Meeting Austine...

                                            How It Started?

December 29, 2010 - - ->> the date of when, where, why, and how I started meeting the guy named “Austine”.

This date was really unexpected for me. It was unexpected in a way that this date was not included in my supposedly plans or activities for the year 2010.

On this day, a Christmas party will be held for the children affiliated with the chapel or children within the community organized by our dear and common friend Sister Jo (as how she is being called by everyone in the chapel).

Weeks before the said date, I believe everything that happened during this time was God’s will and God’s own way for letting me and Sister Jo cross each other’s paths once again and that’s how she introduced me her newly built chapel and I started going there since then.

Upon my visit and stay at the chapel, I met a lot of new people in the community - people who were bonded by strong faith with our Lord God Almighty and they all welcomed me whole heartedly including all the children in the neighborhood whom I treated like my own baby brothers and sisters. :)

Since, there will be a Christmas party to be held that time, everyone of us were busy in the preparations for the said party such as the food preparations, the prizes for the games, chairs, tables, and a lot more.

Before the said party, Sister Jo and I had a talk and she told a story about a certain guy whom she already know for many years already and who had always been a part of the chapel.

According to her, this guy was a MAAP graduate and soon to be a seaman. This guy was an intelligent man, kind hearted, respectful, family-centered person, ONE WOMAN MAN ONLY (hmmmmmm……. hehehe I still wonder up to now if this is true) and this is the most intriguing description she had told me: this guy is a certified hottie and totally handsome and she told me that I should meet this guy.

At first, I was not that interested in meeting this guy but at the back of my mind, I’m quite intrigued of what type of person this guy is because of a lot of good stories and good qualities that Sister always tell me about him.

 

During this time, all I am sure of is, this guy’s name is Patrick or Pat for short just as how everyone calls him.

Days before Christmas Eve, Sister had told me that this guy named Pat and his family invited her to go to their house and celebrate Noche Buena with them and surprisingly, Sister invited me to come with her and keep on insisting me about it so I can meet this guy. At first, I was hesitant since I was not really the one invited but only her but since she keeps on insisting me, I finally said yes.

But due to some unexpected happenings during Christmas Eve, I was not able to come with Sister and I just told myself, maybe it’s not yet time for me to meet this guy.

But, I actually ate the graham cake that according to Sister, Pat had baked and it was really delicious :) and made me realize that this guy is also a good cook :)

Before the said Christmas party for the children, Sister had told me that Pat will also be joining the party and she told me that finally, I will be meeting him now.

Finally, the Christmas party already came and all of the children, parents, and all the people in the neighborhood really had fun especially during the parlor games.

I actually didn’t arrive early at the party because of traffic jam from Makati. The party was almost done when I arrived and I just listened to the stories of the children and the elders of how the party went and it was good to hear that they all had a lot of fun.

When I arrived at the party, I noticed a guy sitting beside Sister and he is the only teenager guy on that party so I already knew that this is the guy whom Sister Jo is referring to.

The first time I saw this guy, I knew that he was the snobbish or suplado type because he didn’t even say a single word when he saw me. He was talking to almost all people there except to me.

One of my mottos in life is, when I feel that this person is snobbish, I will also not say even a single word to this person. Why? Because I’m NOT the snobbish or suplada type of person. I’m very easy to get along with and I’m very approachable but if I feel that this person is snobbish, I will also not talk to this person and he/she must be the one to talk to me first because I hate this kind of people.

And when Sister gathered everyone in the chapel to eat including the cake that I bought, Sister formally introduced me and this guy to each other including his mother.

During this time, I thought his suplado image will be gone now but still, he seems like keep on ignoring my presence. So, I told myself: “Alright…fine…suplado...hmmmph…” And I just turned my attention to the children.

When evening came, Sister told us to light candles together, and finally, I heard him talking to me. He had asked several questions to me but I can feel that his snobbish image is still there. Until I heard his mom saying the words: ”Tingnan mo ung dalawa parang ang tagal na nila magkakilala…” Hehe…when I heard that, I wanna answer: “Naku ang suplado nga po nya eh…pano nyo po nasabing parang ang tagal na namin magkakilala…” But of course, I just kept it to myself..heheheh :)

And finally, it’s now time to go home… Sister and his mom were the one together and I and Pat are the ones heading the way home.

During our walk towards outside the village, we had a small talk together. I’m not sure who had spoken first but I remember the topic was about his ex-girlfriend named Rizza.

But before this, Sister had told Pat to get my mobile number so he can greet me on New Year and he followed what Sister had told me. Hehe but I told myself, “it’s a miracle if this guy will ever text me after this day…”

Earlier that time, I had heard some stories about their story but it’s not that clear since the story is incomplete.

Pat had told me that this was his first love but they broke up due to some reasons and I think one of the major reasons is because of studies.

While listening to his love story, I actually find the details incomplete as it seems like there are missing parts in the story probably because of lack of time or maybe because that was only our first meeting and it’s not that easy to tell a story of your life to a person whom you had just met that day.

But, honestly, I was a bit flattered also because even if we had just met that day, he was able to tell a part of his life to me which means he trusts me :)

I was also able to tell him a part of my broken love story that time but the details are also incomplete.

It seems like time flies so fast that time when we are having a talk that’s why eventually, the talk we had already ended when the van had already arrived.

And that was the end of it; we all went home on our respective houses.

New year already came and we didn’t see or talk to each other again which reminded me of what I told myself when he got my mobile number and I told myself, “hehe sabi ko na nga ba suplado talaga sya….”

Sister Jo keeps on asking me if Pat and I had texted me already since he got my number and I answered NO.

Then she told me: “Eh bakit hindi na lang ikaw ang magtext sakanya? Kamustahin mo sya… batiin mo ng Happy New Year…” And I answered: “Ayoko nga ako mauna magtext sakanya…dapat sya mauna… saka d ko naman alam number nya…” Then she replied: “Bakit ano naman masama kung ikaw mauna magtext sa kanya eh kakamustahin mo lang naman…o eto number nya…bigay ko sayo…” But I said, “Ayoko… dapat sya… hanggang d sya ang nauunang magtext d ako magtetext kaya ayoko malaman ang number nya…” Actually, I have this kind of personality wherein, I do not want to be the first one to send a text message to a guy unless the guy does it first. Hehe I also do not know why I am like this, hmmmm maybe because I’m shy on the thought of being the first one to do it.

Until one day, Sister had sent me a text message that Pat’s mom had asked her what my mobile number is because Pat is asking for it.

Hehe I think Sister knows me a lot already and she knows that I don’t believe what she had told me and I also wonder that time why would he ask my mobile number since he already asked for it last Christmas Party and why is it that his mom is the one asking for it in behalf of him.

And when I went to the chapel days after this scenario, Sister had shown me the SMS that Pat’s mom had sent asking for my mobile number and she told me: “O ayan naniniwala ka na? Alam kong hindi ka maniniwala kaya sinave ko talaga yan para makita mo mismo…”

January 15, 2011 - - ->> when I woke up, I received SMS with the sender not listed on my contacts and when I read it, the said SMS came from Pat. “Thank you” were the words that marked on my mind upon reading his first SMS to me since I wonder why he is thanking me. Then I asked him why and he answered: “Eh kasi dba nagkwentuhan tayo last time kaya thank you for that talk…” And I replied: “Ah un ba…wala un…ikaw naman… “

 

We texted until evening during this day. I also remember the words that he said that time: “Ang sarap mo pala kausap…parang hndi kasi tau nauubusan ng pinaguusapan…”

During this time, I felt the other side of this guy. It made me realize that this guy was not really snobbish but more of a shy type on first meeting of him but if you can now get along well already, he is also a makulit type with a sense of humor and is really a good person inside and out.

January 19, 2011 - - ->> I’m not sure how it started but me and Pat had planned to go to the chapel together and we met at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish church so we can just go together. Surprisingly, both of us wear violet top and white shoes during this day which we really didn’t plan and even Sister and the elders in the chapel find this scenario interesting.

We had a lunch at Tita Celine’s house and all of a sudden, the three of us (Sister Jo, me and Pat) had planned to go to Tierra de Maria in Tagaytay and that was the 1st Tagaytay trip that we had together.

I was really amazed on the ambiance of Tierra de Maria and I felt the solemnity of it when we entered the church especially when we prayed and I have a favorite section there which is the Forgiveness section.

After going to Tierra de Maria, we went to Picnic Grove and had a horseback riding. Actually, it was not my first time on horseback riding since I’ve already tried it when I was still in Elementary. But that time, I got nervous on riding on a horse hahahah…. And take note, it was Pat’s 1st time to try horseback riding and he really had fun on it :)

We actually want to try to explore more but it’s already getting late already and we have to go home now….whew… what a great trip :)

This was also the 1st time that he saw our house since he accompanied me home.

Well, weeks after, Pat and I went again to Tierra de Maria but this time, it’s only the two of us. During this time, I started to notice the jolly side of Pat and he was right when he told me that it seems like we can talk about everything on Earth and feels like our conversation will not last or end anymore.

After that, we went to the chapel again and had so much fun bonding with the kids and all the people in the chapel…. And I can say that this was one of the happiest bonding or time I’ve ever had especially with those kids around even though they are really mischievous at times …. :)

There was also a time when Pat and I met at Baclaran church since he went to their office in Makati and I just waited for him so we can go home together. This was also the time when I discovered that he loves boiled nuts or nilagang mani in Tagalog and that he does not want adobong mani.

This was also the time when we started calling each other based on our 3rd names since we both have 3 names. His full name is: Patrick John Austine Sun and mine is: Ava Marie Lauren Masuli.

And this was how I started calling him Austine and him calling me Lauren.

When we reached Cavite, we went on a street food trip at Bayan and he was surprised that I’m also eating street foods because at first, he thought that I am not eating these kind of foods (like what everyone thinks which make me feel that I’m so maarte on their point of view :) ).

After that, we had an ice cream at 7-11 and we had a great conversation again. I’m not sure how our conversation started but I remember telling him the lines: “Ahsus bolero… Lahat ng lalaki may bolero na side… lahat ng lalaking nagsasabi sa babae na maganda sya, bolero un…” And then he replied: “Eto naman… generalized masyado… hindi ako bolero noh…o cge, dapat pala sinabi ko sau, ang pangit mo naman…para d na ako bolero hahahaha…” I really laughed on those lines and told him “Hehehe you really never fail to make me smile…”

There are only 2 weeks remaining that time before his flight to Europe and that’s exactly February 22, 2011.

Since then, I always say the lines: “Sana bago umalis ung mga aalis dyan…sana sana sana may graham cake ulit ehhehehe…” And this was the time, I told him that I actually ate the graham cake he had given Sister last Noche Buena and told him that it was really delicious :) But Austine, doesn’t want to believe me that I really loved his graham cake so much that’s why everyday, I always tell him these lines… hahahaha…

February 11, 2011 - - ->> Austine went first to the chapel and send me SMS that unfortunately, he cannot bake a graham cake due to some reasons. It’s alright to me but I miss that cake badly :(

Before going there, I stopped by first at the supermarket to buy chocolates for everyone since Valentine’s Day is coming soon :)

Actually, I really had a hard time finding for the right gift for Austine. Supposedly, my gift for Austine was not only a chocolate but there’s something that I wanna make or give him that day and it’s a personalized gift meaning I made it by my own. But, unfortunately, the main material that I’m supposed to use was not provided and is not around making it not to meet this day so it was only the Valentine’s Toblerone chocolate I had for him :(

Finally, I had arrived the chapel before 6pm. Austine was really makulit that time and he always teases me about the chocolate that I gave him because of the what is written in that chocolate: straight from the heart with matching arrows like what Cupid has.

That night was also so much fun because of everyone in the chapel plus Valentine’s Day is coming soon so it should only be love…love…love for everyone :)

When we are on our way home that night, Austine realized or felt that there’s something different in me making him say the lines: “Bakit parang nag-iba ka?” Actually, to answer his question, yes, there’s something wrong that night because he is really confusing that time… that night, he told me he can’t come to chapel the next day because he has to go somewhere and then when we are on our way home now, he told me that he will now go to chapel and he will wait for me and made me silent for a while that’s why I’m not talking to him….but, eventually, after a little while, I already talked to him again probably because he told me that he doesn’t feel well that time and seems like he is about to have a flu… that’s why I gave him a medicine and told him to drink it once he gets home.

When we finally reached the tricycle terminal that was the 1st time I hugged Austine… I believed I already told him why I hugged him that time but probably, he already forgot it.

For me, hugs are one of the most precious gifts a person could ever give and receive to. It’s also one way for me of showing or giving comfort to a person. I didn’t say anything to him when I hugged him because even if I’m a talkative person, I’m not that vocal when it comes to saying thank you to a person or saying my appreciation to a certain person. Beneath those hugs are the words: “Thank you for everything that you’ve done and taught me…I may not say it always but I really appreciate everything that you’ve done for me… no words can express how thankful I am that God gave me the opportunity to meet such a wonderful person like you… a good person inside and out…and I hope this Austine that I knew will always stay the same just the way he is…”

February 12, 2011 - - ->> I went to Calaruega and Pink Sisters church that morning together with my friend and almost like a sister to me, Nins. In here, I had the time to meditate on myself with the Lord and told him everything that’s in my mind and heart.

Austine and I met at SM Molino later at the afternoon and we proceed to the chapel once again. We all had dinner together at the chapel and finally, Austine gave me the graham cake that he had baked which means he actually wants to surprise me that’s why he did not tell me that he actually baked the cake and that’s the reason why the night before, he always say the lines: “Ah pag nakita mo ung gift ko sau…naku un ang effort talaga heheheh…”

Honestly, I was really surprised that day making me realize that Austine is really good in surprising people. I’m not sure if he noticed it, but I’m actually speechless for a few seconds upon seeing the cake… not only because I want that cake badly but because of so much effort he exerted in it which I really appreciate a lot 

I noticed in the cake that there was really an effort exerted in it from the design up to the arrangement but until now, Austine still doesn’t tell me what those designs mean… hmmmm….

That cake was really delicious and I always tell him the lines: “Wow, ang sarap, nakalimutan ko na nga pangalan ko eh heheheh…” Then he answered me: “Ahsus bolera…” But actually, I am not fooling him, that cake was really good :)

That night, I was actually not feeling well already even before I met Austine that night, probably because of the cold weather in Tagaytay and Calaruega and he thought at first that I’m only kidding him when I told him that I felt like I have a fever :(nd when he touched my forehead, he finally believed in me and then he went out for a while. And when he came back, I was surprised when he is letting me take the medicine he has in hand. Uhhh…. That was really nice of Austine…. Because that was the 1st time someone had rushed out to find medicine for me and let me take it…and since then I started calling him Dr. Austine hehehehe… :)nd he had set an alarm to my phone for me to drink medicine on time at home.

February 13, 2011 - - ->> Supposedly, we are not going to meet this day but we still met because I asked him to go with me in SM Dasma because I want to eat ice cream that time even if I have a fever hehehe…

After I attended the mass, we met at SM Dasma and surprisingly, upon meeting him, he gave me a Blue Magic bag with a stuff toy and birthstone bracelet in it. I was really surprised that day, because I never thought there would me more surprises that day :) I must admit, Austine was really good in surprising people.

After that we had our studio pictorial together which was really great… “Hehe ang ganda kasi ng kasama ni Austine sa pictorial na un hahahaha…” :)

After that we had dinner together at KFC and he kept on teasing me that time with the lines: “Ahsus nakita mo lang ako nawala na lagnat mo…hahahah…”

Before I ride the tricycle that night, he gave me roses and once again, I hugged him again which was my way of saying “Thank you for making my Valentine’s Day so memorable and meaningful… I really appreciate a lot everything that you’ve done…”

This was also the night when he started saying the lines: “Sabi ko sau eh mas mamimiss mo ako…” But I always answer him: “Syempre hindi…mas mamimiss mo ako noh… hahahah”. :)

February 14, 2011 - - ->> It’s Valentine’s Day :)

 

Again, there are no plans of meeting each other this day since I have work and he had a Valentine’s date with Father.

It was around 11pm when Austine sent me a text message saying that he will be waiting for me at the tricycle terminal. I told him that it was already late but he insisted on doing so.

When I arrived the tricycle terminal, I asked him why does he want to meet me to think that it’s already late and almost 12 am already. He answered me: “Para pahabol sa Valentines… o ayan o habol pa 15 minutes pa before matapos ang Valentines…” :)

I haven’t told him this but I am actually flattered on what he told me since again, he exerted an effort again on doing it which I really appreciate a lot :)

He also told me the lines: “Dapat ang rose hindi tinatanggalan ng thorns kasi ang love lagging may thorns… hindi laging masaya… may mga sad moments din whuch symbolizes the thorns in roses…”

Upon thinking of it, what he said is true and meaningful…. Bravo :)

February 21, 2011 - - ->> the day before his flight to Europe :(

 

Austine and I met at Makati since he went to their office and of course, I want to see him before his flight since he will be away for 6 months :(

I gave him an angel gift which is actually his birth angel and told him to always have it so it can guide him everywhere he goes.

This was the 1st time we rode on a bus at Taft Avenue on our way home and it’s my 1st time to eat mangoes along my way home. This day, I also discovered that Austine loves to eat mangoes also with matching salt in it but he doesn’t like the chili salt.

It was fun at the bus… many stories… many plans on his upcoming world wide tour… but at the same time, I was actually very sad of the thought that there are only few hours left before his flight to Europe :(

When we were already in the tricycle terminal, I hugged him for the last time and told him to always take care which almost made me cry :(

February 22, 2011 - - ->> finally, it’s now the Europe flight of Austine….

I woke up at 3am in the morning to call him before his 6am flight for me to be able to talk to him before his flight.

And this was the start of Austine’s world wide tour. He will be coming home by the end of August and hopefully, we could do our plans such as the MOA and Star City day and I’m always looking forward on it :)

I may not always say these words to Austine but I am really thankful for his presence and in everything that he had done and taught me. No words can express how thankful I am. I really appreciate everything no matter how little or simple those things are. With him, I tend to appreciate more about life – on how great it is, and what life has to offer for us so we must learn to treasure and value it. I also tend to realize what happiness really means and the simplicity of it.

He always tells me that he is not a sweet person but actually, he really is. The people around him just have to appreciate every little thing that he does and must learn to read the lines behind those things.

 

And I hope that this Austine that I knew will never change and will always stay the same just the way he is – the cutie and handsome (just as what Sister Jo had described him ever since) Austine and a good person inside and out :)

And in return, even if I don’t tell these words to him, God knows that I will always be here for him no matter what happens and no matter when…

 

 

Whatever and wherever life brings him on his life journey, I know God will always guide and protect him along his way because of his good heart…. J