Dating my Ex.
It feels different.
I can't even remember the last time we went out to spend time together and with each other.
It's been years and the thought of us going out makes me cringe.
It was a weekday so we had to take our leaves from work.
At first, we had to go to separate offices to process some documents and decided to meet at SM Baguio after.
- SM City Baguio is in Panagbenga Spirit.
He said he was in the food court as he wanted to eat lomi.
I ordered a combo meal shawarma: one small shawarma rice with 1 small pita shawarma.
I was done eating the pita shawarma and was already consuming the rice shawarma
when suddenly, he nonchalantly scooped from my shawarma bowl.
Oh those days. He never changed.
I remember when we first started dating,
we would eat at McDonald's and he often finishes first then snack off my fries.
It always happens that way.
After eating, we went to Session Road.
It was Session in Bloom, part of the Panagbenga Festival.
There were tents setup in the whole stretch of Session Road
right after the float parade every last week of February.
They are offering variety of products: food, clothing, wares and a lot more.
Then we ordered Pork Sisig Rice in a bowl.
He was eating it while walking.
I ordered crablets and chicharon bulaklak that we can snack on later.
From Session Road, we went down to Harrison Road
then crossed to Melvin Jones Grandstand.
While walking, I put my hands into his arms, just like before.
It was so familiar.
I was so used doing it that it came naturally.
I just shrugged off the awkwardness as we continued walking.
- Melvin Jones Grandstand. An event center for concerts and sports.
On the other side of the grandstand are the entries to the Panagbenga 2024 landscaping contest.
Here's some of them:
- Panagbenga Landscape Contest. This is a part of the annual event and something one shouldn't miss if visiting Baguio during the festival. It features different flowers and plants and artistic and decorative talents of the contenders.
Thereafter, we moved to Burnham Park, just adjacent to the grandstand.
There is also a market encounter in the park.
Alongside are the entries to the Panagbenga vertical garden contest.
- Burnham Park Market Encounter. It also features variety of products like pasalubong, food, clothes, books and a lot more!
- Panagbenga Vertical Garden Contest. These are some of the entries to the contest. Look at those flowers! Sooo beautiful.
We went from shop to shop and amused ourselves on the products they offer.
There are pasalubong shops as well.
- The Cat Who... I was intrigued by this book collection sold in one of the shops.
It's a mystery series that features the author's siamese cat.
I googled the author and turns out these are just few of her books.
There are a lot more of "The Cat Who" series.
We strolled along the park while telling stories and catching up and enjoying the view.
It's been years since I've gone there.
- The Colors of Burnham Park. These are a few shots of the flowers in bloom at the park taken during our stroll. Look at those bees seeping the nectar. Very helpful in the biodiversity.
- Stroll along the park. This picture features the walkways, the lake and the bird house. It's almost summer. The leaves of the trees are falling off.
- Park Bench. There are benches lined up alongside the lake which has a book shelf. One can read the books for free. Just make sure it's returned properly and orderly. The text "Dibshi jen Dibsho" is an Ibaloi phrase which means "Free Book".
- Tired? Take a nap. This park-goer is enjoying his sleep. Thanks to the shade of the bottle brush tree.
When we got tired from walking,
we ordered drinks and sat on one of the benches beside Burnham Lake
while telling stories and goals and enjoying our snack.
The Break-up
As we watched the boats pass by,
I remember the only time we rode a Swan Boat was when we were still dating.
We were not already in good terms at that time and
I felt like we only rode the swan boat just to experience it.
No enjoyment, no excitement, no fun. It was all gray.
I guess we were just busy or
maybe we just wanted to move on in our lives without each other.
Before, I felt like I was so into him but he wants me out
or maybe he just didn't feel the same way anymore.
More than three years in a relationship
and it seemed like there was nowhere to go.
He wants to enjoy, I'm lowkey.
We were just so different. I was no longer a priority.
As they say, "wag kayong pupunta ng Baguio kung ayaw niyong mag-break."
Baguio is beautiful but is the curse true?
That was years ago.
Fast forward to now, I see him beside me.
Smiling while munching on the crablets and the chicharon bulaklak we bought earlier,
tasting each others drinks to know which flavor is better
and watching the rowers on the lake,
while planning our itinerary when we will be taking our son out
to stroll and have fun in Burnham Park.
Yes, he is my ex, but my husband, my partner, now.
We now live together and we are building our own family.
I'm still not a priority. Neither is he.
For the past years, we never really went out for a "date"
because of the pandemic and later on, we had our son.
Since having a kid, it was really hard for us to have time for us, alone and together.
Our priority is our son, us together, as a family.
So after our short "date", we decided to go home.
I can almost imagine our son waving and smiling waiting for us to come home.
As I put my hands into his arms again,
it was never really awkward.
It may just be that feeling of not having gone out for a long time overwhelming me.
For those who need this, here's some advices:
- Love is sweeter the second time around.
- Distance makes the heart go fonder.
- If you love someone, don't hold them too tight. Remember, relationship is like sand in your palm. If you hold it tight, it will all fall off. But if you open your palm, it stays. Does this even make sense? Up to you.😁
- Be honest. The truth hurts but it will set you free, better than living in a lie.
- Sometimes, you have to let go. If it's for you, it will come back.
- You are not an accident. Neither are the things around us. It's all a part of God's plan.
📌Hi again. I'm Cate and this is a story of a day in my life.
Live, Love, Travel. Enjoy!