Growing up, I was exposed, a most kids are, listening and reading fairy tales. Eventually, I grew fond of reading romance stories and novels, and watching romance movies. Yes, I am a sucker for those stuff.

And most of those stuff are boy meets girl stories. From the romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle to the tearjerker An Affair to Remember, every girl meets a guy in a memorable way. Whether it be a Filipino movie such as the Sharon Cuneta and Aga Muhlach starrer Kung Ako Na Lang Sana or the Korean series Kim Sam Soon… the guy and the girl meets the girl in an extraordinary circumstance.

Whether they have known each other for a long time or just a short while, the first meeting is always memorable. Yes, in those romance novels, in the movies, tv series, and even in some real life stories of love, the first meeting is always remarkable.

And that’s how life has been for me… remarkable beginnings. Whether it be in the poker tables or the casino, in a bar, in the coffee shop, in a gaming shop, online, offline, through chat, via SMS, or even through a pageant, the introductions have been great. You cannot imagine the lines I have heard, and the number of guys whom I have heard it from. The circumstances have been memorable.

You know how people say life can be weirder than fiction? Well, my life has been one. And my lovelife, has been very interesting and kilig.

Cases in point…

Scene 1: In the Poker Club
Guy 1 (already making pa-cute for hours): So, what high school do you come from?
Ria: Philippine Science High School.
Guy 2 (Guy 1’s cuter friend who has been ignoring Ria): REALLY?! I went to the same school but a different campus. Where did you study in college?
Ria: Ateneo de Manila.
Guy 1: …
Guy 2: I went to UP. I always told myself I want a girlfriend who studied in Phil Sci and UP or AdMU.
Ria: *Kinilig!*

Scene 2: In the Poker Club
Ria (Joking): Uy! Lagi ka na dito ah? At lagi tayong magkatabi.
Guy: Pumupunta lang ako dito para makita ka.

Scene 3: Casino
Dealer: Wag ka muna umuwi Ma’am.
Ria: Have an early meeting later. Napalipas oras lang.
After a few months. At a friend’s house…
Guy: Di ka na bumalik sa casino ah?
Ria: I rarely go there. Do I know you?
Guy: No. But I know you.
Ria: *Suddenly realizes the guy is the dealer.*

Scene 4: Outside the Coffee Shop
Stranger: Can I get your number for “Cute Guy?”
Ria: WHO?!
Stranger: He’s my friend. He’s inside. He wants to get your number.
Ria: Tell him that he should be the one to go out to get my number.
Stranger goes inside. And Cute Guy goes outside…
Cute Guy: May I have your number?

Scene 5: In the Coffee Shop
Guy is browsing the newspaper I write for. Then…
Guy: You have an article today?
Ria: Me? (Looks around. And there’s nobody else in the area.) Nope, I don’t have an article today.
Guy: (Puts down the newspaper.) I guess I don’t have anything to read then.
After a while…
Guy: I don’t agree with your last article, by the way.
Ria: (unsure) Which one?
Guy: For All the Meantime Girls. Not all meantime girls stay as just meantime girls.
Ria: Oh, that’s based on my own experience.
Guy: Believe me, you won’t be a meantime girl forever. There’s somebody for you.

There’s more kilig experiences I’ve experienced, mostly of me meeting new guys in interesting ways. Sadly… these are all just at the beginning and maybe some midway through our non-relationships. I haven’t had a happy ending. Yet.

And while I know my life has never been and will never be a fairy tale, it’s not bad to hope that one of these happy introductions will become more than just memorable beginnings, right? After all, hope is what keeps us afloat.

I’m looking forward to having a life with someone, might not exactly be a happy ever after but at least, it’s not just a beginning. 😉

Photo courtesy of Chattee Lara. Shot at Mt. Sabrina, Tambler Hills, General Santos City.