Jeric and Ayeth: How It Started

It was in the year 2000 when they met at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. It was the first day of their 3rd year in college. It was the year when they first became classmates, both taking Economics as major. It was his first choice since first year college, while for her it was her stepping stone before taking up law. They have seen each other in the school hallways and corridors even before that, but have not been introduced formally to each other. Even on that first day of school, no one introduced them to each other. She has her own group of friends and he has his. They were both early in school and both would often wait inside the classroom for their classmates and/or professors to arrive. While, she would rather read or relax while waiting for the class to start, he, on the other hand, would rather joke around with their other classmates and try to make everybody laugh. She was so irritated by this. So she would always burst his bubbles every time he’s showing off or joking around. One day, on her way to school, she noticed that he was riding the same jeepney she was in. Since she didn’t want to talk to an obnoxious person like him, she pretended that she didn’t see him. She kept ignoring him even after the woman sitting in between them alighted from the jeep. But then suddenly, he called her by her name, and asked her to move closer to where he was sitting. She had no choice than to show some politeness, so she moved closer to him. That was the first time they had a decent conversation. It was about the latest school stuff. She lives in Sta. Ana and he lives in Paco, thus, there is a possibility that they would be riding the same jeepney everyday. When they arrived in school, everyone took notice that they were arriving together. Their classmates started teasing them. He, being a class clown, was more than happy to ride-on to their classmates’ teasing, but she wasn’t. Every day from that day on, he would always teasingly put his arms around her and act as if they were already going out, and he would do this in from of all their classmates and friends. She, on the other hand, would always get offended by this and would immediately remove his arms and hit him with her elbow to make him go away. There were also times that he would act like a boyfriend following his girlfriend to the next class. And there are times where he would ask his classmates sitting beside her in the class to exchange seats with him so he can sit beside her. Even when she’s not around, he would tell their classmates that he likes her a lot and that she will be his girlfriend someday. But when she’s there, he would just continue being the joker and clown that he is. He continued doing those things for days, weeks and months until even she, who was very irritated by those acts, became accustomed to it.

As time went by she started feeling different about him. She later on learned to laugh on the jokes that used to irritate her. She also grew tired of removing his arms and hitting him with her elbow every time he puts his arms around her. Soon, he started carrying her things to class. She woke up one day and realized that she is now in a dilemma for she is falling for him, but not sure if she should because she doesn’t know if his actions were true or just a joke. Things got even more complicated when she also learned that they belong to different religions. She is a Catholic and he is an Iglesia ni Cristo. She is a church choir at her church for almost 5 years already at that time, while he is a member of the Finance committee in his church.

They graduated in 2002, and she entered law school immediately after that, while he started looking for work. Despite the different paths they took, they became even closer after graduation. She gladly went with him each time he invites her on “friendly” dates. They enjoyed each other’s company so much that their “friendly” dates grew more often. Her feelings for him also grew stronger, though she was not really sure if he feels the same way as her. But then, after a year of going out on “friendly” dates with him, she grew weary and confused. One day, they had a fight over something they both couldn’t remember now, and ended up with him totally cutting their communication. She was so devastated and hurt because she already had feelings for him. What she doesn’t know was that he was hurt too. They both tried to live their separate lives for about more than a year after that. She studied hard day and night just to forget him and thought she was doing well. He, on the other hand, worked hard to forget her and also thought he has succeeded. They both thought they could forget each other, but in their hearts they couldn't.

One day, he couldn’t pretend anymore, so he began texting her again. She was surprised not only on the part that he tried to revive their communications, but also on the part that she was really happy about it. From then on, he would fetch her after school every other day and take her to dinner. They also continued going out on “friendly” dates, but this time they know there is something special about it. This went on for another year or so, that she finally believed that they could be together. Then one night, after he fetched her from school, and after he dropped her at her jeepney stop, he texted her “goodbye.” No reason was given. She was so shocked, hurt and confused. She texted and emailed him to get an explanation but she got none. He totally ignored her texts and emails after that. She cried herself to sleep for months... every day, when she rides the jeepney going to school and going home, she would also cry for she remembers him every time the jeepney passes by his house. She was so depresed, but also knew that she has to continue on with her life for the people depend on her and on her dream of becoming a lawyer. What she didn’t know is that he was lonely and miserable too. He didn’t want to say goodbye to her, but he believed at that time that he has to do so for he thought it was the right thing to do given the religious difference that they have, and also because he loves his family and doesn’t want to bring them more problems. Again, the two got separated with no communications whatsoever. They tried to avoid each other on occasions because their wounds hasn't healed yet. She started working part time while studying to occupy her time and mind.

On one fateful day, she received a call at the office where she was doing her part time job. She froze when she heard his voice on the other end of the phone, although she tried her best to sound normal and unaffected to him. Since then, they have tried to settle their differences and have always been supportive to each other in everything that they do. They have become more open and honest to each other with respect to their thoughts and feelings. Finally, their relationship became official after she passed the bar. The rest was history.

Now, whenever someone asks them how long they have been together, they ask them in return "Officially?". Officially they've been a couple for 3 years now, but more than 7 years before that, they have already been together fighting life's challenges and falling deeply in-love with each other. Now, with more than 10 years of being together, they are more in-love than ever, and looking forward to a lifetime forever.