Simula

Happy ending was a canvas, painted with diverse brushstrokes. Each person's masterpiece was unique, a reflection of their own experiences and dreams.

Some saw happy ending through the lens of fairy tales, where love conquered all and "happily ever after" was the ultimate prize. They envisioned couples riding off into the sunset, hand in hand, after battling through life's storms.

Others took a more pragmatic approach, believing that happy ending wasn't solely defined by romance. They argued that true fulfillment came from living life on one's own terms, even if that meant flying solo.

But I, once upon a time, had a different vision. I believed that marriage was the pinnacle of happy ending, the crowning jewel that made life complete. Na kapag kinasal na kayong dalawa, wala ng delubyo na dadating. Na matatapos na lahat ng problema. Na puro nalang saya at pagmamahal.

Childhood dreams danced in my mind like sugarplums. "Clyde, anong gusto mo pag laki?" they'd ask. My answer was always laced with certainty. "Gusto kung maikasal sa lalaking tulad ni Papa."

Growing up, my heart beats for romance. I devoured fairy tales and swooned over love stories. The thrill of falling in love, the promise of forever, and the warmth of a gentle kiss – I longed to feel it all. As I drifted off to sleep, fantasies swirled in my mind. I envisioned chance encounters, whirlwind romances, and happily-ever-afters. My imagination ran wild, crafting tales of love and marriage.

"Hindi kaba natatakot sa magiging asawa mo?" my friend asked, her voice laced with concern. I shook my head, a confident smile spreading across my face. "No, I'm not scared." Marriage, to me, was the ultimate fairy tale ending - the culmination of love, commitment, and happiness.

But my friend's words dripped with skepticism. "Girl, check your social media. Even couples who've been together for decades are getting divorced." Her words hung in the air like a challenge, but I refused to let them sink in.I shook my head, determined to cling to my romantic ideals.

No, no, no. Marriage is beautiful. It's forever love, forever happiness. I repeated the mantra to myself, a desperate attempt to drown out the doubts creeping into my mind. But the seeds of uncertainty had been planted, and I couldn't shake the feeling that my fairy tale ending might not be as guaranteed as I thought.

In the enchanted realms of fairy tales, I witnessed timeless love stories unfold. Each narrative wove a spellbinding tapestry, culminating in the majestic finale: a tender union, sealed with vows of eternal devotion. This whimsical world taught me that marriage was the crowning jewel, the radiant beacon that illuminated the path to happiness.

Or so I believed, with a heart full of wonder. But as the seasons of life unfolded, my canvas of understanding began to evolve. The brushstrokes of experience added depth, complexity, and nuance. Colors blended, swirled, and danced, revealing a kaleidoscope of emotions. The once-clear landscape of marriage as the ultimate happy ending began to blur, like watercolors in the rain.

My lawyer's eyes, clouded with concern, searched mine for reassurance. "Are you certain about this?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of sadness. As my best friend, she knew the dreams I'd harbored since childhood. I steeled myself, my voice firm. "Yes." But her gaze lingered, as if willing me to reconsider.

"You've dreamed this since you were young," she reminded me, her words a gentle prod.I shook my head, a resolute smile masking the turmoil within. Life, I'd come to realize, wasn't a fairy tale. It didn't always unfold as we hoped or dreamed.

As my lawyer guided me through the legal process, the fantasies of my youth began to shatter, like delicate glass dropped on cold, hard stone.I walked out of her office with a confident stride, but deep within, a young girl's dreams lay in tatters.

I'd been so focused on my fairy tale ending, so convinced that I was the princess waiting for her prince, that I'd forgotten one crucial truth: I wasn't a character in a storybook. I was real, and life was complicated.

As I drove back home, a scene unfolded before me like a bittersweet serenade. A young couple, radiant with love and promise, walked hand in hand, their eyes locked in a gaze that whispered forever. A solitary tear escaped my eye, as memories of my own love story swirled in my mind like autumn leaves.   That young couple, full of dreams and vows, was once us. The ghosts of our past lingered, taunting me with whispers of what could have been.

"Ikaw lang ang babaeng mamahalin ko" – the warm, honey-toned voice of my love echoed in my mind, transporting me back to the altar where we exchanged vows.   "I will always be there for you, through ups and downs," he promised, his words painting a masterpiece of forever in my heart. The butterfly in my stomach danced with joy, as my childhood dreams finally came true. I had married the man I loved most, and for a fleeting moment, our love story was the stuff of fairy tales.

"Lie," I hissed to myself, as unwanted memories crept into my mind like thieves in the night. Promises, once the foundation of our love, had crumbled into mere words – empty, hollow, and meaningless.

I sat in my car, parked outside the house we once shared, gathering the shattered fragments of my courage. The engine's gentle hum was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. I inhaled deeply, the air filling my lungs like a weight, before stepping out into the uncertain.

As I entered our house, a sense of déjà vu washed over me. The rooms were immaculate, the appliances sleek and modern, but the space felt hollow, a shell of its former self. The laughter, the tears, the whispers of forever – all gone. The silence was oppressive, a heavy blanket that suffocated me. I wandered through the empty rooms, my footsteps echoing off the walls, a haunting reminder of what we once had, and what we'd lost.

My eyes landed to the sofa that we used to sit with each other. Another waves of memories flick into my mind like a blistering wind.

As we snuggled into our sofa, the soft glow of the TV casting a warm light on our faces, he turned to me with eyes that shone like stars. "I can't wait to start our family together, my love," he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.We shared our dreams, our hearts beating as one. I asked him, "How many children do you want?"

His gaze locked onto mine, filled with an adoration that made me feel like the most precious gem in the universe."It's up to you, my love," he replied, his smile a gentle breeze that soothed my soul. "It's your body, not mine. You decide, and I'll be here to support you every step of the way."His words wrapped around my heart, filling me with gratitude. I felt like the luckiest person alive, blessed to have found a love that shone brighter than the brightest star.

I shook my head violently, as if trying to dislodge the memories that clung to me like a shroud. I inhaled deeply, steeling myself for the task ahead. With a heavy heart, I trudged up the stairs, each step echoing through the silence. I began to pack, my hands moving mechanically as I tried to erase all traces of myself from this house. Our childhood fantasies, our love – everything would be left behind.

Tears streamed down my face as I folded and packed my clothes. I wiped them away, but they kept flowing, a relentless reminder of the pain that threatened to consume me. Suddenly, a pair of gentle hands brushed away my tears. "You'll only be gone for one week, my love," he whispered, his warm voice a soothing balm to my shattered heart.But the tears wouldn't stop. I abandoned my packing and flung myself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm going to miss you," I choked out, my voice barely audible. He held me at arm's length, his hands cradling my face. I felt small, fragile, and utterly lost in his gaze."I'll call you every morning and night, so you won't miss me too much, okay?" he promised, his eyes sparkling with reassurance. "I'll update you every second. You'll feel like I'm right there with you." I nodded, a small smile trembling on my lips. With renewed determination, I returned to my packing, the ache in my heart slightly eased by his words.

I dabbed at my tears, my fingers tracing the paths of sorrow on my cheeks. I shook my head, as if trying to dislodge the memories that clung to me like a persistent mist. But like a phantom, another recollection of him materialized, haunting me with its presence.

How could I forget when every gesture, every movement, every breath seemed to whisper his name? The ghosts of our past lingered, echoing in every action, every decision, every heartbeat. It was as if our love had infused itself into the very fabric of my being, making it impossible for me to escape the memories that bound us together.

With my bags packed and my heart heavy, I made my way downstairs, the silence echoing through the empty halls. But as I reached the bottom step, my gaze collided with a pair of eyes that I had hoped to avoid. They stood before me, a piercing stare that bore into my soul, filled with a toxic mix of sadness, pain, and hatred.

The air seemed to thicken, heavy with the weight of unspoken words, as our eyes locked in a silent standoff. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a sea of tension, our hearts beating in discordant rhythm.

"Aalis ka na? Iiwan mo na 'ko?" His voice cracked, shattering the facade of the happiest, most optimistic soul I'd ever known. His face contorted in anguish, a canvas of despair.I averted my gaze, biting back the tears that threatened to spill.

With a deep breath, I reached for the brown envelope I'd prepared, its contents a harbinger of destruction. The annulment papers felt like a weight in my hand, a tangible representation of the shattered dreams and vows that lay in ruins.

As I handed him the papers, his eyes widened in shock, and tears began to flow like a river of sorrow. His gaze pierced mine, a window to the anguish that ravaged his soul. I felt the sting of his pain, a reflection of my own heartbreak.

"IIwan mo na talaga ako," he whispered, the finality of his words a dagger to my heart.

We stood there, frozen in time, our eyes locked in a silent understanding of the devastation we'd wrought. Suddenly, he took a step closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mukhang hindi na kita pa mapigilan na manatili." I wept, my heart splintering into a million pieces.

He wiped away my tears, his touch a bittersweet reminder of what we'd lost."Stop crying, it hurts me to see you cry," he said, forcing a smile.

His arms enveloped me, a warm, fleeting hug that would be our last. As we parted ways, he whispered his final words of love:

"I love you, Clyde."

Those three words shattered me, a devastating blow that left me breathless. I walked away, leaving behind the fragments of, the love we'd shared, and the dreams we'd once cherished. The ghosts of our past lingered, a haunting reminder of what could never be again. Our shattered vows.