Special Holiday from Work

March 20, 2003, Thursday... It should have been a normal day at work... It wasn't a holiday or anything... but well.... Cris and I decided to take time off work... hehehe .... Actually, it was Cris's plan (she influenced me)... She invited me to breakfast at McDonald's at St. Francis Square, in front of Megamall... how can I say no to that... She was the first to arrive. I met her upstairs and we went down to order .... I got pancakes... Yumm... How I love them... We went back up and sat somewhere near the window. We ate our breakfast as we talk about so many stuff...

We didn't really have a plan but heck, who cares... as long as we are together, that's ok. We went to the Powerplant mall in Makati and we decided to watch a movie, Chicago... After the movie, we had our late lunch at Cibo... Again, we talked about so many stuff as we ate our food... After lunch, we're supposed to get something for her sister (I think it was her birthday)... Cris had a hard time deciding, but she was looking for some cologne... We ended up going to the Shangri-La Mall in Ortigas and was able to find a good store that sells the type of cologne she was looking for...

It was a bit of a long day for us already... we were a bit tired from walking... but again, we didn't really care... we're enjoying our Office holiday... hehehe... we stopped by at Starbucks and got some drinks... It was already 6:30 PM.... and our day was almost over... Cris needs to go back to Glorietta 4 where she is supposed to be picked up by her dad (She pretended that she was at work... hehehe)... We went to parking lot of Shangri-La mall and entered the car, talked for a few minutes ... and ..... ..... ..... ..... drove back to Makati... ;)

It was the best Holiday ever... that is our very own special holiday from work....

The Symbol of Love

hey hey hey.... It has been quite awhile when we posted something... Been very busy with work... and for that, our sincerest apologies to our avid readers... :)

I think it was Cris's turn to continue the story... but that's ok... let me do it... so, where did we stop the last time.... hmm... ahh... as I was saying, things got a bit better day by day. We went to see each other after office hours (remember that time she was still with Sun, and I was with Accenture). It was really a good thing that our office was just a block apart. Back then, our normal hang out place is at the Enterprise Building since it is just a block away from us. I remember times when I will walk Cris towards that building. This is where she normally takes her shuttle to go home. That time, she was still quite hesitant for me to bring her home given that her parents were still not aware about us being a couple. This is besides the fact that there were times that I need to stay really late at the office to finish some work... you know Accenture... ;)

One night (March 12, 2003), she was a bit excited to see me after office and was telling me that she has a surprise for me. We went to see each other at the Enterprise building. She was taking the shuttle that day. We talked for a while and had some drinks first at the food court. We didn't really have the luxury of time given that it was really getting late and she still needs to catch her shuttle. We went down at the back of the building to the place where the shuttles normally parked. Before we reached the place, she got something out of her bag and opened a small box. It contained a silver keychain of some sort and handed it to me. The keychain had the words "St. Bridget School" marked on the upper part and had the name "CRIS" at the bottom. I was a bit puzzled and didn't quite make any sense to me at first. But then again, I was a bit happy because I sensed that it has some kind of sentimental value to her. She then explained to me that she got this from her old school. She made a promise to herself back then to give this keychain to her future boyfriend. In short, to the person to whom she will find true love... (Hem... hem....) I was a bit speechless that time and didn't know how to react.... I smiled and said thanks... For the first time, she said "I Love you"

I would have kissed her if I could at that time... hehehe... I walked her towards the shuttle and waved goodbye... I then walked towards my office buildling as if I was floating in the air... :)

A Rollercoaster Ride

I must admit that I had a hard time during the first few days of Cris and I being a couple. Its also true that whenever I hear the phrase "We need to talk," it gives me the shivers... I really can't blame her for that. I knew that she was having a hard time herself. I was her first boyfriend after all (lucky me) ... What really frustrates me are those people who kept on intervening, as if they are the ones involved in the relationship. What's worst is that they aren't even our relatives... geez... such nosy individuals. Of course, they didn't know (probably until now) that Cris told me everything about it ... the comments, the stories, and the lies that they told against me. It was really sad... so much black propaganda ... I would have understand if I had done something bad against these people, but as far as I knew, I did my best to help them... to find a job, to train them, to fight for them ... Geez.... THANKS A LOT!

Anyway, like Cris mentioned previously, she tried breaking up with me the second and third day... It was quite difficult to face... I didn't really know what to do ... I did call some friends to seek comfort but they kept on telling me to fight it.... I even remembered my friend Olive telling me that if Cris broke up with me, she'll get really mad at her... but then again, she told me that Cris wouldn't do that... Glad that I still have a number of good friends .... "Loyal ones" to back me up , believe in me, and try to help me be strong ...

Of course, there was much talking between Cris and I... I do understand the confusion she was feeling at that time... I need to be patient... I need to be strong... and I need to believe that we have a great future ahead of us... Whenever I was with her, I tried to be brave... tried to show her that I'm worthy of that decision... but whenever I was alone... tears would also fall from in my cheeks, praying that she remains strong and firm with me...

There's also the fact that she hasn't really told her parents about us... Of course, they knew that we became good friends, but as a couple... a bit more complicated I guess. Cris told me that she'll just inform her parents when she's ready. The only one she confided to was her sister... There was another person who found out about us... one of her officemate/suitor (that time). If I remember it right, he got to know about it by accident. Actually, he was one of the first person outside the family who got to know about us being a couple already. Probably Cris can tell you more about it... hehehe :p

Another thing that happened that's probably worth mentioning is the day after she said yes to me... Probably between 5:30 to 6 PM, I was walking towards her office to pick her up... to my surprise, there she was at the underpass with a bunch of her officemates, in between two other guys, who tried to court her... I was a bit shocked... Obviously, they weren't aware of what had happened the night before... except for one of them (still in-denial I guess)... I didn't know where they are going... I sneaked behind Cris and tap her shoulders... She was really surprised to see me... She told me that her officemates invited her to the mall to celebrate with them and have dinner ... I can't blame her.... I knew that she was really having a hard time and didn't know how to deal with it... I kept my calm of course... I didn't want to humiliate her in front of her officemates (did I mentioned that they were also my officemates for several years...). It was just perfect timing, I guess... probably, she was also looking for a way out of it and I was the perfect excuse... She told them that it was getting late and she needs to go home...

Criticisms were thrown here and there... probably some even raised their eyebrows... but who cares... to hell with them... I am happy... I know Cris is happy... Both of us are having the time of our lives... We went to see each other after work... Things got a bit better day after day... She even gave me something... any idea? Well... you have to wait for the next entry from Cris..... ;p

Is it a Yes?

Cris and I continued to date despite the many challenges we had to face. I guess, the reason why we went on dating is that we really enjoy each other's company and all those bad people around us just fade away when we're together... I don't want to sound so cheezy but I guess Love conquers all... hehehe..

March 5, 2003. Wednesday. How I hate that day given that I had to drive the old red car. Not that I'm complaining that the red car is old, but more of the fact that I used to park it at my Tita's house and I still had to walk to get home. Anyway, I invited Cris to have dinner with me after office. It still wasn't easy to ask her out, but probably because of my perseverance, I always find ways to convince her... hehehe... but I think she promised me that we'll go out that time... hmm...

We went to Via Mare (Oyster Bar) at the Powerplant mall. I think she ordered pandesal with corned beef and I got my favorite bibingka. We ate and talk. As far as I can recall, it wasn't really a smooth conversation but still we did enjoy our dinner...

After dinner, I wanted to take Cris home. It was quite late and I'm not comfortable if she'll just take a shuttle or a cab given that she lives in Marikina. During that time, she doesn't really want her parents to know that she's going out with anybody. I really can't understand during that time, but I guess they were just being really protective of their little girl. Anyway, I kept on insisting to take her home. Likewise, she kept on telling me to drop her somewhere and she'll just go home by herself. We went to car and the discussion went on. How difficult it was. Both of us are hard headed. I'm concerned about her safety and she was concerned about her parents finding out that she was dating.

To make the story short.... She won and I ended up bringing her to Eastwood Libis, which is just a few more minutes away from her home. I was really having a bad headache that time... I parked the car and we talked for a while. She asked her dad to pick her up at Eastwood. We continued our conversation while she wait for her dad to arrive (Of course, she didn't tell her dad that I brought her there). Again, I found myself in a difficult situation where she was asking me several questions about my intentions. I remember myself feeling in desperation and tears were continuously falling from my cheeks. The highlight came when she asked me "Ano ba ang gusto mo?" (What do you want?) or something like that. I was confused myself and didn't know how to respond to that question... I kept on telling her that all I wanted is to be with her and express my feelings... She kept on asking me the same question over and over as if she was trying to look for a specific response. As I said, I'm quite lost and didn't actually know what she wanted me to say...

Her dad sent an SMS to tell her that he was there already. For the last time, she asked me the same question, and I responded the same answer... and she said "ok na" and left. I was in a state of shock and was really confused on what had happened. I sat down for several minutes inside the car and kept on thinking what she meant by that... Did she just say yes to me? I contacted my good friend Ina and told her everything. She was telling me that Cris probably said yes to me already... I think it was already between 10 to 11 PM... I told Ina that I'm leaving Eastwood already. I started the car and went outside the parking lot. Still confused, I called Cris on her cellphone and started talking to her hoping to get sense of what had just occurred. Finally I realized.... I DID IT!!!! She said Yes to me already... It was official!!! March 5, 2003... we're finally a couple!!! whoaaaa!!!!!

Difficult times

It has never been really easy courting Cris but there is something different about her that kept me going...

Honestly speaking, I've never been really good in dating... Actually, before I met Cris, I started to go out again and try to meet other women... After a disastrous 8-year relationship with the unfaithful kind, it was quite difficult to find somebody who you can actually be comfortable with and would be able to release yourself unconditionally. Yet it has already been 8 months when I met Cris. After what I have gone through, I felt that it was time to let go of the past and just try to move on. It wasn't really that difficult given the things that my Ex did. It was just like waking up from a very bad dream. But still, there are those the snooping kind who would try to make your life difficult and would pretend that they are your friend, when in fact, they themselves would stab you in the back and make things so much difficult for you.... (sorry for sounding bitter, but I was really hurt and disappointed)

Anyway, enough of that... Cris and I went to see each other, mostly at the food court of the Enterprise building in Ayala. We just ate and talk about so many stuff... mostly our past... our dreams... There are times that I had to work my way just to take her out... Some would probably say that I'm pathetic... but who cares... It was well worth it... I enjoy Cris's company and I really love our conversations... One of the most difficult situation I found myself in was when I waited for her at the ground floor of Philamlife Building. Patiently, I stood near the main door. I can't exactly remember but I think we were supposed to go out, probably to eat, or just for me to take her home, or just to walk her towards the shuttle. She went out the elevator, together with two of her colleagues. I didn't really know these two, since I think they're just doing their OJT. I approached her as always and tried to carry her stuff. She wasn't really quite herself and she projected the image of somebody who was trying to avoid me. As far as I can remember, this is not actually the "Norm." This kind of a scenario usually happens whenever she is around her colleagues.

Admittedly, it was quite difficult for me back then and I really had to swallow a lot of my pride. She wasn't just really comfortable letting others know that she was going out with me. Of course, later on, I found out that it was mostly peer pressure, given that she was trying her best to fit in the crowd whom I always thought are my friends. She admitted to me that my so-called friends tried to brainwash her and told her so many not-so good things about my past. After hearing what has been said about me, I wouldn't probably even date myself... Hey, I've never been a perfect guy, but screw these people for telling so many lies about me... at least, Cris was able to see and prove to herself that I wasn't the person she thought I was after all the brainwashing that happened during that time.... For that I'm forever grateful and really lucky to have her on my side... I failed to mention that there are also some good people from my previous office who remained loyal to me and would boost my pogi points to Cris.... (Thank you for being such true friends...)

All for Love...

Things are actually going well when I first gave Cris flowers (last January 28, 2003)... our relationship grew and became stronger each day.... However, it is not as easy as it seems... Cris never had any serious relationships (undefined relationships are not counted ;p) before... She just had too many concerns.... But what makes it more difficult are the people around her... In fact, some of those I used to care for and trust... unbelievable right? I can't believe it myself either... Now that I think of it, I wasted so much effort in protecting and training these people, and all that they'll do to me is make my life like hell by telling stuff about me that is mostly not even true and so way below the belt that they should be really be ashamed of themselves for being so cruel and heartless.... Words to describe them..... orocan.... tupperware.... plastic... hipocrites.... Anyway, before I get carried away and start mentioning names.... (Yes, I know who you guys are.... sad to say... but don't worry... I know how to forgive and besides, I believe in Karma) back to the story...

I can probably imagine the difficulty that Cris had during that time.... really can't blame her `coz if I was in the same situation and heard the things that were said about me, I would probably hate myself too.... yep, that bad....

So, what did I plan for the first Valentine's day I knew Cris.... well, for starters, I did plan to send her flowers.... I also planned to take her out to a Boyz to Men concert at the Fort... I got the tickets days before after I've learned that she loves Boyz to Men....

The night before Valentine's Day.... I had to work really late at the office. I was doing some coordination with counterparts in Finland. Cris and I were talking that night... I was asking her to go out with me and see the concert... Sad to say that she was still mad at me for surprising her with the Boyz to men ticket that I got her... She told me that she will not go with me at the concert and told me to just sell the tickets (in fact, she was looking for people to buy them)... Though, I was really hoping that she'll reconsider ...

A few days back she also promised me that we'll have lunch instead... but I just don't want to give up and so I kept on asking her... I guess she just got fed up... hehehe.... ;p (ey... you can't blame a guy for being persistent... )

I went home 2 A.M. from work ... It's already Valentine's day ... Cris is still pissed at me... what the heck should I do... I kept on thinking how I can redeem myself and make it up to Cris... I remember sleeping probably around 4 or 5 A.M. and I only had a few hours to get some sleep before I go to work...


I woke up around 9 AM, and then took a hot shower... I'm not yet sure what to do but I guess I have something in mind already... I was thinking of bringing her flowers, in addition to the one I ordered a few days back. Maybe she'll think that I'm sweet and forgive me for my shortcomings. I arrived at Glorietta 4, just in time when it opened. I walked around and saw this nice cute doggie stuff toy... I immediately remembered that Cris loves dogs.... Wow... the perfect surprise for her... I thought to myself... After getting that doggie stuff toy, I went to the flower shop and got her bouquet.

Finally contented, I proceeded to her building and went up. I'm not quite sure what to say and what to expect. For sure, there will be a lot of people that I know there that seems to be very much interested in our lives for some bizarre reason...

I went to the guard and asked him to keep the stuffed doggie under the receptionist table and just give it to Cris later in the afternoon. I proceeded to my old office and saw Cris and some of my ex-officemates. I handed her the flowers hoping to melt her heart a bit ... but instead, she
placed the flowers on top of her desk and went out of the room with this other girl ... Still the cold shoulders.... I was so devastated and told my ex-officemates that I should go back to work... I wasn't quite sure where Cris went... I just went down and stopped near the lobby of the building... I thought of calling Cris again on her mobile just to say goodbye...

I was a bit surprised when I saw Cris coming out from BPI and walking towards me. She asked me what I was doing and told me to join her. We went back to BPI and she introduced me to this girl she was with. When we got out, Cris and I went together and she finally agreed to have lunch with me.... I was so relieved and felt a bit happy...

We had lunch at Pancake house at Greenbelt 1... our first Valentine's date... we talked and talked and talked as if nothing really happened...
Actually, we lost track of time and went back around 2:30 PM ,considering the traffic that day). I took her back at her office and went back to work.


The concert date did not go as planned but I was really happy and satisfied that day... (Also, the tickets did not really go to waste since I was still able to use it with my friend... ) After the concert, I called Cris and found out that she's on her way home too... She was thanking me for the things that I did and also for another stuffed puppy and chocolates that I sent her at her home... (ey... I got carried away ... I wanted to really surprise Cris...) ... We spent the night talking again as we did the past weeks....

Confessions made... January 28 2003...

I did send Cris flowers .... I ordered them the day I left the company where I practically grew .... in the technical sense, that is...

I was a bit excited that day, but at the same time a bit nervous of what may happen (more related to her reaction) .... I thought to myself... hey, it's just flowers... what's the worst thing that can happen... I even thought of brightening up her day with them.... Anyway, Cris and I did enjoy our blossoming friendship over the past weeks ... My intentions are in fact pure ... I think I've maintained my professionalism and was able to hold myself from making a "move" while I'm still her superior...

Being with another company makes my relationship with Cris more inclined to being friends, rather than colleagues... but of course some people would have their own opinion (this is again another story that you may want to wait for... =p ).

Anyway, I was working hard as ever when I got some messages from Cris... Unfortunately, they weren't exactly the reactions that I'm hoping for... Her reactions bothered me a lot during the rest of the day.... I thought to myself.... "What should I do... Is it wrong to send her flowers?" ... I tried to convince myself that day that I need to meet up with her and try to explain myself... but what the heck should I say.... My intentions are good... at least from my perspective...

Going back to my story... Cris and I decided to meet each other at the Starbucks inside the Enterprise Building after we get off of work. This is probably the perfect place given that it is just across our offices (her being at Philam, and me at MSE).


Tik Tok... Tik Tok... Time goes by... was it fast or was slow? It's a bit difficult to assess due to the uncertainty of what may happen at the Enterprise Centre in Makati.... I walked towards the building and went in
and proceeded to the agreed meeting place. I came in first and waited... I
saw Cris walking towards Starbucks with some of her officemates behind
her... were they following her... or were they just walking towards the same direction, probably going to Landmark.... Anyway, I saw some mischievous grins from the old faces that I know... I signaled them a hello, not thinking of anything else but what to say to Cris. I guess our meeting wasn't really a big secret ... Another funny thing is when my previous boss (director) went in Starbucks to probably buy something... Now, I'm sure that wasn't really intentional ... Why would she be interested in our lives.... probably, she's more interested in the caffeine that is being offered by
Starbucks... =)

Cris and I picked a spot and got some orange juice to drink... The few words that I remembered from her were "Para saan yun flowers?" (The flowers are for what?) and "Bakit mo ko pinadalan ng flowers" (Why did you send me flowers).... Hmm.. isn't it quite obvious ... hehehe... I sent the flowers because I wanted to put a smile on her face .... but more to say that she is special to me and I wanted to know her more... How I wish I can say that to her as simple as I can say it now... =p

To make the story short... things went ok that evening... although i don't think she kept the flowers... (I wonder what she did with them...) oh well.. it's the thought that counts... I guess that became the official day (January 27, 2003) when I somehow confessed to Cris who she is to me... and the things that are yet to come in the next few weeks..... =p

The `o sooo LOOOONNGG Week

Yes... It was actually my last week at Sun Microsystems... I'll be starting my new job at Accenture on the 27th of January (2003)... The opportunity just came. I was told about the opening the day after I interviewed Cris (if you can recall from our previous stories, I still call her Maricristine or Cristine). I actually had my interview the following week, January 6, 2003, to be specific. As much as I wanted to stay with the company I loved for a long time, I had to take the opportunity being presented to me for so many reasons that is quite hard to explain...

January 15, 2003 came, Cris was called at Sun office to take her new role. She didn't actually knew that it will be her first day at work. May contacted me thru my cell phone and
told me that Cris is already there at the office and will wait for me for her briefing. Where was I? Well... I was at G4, having my physical checkup (as required by my soon to be company)... Good thing that I was almost finish with my checkup.... I tried to hurry up since I was a bit excited
also meeting Cris for the 2nd time. We actually became friends after our first meeting. As I said, I had fun talking to her, even if it was only thru the cell phone.... Thank God for SMS!!! Whoever invented it, needs a big pat on the back...

I went in the conference room where Cris was waiting.... still gasping for air, I sat besides her and asked how it went.... She hasn't really signed the contract yet and was evidently hesitant to do so... maybe because she really didn't know what to expect, given that this is really her
first time to join the great jungle of the corporate world....

I did explain some of the terminologies indicated in the contract.... at least for the parts that I understand...

Eventually, she signed the contract. After that, it was history.... BWAHAHAHAHA... it seems that she sold herself to the devil.. hahaha.. just kidding... of course it was a great opportunity for her as well. Given that it was actually my last week at work, I'm willing to give all I can
to a rookie... teaching all the things I knew.... on the technical aspect OK!!! (shame on you if you are thinking of something else... tsk tsk tsk...) I do love teaching.... for me teaching is learning twice... In this case, I'll be teaching her what I knew about Solaris (Sun's own flavor of UNIX)...

As with my other engineers, I do have a training plan for Cris... This includes her formal training on Solaris. She'll be attending her first ever technical training ... This will just prep her for the things she needs to understand to accomplish her new role...

As with my other staff, I am a bit strict (esp. in terms of following procedures and on deadlines)... but still I would try my best to maintain a good relationship with my people
and still do treat them as my friends ... This is the same way I treated Cris... but on some instances, she still finds her way to use her charms with me... I was sooooo vulnerable
to her charms... tsk tsk tsk...

Anyway, I would teach Cris the basics of UNIX.... She was seated near my desk, where I can easily see what she is doing. It was not exactly planned, but it was only the available spot that is not occupied...

...FAST FORWARD...

Cris and I became really good friends... We would work professionally during office hours, but when it is already off hours... we would send messages as if there is no tomorrow. :)

...FAST FORWARD...

Days passed... we became closer during the weekend. I was out that weekend (both Saturday and Sunday)... but still, I kept on texting her and even contacted her thru her cell
phone, given that it is quite hard to send messages while driving... We were talking about Shih-Tzu's, things that she like, and so much more...

...FAST FORWARD...

On one particular day at work, she was telling me about her plans .... One of the things that really impressed me was when she shared to me (and some other people in the room)
about her plan to get an educational plan for her future child, once she earned enough money... PICK UP LINES!!!! hehehe... but it worked!!! hahaha j/k

...FAST FORWARD...

As my last day approached, I've realized that I do enjoy spending my time with Cris a lot... Looking back, I think this is the period where I already felt something special with Cris... I already knew she was pretty, smart, and sexy from our first meeting... but this is quite different. I wanted to court Cris but I really can't... Technically, I'm still her superior that time... I actually, wanted to take leave already and wished that it was already my last day with Sun. I thought to myself, if I am already with Accenture, then I'm no longer her superior and we'll just be good friends.... and hoping more than that... :)

...FAST FORWARD...

The day came... 27th.... My first day at Accenture... what did I do??? Better wait for Cris's turn to tell you.... =p