Disaster...(a short story)

“If I could be anyone at this moment, I’d be her so you’d love me too”.

Her heart beats fast as Mike approaches the table reserved for them. They used to hang-out together, talking about everything in life – politics, school, show business, family and plans in life. She doesn’t know why the feeling is so intense that her heart almost stopped beating when Mike started to speak. “Sorry for I’m late. There’s just this accident in the road that created heavy traffic.” Mike continues to tell the story about the accident but she’s not listening attentively. She’s been busy looking at the man who made her realize the bliss of life because of the rendezvous of love.

It was six months ago when they first met. The class was astounded when a man in a blue-checkered polo, black pants and white shoes entered the room. She was there staring at the door, thinking in oblivion, when she saw the man whom she thought was the Achilles of his life. He walked straight to the teacher’s table and introduced himself. Every girl in the class giggled and kept on staring at their professor in their law subject. But she, she was wide awake and dreaming. She uttered to herself, “This is love struck.”

She couldn’t move on with the enchantment in meeting the man whom she thought was an angel from above. She researched all about him – his family and educational background, his lifestyles, his friends, activities, everything about that man. For her, he’s perfect. He’s a respected and well-known lawyer in his 29, a mason master, a basketball player, a music enthusiast, a college professor, a man with the head and the heart for he’s very generous in helping people through the different charitable institutions in the region. He doesn’t look his age just like those celebrities we see in the television. The man actually has resemblance to Ryan Agoncillo and more to TJ Trinidad. But for her, he’s no other than the man of her dreams.

Every class meeting was a taste of heaven for her. She was so inspired to attend the class ever y meeting. He discussed clearly the lessons and sometimes he cracked jokes that will make everybody in the class feel like rolling on the floor. One day, she was called for recitation. “Ms. Vivien, what is our system of taxation here in the Philippines?”

She stood quietly and smiled to her professor. Her mind came to a blank state. She was surprised to be called by him. What echoed to her mind was that she was called in his first name unlike her classmates who are always called in their last names. He repeated the question and gave another follow-up question. Her classmates were all looking at her, confused but her mind was drifting to eternity because of his killer looks. The room was in complete silence.

She came into her consciousness and smiled again to her professor. “Sir, you are asking what is our system of taxation here in the country?” “Yes, what do you think will I ask you, your number?” The class went on laughing at her. She was annoyed because of that situation. She began to shout in the class. “Okay. Welcome classmates. At least, I made you happy for this day.”

The class went back again to a deafening silence. Then she started answering the question, “Sir, according to Article VI, Section 28, paragraph 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.” She elaborated further and discussed almost everything related to the question. Of course, she can do it since she was actually a dean’s lister. The man was impressed because of what she did. However, he still had more follow-up questions to her. She kept on answering questions and talking to her professor in a conversational manner. The apprehensions were no longer there. She felt like talking to a person she has known before. She didn’t mind also if she was already standing for almost an hour in the class.

After that unforgettable moment of her life, she became close to her professor. They actually became friends with each other. They see each other more often. Sometimes, he would offer her a ride going home. For her, every moment that they are together was earth-shattering and heart-stopping. Every night, she would whisper a prayer to the deities. She would earnestly ask them to help her overcome the feelings if it’s not meant to be. Each day with him was a mixture of anguish and joy. Anguish because of the uncertainty of the man’s feelings to her and of course joy, for she’s experiencing the deepest enchantment of love.

“Vivien, are you alright?”, he asked. For a moment, he paused and looked at her beyond her eyes. She’s still staring at him and at that moment, when their eyes met, she saw his soul. “Ah...Yes. I’m fine. So, how’s the case of Mr. Castillo?” That’s all she uttered. Then he smiled at her and said, “I have something to give you. I hope you will not refuse my invitation.” She smiled even though the feeling grow intense. “What is this? Is he going to ask me for a date or ask me if I can be his girl friend? Of course, yes! I love you”. She’s talking to herself.

Then he handed an invitation to her – a wedding invitation with his name on it and a lady’s name whom she doesn’t know. She wanted to believe that she’s having a bad dream or perhaps, the man is just having a good time to her, just making fun of something. Later, he started telling their love story. That it was held secret since the parents of the lady doesn’t really like the man. And then she realized that it was the reality. The reality that bites. It bites especially when you’re not ready for it. The wound is endless. It’s incurable, unfathomable. She remembered the song she heard that morning while waiting for him in that restaurant. “'Cause the walls burned up and our love fell down, And it turned into whatever, now we're saying never. Feel the fire 'cause it's all around, And it's burning for forever and always. You gotta let it go and be on our way And live for another day, 'cause it ain't the same, my baby. Watch it all fall into the ground. No happy ever after ‒ just disaster.”

Tears fall from her eyes but she’s in denial. She told him that those were tears of joy. That she’s so happy for him. But actually, her heart is mourning, “If I could be anyone at this moment, I’d be her so you’d love me too”.