Accidental Love Affair (Published By Bookware)

Chapter 12: Begin Again

Biglang napalingon si Mrs. Santillan. Kahit siya ay nataranta rin.

"Rick? Rick? Salamat sa Diyos at nagising ka na." Umiiyak na siya habang si Rick naman ay parang nalilito kung nasaan siya. Naisipan kong tawagin ang nurse na siya namang tumawag sa doctor. Gising na siya. Salamat Lord!

Umiiyak na tinawagan ni Mrs. Santillan ang kanyang asawa. "Gising na si Rick... I know....Finally... Okay. Sige. Ingat kayo."

Niyakap ako ni Mrs. Santillan and we were both crying because of happiness. We stood near the bed while she held her son's hand. Rick looked at us confused. Alam kong hindi niya ako kilala but it doesn't matter, I still smiled at him as my tears fell. 'Di kalaunan ay dumating na ang ama at mga kapatid niya. Nagyakapan silang lahat sa tuwa at nagpaalaman na ako sa kanila when I realize that I am an intruder to this family affair.

Umuwi na kami ni Rem. I left the hospital with a light heart. I am okay now. I can now move on with my life. Although I feel like I loved Rick for so long, I have to let go of that feeling because it was all a dream. One sweet dream.

A week later, Vogue called to inform me that I am already hired but I have to submit some documents. I was so thankful for this opportunity. Finally, I can now start over again. I am so excited to work with Vogue.

I went to the office as early as possible. The editor-in-chief arrived and she greeted me warmly.

"Congratulations, you are now the new assistant editor." She said.

"Thank you ma'am." I said happily. Everything is falling in to place.

"Don't worry, malapit na ako mag-retire sa industriyang ito, ikaw na ang papalit sa akin." She winked at me.

"Ang bata niyo pa po para mag-retire." Sabi ko sa kanya dahil 'yon ang totoo, bata pa siyang tingnan.

"Oh dear! You flatter me." She laughed and it echoed inside the room.

Everything was going smoothly. I'm back in business and I love my new experience with Vogue. It's different and liberating. I'm having so much fun.

On the way to the meeting in a certain Restaurant, nasalubong ko si Mrs. Santillan at agad niya akong binati. I didn't expect for her to remember my name but she did.

"Megan. Hi!" She greeted me.

"Hello, Mrs. Santillan."

"Napakaformal naman ng Mrs. Santillan, tita na lang."

"Ay.. okay po tita." I said shyly. "Kumusta po si Rick?"

"He's still undergoing therapy dahil hindi pa siya masyadong nakakalakad but he's okay now. He's healing. Ikaw? Kamusta ka na?" Tanong niya.

"I'm okay naman po. Balik trabaho na po ulit."

"Saan ka nagtatrabaho?"

"Sa Vogue po."

"Oh. You work for my sister?" She asked, surprised.

"Kapatid niyo po si Ma'am Victoria? I'm her assistant editor po."

"Really? That's nice to hear. What's your phone number ba iha? You know, just in case." I gave her my number and we bid farewell. She's such a lovely lady. Although I don't remember her anymore from my dream, it's okay. This is now my reality.

It's been six months since I woke up from coma and more than a year from the accident. Everything is going great. I have forgiven Jon and myself. I've moved on. I am happy with how my life is going. I work hard and made up for the lost days in my life. I travelled with friends and we finally made it to Batanes together. We took so many pictures and had so much fun.

My scars have healed and everything is falling into its rightful places. Although sometimes I still feel like a huge chunk of my life has been missing due to the accident. Or maybe I am just missing that one person, Rick. Deep in my heart, I knew that I fell inlove with Rick. I am in fact still inlove with him. It's silly, I know. But all I can do is admire him from afar.

Isang beses, nakita ko si Rick sa TV. Ilang segundo lang iyon pero parang tumigil ang oras. Sigurado akong siya 'yon. Masaya ako na okay na nga talaga siya. Ang gwapo niya pa rin. May asawa na kaya siya? Bigla akong nalungkot dahil ako nga pala ang dahilan kung bakit siya naaksidente. Kaya nangako ako na kakalimutan ko na siya.

I'm so sorry Rick.

Kinabukasan maaga akong pumasok sa opisina dahil maraming gagawin. My work is very demanding but I love every bit of it that it doesn't feel like work anymore. Papunta ako sa opisina ni Ms. Victoria kaso may kausap siya, she was laughing but when she saw me, she shot me a stop-right-there look so I disappeared. It must be a very important call. Later on, pinatawag niya ako sa office niya.

"Megan. I need you to meet a very important person. Hindi ako makakapunta eh." She said while busy browsing her computer.

"What is the meeting about ma'am?" I asked curiously. Gusto ko kasi handa lagi sa meeting.

"About some article he wants to include in the magazine. I think you'll find it interesting." She said then she smiled at me.

"Okay ma'am." I answered.

"Here's the address of the restaurant. The table is reserved in the name Mr. Rivera."

"Yes ma'am."

"You can go there now." She smiled at me warmly.

I brought my portfolio with me and drove my car to the restaurant. One thing I've learned from this industry is to always be prepared. I really love this job. It means traveling to so many places, local and international; dining at fancy restaurants; and meeting important people, like what I'm about to do right now.

"Hi! A reservation for Mr. Rivera." Sabi ko sa receptionist.

"This way ma'am." Itinuro niya ako sa table kung saan mayroon ng nakaupo na lalake na nagbabasa ng magazine. Gosh! Late na ba ako? Ayoko pa naman na nali-late ako. Nakakahiya! Nagmamadali akong umupo.

"Hello, sir. I'm sorry if I'm late." I said nervously. Jusko, baka magalit sa akin 'to.

"No. You're not late. You are just in time." He said as he lower the newspaper he was reading. I was hurrying to get my pen and notepad.

"Hello, Megan." He said while smiling at me. I literally froze. "I'm Rick Santillan."

"I know." I smiled back.

"You are the girl from my dreams." He said.

THE END!

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