When the Fireworks Begin (Chapter II)

Chapter II.

Devon went inside the bathroom and opened the first aid kit  cabinet.  She took a couple of cotton balls and the Betadine bottle.  She also took a few pieces of Band-aid.  She left the bathroom and walked towards the master bedroom of their two-bedroom apartment.

This was all James and Devon could afford right now, a two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Cebu City.  Devon is currently a professor in the city’s premiere university, while James works for an advertising company.  James has just started his career in this advertising company after severing ties with his family-owned company, where he was a senior executive. 

The apartment was big enough for the starting couple.  The furniture are modern in design and makes the house appear spacious.  Most of their kitchen appliances were given to them as wedding gifts. It has been a month after their wedding and their apartment has become homelier.

Devon opened the bedroom door and sat at the end of the bed.  It was already six in the evening, James was just on his way home.  Devon looked nervously on the bedroom door, wishing that she has enough time before James would see her wounds.

Devon has numerous scratches and deep cuts on her elbows and knees.  She had an accident in the university earlier.  She was talking to a student, asking her about their project.  They were walking slowly down an inclined platform.  Suddenly, she felt that she could no longer raise her leg for that next step.  For a briefest moment, she felt no control. She fell down the inclined platform, knees first. She managed to raise her elbow to break her fall. But there were nasty cuts and scratches, after all, she fell on hard concrete.

Devon was busy cleaning the wounds with alcohol, flinching when the cotton balls touched her wound. She was unaware that James was already inside the house.

“Baby,” James called out and went inside the bedroom. He saw Devon sitting on the edge of the bed with the first aid kit near her. James squinted and saw that she was dabbing some cotton on her knees.

“What happened,” James said in a panicked voice. He approached her and looked at the bruises.  “Did…”

Devon cut him off in the middle of his sentence. “It was an accident.”

“Are you sure,” James asked worriedly and took the cotton out of her hands.  He sat beside her and lifted her leg, putting it on his lap. He started to apply Betadine on the scratches.  “Cause, if this is foul play…”

“It’s not,” Devon defended.  Sometimes, James becomes too protective, always thinking that somebody was out there, hating her, and wishing her dead.  Well, that is partially true, Devon mused.  “I just fell, while talking to a student.”

James patted her knees and put them down. He took her elbows and started to clean them, too. “You are such a klutz.  You are falling down too much.”

“No, I am not,” Devon reacted.

James looked at her and shook his head. “How about last week when you almost fell while getting off the jeep?”

“My legs were dead from sitting for a long time,” Devon answered.

“What about the time when I found you sitting on the floor,” James countered again.

“I was wiping the floor and I slipped,” Devon answered back, giving James the other elbow to treat.

“Okay, how about two weeks before the wedding, when we were walking in the mall and then you suddenly flopped down on the nearest chair, without any warning,” James asked.

“I was tired,” Devon answered again.

“Honestly, baby,” James said as he put a Band-aid on a deep cut on her elbow.  “You have been falling too much, I was really worried you would not be able to walk down the aisle without tripping yourself.”

Devon laughed. “It’s because, everytime I think of you, I fall.”

James could not help but smile with his wife’s comment. “You are trying to distract me.”

“Of course not,” Devon answered back. Trying her best not to laugh, but an annoyed James looks so cute. She could not help herself and pinch his nose.

“Ah,” James reacted. “So is that how it is supposed to be?”

“You nag like a woman  sometimes,” Devon teased.

James started to tickle to wrestle her on the bed.  Devon tries to get up, but James hooked her legs and she fell square on the bed again.  James started to tickle her and Devon could not stop laughing.   A couple of minutes, later Devon was screaming in laughter because James would not stop tickling her.

Devon pulled her hand and slapped James hard on the shoulder.  James gasped. 

“You hit like a man,” James teased her and started to tickle her again

A few minutes later, the wounds and scratches were forgotten. The two of them were caught in a wild embrace and passionate kisses.

****

It was Saturday morning, Devon and James were quietly sipping their coffee and reading the morning paper.  James glanced at Devon who was quietly answering the Sudoku challenge on the paper.  He smiled, he loves this quiet mornings with her.  Nothing has to be said. Silence is nothing to be afraid of.

James heard his cellphone ringing inside the bedroom and grudgingly stood up to get it.  He was surprised to see his friend Aleli calling.

“Hey,” James answered the call.

“Good morning, honey,” Aleli greeted.  Aleli has been calling him honey even though they had already broken up.

Aleli and James were together as a couple in college. They went to the same school since high school, hung out with the same group of people and their parents are friends and business pals. When James’s father ran for public office, Aleli’s father supported him. At that time, it was practical and logical for him and Aleli to get together.

However, almost two years into the relationship, James decided that Aleli was not the girl for him.  Aleli said she felt the same way.  They ended their relationship in the dismay of their parents.  James’s father would often raise it in conversations and would urge him to get back together with Aleli, even when he was already with Devon.

But they did not stop being friends. And she did not stop calling him “honey.” James did not mind her calling him that. Devon did not mind either.

“Good morning, Aleli,” James greeted. Devon raised her head when she heard the name.

She does not mind James hanging out with Aleli, they have been friends for such a long time. But she is no saint. She would still feel pangs of jealousy whenever they talk or see each other.  Devon knew that James and Aleli used to be together.  She knows that James’s parents, especially his father, are expecting the two of them to get together. 

Get a hold of yourself Devon, she pacified herself. It’s just a phone call.

“I don’t care,” James stated steely.  Devon heard anger from James’s voice. 

James paused a while and listened.

“Your father is sick, James,” Aleli said on the phone. “Didn’t you hear me?”

“I heard you fine,” James answered. “I don’t care.”

Aleli paused. She continued, “He was brought to the hospital last night. You have to…”

James interrupted Aleli. “I am not going to.”

“Just one visit,” Aleli insisted.

“No,” James said hard. “Thank you for calling, anyway.” He ended the call abruptly.

Devon looked at James, he looked so strung out.

“Did something happen?” Devon asked.

James did not say anything. Devon did not force him to talk.  He would eventually say what it is on his mind.  That is one thing that James liked about Devon, she waited until he was ready to answer or share anything, which he always do.  Devon returned to her Sudoku.

“Dad’s in the hospital,” James started a couple of minutes later while looking at his cup of coffee.

“Well, what hospital?” Devon asked.

“I don’t know,” James answered looking distantly.

“Why didn’t you ask Aleli? Call her, ask her where, so we could visit him,” Devon started.

James looked at Devon, bewildered.  “We are not visiting him.”

“Why?” Devon asked. “If he’s seriously ill, then you need to see him.  He needs to see you.”

James smirked. “He does not need me. He told me that, loud and clear.”

“But people change, James,” Devon reasoned out.

James looked at Devon bewildered.  “After what he has done to you? To us? You  still like to see him?”

Devon shook her head. “It’s not about me.  It’s about you. He is still your father.”

“But he does not think of me as his son anymore,” James said sarcastically.

Devon felt something hit her in the chest. She felt guilt. “I did not want this to happen between you and your father, James. I did not want this to happen. I know I caused all this trouble, so  please let bygones be bygones.”

“Don’t feel guilty, baby,” James softly told Devon. “It’s not your fault. With or without you, it is bound to happen anyway.”

James walked towards Devon and kissed her on the forehead, before he went for the door.

“I am just going to walk this off,” James said and went outside.

When The Fireworks Begin (Beginning)

When The Fireworks Begin

Prologue

The wind is unfriendly that night. For him, everything, all elements of his life has become his enemies.  The wind is just one of them.   They do, when they take away the most important thing in your life. Suddenly.  Unexpectedly. His conscience tried to reason out. It was not unexpected nor it was sudden.  You know this time would come.

He flinched, yes he knew that this time would come. But knowing and being prepared for it are two different things.  A man may know that a thunderstorm is coming, but that does not mean he is going to be prepared for it, he countered to his conscience. He looked at the scenery below him. He has been staying on this hill for a couple of days already. He has witnessed how the sun rose to bear light to its kingdom and how it succumbed to the moon at night. For two days, he has battling conversations with his conscience.  It is driving him crazy.

Earlier that afternoon, a friend dropped by, carrying the line he has been hearing for the last few days.

“Why don’t you just go home,” she said.  “You need to rest.”

“I can’t,” he answered. “She might drop by while I’m away. Besides, I have food and clothes in the car. I have everything I need in the car.”

“She’s never coming back,” she stated.

He has heard those lines so many times, but he has become numb to it.  He shook his head and refused to answer.  The friend stayed for more than an hour, sharing his silence, watching as the houses below them started to turn on their lights.  When the wind became fierce and howling, she decided to let go of his hand and say goodbye.

He hugged his jacket closer to his body.  He stood up and retreated to his car.  Inside the parked vehicle, he could still see if anybody would be visiting that spot on the hill.  He would be able to see her immediately, if she decides to come back.

The whole night passed, quietly.  But he saw no shadow on that desolate hill. 

Chapter I.

“Is it really possible to be happy and nervous at the same time,” Devon Serrano asked her friend Shey who was very busy in fixing herself in front of the mirror.

“Of course,” answered Shey. “I was like that during my first night with a man.”

Devon swatted her friend on the arm. “Stop making fun of me.”

Shey laughed. “That’s an honest answer, my dear bestfriend.  You need to take your mind off things.  You would be fine. Besides, it is not as if your groom would run away.”

Devon looked at herself in front of the mirror. She was wearing a very simple white, off-shoulder wedding gown, boasting her feminine shoulders and neck.  It was so simple, she could have worn it in a cocktail party and get away with it.  But instead she wore this simple gown to her wedding.

She ran her fingers down the gown.  Shey was behind her, looking at her sweetly.

“What now,” Devon snapped.

Shey shook her head.  “Nothing.  I’m just very happy that the two of you are finally getting married. After all what happened, you are finally going to be happy.”

Devon hugged Shey. She’s very thankful that she had a friend like her who stayed with her.  They were hugging tightly when Devon’s mother walked into the room. Linda Serrano looked at her daughter and Shey

“Don’t start crying,”  Linda reminded her daughter. “The ceremony has not started yet and your make up will be ruined. “

The two ladies, giggled and started to dab their eyes.  “We’re just happy, Inay,” Devon answered.

“Well, don’t leave me out of the hug,” Aling Linda countered.

Shey gave out a big laugh and pulled Aling Linda, into an embrace.

****

“Should I leave it buttoned or unbuttoned,” James asked for the seventh time.

Ivan shook his head.  He has been answering James’s question for the seventh time. “Like what I said for seven times already, unbutton it if you feel uncomfortable.”

“I think it looks so informal if I leave it unbuttoned,” James answered back and buttoned his shirt again.  After a few seconds, he unbuttoned it again. Ivan shook his head and sighed.

“Stop fretting James,” Sam reacted, who was leaning against the bathroom wall. “It’s just a ceremony.”

James shot his friend a look that would have killed him. Sam grinned at his friend. “Your killer stares would not affect me.”

James rolled his eyes and buttoned his shirt again.  He walked away from the mirror and started walking around the bathroom and started tugging on his shirt collar.

“For goodness sake, James,” Sam reacted. “If buttoning your shirt makes you feel uncomfortable then leave it open.”

Ivan who could not control it any longer, laughed really hard.  James shot him a look but Ivan continued laughing.  Sam joined in the laughter, making James angrier and blushing.  There was a soft knock on the door, a pair of chinita eyes peeked into the slightly opened door.

“Everybody decent,” she asked.

“Yup,” Ivan answered. 

The door opened completely and a tall girl waltzed into the men’s bathroom.  She was wearing an off-white dress, past her knees.

“You are not supposed to be here,” Sam countered.  The girl waived at Sam’s reaction, indicating that she does not care.

“Just want to see you,” the girl named Aleli said.  She walked towards James and tugged at his shirt.  “Button it, you look more dashing when you do.” She gave James a quick peck on the cheek. “See you later, honey.”

Ivan watched Aleli leave the bathroom.  James meanwhile, looked at the mirror and saw a faint lipstick mark on his cheek.  He started to scrub it off.  Ivan eyed James’ cheek.

“Make sure that you scrub all of it,” Ivan reprimanded.

James nodded and kept scrubbing, until everything was gone. Sam was about to say something when somebody knocked on the door and another female head slowly peeked inside. 

“The march’s going to start soon,” the wedding coordinator said. 

James nodded and started towards the door.  Before going out of the bathroom, he took one last look in the mirror.  He unbuttoned the top button that Aleli snapped in place earlier.  Sam shook his head and started to push James out of the door.

They ambled their way to the church door and when they heard the wedding march starting, they started to march towards the altar.  There were no parents that watched James as he walked down the aisle.  He does not care.  His friends were there, that was enough.  She was there, that was more than enough.

When the short entourage finished their procession, the small church with its fifty guests stood up to witness the bride’s entrance.  James’ jaw dropped when she saw her walking down the aisle.  He pictured her in his mind.  But he was not prepared for the beautiful lady that is walking towards him, in the arms of her parents.  Sam has to elbow him hard on the rib.

“You’re drooling,” Sam joked.

“You’re just jealous,” James said.  Sam’s jaw tensed and he fought back a retort.  James meanwhile did not notice that Sam’s face became rigid, he did not realize what he has just said.  All of his attention was focused on the woman who was walking towards him.

Once the bride reached the altar, the father patted James on the back and the mother, although, the eyes were dry, showed shadows of tears.  James nodded, they both knew that he will take good care of their daughter. 

“Hey you,” she greeted.

“Hey,” James greeted back. “When I saw you earlier, you were not this pretty.”

“Are you saying, that I’m not pretty?” she whispered, feigning anger.

James tried to suppress his laugh. “No, I’m just saying that you should wear this everyday so you’ll look pretty all the time.”

She pinched him on the rib, and James tried not to laugh more.  They were both shushed when they heard the priest clearing his throat and saw him eyeing both of them beneath his eyeglasses.

They bowed their heads.  James slipped his fingers into hers. She smiled and looked at their intertwined hands.

“Good morning,” greeted the priest. “We are gathered here today to witness the celebration between this two lovely couple, James Rocafort and Devon Serrano…”

****

The wedding ceremony was a blur.  All that mattered to them both was they responded to the questions with the right answers, and nobody stopped the ceremony.  Although, James thought that there was a slight movement when the priest asked if there is anybody who could testify why he and Devon should not be married.

The small reception for the fifty guests was held on the church courtyard.  It was a calm night, only the mild breeze would ruffle the tree leaves.  After the meal, everybody went dancing, then fireworks started to shoot into the  starlit sky.

“I love fireworks,” Devon whispered, as she watched the shower of light. 

James had his arms wrapped in Devon’s waist, leaned sideways to whisper into his ear. “I know, you’re just like one of them. Shooting upwards carrying a loud bang and bright light with you.”

Devon smiled and snuggled closer to James. James was bringing his face closer to Devon, when Shey interrupted.

“Save that for the honeymoon,” Shey interrupted, giving Devon a glass of water.

“Yeah,” Ivan  agreed.  “Think about us who aren’t married yet.”

Shey snorted and Ivan looked at childhood friend.  Shey, Devon and Ivan have been friends since they were elementary.

“What’s that suppose to mean, Sheila May?” Ivan asked, dropping Shey’s real name.  Sam who was sitting nearby, snickered when he heard Shey’s name.

Shey looked at Ivan, as if she’s going to throw the contents of the fruit juice in her hands to Ivan’s face. “Stop saying that name, Man-man,” Shey answered, using Ivan’s childhood nickname.  This time James, laughed. “How can you get married if you haven’t got a girlfriend for decades already.”

Ivan drank from his can of beer.  “The last time I checked, five years are not yet a decade. Besides, most of the girls that I like already have a boyfriend or is already married,” Ivan drowned that last comment with his beer.

Shey looked at Ivan, “Not all girls are married and taken. How about me?”  But nobody heard what she has said, for she only said that to herself.

Aleli approached the seated group and pulled Devon’s hand. “You look famished, let’s eat.”

Devon giggled when Aleli pulled her out of the seat.  They started tinkering with the food on the table, looking for some light snacks. 

“You finally did it,” Aleli remarked.

Devon smiled. “Yes we did.”

“James was never the marrying type,” Aleli answered as she puts dressing on her salad. “I was surprised when he said that he was going to marry you.  We have known each other for years, and it was kind of surprising that he was ready to give up everything he had, for a woman.”

Devon felt uneasy with the conversation, but continued smiling. “I know,” Devon answered back. “I never asked him to do that.”

“You’re really something,” Aleli stated, with a bare hint of sarcasm. “But marriage is never an assurance.”

Devon was putting some lumpia on her plate when she gently dropped the fork, “What do you mean?”

Aleli shrugged. “Well, there are girls who would still chase married men. Are you prepared to handle that?”

Devon was about to answer, when another loud bang from the fireworks cut her.  She looked at the showering red and green fire in the sky.  She looked at Aleli and answered, “Bring it on.”

Aleli’s smile faded from her lips and she started to walk towards the seated group.  Sam and James were quietly watching the two girls, they were completely unaware of what they were talking about.

“So, where’s the honeymoon,” Sam asked, looking at the girls. Not taking his eyes off a moment from them.

“There’s no honeymoon,” James answered quietly.  “We can’t get away from work, then we have to move her things to my apartment. It would be a very busy month.”

“There’s no honeymoon?” Sam reacted. “You have to bring Devon somewhere where she could relax, after all what happened…” his voice trailed.  Sam knew all about what happened, he knew it by heart and he resents it.

James eyed Sam. “I didn’t forget what happened,” James answered. “But we cannot make a decent schedule.”

Sam shook his head. “You should take good care of her…”

James interrupted. “I know, not taking her to a honeymoon would not affect anything or does not mean I am not serious about her.”

Sam could not control it anymore. “If you would make her cry, just once, I would not hesitate to pick up where I left off.”

James looked at Sam and saw that his friend was dead serious. “You would never have a chance.”

James stood up and walked towards Devon who was absently looking at her plate. 

“Care to dance, wife?” James asked but he did not wait for Devon to answer and instead pulled her towards his arms.

James and Devon looked at each other while dancing, there were no need for words. Both of them know that their hearts wanted to say.  Devon rested her head of James shoulder, while James pulled Devon closer to him, kissing her hair lightly.

That’s how they ended the reception, in a tight embrace. Swaying as one, along with the music. Their eyes only saw each other.  They were completely unaware that there were two pair of eyes looking at them intently, wishing that the other was in their arms. Another pair of eyes trying hard not to look, and another pair, searching and wishing that somebody would spare them a glance.

When The Fireworks Begin (New Fanfic)

thank you very much for reading "chances." thank you, talaga. :D

Chances (Final Chapter)

 XX.  The First

Devon was walking aimlessly.  It was dusk, the sun is gently setting behind the soft-looking clouds.  She arrived in the Philippines yesterday but decided to say anything about it to her friends.  She went straight to her Tita Aiz who was staying with another aunt. They were eager to have her stay at their home. 

Devon decided against calling her friends and letting them know that she’s already home.  She does not want to bother them with her problems, after all she’s adult enough to handle her fights on her own.  She was walking along the Bay area.  It was already afternoon, but adults and children are still walking along the pavements and seated on sea walls.

She saw a park cradled by several trees.  There were children playing in the playground. They were all running around, riding the swing or taking turns in the slides.  She walked towards an empty swing, under a tree, and sat down.  She watched the several cars passing her by.

She took a deep breath.  Life is hard. But at least, experiencing difficult things right now would make other problems easier, she thought.  I don’t have to fear life and love anymore.  She rested her against the ropes of the swing. 

She was seriously lost in her thoughts and was unaware that a man was walking towards her in the park. 

****

James was walking aimlessly. He has arrived in Manila shores last night.  He went straight to Devon’s apartment only to find out that she was not there. Where the hell is she, he thought.  He is willing to search the country’s seven thousand islands just to see her again. Last night, he kept calling her phone but her number can’t still be contacted.  He sighed in frustration. Last night was yet another restless sleep for him. His body is tired, but he can’t rest.

This afternoon James had this urge to walk in the Boulevard. This was one of Devon’s favourite places.  She does not care if the sea smells to fishy sometimes or if there are too many children tugging on her and asking for coins or some pieces of bread. This was the place where one of the best sunsets happens. This is one of the places where the sun kisses the earth. 

This is one of her favourite places and James remembers.

He sat down on a bench and looked at the setting sun. He was unmindful of the screaming and laughing children and even the smooching couples, who were only a few feet away. 

James turned his head and saw the best sight he could possibly see in the last few days. There she was. Seated on swing, only a yard away from him. Devon, he thought.  His heart was caught in his throat.

Devon felt somebody was staring at her and looked around. And ‘lo and behold, it was James.  Is he an illusion, have I been thinking about him too much, that he actually manifests in front of me, she crazily thought. 

She removed his eyes from him and stared at him. Devon closed her eyes and counted until five. 

James saw her look at him and then looked away. It’s not her, they just looked alike. Is she for real, he thought.  He looked away and closed his eyes. He started to count until five.

After five seconds, James glanced at Devon’s direction. Devon at his. When their eyes met, they knew. This was not a figment of their sub-consciousness. This is the real thing.

James smiled and walked towards Devon. 

Why is he smiling, Devon thought.  Run, was the first thing that her instinct told her. You don’t want to get hurt again. But she held on the chains of the swing and waited.  A child occupied the swing beside her and James has to wait for his turn. It took a few swings before the child got tired.  James held on the swing and sat down beside her.

“It’s really you,” James said.

Devon glanced at him. “Yes it’s me,” she answered quietly.

“I’ve been looking for you,” James said. “You have no idea how many planes I have to catch just to find you. And here you are, seated beside me.”

“You’re looking for me,” Devon asked. What could possibly be the reason, Devon asked herself.  “Why?”

James went quiet and shook his head.  He smirked.

“What’s so funny?” Devon asked.

James shook his head again. “You know I have been travelling these days just to see you. But now that I have seen you, I actually have no idea what to tell you.  I told Bren that I have to tell you something, but now I’m speechless.”

Devon shook her head and reacted sarcastically, “I have no idea if I should be flattered that you’re speechless or insulted because you can’t say anything worth saying to me.”

Devon was about to stand up and to walk away but James reached for hand. “Don’t go. If you do, I don’t know if I’ll still have the strength to look for you and then deal with not finding you.”

Devon looked at James. He looks as if he meant everything he said.  He has black circles under his eyes and he looked pale.  She can’t tell what happened, but James looks like he is really tired. 

Devon took her position back on the swing again.  She glanced around, thinking that Allie may just appear around the corner.  James sensed that she was looking for something or maybe somebody, and he was able to figure that out.

“Allie’s not here,” James mentioned when he noticed Devon trying not to look too obvious when looking behind him.  “We broke up. Well, she broke up with me,” his voice trailed.

Devon was caught unaware by what he said.  But pain shot into her and she could not help but utter, “So that’s why you’re here. That’s why you’re looking for me. Cause she broke up with you.”

This time, Devon did not hold back. She stood up and walked away.  She’s so angry. The tears that she was trying to control, started to flow.  She doesn’t care if people will see her crying.  It’s so humiliating. James coming back because he has no more options.

James caught up with her and tried to stop her from walking. “Devon, just listen,”  he said.

Devon turned around.  “Why do I have to listen to you? How insensitive could you get?”

“Devon, you don’t understand,” James tried to explain.

But Devon is sick and tired of hearing hurtful things come out of his mouth. “What is it that I don’t understand? That I’m the substitute? Just because you broke up with Allie, you came running back to me? Just because she chose to let you go, you’re going to settle for me? I’m not stupid.” She turned around and was about to walk away.

“I was looking for you, because I remembered,” James answered.

Devon turned around and looked at him.  She wanted to believe him.  She wanted so much to have him back in her life.  “You remembered, what?” she asked sarcastically. “You remembered that I would be available.  You remembered that you could always come back to me, no matter what happens?”

“It’s not that,” James started but faltered in the middle of his explanation. How could I convince her that I am really back?

“Then what is it James,” Devon demanded angrily. “What is it?”

“I remembered you love chocolates,” James immediately answered. 

Devon was surprised.  “You remembered that I love chocolates?”

James nodded and walked towards her.  “I remembered that you can’t swim and I tried teaching you. I remembered that you have a great singing voice. I remembered that you love to dance. I remembered that you place chess.  I remembered how much you love spaghetti from McDonald’s.”

Devon blinked.  He remembered or did he really, she thought. She’s no longer sure. “Surely James, you can do better than that. Snooping around, asking other people about me is not going to help you.” She started to walk away.

“I remembered teaching you how to wish on an eyelash.  I remembered that you were wearing blue green the night we were stranded on our way to Baguio,”  James continued.

Devon turned around. Nobody knew that other than him.

“I remembered telling you that I would take you to Australia with me. I remembered when you gave me your scapular bracelet because I was sick and you cannot stay in my condo unit the whole night to watch over me.  I remembered when you massage my head, my back, may arms and I would tell you have god-like hands,” James continued while walking towards Devon.

Devon was rooted on the spot.  He remembers me.  Devon was crying when James finally neared her.  James wiped away her tears and held her face in his hands.

“I remembered when I asked you to marry me with just a rubber band that I found on the church floor,” James whispered. “I remembered telling you that I don’t want to be empty anymore.”

Devon was crying and said between sobs, “You remember me. You remember me.”

James hugged Devon tightly. “I am so sorry.”

Devon was lost for words. She softly whispered, “I thought you would never ever come back.”

James hugged her tightly, “I’m never going away again.  Even if I have to record everything everyday, every hour, second and minute, I would, so that I would never ever forget again.”

“I would never give up on you,” Devon answered back, burying her sobs on James’ shoulder.

James let Devon go and looked at her.  “Will you marry me, again?” he asked. “I don’t have anything, nothing. I don’t even have a rubber band. All I have is this.”  James placed his hand over his heart. “My heart.”

Devon wiped her tears. “Of course, I would not take anything less.” She smiled.

James hugged her again. Silent tears fell from his eyes.  He was crying, hell to machismo. 

“You know what, there’s still something good with all of these?” James asked, holding Devon’s chin with his fingers.

“What?” Devon asked while looking at him.

“I get to remember and experience falling in love with you, again,” James answered with a smile and inched his lips closer to hers. He kissed her, just as the sun kissed the earth in the horizon. 

They were unmindful of the adults who were whispering and looking at them.  Unmindful of a middle-aged lady wiping her tears away with the moment. Unmindful of the children who were screaming happily in the playground.

James slightly pulled away and whispered against her ear before tightly embracing her. 

“Forever.”

****

More than twenty years ago…

In a small playground in Roxas Boulevard, there were children who were running around.  A little girl raced towards a vacant swing, but at the same time she reached it, a boy also grabbed the ropes of the same swing.  They looked at each other.

“I’ll give you a push,” volunteered the five  year old boy. The little girl in pigtails nodded eagerly and sat down.  The boy started to push her hard and she was giggling in delight while her toes rise and try to reach the sky.  After a few swings, the girl slowed down the swing movement.

“It’s your turn,” the little girl told the boy.  The boy sat down on the swing and the girl pushed with all her might.  The little boy was surprised with the girl’s strength and he did not forget to tell her when he got down of the swing.

“You’re strong,” said the boy.  “How old are you?”

The girls smiled and  showed her right hand. “I’m five.”

“The same age as me,” said the boy.

The little boy and the girl sat down on an old bench and watched the sun which was setting on the horizon.

“Look the sun’s going to kiss the earth,” pointed the girl.

The boy looked at the horizon and laughed, “You have a wild imagination. They are not kissing. The sun’s just hiding.”

They laughed hard and started to watch the ants which were walking in front of them. They followed them on the anthill and inspected the insects.  They were laughing really hard while drawing circles with a stick on the ground when the girl’s mother called her.

“Devon let’s go,” said the mother.

The little girl stood up and said goodbye to the little boy.

“Devon’s a weird name,” said the boy.  The girl’s forehead creased when they heard the boy’s father calling out to him.

“James!” called the father and motioning him to get closer.

“James is a very common name,” countered the girl.

They both laughed with what each other said.  The girl picked her pink bag she left on the park bench.  Then the boy asked, “Will you be back here?”

The girl shook his head, “No, I’m going back to Cebu tomorrow. I live there. I just visited my aunt.”

James nodded. “I’m leaving for Australia tomorrow too.”

“Where is that?” asked the girl.

The boy shrugged and shook his head. “My dad says it’s just very far. Oh well, bye.”

“I guess there’s no chance we’ll see each other again,” said the girl and waved goodbye to her new friend.

The boy waved back and went to his father who escorted him back to their car.

Both of them didn’t know that they would have all the chances that they could possibly get.

END

Chances (Chapter Nineteen)

Recommended music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac3HkriqdGQ&ob=av2e 

XIX. Departure/Arrival

James was seated anxiously in the middle of the plane. This was the best seat that he could get for the shortest period of time.  Getting reservations was the longest time of his entire life.  He was sandwiched between two burly men who probably would be going overseas to work.  But he does not care.  What keeps playing in his mind was the time when he went to Devon’s house to know where she was. 

He remembered what happened two days ago.

****

Two days ago.

James rushed to Devon’s house, upon knowing that the most important woman in her life has vanished from his life. He knocked until his fist became red.  Bren opened the door, and James forgot all his manners and barged inside. 

“Where is she?” James asked Yen, the first person he saw upon entering the apartment. 

Yen was caught by surprise and was unable to answer immediately.

“Where is she,” James asked Freya when he was unable to get some answers from Yen. 

“She’s not here,” answered Bren quietly. Pulling Freya away from James slowly.  “I told you on the phone, she’s gone.”

“Let her go, James,” Yen said sharply. “She’s finally moving on. She’s finally going to get her life back.”

James shook his head. “I can’t let her go. I can’t.”

“Why?” Freya demanded angrily. “You left her. And now you’re telling us, that you can’t let her go? Make up your mind.”

“I made a mistake,” James admitted. He sat down on a chair and cradled his head in his hands. I made a mistake.

“Bo-hoo,” Freya said sarcastically. “You realize it when it’s already too late.”

Freya and Yen started to walk away.  Obviously controlling their anger. Devon has always been the fighter among the three, she has always been their defender. It is about time that they pay her back. Even it means, throwing harsh words on a beaten man in their living room.

Bren sat down beside James.  “If you’re meant to be together, then you will be together.”

James shook his head vehemently. “I can’t just sit and wait. I can’t live a day thinking and asking myself if she would be back, when she will be back.  I need to do something to make her come back.”

Bren looked at James and saw the sincerity of his words. He looked at Freya and Yen, asking for permission. But both shook their head.  They should not tell him where Devon is. 

James looked pleadingly at Bren but he also shook his head and lowered his eyes.  James felt anger, surging.  Angry not to these people, but to himself. How could he possibly let everything slip away from him? How could he?  James heard Ryan cleared his throat. He was sitting on the chair on the far corner.

“I’m sorry, James,”  said Ryan. “We can’t tell you where she is. We promised never to tell you that she is going to Singapore.”

James nodded. “I know you can’t,” but he immediately cut his statement and looked at Ryan, unbelievably. “Singapore?”

A slipper flew across the room and hit Ryan on his cheek. “What the eff?” he remarked and looked at the direction of the flying slipper.  Yen was holding her other slipper on her hand, ready to throw it again. Ryan immediately slid out of his chair and hid behind it.

“She’s in Singapore?” James repeated.  He stood up and started to browse his phone. The good thing about travelling so much is that you get to save airline numbers on your cellphone. He quickly dialled the airline number and patiently waited for somebody to get on the phone.

It’s taking too long, he angrily mumbled.  He started to walk towards the door when suddenly somebody answered.

“I want to book a flight to Singapore, for tonight,” demanded  James. “I don’t care how much it is, I need it tonight.”

The female voice on the other end of the line calmly answered, “I’m sorry sir, all flights are grounded for tonight because of the storm.”

“What storm?” James asked angrily.

“Sir, if you would check the news, you would see that there is a storm in the Philippines and would be hitting Manila by 10 o’clock tonight.”

“What, there are no flights?” James demanded. “How about tomorrow?”

James waited, pacing back and forth.  The representative came back on the line, telling them that the flights for the next day are all booked. The earliest flight he could get would be the day after tomorrow, at three in the morning.  James was frustrated and decided to hang up on the representative. He used Freya’s phone to call all airlines. But all of them have the same news. No flights for that night, booked until tomorrow.

“When did Singapore became a freaking world destination?” James growled frustratingly.  “How could it be possible that all flights are booked?”

“Cause you’re not really supposed to go after her,” Yen insisted. But she was taken aback when she saw James’s reaction.  His eyes bear all his emotions. He is wearing them all on his sleeve, vulnerable. He does not care if he gets hurt.

“All I need is to see her and tell her what I feel,” James told them.  He started to dial again, while the lightning, thunder and heavy rain vibrates in the entire house.

****

This is why he is here now. Two days after Devon left for Singapore, he is still in the Philippines. He has never felt so helpless.  He wanted to do something but he cannot.

James tried to be patient during the four hour flight.  He took no notice of the man who was sleeping and resting his head on James’s shoulder.  He glanced and saw that he was in fact, drooling. But he does not mind. This is the earliest flight he could take, and even poor seating would not keep him away from it.

After almost four hours of flight and almost another hour in the Changi International Airport, he is already in the streets of Singapore.

He was able to talk to Jack yesterday, Devon’s officemate.  He asked him if he has any idea where Devon would be staying in Singapore.  Jack gave him a hotel where firm employees would spend their business trip, as well as the address of the firm’s office in Singapore. 

He shrugged his backpack and navigated the streets of the Central Area. James asked several people for directions, until he was able to find the building that he was looking for.  James walked inside the building, towards the receptionist area. The woman behind the desk, perhaps sensing that he is a foreigner, greeted him in English.

“Good day, what can we do for you?” asked the receptionist.

James opened his mouth and asked for Devon. “She was supposed to be here as consultant from the Philippines. I think she arrived here a couple of days ago.”

The woman motioned for him to wait and dialled with her IP phone. She talked in Chinese for a while, before she finally ended the call.

“I’m sorry sir,” said the woman as he approached James. “No Filipino consultant arrived sir.”

James eyes opened wide and looked at the woman. “That can’t be possible. She was supposed to go here.”

The woman shook her head. “No consultant came, sir. They were scheduled to come two days ago, but the date was moved indefinitely.”

James walked out of the building, several minutes after, asking the receptionist over and over again, until the lady threatened to call security unless he stop.  James continued walking.  He stopped under a tree and leaned on it.

Where are you Devon, he asked himself.

****

Devon was looking at her cellphone. She hasn’t called or texted anybody in the Philippines. Nobody knew that she is in Macau.  Devon fidgeted on her phone, it is already late in the afternoon. She arrived two days ago, and all of the problems with one of their firm offices in Macau is being straightened out. If all goes well, she may be going home early.

Home, Devon thought. Is there really a place that I can go home to?  From her hotel window, she could see the entire city.  Am I willing to stay here?  She closed the window blinds and looked at her phone again.

She took a deep breath and started to dial her mother’s number. After a brief talk with her parents, Devon felt a lot better.  She decided to call her friends to let them know that she is doing great.

Freya answered on the fourth ring. “Hello Devon.”  Devon sensed that there was something wrong and guarded with how Freya greeted her. But she did not took notice.  “How’s Singapore?” Freya asked.

“I’m not in Singapore,” said Devon. “I’m in Macau. They sent me here instead.”

“Whaaat?” Freya exclaimed. “You are not in Singapore? Since when?”

Devon started to share what happened in the airport. She noticed a commotion in the background. “What’s wrong? Why is everybody noisy?”

“There’s nothing wrong,” denied Freya. “We’re just excited that you called.”

Devon talked to her friends for a while before she hung up.  There is something going on, but she decided not to take notice of it.

****

“Have you talked to James?” Freya asked Bren for the nth time.

Bren patiently answered while holding his phone. “No, I haven’t. I’ve been trying to call him since Devon called last night.”

Yen was already strangling Ryan. “Where the heck could he be?”

Bren started to dial on his phone again, and this time he was able to get James on the phone. “Where have you been dude?”

“Sorry,” said James. “I lost my phone charger and I have to look for another one here. You have to idea how difficult it is to find another charger.”

“Well, Devon called,” Bren interrupted.

“What did she say?” James immediately asked.

“She’s not in Singapore. She’s in Macau,” Bren answered.

Bren heard James cursing on the other end of the line. “Do you have any idea what hotel she’s in? I’m going to the airport now.”

Bren gave Devon’s hotel and James ended the call, immediately.

****

Is nature working against me, James asked angrily.  Are you punishing me? 

He was able to get a flight to Macao from Singapore. Unfortunately, there were no non-stop flights and all he could get was a flight with one stop, and it was a long layover.  So the three hours of air travel from Singapore to Macau, lasted for blasted ten hours.

To make matters worse, the long layover, became longer.  There were some engine trouble and they need to wait another couple of hours before they were able to board the plane. He left early afternoon, he would be arriving in Macau the next day. 

Are you punishing me? James asked.  If you are, can you just punish me after I see her, James pleaded.  A whole half day was wasted just by changing and waiting for planes.  He would be arriving in Macau, the next day.

****

Devon closed her suitcase and looked around. Her work just wrapped up yesterday, she has the option to stay longer. But she decided, her family and friends are in the Philippines, her roots are there. Why should I be afraid of coming back? Devon thought. I did nothing wrong. I should not be afraid of being myself. It's just another heartache, she thought.

She walked outside of her room and down the hotel lobby. She decided not to inform anybody that she would be coming home today. She checked out of the hotel and went into the taxi, waiting for her.

She was quietly watching the sights while inside the cab, thinking, this is such a romantic place.  It would be great to comeback, she thought.  After a few minutes, she was already on the airport, lugging her bags behind her.  She went inside the airport and started to look for her terminal.

In a few minutes, the passengers from Devon’s flight were called.  At that same time Devon stood up to hand her ticket, James was coming out of the glass doors. He immediately called hailed a taxi and asked to be taken to the hotel that Bren told him. After a few minutes, he arrived in the hotel lobby and walked towards the reception area.

James greeted the receptionist and asked about Devon’s room number, introducing himself as the boyfriend.

The woman eyed him but still answered him, “She just checked out, more than half an hour ago.”

James slapped the counter top and cursed loudly.  He saw how surprised the lady opposite him was. “I’m sorry. But do you know where she’s heading?”

The woman looked at him again, this time pitifully. “She asked for a taxi cab that would bring her to the airport.”

James cursed under his breath and immediately left the hotel.  I hope I catch her, he thought.  He fought his way on the next taxi cab, cutting a couple who were obviously waiting for the taxi. He offered a higher tip which made the taxi driver agree to take him to the airport.

But it was too late.

When James set foot on the airport, Devon was again out of his life.