Walking out of the cinema, she laughed along with her friends. Most of them were mocking how the movie line was so predictable. It always started of with the pretty girl being the villain, the handsome boy who was the conquest and the ugly girl who was being bullied by the pretty girl. It had to also end with the handsome boy falling for the ugly girl. Their laughter was short lived as their own thoughts consumed them. Was the plot really so funny and predictable or was it a relatable dream?
She wasn’t an outstanding beauty nor was she hideous; she was your typical plain Jane. Amongst her friends, she hardly stood out. In fact, the boys would usually always pick her prettier and slimmer friends. It was not like her to shy away from the lime light, but she didn’t hog it either. So while everyone around her was busy with their current beaus’, she simply stayed single.
She simply didn’t believe in love. She had plenty of male friends and the occasional interested admirers whom which she would convince to stay just friends. She knew friendship was far more valuable than teenage love. Her friends called her pessimistic but she knew she was just being realistic.
It all stemmed from her parents’ failed marriage. They were high school sweethearts and dated a decade before actually tying the big fat knot of love and commitment. Twenty five years later, they were bitter and divorced. She knew well enough that they once loved each other very much. It scarred her nonetheless. It scared her that the woman, who was once her strong confident mother, crying night and day in the shock and loss of a love once shared, could be her. It scared her that loving someone could be so utterly painful.
Friday night was always a busy night for the campus diner. She walked in with her notes and scouted for an empty table. Lady luck was on her side as a love infused couple walked out hand in hand was from a corner table.
As she settled down comfortably, a tall guy came to clear her table. As their eyes met, recognition flashed before them. She felt a stir in her heart as it skipped a beat. He flashed a smile with those eyes and that iron clad armor surrounding her heart melted. He was the leading achiever in the Law course. He was also rumored to be the bachelor no girl could get. As she snapped out of her thoughts, she cleared her throat and uttered a hello that was certainly too high pitched.
As he took her order of French toast and coffee, they made polite conversation. She knew he was simply being friendly but something urged her to ask him along for a drink. He politely declined due to the fact he was still on shift. Blushing a dark shade of red, she smiled and quickly looked away.
That night, after the buzz of the crowd died away, there they sat, under the lighting of fluorescence with the music of the late Elvis playing softly in the back ground, the comfort of velvet cushions and fries, she realized that she was just as much of a hopeless romantic as he was. Ashamed with this new revelation, she listened silently and intently as he unraveled the explanation of his bachelor status. He simply explained that there wasn’t a girl yet in his life that could amaze and shake him to the core. She smiled a shy smile as that small truth sent shivers down her spine.
Slivers of the shade red, blue and purple intertwined with the ball of fire as it immersed itself into the Caribbean Sea, as she sat there feet crossed under her. The memory of them and how they first met lies fresh in her mind. Almost a decade ago was when they first met. A smile spread slowly across her face as she flashed through their time spent together.
He was the first of many to break through her wall. He stayed by her despite her insistent pushes and shoves. He listened and said nothing while she opened up slowly. He held her close and tight as she cried in front of him for the first time. He spent every moment of his free time making her smile and laugh. He carefully arranged to spend their Valentine’s Day together. He thoughtfully picked out presents for her and her family as if they were his own. Each moment they spent together was cherished abundantly. As she twirled her hair around her fingers, she realized he was the epitome of every girl’s dream.
Strong and tan arms snaked around her waist tightly from the back, and a laugh broke from her as she instantly felt the rich feeling of love spread through her. His love was ever so blissful to her. As he kissed her hair and whispered sweet nothings to her, she turned to take a look into those emerald blue green eyes speckled with gold. Those eyes that bore into her soul, those eyes that still stared her down while she tried to hide, those eyes which loved her every insecurity inside and out. Those eyes which mesmerized her from the first look.
A decade later, it was blissful and sincere love which was why this careful daughter of a careless man dared to love. Through thick and thin, medical and law school, that he swore to love her forever and always. And in him and God, she learned to have faith and believe. To believe in the one thing she swore she never believed in. Love.
sometimes i believe that perhaps one day i'll have it all just like this. but i think i know better than that. :) the truth doesnt just hurt. it scars you. and as it scars you, it makes you do silly things. it can make you say and do things you will regret forever but know it's all too late. sometimes with family and friends, you unknowingly hurt them and are hurt and you do things in a haste of emotions. but somehow or rather, you always make amends. but this time idk. i dont wanna watch you go down this road anymore. i want you to change. i dont wanna see you suffer anymore. thats all i pray about and want for you. is it that bad?
