Luab: Today, it’s all about love

TODAY is Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air. For all of us who are still around, please don’t waste time. Life is so short! What if the one you truly love, the one whose presence you need, the one who brightens up your day and makes life worthwhile, what if she or he would suddenly disappear?

Today is our chance to hold hands, to kiss, to hug each other, to sit across each other at a dinner date, then maybe later, dance on the patio to end a perfect day, just savoring each other’s presence. Trust me to be full of imagery.

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There are so many ways of reaching out. One can always call and say, “I’m glad, we are more than friends,” or one can e-mail and say,” I miss you like hell, when are you coming home,” or one can just whisper into his ear and say, “I’m so happy you are here!”

I suppose there are still a thousand and one sweet nothings one can still say, without having to resort to an old school marm’s words but I suppose romantics like me can be forgiven for being too mushy. It’s Valentine’s Day!

A few days ago, my youngest daughter, Mariles, who has a family of her own, brought me three lovely yellow roses.

They were buds when they arrived and then they bloomed! Wow! All of my daughters know I love flowers of any kind. But it’s a single rose I like. There really is something about a single rose, which sends us women on a trip to the stars.

My message, however, is: “Gals and guys, you don’t have to buy anything expensive; just remember that today is special. You don’t even have to give anything. A loving look with the message of an 'I love you' is great. A tender brush of the back of your hand across her cheek, as you meet her at the school canteen amid friends, will tell her she’s special and she’s yours.” I think I better stop my poetic waxing before Fr. Manuel Uy, director of Sacred Heart School (SHS)-Jesuits, will see through me again. I distinctly remember the knowing smile of amusement I got when he said: “I read your article on the movies Twighlight and New Moon. “Further than that, there was no comment except that impish look which practically said: “Heavens! Where in the world do you get that teenage admiration for superheroes—and they are vampires at that!”

Kidding aside, though, somehow we women can be accused of not living in the real world but in an ideal world of our own where fantasies are conjured. Seriously, what’s wrong with dreaming of a world filled with knights from King Arthur’s Round Table? Bear with us gentlemen. As I said, it’s Valentine’s Day!

I can almost hear a snort from attorney David Yap, legal counsel at the Senate, or Dodo Alegue, businessman beyond par (two of my former students belonging to Batch 69 of SHS Jesuits), who looked and spoke like the hard core, sophisticated men of the world that they represented at the reunion.

I can picture both of them on either side of me saying, “You know, madam, what you are asking for went out with the Japanese soldiers in World War II” —with appreciative laughter exploding from the group.

I wouldn’t even have to retort because one of their batch mates would be quick to answer with: “Then what are you guys doing with the Godiva chocolates and the jewelry box you are hiding?”

Actually, dear friends, I am caricaturing because I know that men generally do not want to show their soft heart. I’m also hoping that the men whose names I mentioned without permission will not sue me. David and Dodo, I only tease people whose wit, minds and heart I know are in the right place.

To my Lord, to my Redemptorist and Jesuit friends, to my Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion nuns and Cenacle friends, and to my family who love me in spite of myself, now is the time for me to say, "Thank you for bearing with me." To Loleng Obejero, bless you for being a true friend. To a special friend, God love you and keep you safe. To my beloved readers, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”