I still did not know yet what a crush was but then everybody started teasing us and I was so annoyed at him because of the teasing. That I can vividly remember. I also remember when we were riding bikes with our teacher, he saw some gumamela flowers and gave them to me. More teasing after that. I was furious. That was all I remember. The feelings of frustration and embarrassment and being teased at.

After kindergarten, I saw him like once or twice inside our village. He was actually a neighbor but we rarely saw each other.  Once I saw him when I was in high school and my heart jumped. Don't ask me why, it was really strange when that happened. 

The next time I saw him was in December of 2006. I was part of the recruitment team and I was in charge of doing interviews. I came across his resume. He passed the assessments before I was even a part of the company, but they've put his application on hold. I called him. While I was talking to him, I felt a little moisture on my forehead. Oh my, am I sweating? Get a grip. We're just talking. I asked him to come by in the office in the morning.

So the next day I was late for work. I was freaking late for the first time since I started! As soon as I walked in the lobby, there he was. I instantly knew it was him. After punching in for work, I walked out again to the lobby and approached him. 

Me: Hi! Do you still remember me? (omg, that was lame)

Him: Yes. (he's smiling, he has a good set of teeth..what am I thinking?)

Me: Uhmm..Okay then, Hi! (Jeez!) Uhmmm... The interview would start in a minute okay? I'll call you when we're ready (Sheesh! Lame-o! Lame-o!)

Him: Okay, sure.

After the really awkward introductions, I managed to finish the assessments. He was quite good and the manager liked him. In other words, we offered him the job. 

He didn't stay in the company for long, he had health issues that time. But while still in the office, I would tease him "Hey you owe me one". It's just a joke. Honestly. But apparently, he took it seriously. He asked me out to the Hot Air Balloon Festival. We had fun. We had a lot in common and I liked his sense of humor. We clicked. But I didn't expect anything. I just came from a not-so-good relationship and thought that I wasn't ready yet. That one date lead to another and another..

One night, we decided to buy drinks and go to his place. We were drinking and talking until 4AM. As I was about to go home, he held my hands and told me he liked me and he felt the same he did when we were kids. I was dumbfounded. After all these years? Really? I could not believe what I was hearing. Butterflies flurried in the pit of my stomach. I fell hard. Real hard.

Recently, I found out that he has been talking about our childhood with his friends. Things he never told me about. Like, there was a time when he collected plastic spoons, forks and plates. When was asked why he said

"Because I am going to get married".

 

 

Me and Him in Kindergarten.