One Shot Stories

171

I ONCE HAD THE PERFECT MAN

"Why did you break up with him?! He's a perfect man. He's everyone's standard." I looked at my cousin and smiled.

She is right. My ex is the perfect man I've ever met. I just shrugged my shoulder.

"Hi, love."

I immediately turned around as I felt an embrace on my back.

He kissed my forehead.

"How are you?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine! But college, on the other hand, is stressing me out, as it always does.” I put my chin on his right shoulder as he snaked his arm around my waist carefully.

"Alright, do you want me to help you, or do you need space? Just tell me everything. If I'm being a hindrance to your study, tell me."

Nilayo ka ng kaunti ang aking sarili sa kanya at pinakatitigan ang maamo niyang mukha.

"By the way, I have already cooked your dinner. I'm sorry if I told you to stop over here. Hatid na rin kita sa apartment mo later," he continued when I didn't speak.

I stared at him for a couple of minutes. "What? Is there something wrong with my face?" he asked.

I shook my head. "You are just... you know, I'm so lucky to have you."

Paano ba ako makakabawi sa kanya? He's always the one who makes an effort. And when I think about it, I haven't done anything for him.

He's a gentleman, respectful, kind, understanding, smart, family-oriented, God-fearing, no bad addictions... I can't even list all the good things about him because he's everything.

"Kararating mo lang din namang school ah? You are tired too, pinagluto mo pa ako."

"Am I not allowed to spoil my girl?"

We are both graduating students. I know how busy he is, but still... he never changes.

I smiled.

Nang tumitig siya sa akin ay natahimik siya bigla.

I didn't notice that my tears fell.

"I..." Words won't come out of my mouth.

Malamlam na rin ang titig niya sakin dahil alam kong napapansin niya na rin.

I raised my right hand and gently put it on his face. I want to touch what's mine.

The tips of my fingers trailed off on his bare and angelic face.

He has this soft feature, this charisma that makes all the girls, and even the boys, look twice when they see him.

Ano pa kaya kapag nalaman nila yung totoong pagkatao nito? Marami na akong kaagaw.

Yeah, I'm kind of selfish at that part.

But he's too perfect for me.

“I can’t keep up with you,” I honestly uttered.

He gently cupped my cheeks.

"What? I don’t need you to keep up with me. I just want you to stay by my side and love me for who I am. You don’t need to do anything…" His voice was still soft but almost begged.

I smiled, genuinely. "I know that you will say that. I won’t tell you that you don’t deserve someone like me... Because you deserve everyone, and I’m not an exception to that. But I want the best for you, and that’s not me."

“Please, huwag naman ganito…” parang hirap na hirap niyang sabi.

He put his head on my right shoulder.

He started to cry silently. I knew he was crying because I knew how understanding he is, and he already understood me.

"You are really sure about it?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yes."

"I know that this is not necessary, but please give me a reason so I can move forward," he added.

I pat his hair and gently mess it up. "Silly, it’s necessary to give you a reason. That’s why I’m doing this, confessing to you." He remained silent, so I continued. "You probably don’t want to hear this because you are just you, but in my eyes, you are a perfect boyfriend, you are the ideal guy… and it makes me exhausted because I feel like I need to be perfect for you too, even if you didn’t tell me to do it. To be honest, I tried to fight this silently, but I can’t reciprocate the energy you are giving me. It’s kind of selfish to continue this relationship just because you love me, and I need to stay by your side for who I am. I loved you, but not as much as you loved me."

“I understand.”

Bahagya siyang lumayo sa akin at tinitigan ako. He smiled, but not the smile that reached his eyes. I know my words hurt him.

Like he always did, he kissed my forehead gently, then fixed my hair with his hands softly. "I want to be selfish, but I don’t want to ruin you. I don’t want to see the changes you didn’t want just because of my love."

My tears fell again. Ito ‘yon. Ito yung ayoko na makita, sobrang bait niya na hindi ko kaya.

This breakup is not just for me... but for him as well. Gagawin ko ito dahil minahal ko rin siya.

“So that was your reason?" my cousin asked when I told her some parts of my memories of him.

I nodded at her.

"He’s too good to be true and you are afraid?" she asked again.

This time I shook my head. "No. I know him. He’s really like that. He’s too good, and it’s true. What I am afraid of is that the more I continue our relationship, the more I will hurt him, because I know that I am not the right person. I can’t be the girl for her. I know, I am stupid for breaking up with him, but I didn’t regret my decision."

“Tanga ka talaga, couz!” I even saw her rolled her eyes. “I understand your reasons, pero biyaya na ‘yon teh, ano arte pa?” I laughed at her statement.

“Biyaya talaga siya.” I won’t deny that fact. “Pero ayokong sayangin yung parehong effort at oras naming dalawa. Alam ko sa sarili ko kapag pilit ang pagbabago, and that’s what I did just to be compatible with him. I don’t want that.”

Malakas na lang siyang napabuntong hininga at walang nagawa.

I shifted my gaze to the sky. I think almost ten years have passed since we broke.

Na kwento ko lang sa pinsan ko yung story naming dalawa dahil sa pamimilit niya. Wala namang kaso kaya na kwento ko na rin.

I know my decision was right. He was the best man I’ve ever had, and now he’s happily married to the girl that’s compatible with him.

I attended his wedding last month. He's a committed type of person, so I was his last ex, and he even thanked me for my decision before. Kung hindi ko raw ‘yon ginawa ay baka hindi niya nakilala ang asawa na niya ngayon.

I smiled.

That’s why I’m still single today. That ex of mine set my standards so high. Because of him, I know my worth as a woman. I'm also thankful that I once had him.

--
HartleyRoses