"How are you, Dy?" I asked him with a smile.
"Come in." He quickly says that even being surprised still got to be calm.
"All right, you two keep talking and I'll finish the report." Dylan just nodded at Lax.
When Lax closed the door I didn’t know how I would feel. I want to be overjoyed. I just felt like I wanted to cry like a child in front of him. I saw him open his arms signaling that he was waiting for me to hug him.
I no longer hesitated. I knew there was nothing wrong with what I was going to do so I approached Dylan and hugged him. There I just felt my tears dripping followed by a faint sob. I could feel his soft caress on my back.
"You're still a cry baby." I ignored him because I wanted to shed all my tears that I didn’t know why were coming out. Maybe it's because I'm happy to know that his life went well. That he is ok. That nothing bad happened to him. And he changed his life just as he said. Now I can say that my mind is really at peace.
When I finished crying we sat side by side on the sofa.
"I called your number when I was in Taiwan but could not be contacted," I began.
"My cell phone was stolen inside the jail," he replied.
"You didn't even visit me to check if I had arrived," I said with resentment.
"I thought maybe you don't want to see me yet and you're mad at me because I left you."
"You're really crazy," I said. He laughed because of what I said.
"How are you?" he asked. I raised my hand to show the engagement ring. "Your first love?" I nodded. I saw his smile.
"The wedding is next month," I said.
"Congrats, you deserve that. You've been waiting for him." I feel unmixed no matter what he said.
"I would like to invite you." I was able to say that because I was hesitant.
"Give me the invitations," he said with both hands. I handed him the invitation letter and he laughed. "Ow, mint red the motif ha?"
"Yes, it's like the theme of your restaurant."
"Is it obvious?" he asked.
"No, it's not obvious also that bubble tea is my favorite and corn de buko pandan is our favorite." I laughed saying.
"You haven't included your name yet," he said.
"You still can't move on with me, Dy?" I asked while laughing.
“Hey, you're thick! I moved on long ago. I just really meant to still connect this business of mine to you because I made it inspired by you.”
"Because you haven't moved on with me yet."
“Don’t be assuming Mia,” he said. "But you know I thought why I thought of changing my life." He looked around then looked at me.
"Tell me,"
“I thought if at the time I was astray. There is a woman that accepted and loved me, what if I changed myself. I also thought that it would be embarrassing for you if when we meet again you will be fine while I am still nothing but a drug pusher. So, I went through my business by connecting with you so that every time I see this restaurant, I will remember you immediately and I will be pushed that I need to change.” I smiled at what he said. The appreciation given to me is flattering.
“I don't know if I'll be pleased with what you said or annoyed. But are you really moving on?” I asked again.
“Yes, it has been a long time. I just can't change the theme and name of this restaurant as well as the free one because that's what people are used to. But I'm ok and I'm really happy with you,” he said with a wink.
"Good, how is Uncle Pao?" Of course, Tito Pao has also been a big part of my life.
“He was imprisoned, when I got out I immediately talked to him and said I wanted to change and stop pushing. He was excited and said he was going to rest. He said he was just waiting for us so he didn't want to rest first because he didn't want us to go to someone else. When I decided to leave that hustle he decided to change as well. Some of those with us have been caught, some have changed their lives, and some have got killed.”
"How did you manage to build such a big business?"
“I didn't mention you, my parents are businessmen. That's one of the reasons why they fight because they both don't have time. I swallowed my pride and begged my dad to give me an investment. It's just a coin to them after all but of course I need something so I humbled myself. Even though they said a lot but in the end they still gave in to me.”
"Are you and your parents okay?" I ask.
“Somewhat, they are proud because I have proven that I have changed and still succeeded. They also bring clients here and introduce me, just casual like that. But we don't talk about problems at home. They will take care of the issue at home then. Maybe we'll just intervene if there's a bruise. Of course, that's another matter. My mom and I are ok, she's still my mother and I know she will stand me either.”
I'm so happy because like me, Dylan has somehow come home to the family.
"Dy, I'm glad to see you."
“Me too, Mia, and I'm happy for you. I'm really happy because you're happy. Just when you need sympathy, a friend just in case, you already know where I am. I will generously sympathize with you ------ without malice.”
“Thank you very much. My sister is outside, let me introduce you to her.”
"Is not it embarrassing? I wonder what she will say.”
"Don't worry, she's nicer to me."
"You're not nice,"
"What!"
"Kidding, let's go and maybe your brother will be bored."
We laughed as we walked toward Janel. He has as much nonsense as he tells me.
"Mia," Janel called to me when she saw me and immediately stood up.
"Janel," I greeted until we could get closer. "Dylan, my sister Janel." I introduce them.
"Hi Dylan," Janel greeted and held out her hand.
"Hi," Dylan reached out his hand as well.
"Dylan, thank you for everything back then." I could see that Dylan was a little embarrassed.
"Thanks for what?" Dylan asked then looked at me.
"Because you loved my sister, thank you also for the respect you gave her and for helping me get an education."
"It's nothing, it's your sister's money, I should be the one who will get embarrassing and I include her."
“Oh no! Don't be shy because my sister also wants that. I'm an engineer, now. If you ever want to build a house, I'll give it for free.”
“Really? Exactly, I plan to build a vacation house next year, will I contact you?”
“Sure, but thank you really! then are we still welcome here at your restaurant?” Janel asked.
“Of course, you can bring Jr. too and your family. I will take care of you.”
I took Dylan's hand so he could look at me.
"I'm glad we met again," I said.
"I'm happier because apart from meeting me, I also saw that you're happy."
Dylan and I gave each other a big hug. I'm glad to see him again. I know that he is still part of my life. Our relationship was not bad and he was a huge help to me.
Not only in money, but he was the one I sympathized with and he never left me. He has been my guide. We didn’t even get along, but the fact that without Dylan then I don’t know what would have happened to me can’t be erased.
If I had met someone else back then those times might not have been the only pushing I did to help my family.
So I really can’t forget Dylan. Not just as the man I once loved, but as the person, I was never forsaken.