A Forbidden Truth: Part II

A Forbidden Truth

Part II

All we need is love. But what is really love? Love is supposed to be beautiful, isn’t it? Love is supposed to set us free, isn’t it? But what if it is a clandestine love? One that is beautiful but supressed. Something that you share with him but you could not show the entire world? They say the ring is a paradox of marriage—it binds two people exclusively for each other yet it does so in an intricate social network in which the marriage itself depends.

April 2005. My girl friend (GF), accepted the offer of a multinational company to work as a Brand Development Assistant. I am processing my travel and scholastic documents to attend Msc. in Molecular Genetics in a university in Sweden.

August 2005. I am on my way to Sweden via Singapore. As a graduation gift, my family gave me a 4-day vacation in Singapore. I was pretty excited then since it is my first trip abroad. I took Philippine Airlines to Singapore. For some reasons, I nearly missed the flight. The check in counter is about to close when I arrived. But a good deal happened, all economy seats were already taken, ergo, I got a Business Class seat upon presentation of my Mabuhay Miles card--- free upgrade, yes!

I took my seat and a guy beside me said, “So it was, you!” I was caught off guard by what he said. Out of excitement perhaps, I didn’t notice that it took me a bit long to queue in the immigration section to get my passport stamped. The flight could have left 15 minutes earlier had it not for me. Well I have checked in, so they have to wait. I just gave that a guy a cold stare since I don’t know what to say.

The flight to Singapore is a boring three and a half hours. And the guy beside me was so quiet. I was hesitant to start a conversation because he already had a bad impression on my being late. But nonetheless, unconsciously, when he placed his hands on his lap, I can’t help but notice his watch. With a bit of a high voice, I said, “So you’re wearing Breitling.”

That started it all.

I have a penchant for men’s watches. And he, too, has, surprisingly. The watch became our conversation piece. We exchanged numbers and agreed to meet in Singapore for him to show his dad’s collection of vintage watches. I’m excited.

The guy is a pilot. Oh well obviously he’s wearing Breitling—a watch for pilots. He is six years older than me. But when we speak of watches, our common penchant, it is as if we are the same age.

On the following day, we met at a coffee shop near the famous Merlion. We had fun all day long. When the day is about to end, he invited me over to his place to look at the collection. His dad’s collection is astonishing! In his place, we grab a bottle of beer. Then another one. And another one…until we are drunk and completely helpless.

That, I did not know, would be the start of a shocking discovery. A day and a night that would change my life and his life…forever.

---Prince Henry