Slow dancing in a burning room: A Prologue

This is the story of two people who met not so long ago. A time when things were easy and simple. A time when distance meant nothing but a few minutes away. This is a story about two different people from two not-so-different worlds and eventually became the best of friends until…

“Oh bollocks! Why do you have to be so insensitive!” , Sarah said.

We were having one of those arguments again. But this time, I knew, was different. This is it then, I thought. This is the part where it all crumbles down?

When I first met Sarah Dela Paz – to me she’ll always be Sarah Dela Paz – I could never have predicted that my life would turn out the way it has or believed that I’d be doing the things that I do now. But I did meet her. That is what makes my life a bit peculiar in a way. I loved her when we were together and more so (I hope) through the times we were apart.

You see, our story, just like all the others, have three parts: a beginning, middle and an end. And although this is the way all stories unfurl, I still can’t believe ours didn’t go on to forever.

I reflect on these things and our memories together come back to me. I find myself remembering how and where we began…because for now, these are all I have left.

Sarah and I met each other seven years ago. We went to the same school but she was a year ahead of me. We didn’t hit it off right away. I wished we did. But Sarah, she’s very easy to like and it wasn't long before I grew protective of her.

I knew of her. I saw her around school looking all high and mighty; looking like she can’t be reached because she was part of an exclusive organization where many apply but only few are chosen.  I actually thought that Sarah looked a bit bitchy back then. And she can be bitchy. But all those times that I saw her around campus, it never occurred to me--not even in my wildest dreams-- that we would be friends.

Nevertheless, I guess it was fated that we be part of each other's lives...or maybe it was by choice.     I couldn't really tell now. But looking back--I seem to be doing this more often now than before-- I can only be grateful even after all the things that have been said and done.