THE THOUGHT of me being deeply loved by someone never crossed my mind. I have always seen myself in solitude because I don’t think I measure up to the Prince Charming that girls of my age dream of. I have always believed that girls await their Knight in Shining Armor and I don’t know what bad luck is it that I only came in a tee and an old pair of jeans and sneakers.

That was all before I met her (she’s an avid reader of my blog, so I won’t mention her name here). It was barely seven years ago and I was a struggling college freshman then. She’s heard of me from her classmates who have become my friends in some pre-college workshops. The first time we met at the corridor before my first class–in which we were classmates–I saw a tinge of fascination in her. With me? Uhm, I didn’t want to presume but it was most likely that way.

Later on, she told me that she really was fascinated with me and that she saw and liked the distinct kind of person I am. I concluded that there really are things that only girls like her can see. I have always been thankful for it.

When she looks at me
I know the girl sees things
Nobody else can see

All of the secret fears inside
And all the craziness I hide
She looks into my soul
And reads me like nobody can

As days passed by, we’ve become closer to each other, even more intimate than friends. She was there at the beginning of my aspirations and had always been with me in my attempts to achieve them. She uncovered my eyes to the beauty that I have never seen in me. She made me realize that I can do more than what I thought I am capable of doing. It was her faith in me that made me believe I am special.

Come what may, she believes
And that faith is something
I’ve never known before
Come what may, she loves me
And that love has helped me open a door
Making me love myself a little more

She texted me one time, telling me she was waiting for me at a gazebo near the cathedral. When I came to the place, I saw her smiling at me. Her eyes were filled with eagerness as if there was something very important that she wanted me to know. She did not waste time. She braved herself, came right up to me, and told me that she loves me. I knew it took her a lot of courage to tell me straight in the face, knowing her personality. I was quite dumbfounded and embarrassed at the same time. I was happy with all she did for me but it was her best friend that I was falling for.

We hugged and silently spent the rest of the afternoon together as if only our souls conversed.

When I turn away
She knows those are the times
There’s nothing she can say

Nothing that anyone can do
And so she lets me live it through
And when I’m in my darkest hour of uncertainty
She just simply lets me be
And goes right on loving me

Years went on and we each lived our separate lives, entered into relationships, and discovered what else there is to life. We met once again at a fast food chain and chatted about how we faced life after college. We also looked back at the past. Our reminiscence brought us to the gazebo near the church. She told me once again that her feelings for me haven’t changed.

Unfortunately, the situation is definitely not the same.

* * *

I AM certain that a lot people here in Southern Mindanao are taking a backward glance at their own love stories that have been made sweeter and more memorable by songs from the soft-rock duo of the 70’s and 80’s, AIR SUPPLY, who are about to serenade us next week.

My personal love story above that inspired by the song Come What May is my entry to the What Air Supply Song You? Blog Contest pulled off by GenSan’s most prolific blogger, Bariles of GenSan News Online Mag and sponsored by Dreamworks Ventures and Grab-A-Crab Restaurant

The contest is inspired by the upcoming Air Supply Concert in GenSan, on October 2, 2009 at the Lagao Gymnasium, General Santos City. Here’s the concert poster for more info:

The Air Supply in GenSan Concert is a major production of Dreamwork Ventures Inc.’s Platinum Concert Series 2009, in cooperation with the City Government of GenSan, the GenSan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., ABS-CBN.  Other partners are Grab A Crab Restaurant, MISO Hardware, San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola Bottlers Inc., East Asia Royale Hotel, Coffee Dream, Giacominos, NY Fries and Dips, Giacominos, Gaisano Mall of GenSan and Gregoria Printing Press.