>>This story originally has a happy ending but today I'll share the sad one. However, I'll type in the comments the happy ending it had if you ask for it.<<
A year passed by since I became a college graduate. I never knew my life was just about to start. At that time, I was out looking for a job.
The phone rang and I quickly answered it. "Let's have dinner together, I'll come pick you up", said on the other side of the phone. I answered "okay" and as usual, my mind would automatically create many scenarios of what will happen next.
I immediately went to prepare, wore a simple dress, put on some light make-up and had my hair tied in a ponytail. Soon enough, I heard someone knocking through my door.
I went to open it and what greeted me was a bouquet of flowers and a handsome man who was looking at me as if I was some kind of angel that fell from the sky.
My first reaction was hugging him and thanking him for the beautiful flowers. "You're always looking lovely, I'm very curious how am I even worthy to be in your presence".
I raised my eyebrow at him and chuckled a little, "Don't be silly". We arrived at the restaurant and he pulled the chair for me. I'm very curious what I have done in my past life to have a prince by my side.
We talked about casual things and after a while, we were finally done eating. I thought that was it but he suddenly looked at me seriously.
"Lia", he called my name with a gentle voice. I stared at him, "got anything to say?". However, he did not open his mouth to speak again and instead walked towards me.
My heart was beating fast and complicated emotions were filling me in as he kneeled in one leg and took out a small red box. I immediately knew what was happening. I wanted to stop it.
His next words were enough to create chaos in my heart and mind, "Will you marry me?". Marry!? marry? Did I hear him wrong?. I immediately panicked even though there was not much people around.
My mind went blank then he continued, "I know its a little bit early, but I want to see you in my arms every morning I wake up. I want to see your smile when I cook for you, I want to be able to help you around the house. There is no one in this world that I want spend my entire life with except for you. I might be a bit selfish but I promise you that I'll give my best to make you happy every single day."
I looked deeply into his eyes and realized that he too is experiencing a series of emotions. He knew me, my goals in life and one of it was not getting married until I become successful.
I tried to speak but no words came out. He was eagerly waiting for a reply. Silence continued for seconds so I took a huge breath and calmly said "no". He turned stiff while blankly staring at me.
"We are still young and should not think about marriage yet. You know I still have my dream to achieve and your business is still growing. There is a time for marriage but now is not it...I-I'm sorry." After saying those words, I saw the light in his eyes slowly fading away and I am very aware that it was all my fault.
I took the courage to help him up and knew that things can't continue this way. I told him that I was offered a job of my dream overseas and my flight is tomorrow morning. He was shocked.
I really didn't mean to keep it a secret from him. I just didn't know how and when to tell him.
He held my hands in his and with watering eyes looked at me. The pain and guilt tripled, I didn't like that, I don't want to see him hurting especially when I'm the reason why.
"I know your dream is that important to you...but you can still achieve it...here..here with me", he hugged me tight refusing to let go. I quickly freed myself from his warm embrace, torturing my heart and body that wants to be closer to him.
"This is my dream, the dream I've been chasing for so long and when its finally here, do you really want me to let go of the opportunity?". Deep in my heart, I hoped he would understand. I hoped that I can make him wait. But I guess not all people have patience.
He gave off a long silence while his head is facing down, "I understand". He gave off a smile, a mixture of happiness and sadness as he said, "you can now chase you dream my love".
I never heard him say he'd wait for me. Maybe because he doesn't know how long he'll have to wait and I understand because his one dream in life was to have a happy family of his own, I was unaware it has to be so soon.
That night, I didn't want to leave him and he didn't want to see me leave but we have different paths to walk on.
The next day, I looked back, he really didn't came to see me off. "I don't know what the future holds but I wish it would still be me and you in the end".
10 years passed, I was able to overcome the obstacles and finally became successful. But all throughout those times, I can't stop thinking about him. How he's doing, if he's eating properly and if he's getting enough sleep because ever since what happened, things just reached its end.
When I arrived home, my parents were delighted to see me. They asked me how was life overseas but just as I expected, they also asked me about him. All I could give as an answer was silence cause I don't know too.
I checked everything in the house and decided to go buy some groceries. I drove to the mall and went to the supermarket. After going through the aisles, I saw a face that I can never ever forget.
However, he changed not with how he looked but with how he had a cute little girl in his right arm and a beautiful woman walking beside him.
One thing I will always remember is how they all looked so happy, wishing the woman was me and that wishes don't come true.
