Maybe we should trust that.....

Looking at the stockpot waiting for the water to boil, Amor went down memory lane. She has married Theo for 10 years now right after she finished Senior High School and now has 5 kids with him. Yes, a Senior High graduate with hopes and dreams just like any other graduate from her class but answered the question of none of the above when she made the decision to choose and be with Theo. Theo who is 10 years older than she was already working when they met. Although a construction worker in the city, Theo was regarded with respect in their hometown since he chose to earn a living at an early age. In a town where everyone knows everybody, most parents of single ladies wooed Theo for him to take notice of any of their daughters. Thus it came as no surprise that Amor's family was envied when Theo took notice of Amor who is the eldest among her 3 siblings. Theo is an only child to his aging parents and the money he has earned since he was working he invested in buying properties, so the only thing missing in his life is a family of his own.

It was during Amor's 11th grade 1st semester that she met Theo. She was waiting for the last trip bound to Cebu City in the North Terminal in their town in Daanbantayan 12th of October 2008 Sunday at 5:52 pm. That was her first time traveling alone but was not anxious since there were familiar faces on the bus, an aunt that works in the city, an uncle that needs to see a doctor, a cousin who studies in the university, and their infamous neighbor Theo. Although their house is 1 kilometer away from each other that is still considered as a neighbor in their town. Seated at the 3rd column 3rd row on the right side of the driver, she took the window seat and placed her bag beside her to ward off other passengers.

"Miss, is there no one with you?" inquired Theo. Looking up she sees this man with semi bald hair, tan complexion, broad shoulders, sculpted arms waiting for her answer.

"Uhm.....," unsure whether to say yes or no was her only reply.

"Are you going to pay for the extra seat?" aggressively asked Theo.

"Arrogant," she thought but she knows for sure she is not paying for the extra seat. "No," she assertively replied and took her bag immediately placed it on her lap, and turned her face toward the window in annoyance. Theo then took the seat beside her, gave a quick glance, and found her captivating.

"Ahem," clearing his throat. "I take this last trip every week and it seems this is the first time I noticed you," trying to initiate a conversation but Amor seems not interested to chat with him. "Suit yourself, it is a 5-hour drive with 3 stops. Just trying to have a friendly conversation with you," said Theo but Amor still does not respond and just gazed outside the window. "It's fine if you don't talk but you should at least stretch your body from time to time especially your head to prevent stiff neck," an attempt to show concern caught Amor's attention.

She then turned her gaze at him and with a fierce look in her eye she said, "I'm praying for the driver so that I can have a safe trip."

"Huh?" chuckled Theo.

Clink clink clink. The bus inspector hits the bar handle of the door that signals the bus is now departing. Since they took the last trip, the road is quite dark but Amor stayed awake for the whole trip so she can check from time to time where they at; while Theo seems to be sleeping with his head resting on the headboard of their seat. With a speed of 50-60kph, Amor can only hold onto the railings in front of her as the bus traveled down the cemented sometimes rugged zigzag road. After an hour of travel, the bus stopped in Borbon for a 15-minute break. Amor wanted to get off and eat but Theo seems to be sleeping still, so as not to wake him she slowly rose from her seat bringing the bag with her. There is a cafeteria as well as a barbeque station and she chose the latter. There were about 5 parked buses and Amor took note that her bus was in the middle. She chose 5 barbeques with rice for her dinner and added soft drinks, not knowing that her bus was already about to leave since there is another bus waiting to take its place. Checking at her wristwatch she was confident she finished her meal on time and hurried back to her bus which was parked in the middle only to find out that the bus is bound for Daanbantayan and not for Cebu.

Amor's bus already left for about 5-10 minutes when the bus inspector noticed that the seat behind Theo is vacant. He then woke Theo up, "Sir, excuse me. Where is the woman sitting beside you?" he asked. Theo suddenly got up and asked the bus inspector to tell the driver to go back to the bus stop in Borbon since there will be no other buses bound for Cebu already,

"Boss, please tell the driver to go back immediately. We have not gone that far so it will not cause much delay to the travel time." he pleaded.

"I'll ask the driver," replied the bus inspector. "Lex!" he shouted to the driver. "We need to go back to the bus stop in Borbon, we left a passenger there."

"Ayayay!" cried the driver. "Why didn't you checked that earlier before we left?" he complained. He then halted and made his way back to the bus stop in Borbon.

Realizing that her bus has left, Amor's heart is pounding fast, her tears are welling up in the corner of her eyes and her feet are cold. She wants to ask for help but her mouth is dry and is more afraid to ask strangers for help, so she just stood beside the barbeque stand staring blankly at the road when someone grabbed her arm. Looking at the rugged hands that held her arm, she turned her gaze to know who the person is. The arrogant man that she does not want to talk to earlier suddenly turned into a dashing rescuer. "Hurry up, the driver is waiting," he then let go of her arm and walked hurriedly back to the bus.

She then ran toward the bus and thanked the bus inspector who was waiting by the door, "Thank you so much sir for coming back".

"Next time, tell someone if you are getting off and make sure to get back immediately," reprimanded the driver.

"Sorry boss," she shyly replied.

Theo standing up ushered her to the seat. "Take your seat already, we still have another bus stop in Carmen", teasing Amor. As she was seated, she can only fix her gaze outside the window to hide her embarrassment.

"You've thanked the driver and the bus inspector but I don't hear anyone thanking me for fetching you. Tsk tsk tsk, I was already fast asleep and in the middle of a good dream at that," Theo continuously teased Amor. Pressing her lips, she turned her gaze toward Theo and shyly looked at him. She carefully studied his looks and found that he looks a bit charming.

"Thank you and uhm..... sorry if I didn't respond to your conversation earlier. I..... I just don't want to be distracted during travel since this is my first time," she bowed her head and turned her gaze back toward the window.

"Were you already distracted earlier or are you more distracted now?" teased Theo with a smirk on his face.

Her jaw dropped and turned her gaze back to Theo, "Huh?" chuckled Amor. "Cocky, you are," she thought and looked out at the window again this time with a smirk on her face.

Saving a seat for someone can be your significant other in the future but the journey seems to be unknown for Amor.