April 5th, 2008

The air rang with raucous laughter. Vibrant conversations and the noise of passing traffic nearby filled the air.

I gingerly played with the stirrer in my drink, throwing glances at the door of one of hundreds of coffee shops in the metro. the night had already awakened and nocturnal beings filled the establishment.

After a few more minutes, a familiar figure passed through the glass doors and made its ways towards me.

"Pre," he said.

"Dude," I replied. Reaching out a hand, i took his and shook it. "How's life, Chris?"

"Work's kept me busy enough to keep me from realizing that I don't have any," he smiled.

"Aaahh," I grinned, "the life of a young urban professional. Is that why you haven't even called me in the last 5 months?"

"Nope, I'm just really trying to avoid you," he joked. "Seriously though, has it been that long?"

"Probably longer. I didn't keep track. But my calendar does say it's April already and i distinctly remember we met way before Christmas".

"Wow," he replied,"it has been too long".

"Yes it has."

"So what's new with you?", he asked.

"C'mon dude,you know better than to ask me that. Like I always say.."

"I know, i know. 'Same old, same old'", he chuckled.

"Nice," I snorted, "you got me down pat."

"I practice," he chuckled.

"Aren't you gonna order a drink?" I queried.

"Maybe later," he replied, looking at the short queue at the counter. After which, he shifted his gaze outside.

"Something on your mind," I asked. I looked at him intently.

"Quite a lot actually," Chris replied, his stare still off into the distance, seemingly distracted.

"Mind sharing it with me?" I queried.

"Of course," he replied, looking at me. " I actually needed to tell you this so I can make a better judgment."

"Shoot."

"I'm getting married," he replied, nonchalantly, his eyes looking straight at me. I know that stare. It's the stare of conviction. The look he makes when he knows he needs to do something and he has the determination to see it through.

"Quit pulling my leg," i replied. But I know him enough to be sure that he wasn't joking.

"I'm not," he replied.

"And who are you marrying then? Jen?" I teased.

"What? Jen, who? What do you mean?," he asked, obviously confused.

"Never mind," I laughed, "Again, who are you marrying?"

"My girlfriend," he replied.

"You don't have a girlfriend," I snapped back.

"I do," he said, stressing his point.

"Really?" I asked, stunned at the revelation.

"Really. For about 2 months now," he replied.

"What?", I asked incredulously. I didn't know which part shocked me most. That he had a 2 month-long girlfriend or that's he's marrying a girl whom he's known for only 2 months. "Are you crazy? Stop fooling around, man. Are you high or something?".

"I'm dead serious, pre," he stressed, his gaze meeting mine. "I met her a couple months back at a fastfood. She was alone at a table and there was nowhere else for me to sit. We shared tables."

"Naks," I said,"that's a nice story you could tell your kids someday. Well, I'm happy for you then."

"Thanks, pre," he said,his shoulders relaxing. He obviously has been carrying this for a while and needed to unload it.

"Look," I continued,"no offense, man. But you marrying a girl you've only known a couple of months is crazy. Marriage is complicated and it's not something to be played around with. It'll change your life more than you can imagine. Longer relationships ended with separation. What chance do you think your 2-month old relationship have?"

"I know," he croaked, "but it's more than that. I think she's the one."

"On what ground," I retorted,"you could have said that about your last two relationships, and look where they ended up."

His expression suddenly changed. He looked defeated. Confused.

"I'm sorry to bring them up, man," I said, apologetic for bringing up a very hurtful memory, " but you have to think about it carefully. Whatever she makes you feel right now. Whatever you think she means to you. It still could change. 2 months is just 60 days. It may seem forever to you, but in reality, its too short. I'm not saying marrying her may be a mistake. But it's definitely something you can't back out of if it doesn't work out later on."

"It's just," he murmured,"i feel that she's the one. And maybe, i'm a half bit scared myself that she'd leave me again the same way the others did. I loved them. I love her. And i don't wanna lose her. And this is the only way I can be sure that I won't."

I didn't know what to say. He's always been such a strong person. But how is that love always finds the chinks in all our armors? How does it manage to break down all of us, strip us naked, defenseless, uncertain?

"Look," I said,"you're thirty, man. I know you've given this a lot of thought. You already know what you're doing. And you should also know that I'm behind you a hundred percent. We should be grateful. You have someone. And now, you have the opportunity to get married. Not everyone can be blessed with such a chance."

"Thanks, man," he replied, "I love her. I really do. And i really do wanna marry her. Even if it doesn't work out. I still want to make this choice."

"Congratulations, then," I said,"So when's the date?"

"December," he replied,"it'll give time to plan everything and have our families come home for Christmas."

"I assume I'll be best man," I said.

"You don't have to even ask that, pre," he replied.

"So i guess this is it," I quipped,"no more Broken Hearts Coffee Club."

"No more," he smiled wickedly,"She has these gorgeous cousins who are single too and I've told them about you."

"Really now," I grinned.

"Really," he smiled.

"Well, let's drink to the dissolution of the Broken Hearts Coffee Club then," I said, raising my cup. And we both laughed.