One More Chance

~~Walk away, please go before you throw your life away. A life that I could share for just a day. We should have met some years ago, for your sake, I say walk away just go. Goodbye, my love, my tears will fall now that you've gone. I can't help but cry, but I must go on. I'm sad that I have, after searching so long you, I love you, but told you, walk away, walk on~~~

-Matt Monro-

*********

I let out another sigh... a sigh for I don't know how many times as I've already lost count since I sat in one of the benches in the park, facing the children who ran freely and carefree a few meters from me.

I can't help my heart from pounding faster in my ribcage as I waited for David to show up. I decided to call him yesterday right after hearing the news that he's going back to New York this afternoon.

It's been a week since I last saw him and that was when I asked him to marry me but he said he has to let me go. In those days without receiving calls and messages from him, I thought he was already back in his hometown, but I was surprised when I found out he's still in San Francisco. So when I got home after staying for a week with Jack and Sister Fatima in the convent, I didn't waste any second and called him right away.

I sensed the surprise in his tone the moment I mentioned his name. At first, I hesitated to tell him what I wanted, but in the end, I finally said it. I asked him to meet me and instant relief washed over me when he agreed.

I hitched my breath when I saw the car he was renting parked behind my car and when he stepped out, a smile crept into my lips. Staying a week in a place full of peace, kindness and God's presence, brought me inner peace, contentment, joy and so much love.

I finally understood what Sister Fatima told me when I met her for the first time... 'Everything will work out in the end, we just simply need to trust him.'

"Hi," The first word I uttered when he stopped in front of me.

"Hi," He replied, staring right into my eye with mixed emotions swirling in his eyes.

I couldn't explain what exactly I feel at that moment. I wanted to hug him and ask him how he was and how he felt, but I held back because I know it would have been an insensitive move towards him.

I don't know how long we have been embraced by silence, I just realized we have already seated and waited for each other to open a conversation.novelbin

"I'm leaving,"

I heard him say and I couldn't help but close my eyes and let out a deep sigh.

"This afternoon," He added.

Holding my breath, I turned to him with a half-hearted smile and said...

"I know,"

And once again, the silence has stretched between us.

"You recovered quickly,"

I nodded and smiled again.

"Yeah, honestly, even I couldn't explain what had happened. After staying in the convent, I just realized one day my strength had returned and that I could walk on my own again. Faith was a great help."

"I agree." He nodded. "There is no impossible with God. He can make the impossible things possible, you just have to believe Him."

I sighed and soon realized that we were already smiling at each other.

"I'm sorry, David," I mumbled softly, lowering my head.

"Shhh... How many times do I have to tell you that you shouldn't be sorry?"

"No, I have to."

"Sam---"

"I'm sorry for being insensitive the last time we talked."

"It's alright,"

"No, for me it isn't, it wasn't! I was so confused at that moment that I never thought about your feelings."

A half-hearted smile curled on his lips before avoiding my gaze.

"It's in the past and I told you I understand. I'm finally leaving today and it's the reason why I agreed to meet you today. I want to say goodbye to you for the last time."

"D-David..." Tears started forming around my eyes after hearing what he had just said.

"Please, don't cry." He immediately brushed the set of tears that rolled down my cheeks. "It's the last thing I wanted to see before leaving, so please?"

I took a deep breath and tried to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat before nodding.

"I want you to be happy with the life you are choosing. I want you to experience the things you have wished for so long. I want you to stay strong, to always be a good mother to beautiful Cali and a woman with grace, passion and full of love." "David..."

Again, using his thumb, he brushed the stubborn tears that keep rolling down my cheeks.

"I have to go. I will never forget what we had. You will always be my great love, Samantha."

A small sob escaped my throat when he stood up. And when I thought he was already leaving, I closed my eyes. I don't want to see walk away and leave, but to my surprise, a pair of lips captured mine in a sweet yet painful kiss and whispered... "I love you. I will always love you."

And before I could respond to that kiss, he was already walking towards his car.

It was then when sobs simultaneously escaped my lips. I wanted to call his name and ask him to come back. I wanted to run after him, hug him and ask him to stay, but my legs seemed to have stuck in my seat. I wanted to scream behind him that I don't want to lose him, but I realized it wouldn't be right and that I will only add salt to the injury that I was just the one who had caused him.

LUKE's POV:

It pinched my heart to see her cry like that, but it hurts more inside to know that the reason she cries was because of him. I know based on her reaction that she doesn't want him

to leave and that the feelings she has

s for him were deep. I know she loves him and that almost broke my heart, but I couldn't do anything because it was all my fault. I was the only one to blame for why we ended up like this.

I was surprised to see her walking

without a clutch this morning. It was

a huge relief as she recovered quickly. I heard from Dale that she was staying in the convent with Jack. I wanted to go see her and see how she was doing, but I stopped right away because I knew it wouldn't be of much help. So I kept asking her brother about her for the past few days and I jumped in my seat when he told me she was already home.

I decided to drop by their house before going to the office, but I was only a few meters from the gate when I saw her car heading into the driveway. At first, I thought she wasn't the driver as she had just recovered from an accident, but I frowned when I saw her in the driver seat. I know she didn't notice me, so I decided to follow her car.

That was when my mouth fell in shock when I saw her walk without her clutch. Seeing her sitting on one of the benches, I wondered why she was there and what she would do there, but my questions were answered when David got out of the car, headed towards her direction and the next scenes made me suddenly realized what kind of precious gem I had just thrown because of my pride.

At that very moment, I suddenly felt

that all my strength had been drained out of my body. I will let her go. If one day she would ask me to let her go, I will. If one day she would ask for divorce papers, I would give

I

them to her. I know it's too late for me to realize how stupid I was for letting her go five years ago, for not realizing that I love her and for being an asshole all those years. I also know it's too late to ask her forgiveness, but I know, I know it's still not late to let her find her happiness and let go of my pride and selfishness.