It Has Always Been You: Chapter 7a- Exchange Partners

James: Are you hungry?

Devon: No, I don’t want to eat. Can we just stay here? I don’t want to go home yet.

James: Okay, that’s the least I could do for you. It hurts me to see you like that, crying. (cupped Devon’s face)

                Devon smiled weakly. She knows that James treats her as a close friend but she feels there is something behind his words. “Could it be because you feel something special for me?”

Devon: Ano sabi mo? (wiped her tears)

James: Sabi ko, nasasaktan akong makita ka’ng umiiyak. (tinulungan si Devon pahiran ang mga butil ng luha sa mukha ng dalaga)

Devon: What do you mean?

James: Yeah, I admit, I don’t want to see you cry. I don’t want to see you hurting.

Devon: Why? “Please say because you love me James..”

James: Coz..Coz…you’re my friend, a special one. “Damn! Because I love you!”

Devon: Thanks. (smiled) “What am I thinking?! He already likes someone. Take a snap out of it Devon!”

                “You’re so coward James!” Being irritated to himself, he turned on the radio. The music playing is Why Can’t It Be by Rannie Raymundo.

“You came along, unexpectedly
I was doing fine in my little world
Oh baby please don't get me wrong
'Cause I'm not complaining
But you see, you got my mind spinning
(refrain):
Why can't it be
Why can't it be the two of us
Why can't we be lovers
Only friends
You came along
At the wrong place, at the wrong time
Or was it me”

                After hearing the chorus of the song, their eyes met. Pareho sila ng iniisip, they both feel that the song was meant to play for the both of them. They feel being struck by those words.

On their minds…

James: “Was it really love that came at the wrong time? Or I was just too late to claim the love that was really for me?” (staring eagerly at Devon)

Devon: “Was it really love that came at the wrong time? Or was it because I didn’t realize then that you’re the one I love?”  (lumaban din ng titigan kay James)

                Devon looked away first. “ ‘Wag kana’ng makipagtitigan..baka mahuli pa niya totoo mo’ng nararamdaman..”

Devon: Ahm, I think we should go home. I’m already sleepy. (smiled awkwardly)

James: Okay. But you can catch some winks. Malayo pa tayo sa apartment mo, traffic kasi eh.

Devon: Okay. “Okay na rin ‘to para hindi masyadong awkward..My God! Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng kanta’ng pwedeng i-play, bakit ya’ng kanta pa’ng iyan!”

“Baby I dream of you every minute
You're in my dreams
You're always in it
That's the only place I know
Where you could be mine
And I'm yours (Baby I'm yours)
Only till I wake up
REFRAIN:
Why can't it be
Why can't it be the two of us
Why can't we be lovers
Only friends
You came along
At the wrong place, (you came along) at the wrong time
Or was it me
REFRAIN:
Why can't it be
Why can't it be the two of us
Why can't we be lovers
Only friends
You came along
At the wrong place, (you came along) at the wrong time
You came along at the wrong place
At the wrong time
Or was it me (Or was it me)
Why can't it be...”

                There was a heavy traffic along the way. Devon fell asleep while James is concentrating in driving, but at times, he would give Devon a glance, since she is facing him. He can see the innocent face of the lady beside him, sleeping. The radio kept on playing. I Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain.

“Lying here with you 
Listening to the rain 
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face

Refrain:
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive 
These are the moments I'll remember all my life 
I found all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more

Looking in your eyes 
Seeing all I need 
Everything you are is everything to me 
These are the moments 
I know heaven must exist 
These are the moments I know all I need is this 
I have all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more”

James: Yeah. Moments that I’m alone with you are the moments I really cherish. Thank you Devon for coming into my life.

“Chorus:
I could not ask for more than this time together 
I could not ask for more than this time with you 
Every prayer has been answered 
Every dream I have's come true 
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be 
Here with you here with me 
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive 
These are the moments I'll remember all my life 
I've got all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more 
<Repeat Chorus> 

Bridge: I could not ask for more than the love you give me 'Coz it's all I've waited for 
And I could not ask for more 
I could not ask for more”

James: Kahit hindi ako ‘yong taong nasa tabi mo para ibigay ang pagmamahal na nakalaan para sa’yo, but don’t forget nandito lang ako sa tabi mo, nagmamahal ng palihim. Pero kahit pa man, hinding-hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal ko sa’yo Devon. I don’t want to see you cry and hurting because I love you, not merely because you’re a special friend. I just don’t have the courage to tell you. And besides, it’s too late for me. I love you since our high school days. Sorry, kasi nasasabi ko lang ‘to ‘pag tulog ka or kapag hindi mo ‘ko naririnig. Ang duwag mo talaga James Burgoyne!