5 Minutes and a Lifetime

I fell in love the first time I saw him.

Does that sound dramatic? Probably. I’m not even sure I was aware of it at the time, but the scene plays out so clearly in my memory.

It was 17th of November 2018 and it's the day I know I won't forget. I was chatting with this guy a day before and made few attempts to meet right away but timing wasn't right. I remember thinking it was so cool that he has this high level of enthusiasm to meet with me in person.

Some people might say it's destiny -- that we're both on the same place -- I don't know but for me, I wasn't prepared to receive such a beautiful surprise at the resort that morning. It was a quick visit to Batangas to attend a wedding. He also happened to be there enjoying his vacation leave for a few days.

So fate agreed that we meet at the resort. No preparations.

"Hi,” he said, as he opened his car window. “Wow, finally we've met!” In my mind, he spoke in slow motion. The memory illuminated when I first see his face. He smiled at me and reached out a hand to shake mine. The moment stretched into infinity, then snapped back together like elastic. It sped back up into real time. At 9:05 AM, he already invaded my world.

Something just happened, I distinctly remember thinking. I was equal parts excited and terrified. He was older and totally out of my league. Still, I caught myself thinking, "But maybe . . ."

That maybe is what did it. My curiosity wouldn’t go away. It was enough to startle me, to make me wish I was wearing lipstick. I didn't even comb my hair. Oh holy cheesecake! I was so plain. But the idea of meeting each other in one of our most unglamorous state got me very excited. Everything is uphill from there.

That day was the first time I’d spoken to him. It was the first time I’d spoken to him in person. I’d had no idea what he looked like, or more specifically, that he's more good looking in person — and what had been a casual meetup quickly turned into something more flirtatious.

It’s important to note here that I had been single for three years and I'm not familiar with that kind of feeling anymore. Not until that day. I might have been professionally mature beyond my years, but when it came to romance, I can't qualify myself as expert in the subject called love. I only had two past lovers.  Both were serious and long term relationships.

After a few seconds of staring at each other, he asked me to give him just another 5 minutes to talk. I went inside his car. I had to prepare for the wedding so 5 minutes is all I can spare. We only had this slim chance. We were both determined to make the most of it. And it was worth it.

I saw the amusement in his eyes. I can't forget how he looked at me. "Wow". He uttered for the second time. I like the sound of his voice. I love the way he laughed. It seem to embrace the heart of every person he meets.

I realized he's more chatty in person. Suddenly those few minutes became eternity. He's an old school guy. It's also worth telling that he was thirteen years and a lifetime of experience ahead of me.

I was a little surprised to find him dressed so casually. He didn't shave. He's way more handsome like that. He talked about himself for 5 minutes straight. I didn’t mind. I was fascinated.

Tick, tock, tick, tock. Time laughed at me. I said to myself, "5 more minutes..." I thought I might be sick. I was 99 percent sure he would try to kiss me, and I felt confident that I wasn’t a lady who kissed on the first date. I maneuvered my head and time showed its appearance to me. I wished time to stop. I wasn't ready to jump off his car.

“I hope it's okay to hug you,” His words teased me. It was so charming I wanted to die. I faced towards him and then I opened my arms for him who waited. Blood rushed to my cheeks. His warmth awakened an old desire. Silence had spoken to us and it sure helped me enjoy the comfort of that sweet embrace. He brought the whole heaven with him. He painted my skin with quarks and ballad songs. I can fall asleep to his heartbeat.. Damn. But no -- no more 5 minutes.

I lifted my gaze and met my favorite pair of eyes looking back at me. I remember how deep his eyes was like an abyss; a channel for further exploration.

"Thank you." I smiled at him. That is all I can muster from all the things going on within my mind. I wanted to tell him everything.

I headed back to my room bemused and a little bit in love. I was positive, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I want this guy. I wanted to know him further.

Maybe what they say is true that no matter how logical we are, we can't possibly find an answer for falling in love.

Sometimes I close my eyes and travel through the memory of our first meeting. I stop at the time where I can hear him laughing -- where I can see his dark eyes smiling. 

So yeah, I keep him in one of the fragile parts of me -- my heart.