In a cemented seat inside Fort San Pedro at Plaza Independencia, Faith and Florante sat together. "That's it, Faith. It's not our fate to be together," said Florante, watching Faith wipe her tears. "How can I? Agnes is pregnant, and I must stand by what I did to her. I will marry her."
"It happened, Florante, because of your weakness," said Faith. "You men are all the same, lacking principles in love! You treat us women like socks… once worn, you toss us into a corner."
"I don't compare you to a sock, Faith. You are my first and true love. I was led astray by Agnes's temptations. She invited me to dinner one night when her parents were away. After dinner, we watched an erotic DVD. We didn't finish the movie; we went to her room."
Faith's Plea and Florante's Fear
"If you truly love me, Florante, don't go through with the marriage. Let's run away to Manila," Faith suggested.
"It's impossible, Faith. Her father and brother threatened to find and kill me if I don't marry her."
"So this is our last meeting?" asked Faith.
"Yes, Faith," said Florante. "But for the last time, may I hold you?" He moved closer and embraced Faith, who stood still. "Goodbye, Faith!" Florante stood up and walked away without looking back.
Three Months Later: Faith Moves On
Three months after the breakup, Faith had learned to forget. "You've overcome the bitterness of your breakup with Florante, Faith. Keep it up. The sun is still shining up there. Who knows, another love will come your way again?" said Jean during their coffee break at the canteen.
A Chance Encounter at Ayala Center Cebu
It was raining that afternoon. Coming from Mabolo, where her company was located, Faith ended up at Ayala Center Cebu. She bought some personal necessities. Feeling hungry, she went to a restaurant inside the mall and bought siopao and iced tea. Then she looked for an empty table. She saw a table where a man was sitting alone. She approached him.
"Is this seat taken?" Faith asked the man, who stared at her.
"No, Miss…" the man said, smiling. A dimple appeared on his right cheek. "Please, sit down."
"Thank you," Faith said as she sat. "You're alone, Miss…?" Faith almost choked on her iced tea. "N-No," she said. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, just asking, because I'm alone too. I'm Ledor. May I know your name, please?"
"I'm Faith." She smiled at Ledor.
Their conversation grew longer until they exchanged cellphone numbers. That night in her room, Faith couldn't sleep. She remembered meeting Ledor and recalled Jean's words, echoing the Four Aces song: '… if we should lose love, we have the right to love again.'
Then she heard her phone beep. She picked it up from the headboard and checked it. A text from Ledor: "Hi! It's me. How r u?"
Faith texted back: "I'm fine. TY. Gud nayt!"
"Gud nayt. Sweet drms. See u soon!"
Faith pressed her phone back to the menu. A playful smile curved on her thin lips. She felt her heart flutter at the prospect of new love.
