Time and Again

[47] Similarities

Isabel realized that Ken was indeed the reincarnation of Emile. They both have the same appearance and manners. She wanted Ken the way she wanted Emile. She was trying to figure out how she could tell him about her true identity without losing him. She wanted him to know that he and Emile were just one soul. She heard a lot about reincarnation but never thought that one day she would believe in it until she saw it right before her very eyes. She wondered if he would ever believe in reincarnation. All she needed was a perfect timing.

“Here’s your order.”

The waiters brought their orders on their table.

“Thank you.” Ken responded.

“Is there anything else that you would like to add?”

“You only ordered a little food. Do you want to add your order?” Ken asked Isabel with a look of concern.

“That’s fine. I think this is enough for now. I’ll order another food later if these will not suffice.”

“I think that’s all. We will just call you if we need something.”

Ken and Isabel ate with gusto.

“This is one of the best restaurant I’ve ever been with. The food is delicious. The ambience is good. Perfect for dating.”

“I’m glad to know that you love the place.”

“Thank you for inviting me here.”

“It’s my pleasure my love. Do you want to order another food?”

“No, I’m already full.”

Ken hailed the waiter and asked for their bill. He paid the bill.

“Have you ever been to Tops?”

“I’ve heard that Tops is a very beautiful place. Unfortunately I’ve never been to that place for the same reason that it will always be there waiting for me.”

“I will take you there. I wanted to see the beautiful view of the whole Cebu City. Are you ready to take on to a new level of adventure?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“Let’s go.”

Ken handed the helmet to Isabel.

“Just hold on tight my love and I’ll take you to Tops.”

“I will never let go of you.”

Isabel hugged Ken tightly. She held on tightly to him to make sure that he would not slip away this time.

Ken paid the 200 pesos entrance fee before entering Tops.

“Here we are!”

Ken stopped his motorcycle at the parking lot near the viewing area.

“Wow! I never thought that the view of Cebu City is breathtaking.”

“Sometimes we fail to appreciate the beautiful things around us because we tend to look on faraway lands.”

“Look at those spectacular city lights of Cebu and Mactan. It seems to dazzle your senses.”

“Is this also your first time to visit here?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t your husband think of bringing you to this place?”

Shit. Isabel thought.

She wanted to tell Ken that it was the first time that her husband brought her in Tops. She didn’t answer his question because she didn’t have any courage yet to tell him that he was the reincarnation of her husband Emile.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ask you that stupid question.”

“No. It’s okay.”

They talked of random things and enjoyed sightseeing in the panoramic view of Cebu City. They didn’t notice how time flew so fast until Isabel received a text message at 11:00 PM from her fairy godmother, Pretty.

‘Hey Cinderella. How’s your date so far? I hope you’re having the time of your life. Just make sure you won’t forget to come back before 12:00 midnight. By the way, don’t leave your glass slipper behind or else he will come after you before 12:00 noon. A friendly reminder from your pretty fairy godmother.

Isabel didn’t want to go home yet. She wanted to spend more time with Ken. 

“Ken?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for bringing me to this romantic escapade. I appreciate every moment we have. This is one of the best moments I’m going to cherish forever.”

Isabel hugged Ken.

“We’ll have more of these romantic moments next time.”

Ken returned Isabel’s hug.

“I wanted to spend more time with you however I need to go because I still have an exam tomorrow.”

“I didn’t know that teachers also have an exam.”

“We needed it to test our skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking the English language. It’s the exam called TOEIC or the Test of English for International Communication.”

“Sorry for taking so much of your time. I should have brought you home earlier.”

“It’s okay. Sometimes in our life, we need to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life.”

While Ken was driving his motorcycle, he ran out of gas. There were no houses nearby and only a few vehicles passed by in the area especially during the night.