I can't believe we met again, Epilogue.

EPILOGUE

"Congrats on successful project, Engineer Lincoln!"

I smiled at my teammates. After half a year with that project, we finally finished it. Now, we're just waiting for its grand opening. I just thanked them before going home.

How is he doing now?

That's the question I'm always asking on the air. Is he good? Did he already eat? Is he tired already? Is he still crying?

I missed him so much.

There are no time when I wouldn't think of him. Kahit sa pagkain, iniisip ko pa rin siya. That's kinda exaggerated but that's what I feel.

Ever since I landed on Singapore, I tried looking for him. I never stop hoping that maybe one day, our path will cross again. That maybe someday, I can stare at his face again, even from afar.

But when those 'someday' came true, I feel like all my courage left the hell out of me.

"Hi, do you need any help?"

It should be a normal day for me to go to the grocery store. While I was walking to the parking lot, I saw a man who looks like having a hard time with his car. My brows furrowed before deciding to approach him, not really expecting that it'd be Callan.

He changed a lot. He looks taller now, and his hair is more shorter than before. He's still on his usual glass and his usual serious expression.

I had to look away when I remembered what I did to him before. But I don't want to leave him like this so I ask again if he needs help.

"No." I tried to conceal the pain I felt when I heard his voice. It was plain, an emotionless voice.

Damn, I miss him that much, I wanted to cry and hug him tight.

He left after that to look for a car. I wanted to offer him a ride but I stopped myself. I wanted to help him he was the one who stopped me.

Pinanood kong umalis ang sasakyan na nakuha niya pero hindi ako umalis sa puwesto ko. I watched his vehicle, thinking that someone might robbed him.

I called someone who can fix his car because I don't want him to be stress because of this. After that, I thanked the one who fixed it and gave him a tip which somehow made him smile.

I stared at his car with a smile on my face but I hid it immediately so the people here won't look at me like I am some sort of crazy man.

"Can you please tell this man that you summoned me to get your car?"

I was embarrassed that time, and was hurt. Kendric get his car and I was left there, trying to calm myself. What is their connection? I can fucking get his car but why did he called Kendric instead?

I accepted a project near his working place. Gusto kong natatanaw siya kahit sa malayo lang. Kahit makita lang siya kaya kahit hindi gan'on kalaking project 'to, tinanggap ko pa rin.

I was glad when I learned that he used to eat on the eatery just below their building. I can see him every lunch, I can even try to talk to him.

"Wala ka bang trabaho?"

"Hmm, meron."

"Ako din."

I can't deny the fact that everytime he ignores me or turned his back, I was hurt. Pero tinatanggap ko lahat 'yun. I hurt him before, so I understand where he is coming. I deserved his anger.

But I will never give up on him.

"Dillion..."

I stopped on my way upstairs when my mother mentioned my name. I clenched my fist and tried to remain calm. I refused to look at her and waited for her words, but when she said nothing, I immediately go upstairs.

Even though I was mad with my mom, I can't resist to just abandon her in our house alone so I stayed beside her. Hindi nga lang kami nag-uusap. Magkasabay kaming kumain pero pareho kaming tahimik.

I am mad at her for what she did years ago but I can't deny the fact that I am still concern about her. She's my mom, and she's the only family I have now.

"If you want, you can go inside." I looked at him with my shock face but he just looked away.

One time I offered him a ride to his unit, and I really didn't expect him to agree. Ang tagal kong hinintay siya kanina dahil napansin kong late siya umuwi. He's having hard time looking for vehicle, so I offered him.

I tried hard to hide my smile while following him. Nang magtabi kami sa elevator, naaamoy ko na ang gamit niyang perfume. It wasn't strong. It was manly. Kinailangan ko ring itigil ang palihim na pag-amoy sa kaniya nang tumingin siya sa'kin.

When I saw his unit, I felt my heart sank. He was the one who payed for it. Everything was fine; the furnitures, the design of the unit. Nilibot ko pa ang paningin ko habang may mumunting ngiti sa labi.

My baby did it. I'm so proud of him. He survived those years alone.

"Did you find him already?"

I was stopped when my mother asked me while we were having our dinner. I looked at her with confusion but when I realized who she's talking about, I feel my body trembled.

Is she going to hurt Callan again that's why she's asking? Is she going to separate us again?

"Please, don't hurt Callan..." I whispered as tears started to pool on my eyes. I can't afford to lose him again.

I saw my mother's mouth parted in shock when she saw me tearing up. I don't want to hurt Callan again. I already caused too much. He will hate me to death.

"I'm not going to hurt your man again..." My mother's eye has pain when I looked at it. Her voice was so gentle as she uttered those words, but there is a hint of pain there. "I'm sorry for what I've caused, Dillion."

I cried that night while hugging myself. Do I have to avoid him again for him to be at peace? I don't want to see him crying. I don't want to hear him crying because of me.

Days went well and my relationship with Callan became better. We are talking casually about our works. Kahit na natapos na ang project ko sa tabi ng building nila, madalas pa din kaming nagkikita.

"We're going to the Marina Bays."

I saw how his eyes glistened with happiness with what I said. I can see how excited he was while we were on our way there. I can't help but to adore that view. He looks like an excited kid because his parents treat him to a playground.

It was our dream before. To roam around the country, holding our hands. But everything was ruined.

It's okay. I will try to fullfil my promises again.

I tried to look for his car too. I actually lied to him when I said I knew someone who sells affordable car. Heck, where can I find car? Secondhand car?

Or maybe I can just buy him a new car?

Oh, no. He will think of me as some sort of creep. I don't want to scare him in any means. I just sigh and still look for one.

"300 dollars?"

I don't want him to worry about the payment so I lowered it. Pero mukhang sumobra ata dahil para pa siyang naiinis sa'kin. Can't he just thank me for giving him a favor? Hindi ko rin naman siya napilit na 300 dollars lang dahil sabi niya, magbabayad daw siya ng 20 thousand dollars.

I thought of inviting him in a party night but he said he's up to something. Hindi ko na pinagpilitan dahil baka mainis siya sa'kin. It was just an informal party of an old friend from NUSBS. I have no choice but to attend alone.

Kendric was there too, but all the time, he's just going to glare at me. He still can't move on about Shane. Shane didn't leave him for me, but he was so closed-minded to even listen to us.

Shane left him because of his father. If only he knew.

"Boyfriend?"

"No. Not yet."

What the hell is he saying? My hold on the cup tightened as I stared at the two of them; Callan and Kendric. Magkasabay silang pumunta dito kaya akala ko ay si Kendric ang nag-imbita sa kaniya.

They were friends, he said that. I saw how he smiled while telling those and I had to look away because of that. They were close and I was jealous of Kendric because I knew that he stayed by his side when I don't.

He was there for Callan when I am not. He was there for Callan all those years, and I can see his admiration towards my guy. I can tell that Kendric likes him just by looking at them.

"Ano nga ulit ginagawa mo dito?"

I came to his unit to checked him out the next day. Bagong ligo siya nang harapin niya ako. He didn't even bothered wearing shirt. I smirked before entering his unit again.

I wanted to tour him again, but this time, on the Orchard Road. I even cancelled my meetings for me to go with him. I just want to see the happiness in his eyes again as we roamed around the road.

Those stars in his eyes when he heard the word 'Orchard road' is a whole mood. Seeing him happy made me happy too.

I thought I already had the courage but when I saw the loneliness in his eyes again when I once invited him to my condo, I can feel myself on the verge of crying.

Those glimpse of sadness and longing in his eyes were the ones I am afraid the most. Those are the things that reminds me how much pain I caused him. I started ruining everything in him when I chose to enter his life.

"I'm sorry for not staying, baby..."

I made him cried again. I'm so mad at myself for making him suffer like this. He doesn't deserve this pain. I put those sadness on his eyes when I came back in his life again.

He probably was traumatized of what I did before. I can always imagine him crying on a room, asking himself of what went wrong. He suffered a lot, emotionally, because of me. I'm a terrible person.

"Why are you avoiding him if you still love him? You're confusing, Dillion."

I had to tore away my eyes on the view in front of me when Shane talked. Sinamahan ko siya sa grocery pero nakita ko do'n si Callan, kasama si Kendric.

"I just feel guilty for hurting him before. It feels wrong that I had to show up again after what I've done." I sighed and glance at them again.

I can't stop myself from being jealous. They both look good together. Kendric's tried his best to make Callan smile because he was so serious again.

"I am afraid that I will hurt him again."

"You're already hurting him with what you're doing." She crossed her arms and stared at the leaving Callan. "You suddenly showed up again to him, you made him used to your presence then you will leave. That hurts, you know."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. Guilt immediately filled me as her words digest on my mind. I realized how unfair I am with Callan. I always leave him questioning his self.

Sometimes, I asked myself. Is pain the only thing I can give him? I was just trying to protect his feelings...but I ended up wrecking his heart again.

"Why don't you just leave again like what you used to do?"

I watched him cried in front of me. After many years, I witnessed my greatest fear again. My heart was beating faster as I tried to grab his bleeding hand but he won't let me.

"Ang daya-daya mo, Dillion..." He broke down which made me cried more. I listened to him, because that's the least that I can do. I let him burst his feeling.

"I'm sorry..." I mouthed as I looked down.

"Bakit kailangan mo 'kong iwan ulit?"

That line hits different. He said that with so much emotion. Pain, anger, confusion and disappointment. I hugged him, trying to calm him down, and to calm my shaking insides.

"I'm really sorry for causing too much, baby..." I cried on his shoulder until I felt comfort. We both calmed down.

"I had to stay away here for the meantime. I'll fix myself first."

"Whatever your decision is, I will support you. I will still wait for you to come back home. To comeback to me."

I will never get tired when it comes to him. Even if took him years, I will still wait until he's okay. Until he can accept me again in his life with open arms.

I let him go for the second time because it wasn't healthy anymore. It did hurt me to see him leave but I know that it's for the best.

I will just always hope that at the end of the day, he will be back on my arms again...wherever our broken heart goes.

"You've grown up good, Dillion."

I was staring at my mother while she was lying on the hospital bed. I gripped her hand more and bit my lips. I will lose someone again. I saw her smiled and touched my face which made a tear escaped from my eyes.

"I'm sorry if I ruined you and him before. I had no explanation there, I just want to say sorry." She was still smiling. "Sorry if I failed as a mom, son."

Son. It should be felt heavenly to be called like that, right? But why does it hurt me so much?

"Tell Callan I'm sorry too...he doesn't deserve those agonies I've caused; both of you." She teared up but still maintained her smile.

"Mom..." I can't lose you. I had no one now. It hurts me more that I can't even do anything for them to stay.

"If you still had the chance to meet him again, I want to know him more. I want to know why you fall for him." She closed her eyes. "I will wait for that time, Dillion. I want you to win him again."

Of course, I will win him again. I will tell you a lot about him. How I fall in love with that guy. How that hot headed and snob guy made me fall in love without even trying.

"And with that...I will always be the proudest mother..."

In a blink of an eye, I just found myself walking towards their gravestones while holding Callan's hand. I can feel him trembling so I held it tighter.

"It's okay." I kissed his forehead. I feel him sighed and nod at me that's why we continued our way there.

I smiled as I removed the dirt on their gravestones. I just visited this last month, and I'm here again. I sat in front of them and pull Callan with me. He was silent while staring at their names.

"Hey, I'm here again..." I started. Nakita ko naman ang paglingon ni Callan sa'kin pero nanatili sa kanila ang paningin ko. "I missed you both, but don't worry, I'm still good."

Naramdaman kong ipinatong ni Callan ang ulo niya sa balikat ko kaya napangiti ako. Maybe this was his way of telling me that it's alright. The cold breeze is hugging us both. The quiet surrounding made me feel at ease.

"I finally had the courage to introduce him to you. It's not late, right? I know you waited for too long," I looked up. "He's Callan. You probably knew him already since I always tell him to the both of you."

I released a sigh as I tried to stop my tears from falling. I wish they were here. I wish they are here while I introduced him. I hope they will hear me in their places. I wish they witnessed how I loved this man a lot.

"I wanted to say sorry for hurting your son, intentionally or not," I looked at Callan when he fixed his self and sat properly. He cleared his throat and moved his glasses. "I don't know if you'll hear me but I will still say this," He glance at me before flashing a smile. "Thank you for bringing Dillion on Earth, and giving me an opportunity to love him."

"Baby..."

"Thank you for giving me the chance to meet him. Dillion is a good man, and I will always be proud of him." I bit my lips as the tears started to form again on my eyes. "I will promise to take care of him, and will be patient for him."

I hugged him tight while the tears are flowing all over my face. I feel him chuckled before caressing my back. I just feel so special because of him. I am so lucky for having him in my life.

"Thank you for waiting for me, Dillion. Thank you for making me braver and stronger." I smiled as I stared at his face again.

"I will never leave you again. I love you."

And I captured his lips like there was no tomorrow. I feel him smiled between the kiss before responding.

Everyday may not be a good day, but with him, I can survive those. Life will not always be peaceful for us but together, we will try to get over, and move on.

Together, we will never be lost, because we knew where to go when we felt tired and worthless.

We will still find each other, wherever our broken hearts go.

- E N D -