THIRTEEN: UNEXPECTED REUNION WITH MY EX II

[Shaira’s POINT OF VIEW]

"Pardon?" I don't know how to get out of this very unusual moment. Is it just my imagination? Or he is staring at me with longing eyes. From those eyes, there is visible loneliness that I can read. It made my heart skip a beat out of the creepiness.

"It's me... Ryan."

R-Ryan... that guy from my past relationship?!

It took me a while to realize that this man in front of me has similarities with my ex-boyfriend. I never imagined seeing him again after a long time, so why now?

"Ryan as in...?"

Just how little the world had become?

I don't know why such an encounter happened, but I have a hunch that this must be a way of God to help us make a good closure in our past failed relationship.

He's my first love and boyfriend... my first heartbreak. We broke up during our graduation from college. I hate to admit it, but I used to close my eyes to every painful thing I witnessed. Even though he's a womanizer, I still love him, but everything has a limit. I realized somehow ours has to meet an end because somewhere something has to begin, and that something is my peace of mind.

We parted in a very hurtful way. Since then, we have never had the chance to talk. Now that he's standing next to me, I don't feel hurt. I don't have a grudge toward this man. He is nothing but a part of my past. I believe it is all in the past, no need to discuss it.

I heaved a heavy breath and that's when he lowered his head. Shortly after, he remained to stare at the stones on the floor. To lift his spirit a little I uttered, "It's been 10 years...Nice meeting you again."

He lifted his head and captured my gaze which I reciprocated by plastering a weak smile on my face.

"Let's go, baby," I held my son's wrist, but before we could turn our back Ryan called my name once more.

"Here's your earphone sweetie. Could you listen to a song or stream a video for a moment?"

Tamra nodded and stood next to me as he kept himself busy with his phone. Then, I took a deep breath before facing him again.

"I hope we can talk again just like the old days," Ryan said as he progressed steps forward once more to sort of close the distance between us.

"If it concerns my son's performance... I'll be there," I replied. I don't want to sound like a rude ex-lover. I just have to get my act together.

Although my son doesn't have a clue between me and his new adviser, I don't want Tamra to get the wrong idea.

"I understand," Ryan replied, then his lips formed a weak smile. Although his eyes were smiling, it doesn't mean he was able to hide the regrets living in his broken voice. He must have been thinking of the past...

"Let's forget what happened before," I uttered in an almost whispering tone.

After such a statement I made, his face lightened up a bit. It was not a half-baked statement, I want to set him free from the guilt he's suffering for playing with women's hearts. I already forgave him, but I don't think we can be good friends at this moment.

"I need to leave now," I added and turned my back to leave, still holding my son with me. However, after ten steps forward, I stopped for a while and took a last glance at my back. Then, I saw him waving his hand from afar. I smile once more, but I don't know if he can see that smile.

When we hopped in a taxi, Tamra removed his earphone and uttered, "Mom, I heard from the teacher that you used to be colleagues."

I watched the view outside the window and replied, "Yes. What else did he tell you?"

"Just that, mom."

I'm glad he didn't tell him the real thing. If he leaves it that way, then I was wrong in accusing him that he might ruin my family. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that he's still after me. I happened to know what kind of guy he was in the past, but I guess he has grown up as a better adult now.

While looking outside, I suddenly thought if I should tell Jhotam about this encounter or not. Jhotam may be rational most of the time, but sometimes he can be fussy whenever he is jealous. Such an encounter with Ryan is nothing important anyway, thus I'll just keep it, since my husband is a pretty jealous type, so I shouldn't add more matter to his head.