Take Me Back, Love

Alvin and I are finally graduated. In our three years of being together, I am so happy and in love with him yet there is still missing. Alvin is my greatest and true love, that's for sure, I can see my future with him also. Living the dream we've been wanted together with our future two or three children but the problem is...

"Yes, love?" I asked instantly once I answered Alvin's call.

"Where are you, love? Let's have dinner?" hearing his soft voice makes my heart flutter like always.

"Sure but what's the occasion for?"

"Nothing, I just miss you. I want to see you, Reese."

Even though he can't see me, I'm sure he knows that I'm blushing right now because of that.

"Aww, I miss you too, Alvin."

"So, I'll pick you up in an hour?"

I glanced at my wall clock to see that it's already 5:30 pm.

"Okay. I'll get ready, see you..."

"I love you, Reese. Can't wait to see you..."

Like what other sweet girlfriends do, I answered him back before ending the call and started to get ready yet I have a bad feeling. I don't know why I'm pressured right now cause for the past three years of our relationship I only had the same feeling but it's different this time unlikely before that all I do is singing happily while choosing my outfit. So before my mood ruins the night, I chose to ignore it.

Alvin fetch me after an hour like what he said and were in our way to the venue where our dinner will be. It was obvious that he's in a good mood, seeing his eyes sparkling while focusing on the road made me smile. I just hope nothing will change that.

When we arrived at our favorite restaurant here in Taguig which is Las Flores, I got confused about the decorations. Valentines are way three months ago, right? As soon as we enter, a waiter assist us to our table and it's in the backyard of the restaurant.

"What's with the set up?" I finally asked Alvin when I noticed that we were the only here aside from the waiter who assisted us.

He just smile that made me even curious.

"Good evening, Ma'am and Sir. I'm Chef Lazaro and I will be the one who prepared your food tonight, hope you enjoy," a man with a white hat and uniform approached us then he clap his hands and three waiters with each dishes appears.

They smoothly put it on our table and left. My eyes turned to the dishes and surprise that it was all of my favorite. I gazed at Alvin who is still smiling at me, if this man ain't my boyfriend for years? I might find him weird.

"Here are Surf and Turk Steak, Creamy Garlic Shrimp and Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb that your boyfriend requested," Chef Lazaro mentioned and said his goodbye to us.

Now, Alvin and I are alone here.

"Do you like it, Love?" he asked suddenly that made my eyes looked up to him.

"I thought we're going to have a simple dinner but you already planned it. You're so annoying!" I reached out his cheeks then pinched it. "I really appreciate it, thank you."

"No problem, let's eat?"

I nodded and was excited to taste the food prepared. Alvin handed me a cut steak and peeled garlic shrimp that he always do when we eat together. He never missed since day one which I admire to him.

"Love?" he melodious call me.

"Hmm?"

"Actually, I also have a good news to tell you that's why asked you for dinner." I stopped eating then focus to him. "I got in..."

In the first three seconds, I don't have an idea what his talking about then I finally realized something that my eyes widen and gasped while looking at him.

"You did?!" he smiled and nodded. "Oh my gosh! You got in! Congratulations, Love! I'm so so so proud of you!"

He's now starting reaching his dreams and here I am witnessed how he worked hard for it without the help of his wealthy parents. Alvin is an independent man, he was building his name on his own even though he's a heir of their family and now... he did it.

I stood up from where I was sitting and went to him to hug him tightly. Giving him kisses on his left cheek was my reward to him.

"I knew you can do it!" I added.

"Thank you, Reese. I couldn't have done it without you, you're my inspiration—"

We were both stunned when my cellphone suddenly rang, I let go of Alvin's hug to see who it was. My body stiffen, it's my Dad who's calling so I immediately picked up the cellphone and answered the call. I glanced at Alvin first before saying that I would stay away first so he wouldn't hear what we were talking about. He just give me a thumbs up.

"Hello?" There was a nervousness inside me before speaking.

"Samantha Reese!" Feared ate me when I heard my father's voice, he's angry.

I ended the call shaking and then went back to our table. Alvin is patiently waiting for me and became worried when he sees me.

"What happened, Love?"

I tried to smile at him but remembering my father's words repeated in my mind.

"N-Nothing, Love... I just suddenly felt dizzy. Can we go home?"

"H-Huh? Can't we stay for a little more time, Love? Here, sit first..." He helps me sit in my chair and hold my hand and kiss it.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'm sorry if this happens... we can take home the food—"

I was cut off when suddenly two men came playing the violin. The other restaurant staff followed and then lined up in front of us. I felt the intense tension in Alvin's hand still holding mine, he was now in tears.

Oh god, please not now.

"My love, Samantha Reese Montefalco? I'm so excited to capture this moment and have the courage to ask you after all the years we've been through, I no longer wanted to met woman in my life because I got you. You make me the happiest guy in the world when I become your boyfriend and now please make me the happiest man to be your husband. Love, will you marry me?"

Silence filled our surroundings and only my answer was waiting for the noise to return. It was as if I had lost my tongue and could not answer, why now? I wish I was just killed instead of seeing Alvin hurt, the one I love the most. God, I wanted to but...

I cried helping Alvin to stand up. Seeing his sparkling eyes waiting for my answer is the most painful for me. I'm sorry, Love.

"A-Alvin..." I'm having a hard time calling his name, what more if I answered him.

"Yes, love?"

"I-I'm sorry... I can't marry you..." not now.

Suddenly his eyes changed and it was filled with astonishment. "Huh? But... why?"

"I'm so sorry, Alvin..."

I ran out of the restaurant even though I knew I had hurt the man I loved so much. Tears covered my eyes causing my vision to blur, I don't even know how I was able to get home. That was the last moment I saw his face when I leave the Philippines on the next day and fly to Florida. It's been five years and that painful memory is still clear to me.

I wonder how he is now. I hope he achieved everything he wanted when we're together even after what happened. Until this day, I still regret my wrong decision I've done that night. I won't able to forgive myself. Now that I am back and ready to face him, I hope he would gave me a chance to explain myself.

Please, forgive me.

Take me back, love.