Wishful Thinking ✔

A lady in her late twenties, whose name is Bridgette, closed her eyes for a moment and savored the fresh air away from the office.

She was about to hop on the jeepney when she saw who was seated behind the driver's seat.

A guy was carrying a huge and fluffy, pink teddy bear and a pretty bouquet of flowers in his hand.

He was looking so cool in his blue polo shirt and dark denims. The scorching heat of the sun doesn't seem to affect him at all.

"Gosh! This horrible heat! My skin will get burnt!" A teenager protested and Bridgette who was about to ride the jeepney backed out.

She hesitantly stepped aside at the sidewalk and let the cars passed by her.

If she could only go back in time, she would do it.

But she can't anymore.

She found herself walking blindly along the sidewalk of Roxas Boulevard and felt the warm wind kissing her skin.

On any regular day, she will be seen hanging out with her friends, laughing over a good snack and singing along to the likes of Usher and Beyonce.

On any usual weekend, she would be seen enjoying a nice intimate date with him. Probably posting their in best smiles on Facebook and Instagram accounts.

On their usual anniversaries, they would be seen inside a plane with their headphones on and listening to their favorite upbeat songs. They would be planning their trips to their dream destinations.

But today is not the usual day.

Today is Friday, the 12th of November.

It has been a year since that day happened.

Exactly five years ago since he asked her to be his girlfriend.

Exactly two years ago since he opened that single, red, velvet box and asked her to be his wife.

It is not just a normal day.

It is not a normal anniversary day.

It is supposed to be their special day.

Her supposed-to-be wedding day.

The day when her fiance broke her heart.

Because, on that same day, a woman came to her hours before their wedding telling her that she was just dreaming of something that is impossible to happen.

She tried to fight back the tears as she remembered how vague it was.

It was that fateful day when she learned that Gregory has impregnated a woman that is not her.

It was that dreadful day when the woman begged her to let him go.

It has only been a year and the memories are still vivid in her mind.
The pain she felt is still fresh.

How he admitted about his unplanned debauchery with the woman he impregnated and how guilty and coward he was.

The wounds that braced her heart had scarred her deeply.

Opening her hazel orbs, she stared blankly at the wide Manila Bay. She found an empty bench and sat.

She let him go. She could not take to love him and let his child live without a father.

She wouldn't want that to happen to her own child in the future.

That is, if she ever found someone.

Bridgette sniffed and chuckled at her silly thoughts.

"Hey, are you alright?" A male  stranger, about her age, asked her.

She looked at him and felt weird. For some reason, she felt at peace, knowing someone is concerned about her.

"It is not bad to say yes." He said and chortled too. "Don't worry. I am a good guy. I don't have anything under my sleeve."

"I just saw him." Bridgette said, turning her eyes back to the sea in front of them. The stranger remained silent. He was sitting at the other end of the bench and nodded.

"He used to be my bestfriend. My confidante. Then, he courted me. Would you believe that I almost didn't believe him? You should have seen his face!" She laughed bitterly, her tears started flowing.

"Then, we were happy. Our parents even asked us to get married already even if we have only been a couple for two years. And then, he proposed." She smiled, recalling their happy memories.

"It was during our wedding day when I found out that he cheated. I met the girl. She was very pregnant. It turned out, they did not do it once. They have been meeting behind my back. He was too guilty to admit his sin to me." She started weeping. The stranger handed her a handkerchief which she automatically took.

"I guess, I really wasn't born to have a family. I am born to live on my own." She said when she sobered up.

"It will always be a wishful thinking that someday I will be happy." Bridgette said to the stranger, her face wet with tears.

"How about you? What's your story?" She asked him.

"My wife left me for another man. I guess, we have the same fate." He said, sighing and stood up. "I pray you will find happiness soon. Take care, Bridgette."

With those said, he left her in shock.
She barely got the guy's name as he walked away quickly.

Yes, it will always be a wishful thinking.

When the time is right, she will be happy.

End