LOVING HIM BEHIND

Trinidad is always alone since her childhood. Even if she has a brother and a sister they are separated when they continued their studies and lived in different places. Until she meets Julio at work at a hotel . She works in the hospitality department while Julio is working at the kitchen as a chef. They meet at the cafeteria during lunch break. Julio introduces himself ,telling her what does he do at the hotel. Trinidad feels not to welcome Julio. She hasn't talk to any of the opposite sex before. She has not communicated with a man as close in a moment like this. When she is taking her Tourism and Management course she didn't have the desire to meet someone to become her future partner. She answered Julio telling him he is at the hospitality department. Julio feels her uneasiness talking to him , as an excuse he is leaving having work to do at the kitchen. Trinidad continued her lunch thinking why he stayed away from men. During her college days she focused on her studies ,to finish and earn for a living. She stayed away from her classmates not even joining a group or meet classmates and have fun. In sports she is a bystander. She goes to watch the games and go home alone. She is used to let herself busy to be on her own. Staying at the library for long hours preparing her projects she is suppose to finish. What about having a boyfriend? This is out of her mind. Why? To her in her high school days, her classmates have boyfriends , when they have school trips , for her she has no courage to have one. She wanted to be alone. She concentrated on her studies. Her teachers encouraged her to join a group but she is really shy to go with them. She has been consistent to be on top of the student honor list. It is not her priority to be known like those in her capacity to dominate the limelight to be popular in their student circles like the school organ, athletics meets, and school celebrations. Nobody has beaten her high grades the only reason for her to become a class valedictorian. The same thing happened in her college days until her graduation. How about this time , will she put her attention with Julio?Trinidad have noticed Julio to be at the cafeteria every lunchbreak. He joins Trinidad as soon as she is seated. Do you think this small gesture will catch the attention of Trinidad? Will Trinidad allow him to extend their communication and know more of each other? Trinidad goes to the cafeteria as usual until that time she feels more comfortable talking to him. One time there is an incident that may have awaken the interest of Trinidad to Julio when he ask her if she can visit her at her boarding house. Although Trinidad feels uneasy she answered ,Yes. Julio is thankful he is able to get nearer to her to be with her alone. In his observation he noticed she is not as expensive as the other girls that he have met. He brought her some flowers that made her smile but she is not talking too much. She will only answer when Julio ask her something. Julio thought of cooking food for Trinidad for his next visit. She seems happy but Julio is expecting more from her to tell more about what she likes to be or to have. It is a riddle to him whenever he visits her. Both of them come from the province , they both work at the Metropolitan City of Pasay Philippines. They speak two different native languages but speak their national language which is Tagalog. Living alone in the city might be hard how can she survive being by herself, Julio wonders. How about her social life? What does she do on her off-days and holidays? Is she not bored to be working all days without any relaxation? Julio thought to invite her to go for dinner . Trinidad agreed to go to a nearby park. Is Trinidad cold to Julio, when they are there eating dinner. Trinidad sat and didn't move at all. Julio trying to please her he ask if they can have a joy ride on the ferris wheel. Trinidad agreed again. Up in the air sitting close together Julio feels in his heart to be joyful with Trinidad. He is so happy he is the one who is leading Trinidad, not her asking so many things from him much more he is the one leading with all their activities. Trinidad to herself doesn't like to ask any favor from Julio. She is afraid he may ask back what he has given to her if they will part from each other. It must be Julio who is going to tell her what to do. At the 25th anniversary of the Golden Lotus Hotel both of them received a certificate and a trophy to recognized their high commitment and dedication to the company showing their excellent performances. Julio invited Trinidad for a joint celebration with their friends and co-workers. Both of them thanked those in attendance and express their appreciation to their united efforts to work harmoniously. In this occasion Julio announced her relationship with Trinidad wherein they gave them a big round of applause. Trinidad didn't say much. Since the day they opened their relationship to their co-workers Trinidad began to look after Julio differently by helping him whatever she could to help him when he is very busy in the kitchen. to make his job easier for him since there are competitions he has to join. She helped Julio in the search of new recipes. This is an international competition and Julio needed so much preparation . Trinidad stays with him even if they stay late at night. Trinidad helped in the preparation of the dining hall. How many guests are coming to taste the food and how many judges will there be. At this occasion there must be someone to do the work behind for Julio and that is Trinidad. Julio is inspired with Trinidad's efforts. The new recipe Julio has introduced brought their hotel restaurant to a higher level to become a member of the Food Network Group at the International level. Julio thanked his colleagues in the kitchen and most of all Trinidad. They planned to go on a weekend vacation. Julio called the Springwater Hot Springs for an overnight stay. Julio decides to buy a ring for Trinidad to show her love and care to her. As a Filipino tradition and Christian practice when a man puts an engagement ring to a woman's finger this period is for the wedding preparations when the man will inform the woman's parents of their plan to settle down. Trinidad also received a bouquet of flowers to go with the ring in the quietness of the night after their dinner. They have a solemn night to spend on their own in a new phase of their loving relationship. Both practicing the Christian Faith it is clear to them the boundaries of physical and spiritual side of marriage. As it has been Julio is the one who decides all about their plans , Trinidad acts as the second fiddle. There is trust and confidence between them to make things work. There is no question about this to Trinidad. As their work progresses both Julio and Trinidad attended to their work diligently in preparation of their plan to get married. They sit together to discuss the details. Trinidad must see to it how much is their budget for the whole occasion, how many guests would be there and how much will be spent they agreed upon that all expenses will be shouldered by both of them. Her wedding dress and Julio's suit is being selected by both of them. Then the parents of Julio went to inform the marriage of Julio and Trinidad to be held at their church. The parents of Trinidad are willing to give permission to give their blessings. For Julio and Trinidad Julio's parents offered to host the wedding reception since they own a restaurant. Trinidad suggested her soon to be in laws to help them in the preparation of the wedding hall and decorative hanging designs for the occasion. Trinidad wants her wedding to be very special. This occasion happens only once in a lifetime. Marriage is very sacred to her as God has promised to bless the unity of a man and a woman in marriage. Raising a family is God's plan for mankind to become His sons and daughter's in His coming kingdom. At their wedding day many of their visitors are their co-workers admiring Julio and Trinidad to have prepared their wedding day in a very unique and extraordinary way. Trinidad did all in fashion but discreet to become less stressful asking only to Julio for advice. She does the work and don't let others intervene. After their wedding Julio and Trinidad agreed to live together at her boarding house to minimize their monthly expenses and save for the future. Trinidad knows how to handle her monthly budget to stick on expenses that is only needed. Julio is very thankful handing his pay envelope to her. One day Julio is surprised when Trinidad divulge to him ,they are ready to buy their own house. Julio didn't expect Trinidad could save that amount of money in a couple of years. All of their accomplished goals Trinidad have done for Julio loving him behind.GP