I thought what I caught was lightning in a bottle; I found out I was wrong when it finally shattered.
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Letters Unsent Series #2
Date Started: April 28, 2024
Date Completed: April 29, 2024
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July 24, 20XX
Hi Reed,
It's our special day today! I almost had a hard time sleeping because of the excitement. I have long wanted to give you the scrapbook I have been secretly working on. It contained all my precious memories with you this year. I could have made it three hundred and sixty-five pages since every day with you is special, but that would be insane... and hard to keep because I would blabber about it, and it would never be a surprise.
We decided to meet for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. You had your usual poker face, an intense gaze behind the glasses, and thick eyebrows that usually intimidate people. I could not help but smile at the sight of you. You looked like an evil scientist with a plan to dominate the world.
I was restless, and I couldn't settle on my seat as I giggled from time to time at the idea of you receiving my present. I could only imagine your reaction. I prayed to the heavens that you would like the letters I have written and attached to that scrapbook.
After we ate, I finally pulled out the big gun—not literally, you know! Anyway, I pulled it from my bag and gently placed it in front of you. If only I could stretch my smile, I would, but when I saw your reaction, something inside me had died. The spark I felt while making it felt like it was put out when you watered it down.
Your smile wasn't genuine—it was fake. I could see it by the sparkle in your eyes. You looked really bored when you turned the pages of the scrapbook, and your eyes did not light up when you read the letters I wrote for you. You tried to hide it, but I know so well when you fake a smile because I know you from the inside. We have been together for two years. I can read you like a book.
I decided to ask you if you did not like it. You paused, hesitation drawn in your face. Then, you tried to mask it with a forced smile. Then you said you loved it, and then you avoided my gaze. YOU. AVOIDED. MY. GAZE. Did you know how it made me feel? Did you know it broke my heart?
I thought it would be the worst part: you avoiding my gaze and lying to my face, saying you loved my gift.
You tore me into pieces when you jokingly said that I stole the idea from you and that it was just a cheap copy of a gift you once gave me. I was stunned. I know I wasn't that good when it came to designing, but for you to call it cheap? Not only did you break my heart, but also my spirit.
I laughed it off as if it was a joke. I was smiling, but on the inside, I was breaking. I never imagined that such things would come from you.
I spent the rest of the night with you, wearing a fake smile as my chest tightened every time I remembered what you said. You didn't know I was hurt because you never cared to know me like I did with you.
It's okay. I am okay with it. I will be fine and forget it, just like I always do, because I love you, and my love for you will always be bigger than anything that comes our way.
