Could have been

March 20. It could have been four years now if they tried harder.

March 20, 2007. The day she finally surrendered to the fight against her heart. She keeps on battling her true feelings for him because she knows it won’t go anywhere. He was a typical jock at school: popular, good looking, and chick magnet. She was a typical introvert. She didn’t know what drew him into her and why he kept on following her around the campus. Yes, she’s a basketball fan but it never occurred to her that one member of the team could like her. After months of courting, exchanging text messages, few library sessions and lunch together, she gave in. She admitted she loved this guy.

She thought that their relationship was born out of boredom and him being fed-up on hot cheerleaders but as each day that they were together, she was slowly seeing through his intentions. He was there whenever and wherever she needs his help. He never hesitated or made excuses even though he was busy with school and training; she always liked to be alone and not used to have company all the time so she always shuts him out especially when he’s trying to get attention from her. Some people won’t put up with that attitude but he stayed patient just to avoid quarrels; she wasn’t comfortable in showing her feelings, saying I love you, or getting physical and her mood swings were worst than the weather but he’s fine with that as long as he knows she stays by his side; he never tried to cheat on her even though there are plenty of girls flirting with him as the only girl that’s beautiful in his eyes and the person he wants to be with was her.

Their relationship grew stronger and they became happier. They both graduate in college with hopes to do what they love. He fulfilled his dream to become a pro basketball player while she was still chasing her fantasy to become a writer. He was doing his best in the career he loves so much while she entered a field that she wasn’t sure fits her – teaching. She had a hard time adjusting because she didn’t have any idea how to teach a kid. She was trained to write a script, come up with an advertising plan, make a film, and produce TV shows. She was losing hope but he stayed and supported her all the way. He tried to help her check papers, do her teaching materials, and even writing her lesson plans. She appreciated everything he does for her and she loves him so much for that. In return, she tries to watch his games and cheer for him though most of the time he was sitting on the bench because he was just new in the team. Win or lose, she makes it a point that he won’t feel bad going home after a game. Then one game night, he asked her to move in with him. She said yes.

Living together was very pleasurable for them at first. It was his dream to wake up beside her and stare at her while she was still in slumber, to cook and eat dinner with her at the same table under the same roof, and make love to her. Every waking day became heavenly and every night was passionate. But their relationship had ups and down too like any other couple and theirs had more. Living together also means more fight. The reason behind a fight was always petty or unknown. She doesn’t like talking so they always end up a fight without even resolving anything. They will just stop fighting just because they are tired, not because they solved what’s wrong. She would stop talking. He will ask if something’s wrong. She will answer she’s fine but he feels something is bothering her so he would be persistent in asking what’s bothering her and usually that would come to blows. This went on for months. They were happy one moment then all of a sudden they were fighting over something nonsense.

The fights became frequent and they were not talking anymore like they used to. They just talk when they need to or if they felt they should break the silence at dinner. They still make love but for her it was just sex. She can’t feel the passion and burning love she used to feel back then. It was like she was just obliged to satisfy him every intercourse because they were living together. She always asks herself why they ended up like that. They were happy and she’s sure that they loved each other but she decided to break up with him to get over the misery. It was painful for her to leave him because she loved him so much. However, that love wasn’t enough to keep them together. He didn’t accept it but he let her go because he thought that could make her happy. He didn’t want her to leave and if he had the power to stop her, he would. He was sorry for everything that he did and didn’t do that made them drift apart.

It’s been three months since they separated. He’s still playing in the pro league, still a bench player though and she’s now working as a writer in a magazine. She fulfilled her dream but something is still missing. She wanted to share her happiness to that one person but that person wasn’t with her anymore. Today, it could have been their fourth anniversary. What had happened on this day in 2007 was still vivid in her memories. If only she could turn back time and have the chance to change everything, she would make things right with him. She will try to be more vocal and completely open her heart to him. She thought they would end up together just like what they planned before but those plans were gone the moment she left. He and what they shared will always stay with her forever. She still loves him and maybe she always will.

Note: The story is fully fictional. Any similarities with the characters, events, and settings in the story are not intended by the author.