Hello, Mr.Act of Service

EPILOGUE

SAMANTHA POV:

It's the day before the day. The second day before the graduation. I don't wanna bid goodbye . . yet.

Ano, wala ba talagang pag-asa?wala man lang closure?jusko.

I'm walking alone around the campus. I don't want someone to accompany me. You know, for peace of mind.

When I was about to approach the mini forest bench, I saw a very well known back, sitting in one of the bench. I'm facing his back and he's facing the trees. His two hands are placed on the bench in different direction, gripping in the bench, for support.

I was about to walk away and take the opposite direction, the direction I took earlier, he spoken. "Let's talk"he said.

Two words that made me stop, making my heart race. I decided to sit beside him, not so close, yet, not too far.

I heard him sigh. "Rant all your feelings out, say anything you want. I'll listen"he uttered, waking up all the heavy emotions I'm feeling. "Okayy . ."I uttered, almost a whisper.

"I'll start with clarifications. Why did you gave me cold treatment?I thought, you promised me that you'll never treat me in that. . . way?"

I noticed his body stiffened. "I was lost . . I don't know what gotten into me. I feel hurting you . . if I'm gonna talk to you."

"And you think, you're not hurting me in this case?"

"Sorry. I never expect this to happen, to reach this far."

I sigh. "I hate how you treated me. You made me feel worthless. You treated me like a stranger, a person you never glance at, like I'm the most beautiful girl you met. Like, you didn't court me"I paused, he turned to look at me with guilt and concern on his eyes. "I've done anything, as in, anything. I tried my best to ignore the pain and overthinks, thinking you will come back to me again."

His breathings became heavier and heavier in every word I uttered. "As an understanding woman I'm always been, I never invalidate your feelings, but, you're treating me the opposite. I was communicating on you, you know, to fix yourself, to be a better version, to prevent hurting me in ways you don't know."

"I was thinking that, you just need someone to talk to, that you've been invalidated, that's why you're doing this. A person who's misunderstood. Plus, you never . . try to open up, with problems you're suffering secretly.

Tears start to rolled down on my cheeks. "But, I hope you putted in your mind that I was always there, waiting for you, gonna be with you if you need someone"I uttered, trying hard to not stutter.

That's it, tears starts dropping too from his eyes. "My love for you was genuine enough, genuine enough to sacrifice my mental health"I said and smile bitterly.

I wiped the tears and chuckles bitterly. "Okay, I think, that's enough. It's your turn."

He take a deep breath before releasing it. "Firstly, I want to apologize for all the damage I've caused on you, I know, I'm a bullshit in that's case, a weak man rather"he started.

"I can't handle all the problems I have, here in school and worst, in our household. I don't know. . . how to communicate and express my feelings very well. You don't deserve all the damaged I've done. You're a masterpiece to be shattered, yet, I broke you"he added, making something inside of me heals.

"I've failed as your suitor. I've failed to protect you, because I was the one who hurted you. I don't deserve you . . but, I can change, I'll be a better person, I promise. Just give me another chance, please"his eyes are pleasing and also, welling in tears.

I avoided his gaze and look down. "It's not that easy, Rej"I replied and a small sob escaped my mouth.

"Sam, pleasee"he begged, pang of pain hits me. It's more harder to let go than to bear it.It hurts like hell.

I softly shakes my head. "I . . want to step forward, Rej. A new pathway without you, or others to accompany me. I . . had enough."

"Sam . . I'll be better this time"

"You can do it without me, though"I said, my hands are trembling.

"I thought . . you love me?"he asked in almost a whisper tone.

I nod my head. "I've love you, for a very long time already. I love you in every way I can, it's just . . I had enough. I'm drained, Rej. I'm not a drainage to continue suffer and be drained by you. Yes, I love you . . but, that doesn't mean, I'll always choose you at all times, even it means it'll left nothing in my self. I'm choosing my self, this time."

"We're just a two high school students, who fell inlove. Two high school students who's enjoying and still exploring. We will still be a better version of ourselves. We can still change our self for the next ones. Maybe, we're not just for each other. We were destined to me, yet, not destined to be the one for each other."

"I know . . it's hard, but, that's for the better. We're not healthy for each other. We're just gonna continue hurting each other without noticing, making us both drained again and again. In short, we're not ready to handle each other."

He nods while having tears rolling down, he's trying to wipe it out, yet, it continues dropping like endless. "Oh . . I understand. I finally understand . . funny, I understand it in last minute, moments that you have to go already. Even it hurts like hell . . I'll let you go."

"Maybe . . you're right, I'm being too much and being selfish at this moment. I failed to love you in ways you wanted. I failed to understand you, shit, even myself, I failed to understand. In another universe, maybe, I was a better man for you, a man who won't invalidate your feelings, a man who will know how to protect you, a man who knows how to treat you properly."

"Please . . don't think of you're hard to love, it's me, I'm the problem. Please take care of yourself. I'm wishing you the best and . . a best man to treat you in the future."

"I'm finally . . letting you go, Sam."

That's where I finally broke down in tears. "T-thankyouu . ."

"I will always treasure the moments and love we had. I will miss the compliments, the nicknames you've given that I never expected to be called. The princess treatment, that I never expected to receive. You were a best man, I know, it's just you're having a hard time knowing yourself, I'm seeing in the future that you're gonna be a best man and best version of yourself. Take care, Rej."

————
Samantha_pretty0

It's the two people who failed to conquer all the trials and obstacles that gotten to test them. The one who took advantage and thinks that she will always gonna be there. And the one, that get tired, felt drained from a very hard trial and understanding him at all
times.

It's valid for them to grow separately. They need to find the better version of themselves. After all, they're just humans who make mistakes too.

I don't know where you are, Rej. I don't know if what you do or what you think right now or in future, but, I wish you the best. I hope, you will treat the next girl better than what you treated me.

I never regret loving you. I never regret spending the times and moments with you. And lastly, I never regret being loved by you.

[The both of them let go. The both of them were hurt. Yet, they proceed to let go and move forward]

The story ends here, see you when I see you in another universe.