"Love is neither eternity, nor courage, but the thought of being us." -unknown

Earlier...

I am here standing right at the magnificent building where the woman who stood up my brother rules like a queen. I can't help but to appreciate its modern design. It is very european, really reminds me of the Bloomberg building in London which features biomimicry architecture - sustainable but smart office building.

Pero hindi enough ang kagandahan ng kanyang building para mawala ang init ng ulo ko sa kanya. Ang kapal niyang hindi sipotin ang brother ko, how could she do that. Masasampal ko talaga siya, she could just atleast inform na she can't come kaysa paghintayin at ipahiya ang kuya ko.

I immediately take the elevator to the top floors. Handang handa na ang sarili ko ngayon sa isang giyera, hindi ko mapapalampas ang ginawa kay kuya, there's hell to pay for it. Sisirain ko ng kaaga aga ang araw ng babaeng to, but honestly, ayaw ko lang makakuha ng sobrang atensyon, kung aawayin ko man siya I want it on closed doors.

When I reached the top floors, I looked around immediately and good thing wala pang tao.

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"I demand to see Sarah Garcia!" I announced without preamble pagka bukas ko ng pinto. Nadatnan ko siyang nakatalikod sa office table, I was about to attack her but I was stop midway when my eyes meet her.

"Yes? How can I help?..."

"How dare you!?!?!..."

Hindi ko na naintindihan ang sinabi niya at hindi ko na natapos ang dapat kong sasabihin. Myself is lost in her eyes. In a moment, tumigil ang mundo ko, hindi ko alam papaano but it seems like I knew the person for a very long time. It's like meeting your own person for the first time, I barely know her but my heart knows as if she's someone I care so much for. I felt elated, para akong dinuduyan sa alapaap, I can feel my blood rushing to my face. Sobra akong kinikilig! I can even sense the butterflies on my stomach.

When our eyes meet, I've seen everything - my joy, my pain, my person, my entire life, my future...

It's my first time to experience such, I really don't know, but I felt eternity. Right there, I knew that she's not just someone but a special one. Right there I know I had found my soulmate.

She snapped a finger in my direction. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulala na pala ako sa kanya.

I was so lost in her eyes that I took no notice of everything.

I studied her face and so d*mn beautiful, I can hear my heart beating so loudly. The last time I know, I am here para awayin siya at hindi ang magday dreaming about her but I just can't help myself. Sobrang ganda niya, with her small angelic face, her sexy lips reminds of what hell on earth means, her cute nose which compliments her face and her eyes they speak eternity.

"I know we'll be together, someday." I promised to myself.

Hindi pa pala ako tapos mag day dreaming. Akala ko tapos na but NO!

Oh Ghad! P*tangina Tanch! Ano yan??

I cursed myself as I ran my gaze through her body, she's not just beautiful, but also sexy. She's sporting her running top tanks that perfectly hugged her small physique and Ghad! her sexy toned legs are exposed in full glory right before my eyes.

Napalunok ako, biglang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Ang hot naman kasi ng babaeng to, kakagaling lang ata neto magrunning sa labas. If there is someone who could take my breath away several times in a moment, I'm sure she is the only one.

"How can I help you?" She asked again, dragging me out of my reverie.

Paano ba ako magagalit ngayon, when she's that someone who paint smiles in my face and who warms my heart.

"Sorry, It's a mistake, I didn't mean to barge in without prior notice. I'm really sorry." I said apologetically at daliang lumabas ng kanyang office. Grabe sobrang nakakahiya ang ginawa ko, I didn't mean na pagpantasyahan siya, it just happen.

I went home immediately at nagshower. I really need a cold shower after that encounter. Hindi parin nawawala ang kabog sa puso ko, nakaukit na ang kanyang magandang mukha at the back of my mind. Just a thought of her, sobrang saya ko na...

"You're ridiculous!" I thought to myself silently, for how could I let a person not to mention a woman to have this effect on me? "But you just felt it, you don't know when, or to whom, you just felt it. Don't bother about what you feel, it doesn't matter."

Kaya nga naman! It just happened and it was perfect...

I can't just help but smile, how a single eye contact could change everything...

And let you feel those emotions that you didn't even know exist.

How can I forget! How can I? When she is that someone who made me feel that way. I really don't care about how I feel, it is always the person that matters.

And only her...

...because, only Sarah made me feel that way.

Kanina pa ako dito sa shower, hindi ako matapos matapos. Hindi ko alam anong nangyari but I just felt it, after so many years I felt it again... And Gheez! Sa babae ko pa talaga naramdaman.

This is so wrong... sabi ko sa sarili ko.

When did someone fall because something is right? Everything is wrong in this world and that someone who made you feel that way, is the only thing that is right.

Sobrang nakakatawa noh? Sa dinami dami ng taong nakasalamuha ko over the last five years, walang ni isa who made me feel that way. And in just one moment, just one look with that woman, nagulo na ang nanahimik kung mundo.

Heck! Hindi ko pa nga siya kilala niyan but she's here in my thoughts, in my being, I can even see her beautiful face in every corner of this room.

Admit it Sarah!

"No! No! Ayaw ko!" parang baliw kong sigaw sa sarili ko.

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"So what do you think about T-squared Mobile?" pukaw na tanong ng brother ko sa akin.

"Ha?" Wala sa sarili kong sagot.

We are having a board meeting right now about our acquisition of a wireless cellular service at ngayon namimili sila kung ano ang best choice namin among the wireless telephony providers.

Pero heto ako lutang at wala sa sarili, hindi ko parin kasi mawala ang babaeng yun sa sistema ko. Wala siyang ginawa other than haunting my thoughts with her pretty face and to keep me wondering who she is and her name. Bigla bigla nalang kasi siyang susulpot sa office at magagalit tas biglang walkout din. Bongga!

"Kanina ko pa napapansin talaga, hindi ka nga nakikinig at yang utak mo kung saan lumilipad."

"I'm sorry."

"Tutuloy na natin to. At please lang Sarah, be with us, hindi yung saan saan lumilipad utak mo. Pakiusap ng brother ko who is our chairman of the board.

"Okay proceed." walang buhay kong reply.

Honestly gusto ko ng umuwi at magpahinga. Wala ako sa mood magtrabaho kasi ang utak ko sumama yata sa babaeng yun. Hoy Sarah! Hindi mo pa nga kilala eh nagkakaganyan kana ano nalang kaya if ever... just if ever na makikila mo na talaga ang tao. Asa ka naman na magkikita kayo ulit agad.

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" I think they'll make a good partner company. Given the statistics and their performance in the market, they almost dominated the cellular network and with our current business process we can make it to the top. Can we arrange a meeting with them? Enthusiastic kong suggestion sa board. I can't really wait na matapos na to, uwing uwi na ako. I really need a good wine tonight.

"Oh! I am already negotiating it. Your secretary will inform you once it's been arranged." mabuhay na sabi ni daddy. He is really so eager about this.

I nodded slightly.

"If that's the case then it's all good. This meeting is adjourned."

I love you kuya!

Finally natapos na rin, makakauwi na rin ako. I have to get this woman out of my system. Enough na ang one day na pag aaksaya ng oras ko for her.

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"Pacific Loop Telecom is eyeing our company for their expansion. They are interested in an acquisition of a stake here in the company even after the approved increase in our capital stock.

So what do you think of it? tanong ni daddy sa aming magkapatid.

"If we could enter into a sale and purchase agreement with them then it's a win-win situation for both of our companies." narinig kong sabi ni kuya.

Honestly, wala akong maintindihan sa pinaguusapan nila daddy at kuya kanina. Hindi kasi ako makapag focus kasi iniisip ko pa rin ang nangyari kanina at syempre si Sarah. But when I heard their company name, agad kong finocus ang attention ko sakanila.

Wala naman talaga kasi akong interest sa cellular and digital service company ni Daddy sa Pilipinas. Both of us, Kuya and I are overseeing our Real Estate company, mas gusto ko kasi dun. Pero pareho kaming tinuturuan ni Daddy kung paanong patakbuhin ang mga kumpanya niya kasi amin sin naman ito maiiwan.

Ang parang tuloy ngayon mas gusto ko nalang na dito magfocus sa T-squared Mobile kaysa Lobete Land, Inc.

Gusto mo lang mapalapit sa kanya, and to be with her circle kaya mo gusto lumipat dito.

"Daddy, If you want I can help you with T-Squared Mobile at ipaubaya nalang kay Kuya Theo ang real estate company natin."

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako or what kasi ang mukha nila sobrang shock sa narinig nila mula sa akin.

"Really? Coming from you? Ikaw to our mobile company? Really Tanch? What a sudden change of heart?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni kuya sa akin.

"Yes. Why not? I think it's high time for us to choose kung saang kumpanya ni daddy ang gusto nating ifocus. And you're doing very well sa real estate, I'm sure you can do it. And besides, Dad is here to guide and mentor me para mapalago ko ang mobile company natin." pagpapaliwanag ko sa kanila.

"Yes. Theo, Tanch is right, ikaw sa real estate natin, siya dito. Hindi pwedeng sa akin niyo lang iasa ang mobile company natin, I'm not getting any younger pa pasan pat sainyo narin ito lahat mapupunta." pag aagree naman sa akin ni Daddy.

"Yes. So paano ba yan, magligpit kana ng gamit mo dito ha." pangaasar ni kuya sa akin.

"Sobrang excited mo naman ata na umalis ako dito. Ayaw mo talaga na andito ako noh? Ang sama talaga."

Pinagtawanan lang ako ni kuya at nag exit na siya agad dahil may meeting pa daw siya.

"Anyway Tanch, dahil andito ka narin naman ikaw nalang ang sumama sa akin sa dinner party ng business partner natin." pag aanyaya sa akin ni Daddy.

"Thank you, Dad but I have plans tonight." pagtanggi ko sa kanya.

"Too bad, our friends from Pacific Loop will be there pa naman." malungkot na tugon ni Daddy.

"You know what Dad, let's go. Icacancel ko na lang ang plano ko tonight."

Dad's face broke into a smile, sobrang saya niya na pumayag ako. Di niya lang alam mas masaya ako sa invitation niya. I'll be seeing her tonight! Ayie Kilig si ate Gurl!

"I'll better get going Dad. I'll prepare for tonight." I kissed him goodbye at umuwi ng bahay para magprepare. I want to look beautiful para sa muli naming pagkikita.

See you tonight, Sarah babe...

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Naka uwi narin ako sa bahay, it's already 5 in the evening. I'm already preparing to leave for the beach kasi gusto kong magrelax at magclear ng mind but then...

Ring... ring... ring...

Daddy Calling

"Yes Dad? I answered.

"Nasa bahay mo na ba ikaw, Anak? Daanan kita. Please prepare, we'll be going to a party and yung kaibigan ko from T-squared mobile will be there. I'll pick you up at 6pm."

Gusto ko na sanang tumanggi but then I know it would benefit the company if I attend.

"Don't bother Dad. I'll drive myself, saan ba venue?"

"Okay. I'll see you there."

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I arrived late sa venue and I'm sure na kanina pa nandito si Daddy. The party already started, grand opening pala ito ng sikat na restaurant. And they opened a branch in this resort hotel and casino. Sobrang ganda ng place just like their in other branches.

Hindi ko mahagilap si Daddy, kaya pinili ko nalang na pumunta dito sa cocktail counter. Mas feel kong mag cocktail ngayon kaysa mag wine.

"Cranberry Vodka Spritzer please." masaya kong tugon sa bar man.

"Ah! Nice choice for a starter."

"Exactly, Vodka to start the night. Thank you!" I said smiling at dali akong umalis patungo sa kanilang garden. Gusto ko dito, away from the crowd so I can have a quiet time while enjoying my drink.

I am appreciating their garden when suddenly my biglang nagsalita sa likod ko.

"If I didn't know better I would assume that you're here hiding from your dad."

Sino na naman kaya tong nangiinis sa akin?

"Jerome!"

Kaibigan lang pala ng brother ko, ganito ba talaga usually mga tropa ng mga kuya, sobrang mapang asar. As in, parang kuya mo rin kung maka asar sayo.

"Bakit ka nagiisa dito?" tanong niya habang may nakakalokong ngiti sa mukha niya.

"Hindi ko kasi mahanap si Dad."

"They're here, nakita ko sila kanina. Sa bandang harap far left fronting the stage. Hatid kita sa kanila, come on."

Sinusundan ko siya when suddenly he stops nung nasa dance floor na kami.

Hinarap niya ako and invited me to dance with him.

Kung hindi ko to kilala I would really turn him down as not give an impression sa daddy ko na I am okay with the dating thing.

"Care to dance?" he asked.

"Okay, basta mabilis lang."

After a while agad niya na akong hinatid sa daddy ko.

"Akala ko hindi ka na naman darating. Kanina pa kita hinahanap." naiinis na sabi ni Daddy sa akin.

"Kanina pa ako dito, hindi kita mahanap kaya nag cocktails muna ako." paliwanag ko naman sa kanya.

"Jaime! It's good to see you here." Narinig kong sabi ng lalaking kumakausap kay daddy.

"It's been a long time, Ariston. I was hoping to see your son because I brought my daughter with me." sabi naman ni daddy sa kausap niya.

Kahit kailan talaga to si daddy. Hindi talaga to for the business eh noh? Para talaga to may mapadate siya sa akin. Grabe makabugaw yung daddy ko, lantaran masyado.

"He's not with me, busy with the real estate. But I brought my daughter too.

Tanch, Honey, this is your tito Jaime, a dear friend of mine. VP of Pacific Loop Telecom."

"Nice to meet you sir."

"I don't think I have introduced my date tonight, Sarah dear." pukaw sa akin ni daddy, hindi kasi ako nagpapay attention sa kanila. I don't have time for pleasantries given na pinagbubugawan na naman niya ako, bahala nga siya diyan.

"Sarah, this is your tito Ariston. CEO ng T-squared Mobile."

"We meet again, sir."

"And Sarah, this is Tanch, my daughter." pagpapakilala niya sa babaeng nakatalikod na kasama niya.

Humarap siya sa akin and I saw the beautiful face of the woman who keeps haunting my thoughts. And here we go again with this extreme rush of blood in my body. Kinabahan akong bigla dahil sa babaeng to.

"Tanch, this is Sarah. The CEO of Pacific Loop." pagpapakilala sa akin ni Sir Ariston sa kanyang anak.

I offered my hands, ready to be burned or to be electrocuted at any moment.

But no, instead accepting my offered hand, she surprised me when she kissed my cheeks instead. But not without brushing her lips at the edge of my lips. Para akong maghi hyperventilate and any time by now ay magpa passout. Hindi ko alam kung sinadya ba niya yun but I can see some mischievousness in her smile.

"It's good to finally know the name of the woman who just barged in my office this morning." I said without enthusiasm.

I didn't to offend or annoy her, hindi ko lang talaga alam paano mag react in front of her.

"I'm really sorry about what happened earlier." pagpapaliwanag niya.

"So magkakilala na pala kayo?" tanong ni sir Ariston sa kanya.

"No daddy, something came up, it's just a mishap." paliwanag niya sa daddy niya.

"Iwan muna namin kayo dito, at may kakausapin lang kami for our business. Ariston, let's go." pagpapaalam sa amin ni daddy.

Naiwan na kami ni Tanch alone in our table. So Tanch pala ang pangalan mo. I thought to myself.

Tahimik lang akong tinititigan siya, she's really beautiful with her wavy light brown hair which is cut styley in layered. She's wearing a subtle makeup that compliments her natural beauty and her sexy lips covered in caramel nude that really goes well with her light complexion. In short, she is devastatingly beautiful.

"May dumi ba ako sa mukha?" she asked me, dragging me out of my reverie.

I just can't help but to appreciate her beauty.

"No! Wala naman. So you're Tanch ha?" I tried her name on my mouth.

"Yes, I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to. My brother already explained about the mishap.

I'm sorry Sarah." she said apologetically while she snatched my hand and pinch it.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang boltahe ng kuryente ang dumaloy sa aking kamay when her hands brushed against mine. Ganun din siguro siya dahil agad niyang binawi ang kanyang kamay na parang napapaso.

"Ano yun?" curious niyang tanong sa akin.

"Aba ewan ko jan. Transformer ka ata at bigla biglang nagkakaboltahe yung kamay mo, pati ako nakuryente." sagot ko sa kanya.

"Talaga? Ikaw nakuryente? So may sparks na tayo niyan?" nakakaasar niyang tanong.

I'm sure I am as red as my lipstick at the moment. Hindi ko alam na kaya ko palang kiligi ulit ng ganito.

"I'm just joking." dagdag niya.

Her smile broke into laughter ng makita niya ang visible stain sa mukha ko.

Ghad Sarah Joy! Stop this! Pinapahiya mo sarili mo sa kanya.

"Relax babe! Masyado ka namang kinilig, ako lang to." pangaasar pa niya.

"Alam mo sobrang nag eenjoy ka naman sa pangaasar mo sa akin." sabi ko sa kanya.

"You know what, you should smile more often, it's really good on you. Sobrang ganda mo if you smile."

"My sweet smiles are only reserved for the people who are dear to my heart."

"So you mean to say that I am dear here?" she asked, pointing at my heart.

"Because I swear, you just gave me a heart warming smile." she added.

"The hell knows!" I said shortly. Hindi ko alam kasi kong anong isasagot ko sa kanya. She's so close for my comfort.

Hindi ko namalayan na we're busy studying each others faces. Despite the crowd and the noise, wala akong naririnig but only the loud pounding of my heart, wala akong makita but only her beautiful face. Yung mundong parang sa amin lang, mundong kaming dalawa lang ang gumagalaw.

"You know what, I like you."

Nabigla ako sa binitawan niyang salita. Sobrang lakas ng kabog ng puso ko pero hindi ito dahilan para hindi ko marinig ang sinabi niya, it's so loud and clear.

"Ha?" pagkukunwari kong tanong as if hindi ko narinig.

"I like you to become my friend." she said giggling.

"I like you too...

to become my friend." I said mimicking what she had said.

"Hiya Stranger! I'm Tanch!" extending her hand.

"Hiya Back! I'm Sarah!" I winked at her and took no notice of her offered hand and was about to give her a kiss on the cheeks...

I thought, I'll have the upper hand here at siya ang mapapakilig ko but no I got it wrong.