I did not truly want to take that step. After all, the Collins and Rodrigo families had a bond that spanned generations, their elders being old friends.
Harvey and I had been childhood sweethearts once, our lives intertwined from the start.
But things changed when he went abroad to study. For nearly a decade, we drifted apart, losing all contact.
The next time we met was at a banquet where the two families were preparing for a marriage.
He was polite and handled questions raised by his elders with ease.
Over the years, in addition to dealing with the affairs of the group, I had often hung out in nightclubs looking for male models to relieve stress.
I had assumed that after so many years apart, our reunion would be marked by awkwardness and unfamiliarity.
To my surprise, when we were alone, I discovered that beneath Harvey’s calm demeanor lay a witty, humorous soul.
It was as though the years melted away, instantly rekindling the warmth and connection of our youth.
We admired each other deeply, both of us flourishing in the early stages of our careers.
It was not long before admiration blossomed into something more, leading to our engagement and, eventually, our marriage.