It’s Unforgettable

AG

In the course of our lifetime, some things may have had happened that would have taught us lessons or changed the direction of our life. My story occurred during my college days and I consider it unforgettable. I was on my way to Manila after the first semester break one October day when I happened to set beside a girl from Dagupan who was studying at the Philippine Women University. The train ride would take about four hours so it was a way to meet people and forge friendships. While telling stories with this girl, I found that we had something in common, which was our knowledge of the life and times of Dr. Jose Rizal. Our conversation became enjoyable as we discussed in depth Rizal’s love for Leonor Rivera, who was Maria Clara in his book “ Noli Me Tangere”. I was impressed by her brain and beauty and the four hours that we had talked were not enough. I thought I enjoyed her company so at the end of the trip, I proposed that we should see each other again and she agreed to meet me in front of the church of St Jude that following Thursday. It was enrollment week and classes would not start until the following week so it was a good timing for both of us.

I looked forward for that coming Thursday and at exactly 5:00 PM, I positioned myself conspicuously in front of the church. Fifteen minutes had passed and she was nowhere around so I waited for another hour to give her a chance to beat the traffic, but still she didn’t come. I felt like a fool so I decided to go home with a wounded pride, the irony was that I waited in vain in the church of St Jude, the patron saint of hopeless cases. I took the JD bus bound for home and while thinking about my misadventure, the movie “An Affair to Remember” came to my mind. I imagined myself as Cary Grant who was “stood up” at the top of the Empire State building. I recalled that the two lovers promised that if one of them could not make the date, it would be for a very good reason. I wondered then if my date had a good reason but I decided that it was not worth a thought so I crossed out her name forever.

The second semester classes started and I was back to my study routine. Like many of the students in my school, I lived in the university campus, which was in a big tract of land in Quezon City. The dormitories and boarding houses were spread all over the campus and there was an arcade with cafeterias and supply stores. Studying was my preoccupation during the week and Saturday was the day to unwind and unleash the pressure of my studies. The school Women’s Club was involved in promoting an atmosphere for girls to meet boys so once a month it sponsored a Saturday night dance. For Freshman and Sophomore girls who were enrolled in Euthenics Classes, part of the course was to be at these monthly socials so they could practice their learned social graces. I remember that Saturday in December when my roommates and I attended the last social dance before students left for Christmas break. On one corner of the dancing hall, a girl in red and white with a long, free flowing hair captivated my roving eyes. It took me awhile before I gained enough courage to talk to her. I approached her and in my gentle manner I introduced myself and invited her to dance. It was a stroke of luck because I met a girl who spoke my dialect. Before the social event ended, I told her that I would visit her during the Christmas break but she didn’t respond, she probably thought that it was next to impossible.

The day after Christmas I went on my journey to visit her which was a long way from my house. The travel took about an hour along bumpy and dusty roads. When I arrived in her town, I used my wits to find out where she lived by asking the town barber and sure enough, he directed me to the shortest route. I surprised her and her family with my determination and with my resourcefulness. After the visit, I realized that she was the girl that I would like to marry some day. Many years had passed and as we learned more about each other, I was convinced that we were meant for each other so we eventually got married two years after we arrived in America. I finally found my true love in her and she found her first and only love in me.