By Vic Odarve
Carlito fell profoundly in love with his love, at first
sight, classmate Maura, in a far-flung village in the region. Their love
bloomed since they were both young and carefree. Due to their academics and
young age, their parents later tried to limit some of their activities. They
moved to separate schools for additional education after high school. Both
focused on and completed their college studies. Carlito, a dashing young guy,
landed a position in Manila, while Maura, a self-sufficient young woman with
boundless potential, landed a job in the Middle East. They haven't communicated
since then.
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| Mayana Elementary School |
Years passed, and they both married other people, yet neither forgot their first love. Whether it was by fate or rare chance, at their senior stage, at 61 years old, both their spouses had died.
Lately, Carlito received an invitation letter from a
longtime friend to be one of the sponsors of their sole daughter’s wedding to
be held at their village during fiesta celebration. He had been eager to visit
his homeland for a long time, and without hesitation, he accepted and
appreciated the invitation. Unexpectedly, as the wedding ceremony proceeded, he
instantly saw Maura as one of the honored guests invited by the family. Without
hesitation after the affair, he ran up to Maura with his heart beating and
said, "Oh, my dear, how are you? "I am fine. How about you?"
replied Maura with a smile.
While dining, the two enjoyed ample time talking with each
other. Reminiscing the past when they were mere teenagers, their schooling
years, and their marital lives. Maura candidly confessed that when she accepted
his love, it was like feeling her stomach full of fluttering butterflies when
he looked at her. Carlito also confided that with her striking model looks and
the way she danced with someone, he felt jealous. Both seemed to be laughing
delightedly, but inside their conscious minds played the pleasant memories of
their yesteryears. They never forgot their first love. First love never dies.
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| San Miguel Academy |
With that coincidental meeting, he knew precisely that he would marry her and decided to pursue her properly. Before they departed, Carlito walked slowly towards her, and they embraced with tears streaming down their faces. Carlito whispered to her, "My darling, I’ve been waiting for you for so long. You are my wife and my life." To her astonishment, her heart fluttered. Maura felt an unusual feeling about to engulf her, and then she fondly remembered her first love.
About a month later, I got a call at my office from Carlito
inviting me to attend their wedding as their best man. It was a beautiful
wedding with all their relatives and friends joining in the celebration.
Thereafter, they lived in the village of Mayana, to the delight of the old
folks and their previous classmates. It captures the beauty of whimsical first
love perfectly. Most villagers had smiled and said, "See how the Good Lord
works! If it's meant to be, it will be."
You are never too old to find love. As if by fate, their first love finds its way into their senior years.
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