HIS AMAZING LOVE

            Night fell. He felt all alone in his room again. Pictures of the past flooded his mind. They played on his memory lane once more. Their bygone days of happy moments as a couple made him smile a bit as he reminisced them. But, his solitude kept him longing for her presence. Her absence for less than a decade now made him feel that the world was so cruel to him. Sometimes, he felt numb of her lost. When each night came, he tried putting himself into oblivion. But, how could he ever forget her? She’s the love of his life, after all. Can he still win her back after all these years - back into each other’s arms again?

            The first chapter of their love story took place in Balanga, Bataan in 1981 when Charles visited his elder sister Grace. Because he found the people so accommodating, he learned to love the place. So, he extended his vacation and tried seeking for employment. He applied in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in a nearby place. Three days after he forwarded his resume and completed the needed requirements, the EPZ selection committee finally released the result and only five out of the 200 job seekers were taken. He leapt for joy for he was one of the chosen five.

 “Thank you, Lord, for giving me this opportunity. I really need it,” he sincerely thanked the Lord.

 The group had to wait for one month as slated in their contract. Since he didn’t want to waste time, he applied for another job which lasted for a month, then worked at the EPZ.

            Sunday came. Charles and her elder sister attended the mass. Many came and majority of the mass attendees was female. One fine young lady caught his attention. His heart was beating so fast every time he looked at her. “Is this love? Will she be the girl of my life?”These questions popped out while giving a second look at her. After the mass, Grace introduced his brother to this pretty lass. Charles greeted her so sweetly, “It’s my pleasure to meet you Karla! Hope, we can be good friends”. No words came from her lips but the lady just nodded and smiled. This lad couldn’t explain his feelings at that very moment. Their friendship started after that acquaintance.

            After attending several church activities, they took time sharing their stories and plans in life. They made sure that they were comfortable with each other every time they met. When Charles visited her at home or went for a spree, they sang beautiful love songs joyfully. Karla loved his music because he’s a good singer and could play the guitar well. She laughed out loud (LOL) whenever he cracked sensible jokes.

            Charles could not believe himself on their closeness after several meetings with her. At the back of his mind, he thought that she’s always with him, accompanying him because he’s new to the place. But, their sweetness or closeness could speak that these two were starting to fall in love with each other. How could they deny that something’s happening between them? They were inseparable. Their eyes couldn’t deny so with their actuations. Their friends even noticed how intimate they were during gatherings. Since they were at a young age, they defended themselves that they’re just simply good friends.

It came to a point that they longed for each other’s presence. Charles wrote letters and Karla replied. They exchanged letters every now and then. The moment of truth came; they couldn’t hide their feelings anymore. They were brave enough to express how they deeply loved each other. “I love you very much, dear. You are the love of my life,” were the words from their lips.

Their beautiful relationship continued - an ideal relationship, indeed.

 After several months of working at the export zone, Charles decided to stop for he wanted to pursue his college degree. He went to school then. Their communication was not stopped even if he’s busy with his studies. He made sure that they had spare time for their relationship to grow.

He was in second year college when he stopped pursuing his degree. By then, he applied for another job at San Miguel Corporations as a casual employee. After his contract, he went home to his own town in Munoz (Nueva Ecija) and continued his college education. With God’s grace, he was able to obtain his college diploma in Bachelor of Elementary Education.

Since it was too difficult for him to land a teaching job in their municipality because of rampant nepotism and the lure of working abroad called, he then decided to work in United Arab Emirates for three years. While working abroad, he no longer heard any news about his girlfriend since cellular phones and internet were not at one’s fingertips yet.

Charles devoted his time on his job. After his contract in UAE, he again applied in another country, in Qatar. He found ways to contact her girlfriend, sending letters to her and even her friends asking her whereabouts but not a single response reached him.

He went home to his native land (Philippines) after his contract. He was so happy when his sister Grace handed him a letter. For sure, it was Karla’s letter! He read it and to his amazement, he found out that she’s working in Lebanon for years already. This was the reason why his mails did not reach her. After reading her letter, the air was filled with love again. His love for her became more intense! How he missed her so much! He replied and in two weeks of waiting, he received her much-awaited response. According to a common friend, Karla had been so hopeful that they would meet again.

The second chapter of their love story began.

 With technology which is no longer far-fetched by common people, they got series of long talks over cellular phones. Sometimes, their calls would last for about four hours of engaging conversation. (Thanks to technology!) They had to replenish those gloomy days of not hearing anything from each other into blissful chances exchanging sweet nothings and ‘look forward to’ plans of their lives.  

Karla and Charles talked about marriage in one of their phone conversations. They wanted to settle down. Unexpectedly, Karla’s father died, so she had to go home from Lebanon and see her father for the last time.

After the burial of Karla’s father, she gave Charles a call telling him to meet her up in Manila. He had to travel a day after their talk. The lovers were so eager to see each other after several years.

In their talk over the phone, they agreed to meet up at Farmer’s Plaza Food Court in Araneta, Cubao at 11:00 A.M. They had to wear green (since it’s their favorite color) for them to find each other easily in a crowded place. To surprise her, he did not follow what was agreed upon. After several minutes of waiting, Karla felt so anxious when he couldn’t find one wearing green t-shirt. She feared he would not appear that time. She made him a call and he responded telling her that he’s just two stones throw away from her.  She was so happy to meet him, so she embraced him tightly. Charles gave her a tighter embrace! Oh, how they missed each other! They didn’t mind the passers-by who were looking at them as they cuddled each other.

“How happy I am that we’ve finally met! I thought this day wouldn’t come but my prayers were answered!” They exchanged stories about those lonely years of their love affair.

Karla decided to go with Charles in his hometown . They planned to get married the soonest.

When a leader of their church visited them, she extended her help to arrange everything they need for their wedding. Their church had been a big help to realize their plan to build a simple yet happy family.

The much-awaited time of their lives came - their wedding day! They were blessed by the pastor of the church. It was only a simple wedding celebration with a few guests joining them since Charles hadn’t ‘much’ that time.

Their happiest moment came as a couple. Night fell. They expressed how they loved each other dearly. The couple exchanged their own expressions of love. It was the happiest night in their lives as a couple.

At the crack of dawn, Karla had to go back to Manila since it’s her flight back to Lebanon. While heading to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, they did not miss a chance to show off their affection as if this were the last time that they would be together again.

Was that really their last meeting?

            While his wife was working abroad, Charles was so active in church activities. With her absence, his life was so focused to God. Their communication continued. Through phone calls, they felt tranquil that each one was in God’s safe keeping.

            Three years after, Karla filed her application to work in Milan, Italy and it was approved. There, it started their love story to slowly come to an end. He seldom received a call from her. Whenever he received one, Karla was so apathetic. He was perplexed. He couldn’t find any single reason why this had to happen, why he had to suffer this much. He was sincere enough.

            Charles did not lose hope. Instead, he poured his time tending his flock. He became a pastor of their church – the Christian Fellowship. He gained many friends. He served the people. Most of all, he served God. He lifted everything to the Lord all his sorrows and pains. He never doubted Him that the truth would prevail, that his wife would soon believe in him for he didn’t do wrong which caused her to lose her trust in him.

            Day after day, he offered everything to the Lord all the trials of his life. Year after year, his questions were slowly answered why his wife was poisoned of false accusations against him which he never did. One person had been so unkind of him, telling false allegations to his wife that he spent their money to nothing and had relationships with several women in their place. Now, he knew why his wife did not trust him anymore which resulted in ending the few chapters of their love story.

            For now, it’s been eight long years that they’re not together – no communication at all. 

Night is about to fall again. Their blissful memories as a couple play on his mind once more. He can’t help but cry reminiscing their past. He still doesn’t lose hope. He fervently prays to God that the truth will set him free. His amazing love to his one and only woman in his life never wanes. He still hopes that God can change her mind and believe in the pureness of his love.

‘Til now, he’s still waiting for that fateful moment for her to finally come to his loving embrace.

Will their love story have its third chapter?

Only time can tell.