One I've Been Missing

"Hon! Over here!"

I looked at the owner of that voice. Kakapasok ko sa coffee shop at ang gwapong mukha na ang bumungad sa akin.

I smiled at him and went towards his direction. He then stood up and gave me a side hug and pulled the chair for me. My sweet and gentleman long time boyfriend. We've been together for four years now. Who would have thought? Before, I can't even stand talking to him cause he was too full of himself. A playboy bastard who knows nothing but play others' feelings.

"You already ordered?" I said glancing at the table. It has foods and drinks that he ordered which I think is too much.

"Yep" he said popping the p. "I already know what you want so why wait for you to order when I can do it for you?"

I just smilled and started to eat the foods he ordered. Trying to hide my smile. This man is always so sweet since day one. Na kahit apat na taon na kami ay hindi pa rin siya nagbabago sa pakikitungo niya sa akin.

Years before we dated, he was someone who won't settle in a relationship. He had his reputation. And I knew about it so as much as possible umiiwas na ako sa kanya. Not as if I'll fall in love with him, it's just that I don't want trouble. And Iñigo Santos screams trouble that you don't want to engage yourself in.

But he always has his ways on getting you wrapped in his arms. I remember the very first time we talked. That was the birthday celebration of my niece. I was even shocked to see him at the venue. Shocked because I didnt know our families are close with each other pala. At first akala ko we're blood related but it turned out na best friend pala ng mommy niya ang mommy ng brother in law ko. Small world huh

Throughout the party, I see to it na hindi kami magkakatagpo kasi nararamdaman ko ang titig niya sa akin. And everytime I glanced at him, hindi talaga niya iniiwas ang tingin niya. It's as if he wanted me to know that he's staring at me and that he knows me. When I went to the corner to have some fresh air, hindi napansin na sinundan niya pala ako.

"Hey, I know you. We're schoolmates right?"

"Xavier University? Right?" He added.

I sighed and then looked at him. I raised my brows and pointed myself asking if he was pertaining to me even if it's too obvious. Kasi naman walang ibang tao dito kundi kaming dalawa lang. Imposible naman na yung halaman ang kinakausap niya diba.

He smiled and noded.

I sighed again and turned my back unto him. Wala akong balak makipag-usap sa kanya. First, hindi ko siya kilala. All I know about him is he's Iñigo the playboy Santos. Nothing more.

But he surprised me when he grabbed my left arm, making me face him

"Let go" was the only thing I said. I've never been so closed to him before, the closest was actually a couple of meters away.

"Why do I feel like you're mad at me? May nagawa ba akong kasalanan sa'yo?" He asked.

I didn't utter a single word. I just stared at him in awe. Kasi naman eh ang gwapo gwapo niya

"I just want us to be friends you know"

"Marami na akong kaibigan"

"Then be my girlfriend nalang" he smirked after he said that.

The nerve of this guy. Kinalas ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin. I glared at him before I walked away. Be his girlfriend? Is he crazy? Ni hindi niya nga ako kilala eh at hindi namin kilala ang isa't isa. After that hindi na ako lumayo kila daddy. At least pag kasama ko si dad alam kong hindi lalapit yung unggoy na yun.

Days after that, my patience really was tested. There's an unknown number kept on texting me. I already know who it was. Kasi nagpakilala na siya sa first text pa lang niya.

Iñigo unggoy:

Hey! You free later? Wanna watch a movie together?

Iñigo unggoy:

Isla Evangelista, are you a proton? Cause you always radiate positive energy towards me.

Iñigo unggoy:

I just wanted to be friends with you.

Two weeks, two weeks and he's still bombarding me with his annoying text messages. I think he called once but I rejected it. Akala ko titigil na siya pero ang kapal ng mukha hindi na nahiya. I wasn't really planning to reply to him until

Iñigo unggoy:

Isla? Send help please. My dog, I don't know what's happening.

I can't ignore his message about his dog. So I replied, and then he asked me if I could go with him at the vet. I just can't say no because it involves a dog. And I love dogs okay.

Days after that his dog died. He was so sad that I couldn't leave him alone. I was also the only one who was with him during the burial of his dog kasi mayroong conference ang mommy niya sa Manila and I don't know where his dad is.

I stayed with him during his mourning times. Even if I dislike him, I know the pain that is infilcted to him. I also lost my dog a couple of months ago. And my dad and mom were there with me. So I wanted to be with him kasi alam ko kung gaano kasakit mamatayan ng aso tapos nag-iisa pa siya ngayon.

That became the start of our friendship. During his mourning times, I learned a lot about him. And he wasn't as bad as I envisioned him. We became friends for a while and then he asked if he could court me. I didn't found a reason to say no to him so yeah we became together. And look at us now, four years in a relationship, nothing new, just stronger as each days past by.

***

:)