"I should go. I might be late. Mom's not here. Bye! Take care later," Llianne shouted outside my door.

I did not mind answering her because I can already hear her loud footsteps on the stairs.

I slowly got up and approached the window, still covered by a thick curtain. I slowly pulled it apart to feel the new beginning of life. I closed my eyes to feel the warmth from the rays of the sun.

I raised my hand and with my palm I covered the glare and opened my eyes again.

I smiled upon seeing these wonderful things. It's a pity because the person who gave me a second chance to see them is no longer with me.

I looked up at the blue sky. Thinking and wondering if he's watching me from there.

"Dad, I miss you," I whispered trying to stop my tears from falling.

"Ma'am, when you're ready to eat, just call Bianca. I'll just water the plants outside," Mother Anna shouted outside.

She has been working with us for a long time and she is one of the witnesses to my experiences.

"All right. I'll just take a shower. I'll go down later. Please tell Alex that I'm leaving early now so he'll just have the car ready," I shouted back.

"All right, ma'am."

I decided to leave in front of the window and go straight to C.R. to take a shower and get ready for work.

I do this every day but I'm still tired. I could feel the dripping of water coming from the shower. Instead of moving, I chose to close my eyes and first feel the cold water touching my skin.

I tried to reminisce about the past which I have shared with them. I can still remember their faces. It's too vivid and unpredictable. I lost two important people in my life. The first one died and the other one left me.

My tears followed the rushing water. A few years have passed but I still can't forget him. It's been too long but our memories can't let me escape from missing him.

It's been too long but I still can't let go. It hurts but I still can't forget.

Instead of lingering longer I also went out to the c.r while wearing my bathrobe. I went straight to the walk-in-closet and I decided to wear a turtleneck, midnight, blue dress just above my knee. The sleeves reached my elbow with a white ribbon at the end. I paired it with my blue bottom, Louis Vuitton heels that mommy gave me.

Then I also blow -dried my hair in front of the vanity mirror and dressing table. While blowing I spotted the make-up sets displayed in front of the mirror.

At times like this, I don't like to put on make-up, but for work, I decided to just put it on. I put some concealer below my eyes to hide my eyebags. This is the first time that I saw myself clearly.

"I'm really overwhelmed with my thoughts. I'm getting ugly, " I talked to myself.

I sighed heavily as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I laughed to myself softly. I just continued to apply make-up to be able to leave. I also applied light foundation then light-red lipstick to avoid looking like a ghost. I decided to tie my hair into a ponytail to emphasize the turtleneck dress that I'm wearing.

I smiled upon seeing myself in front of the mirror. my well defined face is already visible. Even though my hair is tied up, its length is still obvious. It reached my armpit and its soft curls are also visible. I have brownish hair and brown eyes too. It was even worse because of my long eyelashes.

Now I just appreciate my face again. If it weren't for my eyebags maybe I wouldn't have a problem.

I picked up my favorite kate spade, blue shoulder bag. I put on my cell phone and wallet then I wore a blue-chained watch. I looked in the mirror again to check my whole self.

There, I'm good to go.

I left the room and went downstairs. I could clearly see the assistants working around.

"Good morning, ma'am," they greeted me whenever I passed in front of them. I just reciprocate each other’s smiles.

I went straight to the back door to the garden to call Nay Anna. I smiled when I saw her still dancing while watering the plants.

"Mom, I'm going to eat," I called to her, just enough for her to hear me.

"Hala ma'am. I hope you just told Bianca. She was in the living room ah. You really have to go straight here?" she said worriedly as she approached me. I just laughed at her reaction.

"I'm not crippled and I can speak. They're really tired, I don't want to add more."

I saw a smile flicker on Mother Anna's lips. My forehead frowned.

"You really kind ma'am. You're still smart. You're very different from your sister, Llianne."

"Stop calling me 'ma'am' and of course let it go, I'll scold Llianne later. She's getting spoiled."

Nay Anna and I just laughed as we went to the kitchen to talk. I just let her cook a simple breakfast. I'm not hungry. Bacon and egg and then fried rice.

"Will you be satisfied with this? Look, you're thin," she said to me. I just laughed.

"That's why you didn't get married. You know a lot. When I get fat, you'll cry. I'm not sexy anymore," I joked to him.

"I don't regret not having a husband, ma'am. I'm still happy. It's a bonus that I met your parents. I was given a good job and a kind boss, " Anna replied with a smile.

"What is it? I'm crying," I joked again and we laughed together.

"Where is mommy?"

"She told me she was going to spend the night there. Your older brother called. Maybe it's about your business in Iloilo."

I suddenly fell silent when I heard that place.

"Oh sorry ma'am. I forgot," she said, confused. I just smiled at her

"Nay, you don't have to worry. It's been a long time. I'm going straight to the hospital. Please tell Llianne when she gets home, I'll be late. My shift is until 10 PM. Don't let her go out, " I said to her as I arranged my things.

I just want to forget everything about that place. I will just brush my teeth in my office at the hospital, there's also a C.R there. I looked at the watch I was wearing. I'm too late.

"All right ma'am. I'll just call Alex on the other side," she said before rushing towards the backdoor.

After a few more minutes, Kuya Alex arrived together with our car.

I immediately got in the car and told Kuya Alex to hurry up.

I was definitely nervous even though I don't know why. This is the first time that I feel so uncomfortable. I can clearly feel that something might happen.

When I got to the opposite side of the hospital where I work, I left immediately. Among the three of us, I’m the only one who decided to study in this field. I am a Radiologic Technologist now.

I don't know, I just find this profession very close to my heart and maybe because of him.

All my juniors who pass by bow to me. I went straight to the elevator and ignored them at first.

No one dared to go inside with me. 'I'm not scolding them. I just don't really care when I'm here.

I have been traumatized by my kindness because I hold on to all the promises and believe in them.

Just like he promised he wouldn't leave me.

I took my cell phone out of my shoulder bag and typed a message to Alise. I'm pretty sure that she's also late.

I crouched down when the elevator opened on the right floor where my office is. I was busy with my phone when I got out. My gaze was still on my phone when someone suddenly bumped me. I lost my balance but he suddenly pulled my waist.

The impact was so hard to the point that I literally lost my balance. I angrily faced the man who bumped into me and he suddenly let go. Seriously, he can hold me carefully so I won't break my bones.

I was about to yell and curse at him but when I saw his face, a sudden spin of my past towards this present I have now came raging. When I met his menacing eyes, the only thing that I could say was his name.

"Ismael," I whispered after seeing him.

I don't know if I should be happy or cry out of pain and longing. It's been 9 long years since we saw each other.

Before I could say anything, I noticed the logo of this hospital just above the right portion of his white coat. When did he start working here? I thought he's in Iloilo?

"Do you know me ? Excuse me miss. I'm sorry, I have a lot of patients inside," he coldly said before letting me go.

Also due to lack of strength, I fell down permanently. Seeing him like this makes our memories appear once again.

Those eyes, where I can't see familiarity anymore. that voice, which served to be a great melody for me in the past.The one that I can't forget the most. Some simple things that made my heart flutter before and,-maybe 'till now.

A few years have passed but things are still very clear. I thought, I can forget him right away but it's too hard. Especially that he's been my strength for how many years.

He's been my prince, my comfort, my home and the only person who constantly explained the meaning of love just by his existence.