I was a boyfriend stealer

“I was a boyfriend stealer.”



That's how people perceived me to be. Perhaps, some people still think that I had really stolen my spouse Barry from his girlfriend five and a half years ago. I cannot blame them, because they never really understood how things happened between us then...

It all started when Barry and I became friends. I knew then that he wasn't the type of guy who will befriend a girl for the sake of friendship. But then, I didn't mind that, because I was comfortable talking to him. Let's just say, I was the "bridge" to his relationship with a friend who was then his girlfriend. Being a hopeless romantic that I am, I helped him and my friend to get in touch as often as possible.

As far as I was aware then, the reason why they had to have a bridge was because he has a girlfriend. That girlfriend according to him is supposedly his ex but his family didn't want him to give her up. On the other hand, his family didn't like my friend for him. Since they were hiding their relationship, they needed someone to get messages across. So there I was, playing a girl cupid.

Little did I know that that friendship will go deeper. It came to a point that we were not talking about my friend who was his girlfriend as much. What we were talking about were my crushes at work. I trusted him about those things, probably because he was also close to my brothers. We called each other "pare," even before the famous shampoo commercial was aired.

A few more months and I found myself reading forwarded short messages from him at night. During those times, my friend wasn't around often. They seldom needed my service as their bridge. Yet, Barry and I frequently talked about other matters aside from love life. He was like a trusted male confidante to me.

Around three days before my 21st birthday, Barry and I were able to talk. He told me then that he would like to be there on the occasion. I told him I didn't have money, but he said he will be in charge of a case of red horse. I then told him that I will just text him if there's a celebration.

On my 21st birthday itself, I got some flower and food gifts from suitors. There was also one suitor who took charge of the alcoholic beverages for everyone. Funny, because I didn't invite anybody, but a lot of guys came. I texted Barry and reminded him of his promise. After eating dinner, he said that he'd just give his share if there's nothing more to drink. Apparently, the alcoholic beverages that night were overflowing.

I happened to talk to him more often than the time I spent with the other guests that night. Then, at around three in the morning of the day after my birthday, we bid goodbye. Since we were out at the plaza with my brothers and their whole "barkada," he offered to walk with me to our home. When we were just beside our doorstep, Barry pulled me toward him and kissed me passionately. I didn't know how and why it happened, but I kissed him back. Then, when I got back on my senses I said, "itigil na nga natin tong kalokohang to." (let's stop this foolishness)

I went upstairs and was about to close my eyes when I received a text from him. He said there that in whatever I do, I should take care of my self. His reason then was, "mahal kasi kita." (because I love you) I didn't know how to react then, but I found my self smiling after reading it.

That evening of April 6, he asked me over the phone if I would like to go out with him the next day. I said yes, without even thinking why. All I knew then was, if he would like to play games with me, I will. As far as I was concerned, I'm not the type of girl who will give in to a guy's demands that easy. I trusted my self so much that it didn't ever cross my mind that we can have a serious relationship.

We went out April 7 and watched a movie. After that, the following days seemed to pass faster than usual. We were like a couple when there wasn't even a specific day that we exchanged I love you. He did say that in his text, but not really personally.

He began acting like a boyfriend to me and got jealous of my suitors. There was one night that he asked me to go to his house and said we will talk. The next thing I knew, he all most forced me to have sex with him. That was because he was so jealous with one of my suitors who is a doctor. I was lucky that I managed to stop him and made him realize his mistake.

One day, I decided to stop fooling around with Barry. It was the day that I realized that I was having a deeper feeling for him. I didn't want to go on playing games with him because I was beginning to fall in love with him. However, I wasn't able to deny my feelings for him anymore. I asked him if he would like to come with me somewhere.

I really didn't have an idea where we will go, until I thought about going to a cousin's place. I texted my cousin and asked her how we can go to her house. (I wasn't aware where my cousin's exact place was) We went to Pulilan, Bulacan where my cousin lived. My parents didn't have an idea I was with Barry then. My cousin helped me asking their permission for me to stay overnight. She called them and said that she didn't want me to go home immediately because she missed me.

My cousin, Barry, and I had a good bonding moment while drinking gin calamansi. Then, Barry got a text from his friends asking where he was. I learned then that that day was supposedly the day they will be celebrating his friend and girlfriend's birthday. He said that he was with his "sweetheart" somewhere out of town. (that's me) He was then informed by his friend that his girlfriend was able to read his message.

That night, I was tipsy and very sleepy. I told my cousin that I wanted to sleep all ready so she prepared a bed in her living room. A few hours later, Barry woke me up as he kissed me. I didn't know if it was because of the alcohol or what, but that night I gave in. For the first time, Barry and I made love.

The following day was full of anxiety for me. I was thinking about what comes next after what happened between Barry and me. I was so worried that he will leave me because he got what he wanted and that he’s done with me. More so because I knew then that there will be a confrontation between Barry and his girlfriend as soon as he comes home.

I went to work that afternoon, aware that he was about to talk to his girlfriend. I all ready expected that he will ask for her forgiveness and make up with her. After all, she was the woman that they treated as Barry’s future wife. So, there was no reason for me not to think that I lose.

Later that night at work, I was surprised to see him outside. He picked me up and told me what happened between his girlfriend and him. He said that they broke up because she asked him to choose and he chose me. I didn’t know what to say so I asked him why he chose me. He said that he was in love with me.

I felt bad after that, because I felt the pressure of making him happy. I thought that if I will not be able to make him happy, then he must have made the wrong move. I wasn’t sure then if I will be able to love him as much as she loved him. I was afraid that he will not be happy with me because I wasn’t even sure if my love will be enough for him.

To make things more complicated, my family was informed that Barry was my boyfriend. They expressed their opposition to our relationship and even did terrible things to make us separate ways. My mom even tried to slap Barry and cursed him because of me.

It came to a point that I left our house to go away from my family. I opted to leave them than leave Barry. He brought me to my cousin’s place in Bulacan. About three weeks later, I had to go home because my parents said that they will allow Barry and I’s relationship.

They didn’t ask me to leave Barry anymore, but I saw in their actions that they’re still not fine with it. My mom and brothers often showed disgust when he was around.

One day, Barry told me that he wanted me to get pregnant. He said that that would be the best way for my family to accept him. He said that they surely wouldn’t want me to be a single mom so they will approve of him.

Six months into the relationship and we got married. We were four months pregnant then with our son Boris.

Some people were surprised that I was the girl Barry married. For the longest time, they knew that Barry’s former girlfriend will be his wife. Only a few people were aware that we were a couple.

I knew then that there were some who raised their eyebrows. Maybe, there’s still some who are not convinced that we got married because we love each other. Maybe, there are those who still think that we just tied the knot for the sake of our son.

I cannot, and shall not blame them. I just hope that one day, those people will realize that Barry and I had been in love with each other for more than five years. I did not steal him because I never intended to take him away from anybody.

Everything happened unplanned. We do not plan to stop loving each other either, just because people think that I was a boyfriend stealer...