A Love Beyond Distance - A One Shot Story

A Love Beyond Distance

Angel and Zy first crossed paths on a dating app. It was the kind of serendipity modern romance often depends on—a simple swipe right, and suddenly, they were matched. From that moment, they began talking, their conversations flowing naturally as if they had known each other forever.

Both were college students with busy lives. Despite their demanding schedules, they made time for each other, growing closer with every exchange. Angel lived in the vibrant city of Davao, while Zy resided in the bustling heart of Manila. The distance between them was significant, but it didn't seem to matter at first. Their connection was strong enough to bridge the miles, and soon, they were sharing everything with each other.

But as with all long-distance relationships, challenges emerged. The reality of being on different islands—Angel in Mindanao and Zy in Luzon—began to weigh on them. They longed to meet in person, but their student budgets and commitments made it impossible. Yet, their bond only grew deeper. They rarely fought, and when they did, it was over small things like their busy schedules or Angel’s desire for more attention from Zy.

Months passed, and their relationship thrived solely through chats. They never video-called, which only heightened the mystery and excitement between them. Then, one day, Angel decided it was time to reveal their true feelings. With a racing heart, Angel typed, "I like you, Zy," and sent it off. But Zy didn’t reply immediately. Instead, Angel watched as the message was left on read. The hours turned into a day, and still, there was no response. Angel was devastated, overthinking every possible scenario, tears falling at the thought that the feelings might not be mutual.

Then, just when Angel was about to lose hope, Zy finally responded. "Sorry for the delay, I’ve been swamped with activities. But I feel the same way." Angel’s heart soared, relief and joy replacing the anxiety that had consumed them. They were on cloud nine, their connection even stronger now that they had admitted their feelings.

With their relationship now official, Zy decided it was time to take things further and asked to court Angel properly. Angel didn’t hesitate, saying yes without a second thought. Their relationship blossomed, filled with love and happiness, but as time passed, the distance began to take its toll. Trust issues started to creep in, and their schedules grew more demanding, leaving less time for each other.

Angel, ever the romantic, decided to take matters into their own hands. They planned a surprise trip to Manila, determined to see Zy in person. But there was a problem—Angel knew very little about Zy's life outside of their chats. Still, love drove them forward. They believed that talking things out face-to-face was the only way to resolve their growing tensions.

The day of the surprise arrived, and Angel was a bundle of nerves. It was their first time traveling alone to Manila, but they were determined to make the journey, their heart set on seeing Zy. Using Google Maps, they navigated their way to Zy's house, excitement and anxiety battling within them.

When Angel knocked on Zy's door, it was Zy who answered. The shock on Zy's face was unmistakable—they hadn’t expected Angel to be standing there, in the flesh. “What are you doing here?” Zy asked, their voice tinged with both surprise and concern.

“Surprise!” Angel replied, but before they could say more, Zy's parents appeared. "Who’s this?" they asked, looking at Angel.

Without missing a beat, Zy quickly lied, “This is my classmate. We’re working on a research project together.” Angel, though hurt by the lie, went along with it, nodding in agreement. It stung to be denied in front of Zy's parents, but Angel pushed the pain aside, grateful just to be near Zy.

The visit didn’t go as Angel had hoped. Zy was distant, clearly caught off guard by the surprise. Even the gift Angel brought, a cute Stitch plushie, didn’t seem to lift Zy's spirits. Angel’s heart sank deeper, feeling like an intruder in Zy's life. The warmth they had shared online seemed to evaporate in the cold reality of their meeting.

The next day, Zy was still distant, leaving Angel alone at the house. The only company Angel had were Zy's pets, and even Zy's parents seemed to avoid them. Angel’s excitement had turned to disappointment, and by the second day, they had made up their mind to return to Davao.

On the morning of their departure, Angel woke up to an empty house. The curtains were drawn, the room dark despite the daylight outside. As Angel gathered their things, a sudden noise startled them—a loud trumpet sounded from behind. Angel turned around to see the lights flicker on, revealing a room transformed. LED lights twinkled, photos of Angel and Zy hanging everywhere. Petals were scattered on the floor, leading to a beautifully set table.

Angel was speechless as the door in front of them opened. Zy stood there, dressed sharply in a blazer and pants, holding chocolates and a bouquet. Zy's usual composure was gone, replaced with a nervous yet hopeful smile.

“I’m sorry, Angel,” Zy began, walking towards them. “I know I’ve been distant, but that was part of the plan. It’s not fair for only one person to make all the effort in a relationship. Today, I want to show you how much you mean to me.”

Angel’s eyes filled with tears. All the doubts and fears melted away as Zy knelt down, not to propose, but to make a promise. “I won’t let you go back to Davao with a heavy heart. I love you, Angel, more than words can say. Please forgive me for my silence. I just wanted to make this day special for you.”

Zy stood and pulled Angel into a warm embrace. At that moment, Zy's family entered, clapping and cheering. Zy's father even set off confetti, filling the room with bright colors and laughter. It was a celebration of love, acceptance, and new beginnings. Angel realized then that Zy's parents had known all along and supported their relationship.

As the festivities calmed down, Zy's family left the two alone. The room was quiet again, but the atmosphere had changed. Zy and Angel looked into each other's eyes, smiling through their tears. "I love you," Zy whispered, leaning in close.

"I love you too," Angel replied, feeling the weight of the past days lift off their shoulders.

A soft violin began to play, and Zy extended a hand. “May I have this dance?” they asked.

Angel nodded, placing their hand in Zy's. They danced slowly, swaying gently in the middle of the room. Zy leaned in and kissed Angel's forehead, whispering, “Ikaw at ikaw pa rin ang iibigin sa araw-araw, aking mahal”

THE END.