After the Seven-Year Itch

Prologue

Prologue

How do you know when it is already the one?

When can you say it's already your endgame?

Who sets the standard for love?

Where do I find the assurance that this love will last?

Is it surviving the seven-year itch?

Do the years we spend together guarantees our forever?

Or it does not, and maybe... I wasted those years of my life?

Truth is, getting hurt and getting through all the challenges and humps we ran into our path of romance with people we see as our constants is not the frightening thing about falling in love, it is about how quickly love changes even amidst the thought of already investing the years and milestones of your life with that person. The scariest thing is when you've already planned your future with someone but ended up not being able to keep the promise of the present.

I do not know if the long time we have shared gives me the hope and assurance of a life with you, or I have wasted my time thinking we do.

"Ano? Ganon nalang iyon? 8 years yun, Nathan! Walong taon ng buhay ko ang binigay ko sayo! Tapos sasabihin mo lang sa aking ayaw mo na?"

I looked at him as he searched for answers to my question while I felt something inside me crumble dahil alam ko na tatapusin ng gabing ito ang walong taong iyon, and it hurts because I know no matter how hard I try, I cannot save this anymore.

I saw the emotions that were marked on his eyes, it was like a wall of a fortress. Strong, firm, and marked with finality. Para bang kahit anong gawin ko, buo na ang desisyon niya.

All the memories and promises we had from the years I believed we'll make it, suddenly did a flashback in my head because I realized as I looked at him, he fell out of love...

"Kailan pa?" my voice shook.

"H-Hindi ko alam, Ash. Hindi ko alam... I-I am sorry..."

Para akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. The hope of a future with him I once thought was something that was meant to be ours, suddenly felt so far and impossible...

Sinayang ko lang ba iyong walong taon ng buhay ko?

Where do you really get the assurance for love?

When do you know it's worth it?

How do you know? Because I think surviving the seven-year itch doesn't...