to overcome it..at least for Mac.

It must be really difficult for him to cope up with my mood swings and all...my pretensions and hipocracy..I remember trying to break up with him the day after we became a couple...and would you believe that I keep on doing that for two straight days? It must be really tough for him back then..Yup, shame on me for being that mean =) but hey, I'm just any other girl whose having this confusing kind of thingy..who could've blame me? =P mwehehehehe

Everytime I tell Mac: "We need to talk" it sends him shivers..that's how powerful that four word phrase is...it's like synonymous to..."I'm breaking up with you, Mac". But every after conversation we have, I always end up staying with him convinced that I made the right decision.
Until he got used to it and that four word phrase would just make him smile and realize just how unique I am! =P

The first few weeks was really a stress...everyone keeps on intervening with the relationship...even the most insignificant person in our lives.
We we're dealing with a lot of things..not to mention difficult people...from our parents..down to our officemates and friends..Isn't that a bummer?!

I'd rather not go into details about how we went about explaining to a lot of people why we are a couple..thinking back..Do I owe them the explanation? Nah!

Is it a Yes?

Cris and I continued to date despite the many challenges we had to face. I guess, the reason why we went on dating is that we really enjoy each other's company and all those bad people around us just fade away when we're together... I don't want to sound so cheezy but I guess Love conquers all... hehehe..

March 5, 2003. Wednesday. How I hate that day given that I had to drive the old red car. Not that I'm complaining that the red car is old, but more of the fact that I used to park it at my Tita's house and I still had to walk to get home. Anyway, I invited Cris to have dinner with me after office. It still wasn't easy to ask her out, but probably because of my perseverance, I always find ways to convince her... hehehe... but I think she promised me that we'll go out that time... hmm...

We went to Via Mare (Oyster Bar) at the Powerplant mall. I think she ordered pandesal with corned beef and I got my favorite bibingka. We ate and talk. As far as I can recall, it wasn't really a smooth conversation but still we did enjoy our dinner...

After dinner, I wanted to take Cris home. It was quite late and I'm not comfortable if she'll just take a shuttle or a cab given that she lives in Marikina. During that time, she doesn't really want her parents to know that she's going out with anybody. I really can't understand during that time, but I guess they were just being really protective of their little girl. Anyway, I kept on insisting to take her home. Likewise, she kept on telling me to drop her somewhere and she'll just go home by herself. We went to car and the discussion went on. How difficult it was. Both of us are hard headed. I'm concerned about her safety and she was concerned about her parents finding out that she was dating.

To make the story short.... She won and I ended up bringing her to Eastwood Libis, which is just a few more minutes away from her home. I was really having a bad headache that time... I parked the car and we talked for a while. She asked her dad to pick her up at Eastwood. We continued our conversation while she wait for her dad to arrive (Of course, she didn't tell her dad that I brought her there). Again, I found myself in a difficult situation where she was asking me several questions about my intentions. I remember myself feeling in desperation and tears were continuously falling from my cheeks. The highlight came when she asked me "Ano ba ang gusto mo?" (What do you want?) or something like that. I was confused myself and didn't know how to respond to that question... I kept on telling her that all I wanted is to be with her and express my feelings... She kept on asking me the same question over and over as if she was trying to look for a specific response. As I said, I'm quite lost and didn't actually know what she wanted me to say...

Her dad sent an SMS to tell her that he was there already. For the last time, she asked me the same question, and I responded the same answer... and she said "ok na" and left. I was in a state of shock and was really confused on what had happened. I sat down for several minutes inside the car and kept on thinking what she meant by that... Did she just say yes to me? I contacted my good friend Ina and told her everything. She was telling me that Cris probably said yes to me already... I think it was already between 10 to 11 PM... I told Ina that I'm leaving Eastwood already. I started the car and went outside the parking lot. Still confused, I called Cris on her cellphone and started talking to her hoping to get sense of what had just occurred. Finally I realized.... I DID IT!!!! She said Yes to me already... It was official!!! March 5, 2003... we're finally a couple!!! whoaaaa!!!!!

Difficult times

It has never been really easy courting Cris but there is something different about her that kept me going...

Honestly speaking, I've never been really good in dating... Actually, before I met Cris, I started to go out again and try to meet other women... After a disastrous 8-year relationship with the unfaithful kind, it was quite difficult to find somebody who you can actually be comfortable with and would be able to release yourself unconditionally. Yet it has already been 8 months when I met Cris. After what I have gone through, I felt that it was time to let go of the past and just try to move on. It wasn't really that difficult given the things that my Ex did. It was just like waking up from a very bad dream. But still, there are those the snooping kind who would try to make your life difficult and would pretend that they are your friend, when in fact, they themselves would stab you in the back and make things so much difficult for you.... (sorry for sounding bitter, but I was really hurt and disappointed)

Anyway, enough of that... Cris and I went to see each other, mostly at the food court of the Enterprise building in Ayala. We just ate and talk about so many stuff... mostly our past... our dreams... There are times that I had to work my way just to take her out... Some would probably say that I'm pathetic... but who cares... It was well worth it... I enjoy Cris's company and I really love our conversations... One of the most difficult situation I found myself in was when I waited for her at the ground floor of Philamlife Building. Patiently, I stood near the main door. I can't exactly remember but I think we were supposed to go out, probably to eat, or just for me to take her home, or just to walk her towards the shuttle. She went out the elevator, together with two of her colleagues. I didn't really know these two, since I think they're just doing their OJT. I approached her as always and tried to carry her stuff. She wasn't really quite herself and she projected the image of somebody who was trying to avoid me. As far as I can remember, this is not actually the "Norm." This kind of a scenario usually happens whenever she is around her colleagues.

Admittedly, it was quite difficult for me back then and I really had to swallow a lot of my pride. She wasn't just really comfortable letting others know that she was going out with me. Of course, later on, I found out that it was mostly peer pressure, given that she was trying her best to fit in the crowd whom I always thought are my friends. She admitted to me that my so-called friends tried to brainwash her and told her so many not-so good things about my past. After hearing what has been said about me, I wouldn't probably even date myself... Hey, I've never been a perfect guy, but screw these people for telling so many lies about me... at least, Cris was able to see and prove to herself that I wasn't the person she thought I was after all the brainwashing that happened during that time.... For that I'm forever grateful and really lucky to have her on my side... I failed to mention that there are also some good people from my previous office who remained loyal to me and would boost my pogi points to Cris.... (Thank you for being such true friends...)

Confused Cris

After the controversial Cris' Valentines Day...I really had a difficult time sorting out my feelings for Mac...Do I like him? hmmm...Am I just overwhelmed with my so called free-to-date-whomever-I-want-without-mom-getting-angry life? Is this just flattery I feel because Mac basically did almost everything to get my attention and I don't think he's willing to give up unless I tell him that I'm a male! hahaha!

Days had passed...Mac and I went on with our 'usual' see-you-in-enterprise sort of thingy...we need to do this in order to hide from spying eyes around us...I must admit, I enjoy those time when we secretly see each other somewhere to just talk before I go home. And when we're together, it seems that my 'fickle mindedness' just disappears. He had to undergo a lot of ‘sacrifices’ ..both caused by myself and the people around us. I was also dating other guys that time..but none of them can be compared to mac’s perseverance…He is simply the most understanding (well…at least during that time =P)...most patient and the sweetest human being I’ve ever encountered! (Kudos to him for being the only guy who was able to survive my mood swings...I tell you, it’s not as simple as it seems) Why do some things can be as complicated as this? If only Mac can be meaner...or if he can only be smelly (You won't believe how clean and odor-free he can be)…I’d easily be turned off...sigh…

One morning, as I go on my way to the office, the manong driver tuned in to this station where they are playing this ohh soo cute song…

“If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today? If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way? If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call ….don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?...”

Sigh.. (again) Can’t things be nicer to me? Or is it? Maybe it’s a sign..but no! It Can’t be...I’m still enjoying my free-to-date-whomever-I-want-without-mom-getting-angry life...and I can’t see myself getting committed for the next 3 years...at least...sigh…