There is a song to every story.

We all have a song we associate with our lives. Or our feelings. A song that reminds us of something or someone. And at one point in time, that song could have been the only thing that kept us going; the only sound we'd like to hear when we've shut off our ears and our hearts from all the noises in the world.Welcome to The Unwritten Melody, a compilation of short stories inspired by my playlist. Our songs may be different but our stories are just the same.

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Passenger Seat

“Turn up the radio! It’s a great day!” I looked at her as we drove along the road on the way to the beach. She was so beautiful. She was bigger than life and I was so happy I get to spend the rest of my life with her. 

“Tom, do you remember that song? Turn it up!”

How did I get so lucky?

***

“Hey, pop! You okay?” It was my daughter, Caitlyn. She looked exactly just like her mother.

I remember that day when it was her mom who was sitting beside me in the car. She died twelve years ago when she gave birth to Caitlyn. She had a difficult pregnancy and she left me with our daughter.

“Do you miss her?” Caitlyn asked.

“I guess, when you loved someone so much as much as I loved your mother, you’ll never stop missing her.”

“Do you sometimes wish you were with her instead of me?”

“I want to be with both of you but your mother wouldn’t have it the other way,” I glimpsed at my daughter and for a while, I thought I saw her mother. I tried my hardest to give Caitlyn a normal life, despite not having Lisa around. The first few months were the hardest. On top of raising a child, I was also battling my own grief. I lost my wife, my best friend, the love of my life.

“Did mom love driving around?”

Yes, she did. Lisa loved having her hair brushed by the wind. She loved the feeling of morning air in her face as we drove around town. She loved playing loud music as we went past other cars. “Yes, sweetheart, she did.”

I miss her. I miss the days when we travelled with my car, driving long stretches, spending overnight on the road, and having stopovers in gasoline stations to get ourselves some snacks. I miss the times when she would simply just hold my hand and smile as I drive. I miss guessing what she was thinking every time she gazed outside the car window.

Caitlyn is more than just a reminder of her mom. She is her – flesh and blood. Her lips. Her eyes. Her smile.

“I have an idea,” I told Caitlyn.

“What?”

Lisa might have died twelve years ago but that doesn’t mean I cannot relive the days I had with her, not if I have Caitlyn. “Open the window,” Caitlyn looked at me confused.

“You never let me open the car window before,” she said.

“Today’s a special day. I can feel your mom’s presence and she loves it that way.”

Caitlyn closed her eyes and smiled. “Hey, mom. Do you want me to turn up the radio?”

Caitlyn never got the chance to meet her mother but she was every bit like her.

[theunwrittenmelody]

Listen to Broken by Jake Bugg

Broken

“Hey! Stop looking at your phone! Can you not obsess with that guy?” Isobel quipped.

She’s right. I have been looking at my phone every five minutes, wishing Kurt has replied on any of my messages. But he hasn’t.

“Can’t you take a hint? If he likes you, he will come around.” Isobel is the most horrible person I know. She tells you the truth and makes sure you listen to her.

“I’m checking emails.” I lied.

“If you say so.” She pretended to believe me. “Really, Jamie, stop it. Guys go after what they want. If he wants you, he would have chased you way before you chased him.”

“Act like a man. Stop caring.” No wonder Isobel has never had a boyfriend. Should I be listening to her? I don’t know.

She’s had a fair share of relationship mishaps though. Just because she never had a boyfriend doesn’t mean she never dated. “I’m keeping my options open,” she once told me.

But I admire her attitude toward boys – indifferent yet endearing. She knows when to pull back and when to be aggressive. “Why don’t you have a boyfriend, Isobel?” I asked her.

“It’s because when you know what you want in a relationship, Jamie, you don’t just settle for what’s available. You keep looking. Most of the guys I dated are assholes. Either they’re maniacs, lunatics, self-absorbed, or insecure. I could say worse things but I’d rather not,” she explained.

“Do you hate boys?” I wondered.

“HAHA. Of course not. I just don’t like the same mistake to keep on happening.”  I know what she meant. She had fallen in love too quickly – several times. None of those relationships turned into something more serious which made her overcautious of her choices.

“How long have you been talking to Kurt?” she asked out of the blue.

“Two months,” I admitted.

“Woah! And you’re obsessed with him? Come on! Obsession breeds desperation. If you keep on chasing that guy, one day you’ll find yourself knocking at his door, begging him to let you in. I’m telling you, you wouldn’t want that to happen.”

She’s right. I must stop right here, right now. I must stop wishing he’ll at least recognize my presence and send me a simple “hello” over Whatsapp.

“It’s not worth it, Jamie. Guys like Kurt just come and go. They’re meant to make you happy for one week, two weeks, one month.” Isobel sounded like she’s talking to her old self. “Don’t dwell on the things or the people you have now because, trust me, they’ll be gone soon.”

There was so much determination in her voice – like she wanted me to believe her. Deep inside though, I think I know what she’s trying to say: that the only permanent thing in this world is impermanence.

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Listen to Low Tide by XY&O

Disclaimer: This is a fiction. Don’t take this seriously.

Where the Beachwalk Starts

“I really have to leave. I’m sorry. It’s late and my friend’s waiting for me back at the hotel.”

“Really? But it’s your second to the last night in Bali,” Chris tried to convince me. “Besides, we just met.”

“I know but I have to leave. Goodnight. It was nice meeting you.” As much as I wanted to stay, I couldn’t. I was in the middle of a crowd I barely even know. It just so happened that my friend didn’t like partying so I had to stay late on my own.

Tomorrow is another day though – my last day in this beautiful paradise. Can we stretch minutes into hours? I really wish we could.

The next day, my sleep was interrupted. I woke up at 5am and nudged myself to go back to bed. The bad news was I couldn’t!

My phone beeped and guess what? It’s Chris, the guy from last night, greeting me good morning. How timely!

Me: Good morning too.

Chris: Why are you up so early?

Me: Sleep interrupted.

Then I figured since it’s my last day in Bali, I might as well go for a morning walk at the beach. I stood from my bed and tried to convince my roommate to come with me. She managed to reply, “Still sleepy.”

Chris: What are your plans for the day?

Me: None yet. Except thinking of going for a morning walk at the beach.

Chris: Okay, I’ll see you in 15 minutes.

I was like, what? I wasn’t asking him to come with me but thought, I could use some company.

Me: Okay, where do we meet?

Chris: Where the beachwalk starts.

Me: Ok. I hope I see you.

Okay, so do I go at the far end of the beach? Whatever, I’m sure we’ll find each other. I hailed a cab and told the driver, “To the beach please but go to where the beachwalk starts.”

“Oh beachwalk. Okay,” the driver said.

After ten minutes, the driver pulled over at this place called Beachwalk Shopping Center. I was confused. Where are we supposed to meet really? He said “where the beachwalk starts.” So do I go to the shore or stay at this Beachwalk Shopping Center? I wasn’t at the hotel so I didn’t have Wi-Fi connection. I had to trust my instincts and keep my eyes fixated, making sure I didn’t miss seeing him.

I stayed for five minutes but still no sign of him. I guess I needed to start walking. For twenty minutes, I walked the entire stretch of the beach, looking lost than I ever was. “Holy crap! So is this the way I’m supposed to spend my last full morning in Bali? What’s the point of us both waking up at the same time when we won’t even meet?”

Indonesian surfers had that worried look on their faces, “Are you okay?” They asked. I probably looked like I didn’t know where I was going because to be honest, I didn’t. After reaching the far end, I still couldn’t find him.

I guess it was time for me to go back. Maybe, we won’t see each other again. But somewhere in the middle of a beautiful nowhere, I was hoping I’d find him.

I decided to just grab a quick breakfast at McDonald’s before heading back to the hotel. Luckily though, there’s Wi-Fi.

There’s a WhatsApp notification.

Chris: Hey, I was there. I’m back at the camp now.

Me: Where were you exactly? I’m still here at McDonald’s.

Chris: I was at Beachwalk. I went around with my scooter, trying to look for you. But you weren’t there :(

Me: You mean Beachwalk Shopping Center? I got confused ‘cos you said where the beachwalk starts.

Chris: Beachwalk is the street where the mall is.

Me: I didn’t know! What a way to spend my last day in Bali.

Chris: You wanna meet for breakfast instead? I’ll go back.

Me: Really? Yeah, why not?

Chris: Be there in 15 minutes. I hope I see you :)

After 15 minutes, he arrived. I think my face lit up like a little child. You know that feeling when you saw your favorite friend? That’s how I felt. We laughed at how frantic we both were when we couldn’t find each other. More than anything, we talked not over a bottle of Bintang beer but this time, over a cup of coffee.

He told me about his life as a surfer in Bali and how amazing the past eight months were for him.

“Hey, I need to go back to the hotel now. It’s almost 10am and I don’t want my friend to hate me,” I said.

“How are you gonna go back there?” He asked.

“I’ll take the cab,” I replied.

“Nope. I’ll drop you off with my scooter.”

The idea of riding a scooter with a German guy in the outskirts of Bali sounded fun to me so I said yes. These are the moments you have to be thankful for – the spontaneous and reckless decisions you make in a place where you barely know anyone. A lot could have gone wrong that morning but for once in my life, I let my guard down. I trusted a total stranger. Seriously, how many times can you do that in your life?

I was glad I got lost in that beautiful nowhere because in the end, I was still found.

[theunwrittenmelody]

Listen to Gravity by Lucy Schwartz

Gravity

“Have you got everything you need? What about your favorite pillow? You gotta bring that one! And oh, here, take this, your favorite sweater. This will keep you warm at night.” That’s my mom moving restlessly as I packed my bag. She wants me to bring everything she thinks I can use in my new home; as if they’d all fit in

My dad. Oh yes, my dad, was just standing outside my room listening closely to what Mom and I argue about.

“Mom! I can’t bring all of these! I would go over the baggage allowance and I don’t want to pay additional for that. This pillow can stay here,” I held her hand and gave her that reassuring look. “Seriously, Mom, I will only be gone for quite some time. But I will definitely come back. Everything I can’t bring with me can stay here and welcome me home. Soon.”

I saw tears flow down her cheeks. “Do you really want to go? You don’t have to, sweetheart.  Your whole life is here. You’ve got everything you need right here.”

Here we go again.

“Honey, just let her be. You want to make some shake downstairs?” Dad cut her off.

“No. I wanna stay right here with my little girl.” Mom is being her usual stubborn self again.

“Mom, I’m going. I know it’s weird that I want to be someplace else other than here. But I would be crazy not to go. I went through so much already. There’s no looking back.”

Then it hit me. What made me think that a life in another country will help me find myself? What made me think that leaving home will show me what I’ve been looking for? Maybe, I don’t have the answer but it’s in not knowing that we truly learn who we are.

This time, I want to learn on my own – away from everything safe and familiar. For once in my life, I want to be reckless. It’s as if there’s an invisible chain that’s pulling me away from home, whispering my name and saying “Go. Just go.” What if I fall? “Oh… but what if you fly?”

“Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll be fine,” I whispered.

[theunwrittenmelody]

Listen to Living in Twilight by The Weepies

Living in Twilight

I was staring at a blank page in the middle of a Friday afternoon, trying to find my way out of an unfinished story. I looked out the window from my desk and saw all these skyscrapers.

I just resigned from my previous job.

My friends thought I’ve got it all figured out.

The guys I dated were all gone. They were all like, “You’ve got your shit together. You don’t need me.”

And my family had so much trust in me.

I got an email.

Subject: Hotel Reservation

We are pleased to inform you that your hotel reservation for five days has been confirmed. Kindly bring a copy of the credit card used together with your ID. We look forward to seeing you!

So yes, I just did. I’m set to leave to go somewhere only my family knows. Just for five days – to clear my mind and forget that I am living in twilight.

You ever had that feeling when you’re not happy and yet, you don’t have any reason to be sad? It’s like you’re in between. Like twilight: it’s between day time and night time. It’s kind of depressing because another day has ended and yes, kind of happy too because you’ve made it through. You just exist but, you don’t live.

My phone rang. A friend who I haven’t talked to for a long time was calling me. I ignored him and instead wrote,

“There is a twilight zone in our hearts that we ourselves cannot see. Even when we know quite a lot about ourselves - our gifts and weaknesses, our ambitions and aspirations, our motives and our drives - large parts of ourselves remain in the shadow of consciousness. We will always remain partially hidden to ourselves. Other people, especially those who love us, can often see our twilight zones better than we ourselves can. The way we are seen and understood by others is different from the way we see and understand ourselves…”

I closed my laptop and texted my friend, “What’s up?” No answer. I’m good at that – shutting people off and hoping they’d understand. Before I know it, they’re gone and I’m left in my own twilight zone again.

Err. Whatever. I’m packing my bags. I’m leaving.

[theunwrittenmelody]

Listen to I Can’t Make You Love Me by Adele

I Can’t Make You Love Me

We were just sitting there, barely even talking. His food remained untouched. My eyes were fixed on my plate.

I was waiting for him to break the silence.

“I’m sorry.” At last , he did.

“We tried several times but it just wouldn’t work out. There were things we couldn’t agree on. You were…”

“I was less than what you wanted?” I said.

“It’s not that. I just feel like you deserve someone better than me.”

“Oh, please! Cut that crap! I’ve heard that far too many times from so many people. Just say it, you don’t love me. You can’t love me.” The words felt stuck in my throat. It was harder than I thought.

But instead of crying, I just sat in silence.

“Say it. Tell me what you think. Make me feel bad. I deserve it,” he urged.

There were no words. I just didn’t want to talk anymore. Silence – it’s the best language of all.

“Fine. I guess that’s it. I told you everything I wanted to say. I’m sorry. Can I go now?” I didn’t see any reason to stop him from leaving so I just nodded.

For the last time, he kissed me on my forehead and whispered, “Goodbye.”

And I remained seated, unable to say anything. All I could hear was my inner voice asking, “What happened to fighting for what you want?”

I closed my eyes, blocked everything else around me and breathed deeply. It’s going to be hard. But I can’t force people to love me. I can’t beg them to stay if they want to go. And no matter how hard I try to be the best for them, some things are just not meant to be. Some people are just not right. Some things are just not worth fighting for.

“It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.” Just like what I always say.

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Listen to Down On Love by Sarah Blasko

Down On Love

No one is smart when it comes to love. Even the world’s most celebrated geniuses have fallen under its trap.

No one is safe from it. No one knows how it has come to exist; when it actually started and whoever felt it first.

“All of us are and could be victims of it,” Karmel typed in her iPad.

“I am….”

“How stupid can you actually be?” Her best friend, Tracy, asked her. “You see, you have a perfect GPA. Class president. Outstanding student. But really, why are you so stupid?” She confronted her during lunch break. Albeit she hated being stupid, Tracy was right.

She dated a guy only to find out that he’s already in a three-year relationship with someone else. But she kept seeing him hoping that one day he’ll choose her over the other girl. Three months had passed. Six. Eight. And he never said a thing.

She allowed herself to be second-best; to be the next option instead of the ONLY option.

“I was hoping…” she almost started but Tracy was quick to cut her off.

“Hoping that what? That he’s actually in love with you? That one day, your stars will align with his and the stars of the other girl will just vanish into thin air? If that is supposed to happen, Kar, it should have happened a long time ago. Don’t drag your self-esteem down, for goodness sake.” Tracy said before burying the knife into her steak.

“Urgh. I hate this steak but not as much as I hate you.”

Karmel thought of what her best friend said. She’s been saying that since they knew of the inevitable rivalry but it was only now that she realized, she had a point. This relationship is bringing her down and making her feel like she’s settling down for something less than she deserves.

As she watched students join their own cliques, she wondered why it was so hard for us to let go of someone just because we’re so used to having them around. She admitted to herself that what kept her in the relationship is not her love for him but, her fear of not belonging to anyone. Who will I be without him? How am I supposed to act if I ever decide on letting him go?

“Hey Karmel, you’re lost in your own thoughts,” Tracy brought her back. “You’re worried about how you’re gonna do it?” Karmel nodded.

“Just take the first step,” Tracy said.

“What’s the first step, Trace?” Karmel asked.

“Say goodbye.”

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Listen to One Moment More by Mindy Smith

One Moment More

They say, a perfect man doesn’t exist but in my world, I pretend that he does.

I spent the last 24 hours thinking of how close I was to “Mr. Perfect”. I was inches away from him, breathing the air that he breathes, looking at his perfect brown eyes. Then I thought to myself, “Could he be the one?”

We were in his room listening to songs of my favorite artist, trying not to get drunk with a bottle of wine. He was leaning close to me, our fingers almost brushing, my heart beating fast as my inner voice asked, “Can Valentine’s day get any better than this?”

Then he whispered something I couldn’t figure out.

“Kiss me like you wanna be loved, like you wanna be loved,” so goes the song in the background.

The next thing I knew I was being kissed by someone until the rest of the world faded into view. It was just him and me. Me and him. Our lips pursed together. I thought moments like this only happen in movies but I’m wrong, they happen in real life too. They happened in mine.

He kissed me deeply, his hands touching my body, enclosing me in his embrace. “God, I've waited for this. I wanted this,” said that inner voice. But I knew there was a price to pay if I let him continue. I knew it was going to be a mistake that I will regret for the rest of my life.

“Don’t let him do it,” said another voice. “He’s leaving, remember? He’s not meant to stay.” And I knew that voice was right. The guy who’s kissing me is leaving two days from now and I can’t hang on for the rest of my life wishing he’ll come back for me because he won’t. He never will.

Sometimes, I wish I’m not a good girl. Sometimes, I wish I could be as reckless as the others, not thinking of consequences; not trying to solve problems before they are even there. Sometimes, I wanna step out of the shadow and test my limit. But I am not that girl. I just can’t be that girl.

So as a teardrop fell, I pushed him away. “I was waiting for you to do that,” he said. “I was waiting for you to stop me.”

We lied on the bed barely touching. “You’re an amazing girl,” he whispered. “I knew when I saw you, you’re different. When you started talking, I got the validation that I needed. You really are different.” Another teardrop fell.

He asked for my phone, scanned through my contact list, looked for his name and when he found it, he pressed ‘Delete’.

“What did you do?” I asked surprised.

“I deleted my phone number in your phone.” He pulled his phone out after and showed me our Chat messages. Just like that, he blocked me.

I was taken aback. He blocked me in his Contact list. “What was that? Why did you delete everything?”

He looked at me the way I was never looked at before, tucked my hair in my ears and said something I will never forget. “I don’t want you to remember that a guy like me exists. There are good guys out there. And they deserve a girl like you.”

For a moment, we didn’t say anything.

I gathered all the strength that I could before saying, “I’m going home.”

He walked me to the cab and for one moment more, he kissed me and then let me go. And as I drove away, I saw him slowly disappearing, becoming smaller and smaller; the moment turning into a blur as my eyes welled up in tears. He turned his back on me. Just like that.

We go through our lives searching for Mr. Perfect. Sometimes, God gives us what we ask for but only for a short while. People are not meant to stay and we are not meant to wait forever. So we settle for something less perfect when in reality, we’re not supposed to be looking for a perfect person. We’re supposed to be looking for a perfect love.

[theunwrittenmelody]

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| Listen to Love Vigilantes by Iron and Wine

(This story is dedicated to the 44 fallen heroes of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force who died in the recent Mamapasano clash in Maguindanao, Mindanao. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.)

Love Vigilantes

I’m a soldier. And today, I am going home.

After so many months of being in the field, I finally got the break I have always wanted. There was never a day when I don’t think of my wife, my son, and my own mother. I miss them so much. Who wouldn’t? When everyday of your life, the only things you see are empty fields; the only sound a vast thrumming of crickets. Most often though, we hear our own rifles firing.

We’re men. We’re not supposed to cry or weep or get lonely. But we do.What have we gotten ourselves into? Why did we choose to live like this when we can actually become engineers, lawyers, or doctors instead of boys risking their own lives?

Trust me, if we have a choice, we wouldn’t want to be here. We’d rather be on the side of our families, watching our children grow, doing mundane things fathers do. But for some unknown reason, fate brought us here. Then we realize that fate needs us here.

Then we respond to that need the best way we could. We struggle every day to protect not just our own lives but someone else’s too. And that “someone else” could be your father or your mother. Or it could be YOU.

We are but a droplet of water in an ocean. I’m a firm believer that the universe brought us to where we are because we have a role to play. We each have a role to play. This keeps the balance of nature. Life-death. Yin-Yang. Hatred-forgiveness. Happiness-loneliness.

Everything has its own opposite.

Everyone has to make his own sacrifices.

What can you sacrifice to keep this balance going?

If you ask me, I have sacrificed a lot. And as soldiers and fighters, we can only do so much. God has a way of saying, “It’s enough. You’re done here. You have to go.”

And so, off we go; back to where we truly belong.

I am more than excited to breathe the city air, to kiss my wife, to carry my child. I’m flying back home and the clouds move with me. The best thing is I have served my purpose.

After a few hours, I saw it: that familiar backyard where my child used to play. Someone opened the door for me. I saw my wife.

She was there standing right in front of me with a letter in her hand, my son beside her. And the telegram said I was dead.

She couldn’t see me but I could see her. She’s weeping for me. Finally, someone is weeping for me!

When I went to the battle field, no one ever told me that going home will cost me my own life. If someone did, you know what I’d tell him? “I would take a thousand deaths just so I could go home.”

Still, I am happy because finally, I am where I’m supposed to be.

This is my sacrifice. What’s yours?

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Listen to Tightrope by Ron Pope

Tightrope

I want her so badly I couldn’t breathe.

I miss her so much but there’s no way she’ll know.

I try to forget her but I can’t. Trust me, I tried.

Slowly, we drifted apart. Little by little.  One disappointment led to another. Then one day, she told me she’s not in love with me anymore. I tried to stop her. But when a person doesn’t want to be with you anymore, you just have to let go.

I thought it’d be easy. “Oh c’mon, Carl! So many girls are throwing themselves at you!” My friends would say. I don’t know why some people think that guys like me get over failed relationships easily. It’s not true.

Trust me, when boys fall in love, they fall hard. 

I loved her. I love her. I will always love her.

Last night, I celebrated my twenty-second birthday alone in my place with no one to talk to. My friends kept calling but I just didn’t want to pick up. I was in no mood to have fun.

Last year, it was different. We were together. She cooked dinner for me and while waiting, I was playing guitar. Last year, my place was a mess. This year, my life is.

The worst thing was I wanted to hear her voice, to listen to her breathing. I wanted to know how she was or if she even remembered my birthday. I waited for her to greet me but when my birthday was almost over, I still haven’t heard from her.

“Don’t do it, Carl,” my alter ego whispered as I contemplated whether to dial her number or not. “I just want to hear her voice,” I argued.

But hearing her voice won’t do me any good. It will only make me remember the day when she packed her bags, opened the door, and walked away. From me. From us. And I don’t want to go back there anymore.

Our days were over. She’s long gone and even if I keep wanting her back, keep remembering her, or keep telling myself there’s still a chance, there’s no way I will get the assurance I have been praying for.

I wanted to tell her I miss her but I know deep inside, she wouldn’t care. I know it sucks. I’m a guy anyway. I’ll get over her easily, just like what most people expect.

But for now, let me remember her. Let me dream of her. Let me drown in my own misery.

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Listen to Morning by Beck

Morning

Here’s the thing: Beginning. It could be the sweetest word in the world other than “love” or “passion” or whatever.

I don’t know but for some reasons, it always strikes a chord in my heart.

Have you ever had that feeling when something is about to start and you just can’t hide your excitement? When someone is going to be introduced to you over lunch and you just can’t deny the fact that you’re indeed looking forward to meeting that person. Yeah. Cheers to new relationships!

But most beginnings don’t last. Sometimes, they’re just that – beginnings never coming to an end like starting a sentence and yet not putting an end to it. Or starting a love affair and suddenly being dumped for a reason you’ll never know. Or it could be as simple as him and me.

We met over coffee and he told me he liked me. We hit it off, probably almost like the love stories on rom-coms or mushy teenage movies where the girl likes the guy, confesses to him, and boom! He’s dating the cheerleader and the girl, being the loser that she is, wallows in self-pity. She then transforms herself, starts wearing beautiful dresses and putting makeup on. Wait. That’s beside the point.

The point is the two of us started something, something that’s called “instant connection” or “attraction,” if you may. But we’re both holding back so the end is, guess what? We didn’t end up together.

And we both lived happily ever after. I guess that’s the great thing about beginnings. It’s the hope that comes with it. It’s the amazing feeling that it gives you, the validation that you are indeed a hopeful creature of this world; that even if it doesn’t end the way you want it to, you’re still glad it happened. Or even if it doesn’t end at all.

As a matter of fact, most of us have been there. You find yourself checking your phone first thing in the morning, anticipating that sweet “Good morning, pretty” text from him and yet the sun has set and you still haven’t heard from him. That is what I call the “beginning with no ending phenomenon.” You just don’t know what happened because it just stopped. Whatever it is. But you still hoped. Searched. Wandered. And prayed.

That’s the good thing about this phenomenon. You just keep on hoping until hope becomes wisdom. Over time, you realize that the next time it happens, you know exactly what to do. And you know better. Yeah, over time, you grow.

Then another beginning happens.

[theunwrittenmelody]

Submitted by riannegreenesheeran

When most of the words captured my heart and it’s so inspiring. I can relate to most of them. And I just had to share all those words that catches my eye. Thanks! More one shot to come!

[theunwrittenmelody]

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Listen to Wish Upon A Star by Samantha Mumba

Disclaimer: This is a story requested by R. Velarde. Happy sparkles! :)

Wish Upon A Star

“Alright. Any thought on Cummings' quote I gave last Friday?” Mr. Coy asked the class.

My mind floated. I couldn’t think. I worked on this little reflection on E.E. Cummings' famous quote just as Mr. Coy asked us to do.  It surprised me just how powerful a dead’s man words can be. Halfway through reflecting, I remembered you, smiling back at me. I remembered the way you tucked my hair in my ears. Just before you died.

“Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward,” the quote said.

I raised my hand. A year of silence was enough. I wanted you to hear me.

“Yes, Reese.”

I pulled my chair back, stood straight, took a deep breath, and avoided looking at my classmates because for them, I would always be the girl whose boyfriend died.

“’Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward,’ E.E. Cummings once said. Some of you would relate this quote to overcoming obstacles, to finding your passion and fighting for it. I would relate it to love,” I started.

“I think Cummings was staring at the night sky when he thought of this. He’s probably thinking of someone he once loved. It’s true, isn’t it? That falling in love is like looking at the stars. If you pick one out of the billions and stare at it long enough, all the others just melt away…”

“Or maybe, just like me, he lost someone. Then he thought of following his heart to be able to move on. He probably talked to all of these little creatures, poured all his thoughts to them. Don’t you just love talking to the stars? Because they don’t judge. They just listen and somehow you know that every blink of light represents a smile. You may have lost everything but not them.”

I held back tears and mustered the courage to look around me. I wanted these people to see that I never really lost him.

“Somehow you just have to trust yourself, that you can do it. You can move past it. Then you just have to look at the stars to remind yourself that you didn’t lose anyone. They’re out there somewhere, staring back at you like they always did. They shine for you, every single night. And they hear your every cry, your every whisper, your every wish. And they wish the same thing too. For you. For your happiness.”

I finally let go of my tears. I know you could hear me now.

“So yes, just trust your heart and live by love.”

Silence. This time, it’s them who had nothing to say.

[theunwrittenmelody]

The Unwritten Melody says:

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am more than humbled to have caught your attention. Kate is a fictional character, just like all the other characters here but her story is not. Her story can be found in the eyes of any girl walking on…

[dillpaprikagirl]

If only emojis are available in Tumblr, this first sentence will be filled with it. It’s a grand feeling to have this kind of digital conversation with you. This feeling wherein there’s a person who thinks the same way. Yes! you are right, there are a lot of Kates in this world :), and maybe a little touch of Kate inside of us. Let this be the start (or continuation) of sharing bits of wisdom to all the other Kates, or the Sophies, and all other girls.

Until next story,

Bianca

[theunwrittenmelody]

Indeed!!! Can you just imagine how stories can actually spark up new relationships, albeit two people have not even met yet. How I wish we're having this conversation with all the other Kates and Sophies in this world;. HAHA. Way too ambitious but worth imagining.

Thanks,

Nessa

[theunwrittenmelody]

A million thanks, Bianca!

The Unwritten Melody says:

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am more than humbled to have caught your attention. Kate is a fictional character, just like all the other characters here but her story is not. Her story can be found in the eyes of any girl walking on the street, or in the lips of that lady sitting in a coffee shop.

Your message down there will surely help Kate, whoever she is, wherever she may be. We all learn from experience, right? And what better way to learn from each other than to let our experiences be known to the world.

That’s what you did. And so, thank you! Someday, I hope to write your story too. Happy sparkles! :)

[theunwrittenmelody]

Visit Original Link

Listen to Run Away by Cary Brothers

Run Away

I wish I didn’t take her for granted.

“Kate, pick up the phone.” Ralph closed his eyes and remembered the days when Kate was still beside him, helping him get through everything. But now, she’s gone and it was all his fault. 

“I’m helpless, Kate,” he whispered wishing the wind will take his words to her. “I need you.” 

*** 

I wanted to. I wanted to pick up the phone. Help him. Be there for him. Tell him everything’s going to be okay; but, I’m tired and frustrated. I don’t want to give him the power to hurt me again. I love him but I don’t want him in my life anymore.

Kate ignored her phone and opened a book instead.

Ten minutes. Twenty. Thirty. What are you doing, Ralph? What’s happening to you? What made you need me tonight?

***

It was the first of August when she told me she loved me and I didn’t. Is it possible to not love someone and still need her? Is it possible to look someone in the eye with affection even though you knew you she’s not that special?

That was how I felt for Kate until one day, she just stopped talking to me. She stopped answering my phone calls and messages. That’s when I realized that taking her for granted was not even an option but I did it anyway thinking she won’t ever get tired, believing she will always be there.

I finally figured out that it wasn’t Kate who needed me. I needed her and now, it’s too late.

Phone ringing. It’s Kate. “Kate, where have you been? I was…”

“Don’t ever call me again. Stop pretending you care about me because you don’t. Whatever it is you’re going through , Ralph, you’ll get over it. Without me.” That’s the last I heard from her.

She’s gone. My girl is gone. Kate is stronger than I thought. She’s strong enough to put the phone down.

I wish it was me who taught her to be.

[theunwrittenmelody]

Visit Original Link

Listen to Somewhere Down the Road by Barry Manilow

Somewhere Down the Road

He does exist. So please don’t tell me he doesn’t because he was just right in front of me.

I saw you on that white shirt on a Saturday morning. I tried to convince myself there’s nothing extraordinary about you but as I looked closely, I was proven wrong.

Then we went on to teach some kids. You didn’t care about the scorching heat of the sun and the hunger and thirst we all felt. You were genuinely smiling to everyone and I have never seen such a beautiful guy with an equally beautiful heart until we met today.

I heard you were about to leave to study abroad. And yes, you were leaving three days from now, when we’ve only just met. “It’s not a matter of time. It’s just a matter of timing,” says a song. And our timing wasn’t right. I never get the perfect timing anyway.

We could have had a perfect conversation with you telling me what it’s like living a perfect life and me telling you what it’s like trying to make my life perfect.

You are beautiful not just from the outside but, more importantly from the inside. I never thought that such a guy exists. Before, whenever my friends say, “There’s no such person,” I would most likely answer, “Yes. You guys are right.” But just like my friends, I was wrong.

Because you do exist. And you were standing right before my very eyes today. I have never been intimidated by any guy my whole life. Oh, boy, you were the first to ever intimidate me. It was your genuine smile that won me over. It was your big heart that made me feel so small.

Right then and there I realized that you were the star I have been looking for. You were that one star I constantly search for every single night. And just like that star, you were unreachable.

Even though we had a meaningful first encounter, I wouldn’t want to think about you while you’re gone. For now, I am going to pretend that my friends were right: you don’t exist and I never met you. And I choose to bury you in my subconscious until you stand right before my very eyes. Again.