J a n u a r y 9 t h 2 0 1 7
All the chances that weren’t taken, all the what ifs and could’ve been-s.
My almost three years of relationship just ended. We were supposed to be celebrating our third year together on March but things change, people change. Sometimes you just realize you’re left drowning while the other one already reached the shore and couldn’t wait anymore.
The almost three years of great adventures in spite of distance between us. We never thought that it would be this serious because we were just fresh from high school and we all know that high school relationships don’t last. Well, most of them. Almost three years filled with lots of lessons and sacrifices.
I was given almost three years to look deeper into his soul, past his freckled skin that I love most. I was given almost three years to know every detail about him, like the two moles he has on his right cheek, like how I have two moles on my left cheek. I was given almost three years to understand him more and be as patient as I could be.
We were only given a number of hours to be together and my most favorite ones are those when I can stay longer and fall asleep beside him. We were given only a number of hours to see each other’s faces and remember every detail about ourselves. We were only given a number of hours to say how much we missed and love each other.
Three years of ups and downs, three years of filling in the gaps from we were away from each other. It took me three years to understand that sometimes, you just can’t rely on I love yous because you have to feel it. You have to see it. The moment you cannot, that’s where it falls apart.
It took me three years to realize that no matter how hard you try, you can never be enough. Your actions get annoying... you crave for more attention. It took me three years to realize that people get tired too. They get tired from how things are left monotonous, like the plant you bought but never took care of. It took me three years to realize that no matter how hard you try, when the other doesn’t feel it anymore, you can’t force it. You never will.
It took me three years to realize that people burn out too, like candles. They bring the brightest light the first time you carry it between your hands, making sure that the fire won’t go. It took me three years to realize that candles melt and each wax drop is painful but you still hold it anyway. It took me three years to realize that the longer you try to keep the light, it will die out eventually.
I think there’s so much more room for realizations but here’s the thing. Three years are enough to see the beauty in someone. The way their face brights up when they’re talking about something they like. The way they talk when they feel like something is wrong. The way they chew their food, the way their face dims when they’re angry.
Three years are enough to see a person wholly and stick with them through the tough times. Three years are enough to make people realize that they couldn’t fight for something they want anymore. That it’s easier to give up than to try.
You gave me three years to see the best in you despite the bad. You gave me three years to know every bit of you and understand you. Three years that all melted so you can find yourself without me to guide you. It would’ve been nice to grow with you, to find ourselves side by side.
You found the shore and I’m still learning to swim.