His Replacement Wife

The Signs

                                                                                      [KEN’S POV]

“hey let’s sit at the bleachers” – Tyler.

“yeah sure” – I said.

We still have one hour before our last class starts so we just seated to pass the time.

“I’ll just grab some food” – Tyler.

“go ahead” – I replied.

After what happen a while ago when she almost stumble and shouted, I can’t help myself from thinking about her. If she’s really a Filipino then it all makes sense.

                                                                                [flashback]

“I asked it from God”

Someone just told me before that when you asked something from God, you must be specific of what you are asking. I entered into a relationship when I was here, so typically I got American girlfriends but it didn’t work out. After having break-ups from my previous relationships, I asked God to give me someone that will last for a lifetime so I prayed to Him.

‘God, I’m asking you to put me in a relationship, the one that will last. I’ve been through failed relationships and if I will be into relationship again, make it last. If the first time I saw her there’s a music playing on the background or if the first time we have met doesn’t go well or if ever I saw her consecutively, then I’ll take that as a sign. And one more thing, I hope she’s not an American, a Fiipina I guess’

                                                                      [end of flashback]

I really don’t want to believe on that even with all the signs I have observed because I believed she’s an American, I mean with her looks you will really say that she is that’s why I didn’t mind the signs because I thought it doesn’t make sense. Now it’s all clear to me when she said that word.

I opened my phone and try to search her on f*******:, I typed her name and I saw her profile but there’s actually nothing on her account, no enough information, it’s just her profile picture and some shared posts, that’s it.

“whoa! New catch?” – Tyler.

I immediately turned off my phone. Why does he just appear everywhere?

“tsk” – that’s the only word I said.

“is that the girl you’ve met in the morning, the one who bumped you in the cafeteria, and the one owned the book you just found? – he said with a teasing tone.

I just look at him with a ‘yes, happy now?’ face

“What’s her name again?” – he asked.

“Roverie” – I replied.

“and you even remembered her name, I thought you don’t like her?” he’s now laughing and teasing me.

“whatever” – I replied.

I also don’t know why I can’t forget her name, everything about her. Tyler was right, that there’s really something different from her why I don’t even recognize that.

“uhm dude, about what you’ve said a while ago that there’s something different on her, what do you mean by that?” I asked him.

“so you’re interested with her now?” he asked me back.

“don’t answer me with a question” I told him.

“okay relax! What I meant is that, she’s not like any other woman I used to see here, she’s like with a different nationality I guess?” – Tyler.

“yeah, I think she’s a Filipina because she uttered Filipino word when she almost stumbled earlier but I still need some verification” I said.

“oh right you should have known that because you’re a Filipino American.” – Tyler.

I still have to confirm if she really is. After a while we decided to move to our next class, it will be the last schedule for this day but the professor doesn’t come that’s why we all decided to go home instead. I bid goodbye to Tyler and took a bus ride, I put my earphone on and just listen to the music.

O, kay bilis naman maglaho ng

Pag-ibig mo, sinta

Daig mo pa'ng isang kisapmata

Kanina'y nariyan lang, o ba't

Bigla namang nawala?

Daig mo pa'ng isang kisapmata…

[Kisapmata by Rivermaya]

I always listen to some tagalog songs because they always sound good. I noticed the place where the bus stopped earlier and that’s where Roverie girl came in, maybe she’s residing near this place.

When I reach home, cookie immediately run towards my direction.

“Arf! Arf! Arf!” yes cookie is my dog.

I kneel to hold and cuddle him, he’s a very sweet dog and I have him ever since I was in high school. When I migrated here, my older brother was still here, he’s studying in college and when he graduated, he decided to come back to Philippines to help manage our company together with my parents so I was left alone. Cookie was a gift from my parents when they came and visited me here, they told me that for me not to be alone they will give me a companion and that’s cookie, so that’s how I have him. We go inside and I feed him, I actually gave him food before I leave but I wasn’t here the whole day and surely, he’s starving too. I grab some foods and watched on the TV because I don’t have anything to do. Meanwhile…

“arrrgghh my neck stiffed” I said while slowly moving my neck. Cookie was sleeping beside me at the couch and I didn’t even notice that I fell asleep. Its already dark outside and when I looked at the wall clock it’s almost eight.

I walked out the door and walks on the street, it’s a bit cold and good thing I wore my hoodie. I enter at the café where I used to eat because this is the most convenient place to go.

While I am eating, I saw a girl in front my sight who’s just about to sit and when she looks at the waiter my eyes widen.

HOLY CRAP!! ITS HER…. AGAIN! I almost didn’t recognize her because her hair was in bun. I was in the corner so she’s not likely be able to see me but I still changed my position and move my chair on the side where she can’t recognize me.

She was scrolling on her phone and I can see that she’s smiling but there’s something up like she’s… sad. I just observe her, she’s too innocent and calm. She smiled at the waiter and they look like they knew each other. Wait…

OH SH*T! She’s her, I mean she’s the girl I used to see here and she always sits on that side near the glass wall. I just noticed her eating months ago on this café and it just happen that there are instances that we are both here on that particular day or time. Sh*t that’s odd.

Even when she’s eating, she’s still beautiful. No, erase that, what am I thinking?? She’s been distracting me the whole day, like aren’t she tired? She’s been running on my mind all day long. I’m too occupied maybe I just need to go home. I stood and walked out. It’s getting colder so I put my hood on to cover my ears and put my hands on my pocket.

I was lying on my bed and thinking for something to do. I turn my eyes around the room and I know what to do, it’s quite some time I haven’t done this because I got very busy lately.

I start strumming the guitar and sing the first part of the song in a slow way.

 [When You Say Nothing at All by Ronan Keating]

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart

Without saying a word, you can light up the dark

Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don't say a thing

I started to close my eyes and feel every lyrics of the song.

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall

You say it best when you say nothing at all…