Old Flame

"Hi, this is Tristan. I will not be using this number starting today. You may still get in touch with me through email. Thanks."

Or so my generic message read. I sent it out to most of the people in my phonebook - the ones that either started with "FB" or "X" and a few others. Little did I know that I would get messages from the person I least expected to respond - my favorite ex, XX. 

XX responded with smiley. 

"Typical XX", I muttered.

I ignored the message thinking that it was just another generic response to an otherwise generic message.  XX kasi is only half the drama queen that I am. He is the type who would never let one know his feelings without prodding. I remember that I used to throw a fit whenever I would need him to respond a certain way - very childish I know but it worked for us. Looking back, I think he liked it when I did and this is also probably why I turned out to be the biggest drama queen that I am now - well trained. But I digress.

"He must be extremely happy that I will now be out of the country...", I even thought.

But I was wrong.

"I'll miss you..." so he texted again.

"Oh...", I felt weird.

So I responded back with a smiley and a message that read:

"You have always been my favorite.", I typed in while trying to be cute.

I thought it would have been over after that. 

"I know.", he replied back.

"Ang kapal mo!", I typed in.

I am sure he was giggling. He always does that when he tries to be cute. I had to find out.

"XX, is it okay if I call?"

"Oo naman.", he responded.

"Call? Damn you Tristan!", I reprimanded myself.

But it was too late - I have already sent the message. So call I did. His voice sounded familiar. His laughter, still infectious. He was still my favorite boyfriend.

"Ingat ka dun ah...", he said. 

"I will miss you...", he continued. 

"Oh... so seryoso pala?", I whispered. 

"Be safe... may swine flu dun... madali ka pa naman magkasakit." 

This time I knew that he was joking.

"Tantado!", I told him. 

He giggled. Evidently, his last comment was really intended to annoy.

"Well, excuse me...", was the only thing I was able to say.

Pause.

"But seriously Tristan, I will miss you."

Another pause.

"I know. I'm your favorite too.", I quipped.

We both laughed. After a few more banters and awkward pauses, we decided that it was already a good time to hang up. 

"Ingat XX... I'll see you soon.", I said.

His voice cracked as he bid me farewell.

"I'll miss you Tristan."

And just like that, all the tears I have been holding back slowly flowed without him knowing it. It just feels amazing that after everything we've been through and even after years of non-communication, XX and I still have it - the one basic thing that I have been looking for in the guys I have dated after him. He and I have that magical connection, that it factor, that make relationships last. It took me a while to have gotten over what we had. He was, after all, the longest-term relationship that I have had and I was his. 

XX and I may never be able to get back what we had before but I am sure that we will remember each other when we're both old and wrinkly. And by then, the memories that we shared would hopefully still be enough to make us smile.

Blogger's Note: I wrote this post while waiting for the final boarding call in Japan.  I was not able to publish it before I left, evidently.