THE traveling time from Manila to San Luis is two hours. But with good traffic flow on the streets, Ella reached her hometown in an hour and a half. Every year she used to prepare even a little something for Matthew. A simple dinner or lunch would do. And because his son loves Black Forest cake, she knew it should be present on his birthday.

Ella went down to the bus terminal. She started walking towards a prominent bakeshop. Inside she saw a man looking at the cake's shelf. She smiled upon seeing his son's favorite cake.

"Black Forest cake for me, miss," simultaneously Ella and the man said.

At that moment, the woman inside the counter was visibly shifting gazes between them. “Ahhh…” obviously she is confused or maybe having a second thought on what to say.

"Why Miss?" she asked wondering and then looked up at the man who she just noticed that was looking at her.

"Ella? Rafaella Martinez?" the man asked in assurance as he looked at her closely.

Ella wasn't sure if it is because of the way the man gazes at her or maybe...

She sighs and tried to act normally. She has to admit that the man is really handsome. And maybe that is the reason why she lost the ability to think straight.

"I hope you don't mind, but do we know each other?" she asked shyly and smiled.

The man's meaningful smile widened. "It's a good thing you are one beautiful woman, or else I might get offended," his charming smile seems to be permanently posted on his lips as he gave her a naughty wink which made her blush.

She could feel the intense redness in her face as she chose to straightly look into the man's face. And so, gradually it is as if someone from the past is coming alive into her memory. "Luis, Is it really you? Luis Salazar?" in the end, Ella wasn't able to resist a smile.

"Yes, I thought you would never remember me," he said laughing as he gave out his hand to her.

Ella is not sure why she has to feel that sudden electricity as their hands touch. But one thing is for sure. She may be nervous but the feeling of romantic excitement she has right now is really undeniable.

When the woman inside the counter cleared her throat to get their attention, Luis is still holding her hand. She seems to be back insanity when she found out that the cashier is wearing an amused smile as she swift her gaze to both of them.

"One Black Forest cake, please?" she said smiling.

"I'm sorry but this display is the only available on this flavor," the woman inside the counter apologizes.

It was when she looked up at Luis that is timely looking at her. "Is it okay with you? This is my son's favorite and it's his birthday today," she said in a low tone hoping that Luis would give her the favor.

The corner of Luis's lips rose and his eyes flickered."Okay," he replied.

"Thank you," Ella is pleased.

"So you have a son already?" it was in Luis' tone that he was interested in her answer. "oh, let me," it was Luis who volunteered on paying for the cake.

She laughed softly and accepted the cake when the cashier handed it to her. “It's his third birthday today. Anyway, are you going somewhere? Why don't you join us on our simple celebration? It's private and we have no guests. I'm sure my Aunt Ludy would be very surprised and happy to see you again,” she wasn't sure where that idea came from, but she has no regret of saying it.

She was in her first year in high school and Luis was in its fourth year when she met the young man.

Luis was a varsity player while she was one of the members of the cheering squad. That was their only relationship. But she also considered Luis as a friend who is the captain of the team.

She was the youngest on the squad so Luis often notices her. Aside from that, they actually became friends even though theirs was between hi and hello. But it also passed like a wind. She wouldn't wonder because those days, Luis' full attention was so focused on one girl, Kristel.

She even has this thought that everyone is invisible when Kristel is around. Anyway, she was known to be Luis' girlfriend but the two didn't confirm about it.

"Oh, what if your Aunt chases me with her broom?" Luis said laughing as he gave her a meaningful smile afterward.

Ella got what he meant so she timidly bent her head although she was smiling. "Aren't you going to buy a cake? Don't you like another flavor?"

Luis shrugged his shoulders. "Some other time, because for now, I would like to take the opportunity with your invitation," he said pointing on a black BMW parked at the front of the bakeshop.

"Thank you," she said as soon as she got herself inside the car. "are you a family man already? Did you and Kristel ended up together?" her questions as Luis is now sitting in front of the stirring wheel.

Ella noticed the sudden changes in Luis' expression but with a calm voice, he answered her smiling. "No, I'm not married," he said. "and for your second question, I'm sorry to say but we didn't end up together. She actually passed away eight years ago," she could feel the sadness in Luis' voice.

"I'm sorry," she said giving out a weak sigh.

She was not close to Kristel but the latter was never a bad person to her. Actually, whenever they had an encounter, she always smiles at her. She just can't help but regret why she had to die very young.

Luis nodded. "Heart failure and she was born with it," as he continues.

She was stuck there so she couldn't speak. She had never heard anything like that from her friends and colleagues in the cheering squad. “Only close friends and relatives know Kristel's true condition. That's what she wants, to be treated normally by everyone. She does not want to see anyone feeling sorry for her and her condition,” Luis continued giving her a look and turn on the engine.

"That was very sad," that is what she really feels at that very moment.

"How about you? How are you anyway and your lucky man, where does he come from?" Luis asked consecutively.

That question was not new to Ella but she could not understand why she suddenly felt sorry for herself. "I am a single, mother," she said in a shy tone.

The young man's thick eyebrows rose. “Oh, why do you sound so shy? It's not a shame to be a single mom, look at my mom. In fact, you are one of my most admirable people,” what he said is in Luis' tone of voice so she couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you," her short response.

Luis just smiled and stopped his car in front of their house. "It's good that I can still remember how to get here, " said the as he unbuckles the seatbelt.

“Thank you for letting me have the cake. I'm sure my son will enjoy this,” it is because he came to the store first so he was the one who supposed to had the cake but he gave it to her so she should be thankful. "By the way, where exactly are you supposed to go if you don't mind?"

"At the memorial park, it's Kristel's birthday today too," Luis answered.

"Oh I see, is this her favorite too?" she was pertaining to the cake.

Luis just shrugged. “Actually Lemon Cake was her favorite. It wasn't there so I thought of a Black Forest cake. But it's okay, it's still a long day,” he said.

She smiled at Luis. She could not understand why in the long run all of the magic she felt then seemed to be restored. She is thrilled to the point that she couldn't explain. In the depths of her heart, she knew that an old feeling had come to life. But she didn't want to pay to much attention to it. She didn't want to get hurt for the second time around with the same guy. But despite her dislike, she also couldn't resist all the memories that thrilled her and made her happy. For a moment, she seemed to be in front of her own yesterday.