We met in PR. He discovered me, really. He left a footprint on my profile saying that I had a nice smile. I normally just say a quick “thank you” to faceless profiles, or even those that feature half of their faces. Out of courtesy, baga. Para hindi masabing supladita ako. But something made me ask “How are things going with you?”. And that started the exchange of messages that eventually led to an exchange of numbers. SMS galore. An average of 100 messages per day!
Carlo was a fresh graduate from Calamba. He was the youngest son of 8 kids. A probinsyano. But he was smart, articulate, and witty. He made me laugh.
We met for the first time at the Alabang Town Center. He was sooo apprehensive of the meeting. Self confidence issues, I guess. He kept saying na baka hindi daw ako sumipot, na baka hindi ko daw sya magustuhan, etc. It was quite funny and cute, really.
When I first laid eyes on him, my first thought was that his photos didn’t do him justice. He was waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy cuter in person. But for all his daldal in texts and calls, ganun naman sya katahimik when we met. He would later tell me that he was nervous and was intimidated by me because he thought I was really cute (haba ng hair moment).
And he was uber sweet.
I have taken up running since last April, 2010. One of the races I joined was the Pasig River Run (10/10/10). I had told him about the event and what he did was to wake up extra early to wish me good luck and to watch the coverage of the race on TV.
One night, as we were getting ready to sleep, he suddenly texted “Te amo”. I replied, “Seryoso ka?”. He didn’t answer back. Hahaha!
A few days later, on All Hallow’s Eve, I confronted him about his “Te Amo” text. (I wanted to ask him the week after, on account that I thought it would be weird if maging kami on Halloween, but then we just had a perfect day that I thought that it was now or never).
I asked him, “totoo ba iyon?”
He replied, “Hindi. Nabigla lang ako…” Sabay tawa.
He asked, “Ano sa palagay mo?”
And I answered, “I think totoo sya..”
Then he asked again, “Ano ang sagot mo?”.
I said, “Let me answer in French, J’etaime…”
And so, we became a couple.
That was a little over 4 months ago.
Now, when I look back, I am glad that I replied to Carlo’s footprint. He came at a time when I was beginning to lose faith in love and relationships. He came at a time when I had resigned myself to the fact that I shall be single forever.
I am glad that he proved me wrong.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.
