The One That Got Away

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY…aaah, yes. Everyone has that person in the past who got away. That person whom we thought back then we would grow old with. As Kris Aquino’s character in the movie “Happy Together” said: BAKLA, THIS IS IT!!!

I decided to whip up this post because I was inspired by two blog friends: Owen of Simple Thoughts and his entry about the hardships of moving on, and Toni of Wifely Steps and her entry on teenage crushes. I hope after this, please share your story about “the one who got away.”

Mustering all of my strength, I went and re-visited my memory box for pictures. So, here it goes. The “one who got away from me” is…

 

 

 

That’s not her!!! Although, look at the hair and the thinness! (Asks myself: WAS I DRUGS BACK THEN? LOL!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is her, my college sweetheart, MARISSA S. PAREDES. The one that got away from me. We were together for 1 and a half years. She’s actually the exact opposite of my version of an “ideal girlfriend” back then. But during that time, I felt happy with her coz…well, she completed me. I loved how we make each other laugh. I can still remember her laugh…which could give Elvira Manahan a run for her money (josme ang mga age group lang ang makaka-relate nito at tatawa)

 

If there’s one thing that really bothered me was that she was not expressive and affectionate as opposed to moi who loves to hug and snuggle and kiss. Had to air my frustration to her during numerous serious and light talks. (Hey snglguy! See? Not only men have this flaw.)

 

<!–[if !vml]–><!–[endif]–>Presenting:

 

 

Exhibit A: group picture of our batch on our way home from our retreat in Franciscan Missionary of Mary on Tagaytay City. Me and Isay, far left. See the hug. Parang python.

 

 

Exhibit B: Pic taken in Picnic Grove. We decided to take a romantic detour. See the arm around her? It’s a guy thing that tells everyone, especially to other guys, “akin lang to.” Hehehehe.

 

 

 

So, how did she get away from me? Well, let’s just say she’s now married to her childhood friend, the guy which led to a bad break up after one and a half years of relationship that included wedding plans, discussion as to how many kids we want to have, where to live, etc. Looking at our graduation picture, I should have sensed that something was wrong.

 

 

But don’t you dare think ill of her (I’ll hunt you down). After almost a year of anger and believe it or not, a realization that I still loved her, I decided to talk to her on February 20 of 1996…her birthday. We talked a lot and asked how she’s doing. She said she’s getting married…to her childhood friend. I told her jokingly and sincerely: “Langya ka. Deny-deny ka pa nun.” We just laughed and I told her that one reason that I decided to talk to her is that I wanted to get back together. But since she’s getting married, I just said, “at least we’ll end without grudges and at least you know that I will always love you.” She now has two kids and is happily living in her husband’s ancestral home in Cavite.

After Isay, I really didn’t know if I could still find someone like her. But as I went through my life, there would never be anything like The One Who Got Away. I realized that The One could be anyone. As I said to Owen via his entry, “I felt your pain, man. You know, experience really becomes your best teacher. I have learned throughout the years of the joys and pains of loving and losing. I’ve also thought of the many times to “move on”. But in truth, what I learned is that you never move on. You just “move forward”…carrying on with your life, your past experiences never forgotten but will not bind you to pursue something better. The challenge now is not HOW to move forward, but WHEN. Only you can set that, my friend… In the meantime, as the song says: smile when your heart is aching”

 

 

 

This is a favorite picture of me and Isay. I will always have my memories of her and our love…

 

 

 

 

This entry was bittersweet at first but funny in the end (and I was fearing for my life somewhere in the middle…mostly of Jher. Hahahaha!). I asked myself, HOW DID I GET FROM THIS…..

 

 

…TO THIS? Hahahahaha!

 

Simple…I said WHEN…