Challenges 2

How was your flight Ma'am…Manu asked interrupting my thoughts. Oh! Yes! It was lovely, though I really hate long haul flights, I'd rather do long drives than that. Thanks for asking! Alex, just call me Alex. Are we near yet?, I added, feeling the jet lag and a bit sleepy now since I hadn't have much sleep or rather no sleep at all on the plane. We're nearly there, Manu said while maneuvering at the front of Ritz Hotel saying, here we are, A..Alex!

Have a good night dear, alright!, Manu added caringly. Thank you sir! Good night too!, I replied kindly since he was so polite and sweet. See you around Manu!, right!? I added, Manu now smiling at me while taking off his hat as I went out of the car.

In my room, I changed to my usual white sando, tight shorts, with no bras and wore the bathroom robe on top. I haven't decided yet whether to dip in the tub or just take a short hot shower since it's about 16 degrees cold now in Paris. September, 2019, seems colder than ever, even though there have been news about heat waves. But it's mostly in the U.K. Australia and the U.S.. I want to spend Christmas here but I need to come home since it's been a Filipino tradition, anyway it's fun and more warm in the Philippines during this time of year.

On my bed, I didn't know I already dozed off for three hours. Then suddenly woke and positioned myself lying flat on my tummy hitting the sheet, my legs on top moving to and fro, while reading this online novel in Wattpad. It says here that it only takes 21 days to forget a feeling and one can fall in love again after that. Meaning, I can grow new feelings for someone after 21 days. Interesting! But with how I am feeling now, with Jodie it has been 20 years and I still feel the loss. What more with Edmund! It would always be hard to let go. I went out to the terrace and there I see the Eiffel Tower, grand and beautiful, yet alone. It's not complaining, never gloomy or ungrateful. A structure with no emotions, not judging and not expecting anything from no one. It's just there waiting, standing tall for people to visit, stare and be mesmerized by its beauty that doesn't disappoint anyone, or whatsoever. Unlike us human beings who feel regrets, pains, sadness, disappointments, doubts, fears and judge or expect things from people we care about, and feelings like love be reciprocated or none at all.

We aren't perfect, we can both feel sadness or joy and that is life. Even if we are the strongest person in the world, we too have weaknesses and sometimes we get tired or give up, too. But in our weakness comes strength and in problems there are gifts enclosed in it. We just need to look at issues on a different angle or take them as challenges that when we overcome, is our success story. I realized that in the midst of sorrow and defeat we still need to be thankful we are alive or get the chance to survive it. In hardship there is opportunity or possibility. At the end of every storm there is always a rainbow. I believe that it is true. But do I really believe it?...hmmm!

Gin occupied the room next to Alex and he didn't know that until now. Now Gin is thinking hard on how to reveal his real identity to her. I am worried about her reaction. Would Alex accept me or hate me? How would she take it, would she be happy to see me and this transformation? Nothing has changed anyway, I am still Jodie inside but I just look different from the outside. Ahhhhh! I am going crazy and scared, Gin added as if wanting to deliberately bump his head to the wall since he doesn't know what he can do to calm himself, now that Alex is in the room next to his. And since she's so close for him to reach, he wanted to touch and kiss her. I miss you so much baby, Alex, I really miss you, Gin sadly thought while lying on his bed with Alexa's photo on his hand as if praying, talking to it, almost in a cry, saying those words honestly. I still love you Alex and this feeling will never ever change…I…

Knock, knock!...

Who is it? Gin asked wiping the tears from his eyes with his white sleeve . He is still wearing his long sleeves and sando since he just came home from the office. Though he already wore his pajamas since he was about to change his top after talking to Alex's picture (which he does every day of his life) It's me Alex!...

Huh! What the…..!!! How did she know I am occupying this unit?, Gin as if in a flash took Alex's photo and hid it under his pillow and ran to open the door for her, not thinking twice. He fixed his hair first and opened the door. Oh f*ck..I am wearing my pink PJ's. Ha ha!, Hi! Alex…

Hm! Wow, I like color pink on you, hehe!, You're maybe wondering why I knew you occupy this side of the room, I asked reception where you're at and wallah! I 'm here, hihi!, Alex said smiling like in the scene where Mulan was caught by the Captain cheating with the arrow hitting exercise, which was done by her culprit confindante Wushu the dragon. She gave a wide grin, as if teasing Gin…Yah, yeah! I know I am cute (but deep inside he was so touched Alex was concerned about his arrival and she's so adorable with how she's reacting right now, OMG!), Gin added while Alex still laughing at his PJ's. What can I do for my sweet lady? ....Ah! I can't sleep, I just knew that your room is next to mine, so I ….Alex said while Gin interrupted her. Are you stalking me? Gin said as revenge. No, no, no. Okay, if you're busy and… Oh, no I am not busy, Gin replied, I was about to change when you knocked, just got home from work, you see! Okay, then can I crash and just maybe, watch T.V. you know. I really can't handle being alone now, not at this time! I'm like very emotional, so can I stay with… you….tonight? Alex asked as if going to cry. Oh, Alex, it's okay. I love you….ah, I love your company and I missed you since we didn't have time to chat after the funeral because of many things, Gin explained while clearing his throat, almost revealing his true feelings for Alex. That's awesome! Perfect!. Thank you Gin! Mwah!. Yup and we can watch an old film and sulk in the sofa, together. Ha ha!, Gin added happily, thinking that this is a good opportunity to talk with her about his true identity. I'll go change and fix us some popcorn, what would you like to drink anyway! Oh my bad, please come in my princess!!! Gin apologizing since Alex is standing in the front door for a couple of minutes already. Thank you my good sir! Alex said courteously in a lady like gesture, just like in the old movies.

Hmm! … Alex checked on Gin's place, black and white, like a bachelors pad and touched the sofa. It is black suede, soft to touch, very big for one person. I think it can stretch as extra bed for visitors. She sat on the sofa like a kid and rested her head on the other arm on the left end side.

Hang on, here's a comforter and white wine, fruits ( with a platter of strawberries, raspberries and cherries) and cheese flavored popcorn. My all-time favorite, Gin added with such gusto. Feel at home!, as he fixed the DVD, while checking on some movies under the T.V. board. Hmm! I have Titanic here! Would you want to watch this one? I love that film!, Alex said with eyes wide open. I really like your PJ's, pretty unusual for a hot shot producer like you, he he! Alex added smiling at Gin. Gin was also laughing while taking he seat beside Alex. Don't laugh! or…I'll ….

Or you'll what? Alex said pointing her face almost touching Gin's face. Ah! Never mind! Gin said taking his eyes and face out of Alex's to avoid her. Oh my God, you're so cute Alex… I can't stand being near you… I really want to pull that robe loose and …. Haaaaaah!! No! Gin thought and quickly erasing the desire to kiss and express how he truly feels for Alex. The feeling that was kept inside him from those sad years he was missing her, the times when he was all alone with nobody to hold on except the thought of Alex's face smiling at him, loving him when he was still Jodie. I am superman, Gin shouted posing like the man of steel. But wearing a pink pajama, now wearing the top as well, ha ha!. You look funny…ha, ha, ha! Alex added laughing hard.