Where Hearts Collide (Guontiveros One Shot AU)

Lost in the Moonlight

Risa's POV:

The scent of sampaguita, a familiar fragrance that always brought a smile to my face, now hung heavy in the air, a bittersweet reminder of what I had lost. It was our anniversary, the day I had promised to spend with the love of my life, the day I had lost her.

The world around me blurred, the hushed whispers of colleagues and the incessant hum of the air conditioning fading into a distant hum. All I could see were fragments of memories, vivid and painful, flashing before my eyes like a slideshow of a life lived and tragically cut short.

My breath hitched in my throat, a wave of nausea washing over me. The memories came in rapid succession, each one a poignant reminder of the life we had built, the dreams we had shared, the love that had bound us together.

I saw myself, a young woman with eyes full of hope, meeting Alice at a university event. The warmth of her smile, the way her laughter filled the room, the spark that ignited between us in the blink of an eye.

"Excuse me," her voice, soft yet confident, broke through the chatter. "I'm Alice," she said, extending a hand. "I couldn't help but notice you're reading Rizal. I'm a big fan."

I, captivated by her warmth, found myself smiling. "I am too," I replied, "He's one of my favorite Filipino writers."

We spent the rest of the evening talking, discovering shared passions, and a mutual admiration for each other's intellect and wit.
Then, the whirlwind of our courtship, stolen moments amidst busy schedules, late-night conversations that stretched into the early hours, whispering sweet nothings under the moonlight.

"You're beautiful," Alice whispered, her breath warm against my ear. "More beautiful than any sunset I've ever seen."

My cheeks flushed, I leaned into her embrace. "And you, my love," I replied, "are the moon that lights up my world."

We lay under the stars, our bodies intertwined, our hearts beating in unison.
The day we finally exchanged vows, our hands intertwined, our eyes locked in a promise that transcended words.

"I do," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "I do."

Alice, her eyes shining with tears of joy, took my hand. "I love you," she said, "and I promise to love you forever."

We exchanged rings, a symbol of our commitment, a promise we would both hold dear.

But amidst the joy, a shadow loomed, a chilling reminder of the day our world had shattered.

The accident. The screech of tires, the sickening thud, the horrifying silence that followed.

"Alice!" I screamed, my heart pounding in my chest. "Alice, please, wake up!"

But her eyes remained closed, her face pale, her hand limp in my grasp. The frantic calls, the frantic rush to the hospital, the doctor's somber words, "We did everything we could, Senator."

The pain, the unbearable, soul-crushing pain, that had consumed me ever since. The emptiness that had filled the space where Alice's laughter once echoed. The longing that gnawed at my heart, a constant ache for a love that had been cruelly snatched away.

-

Risa's eyes snapped open, the memories fading as quickly as they had come. She was back in the Senate chamber, the debate on the new education bill raging on. Her colleagues, sensing her distress, exchanged worried glances. But Risa, with a deep breath and a forced smile, regained her composure.
She had to be strong. She had to keep going. Alice would have wanted her to.

In the quiet of her office, surrounded by photos of her beloved wife, Risa finally allowed herself to grieve. Tears streamed down her face, a cathartic release of the pain she had been suppressing.

But amidst the sorrow, a spark of resolve ignited within her. Alice had been a passionate advocate for education, believing in its power to empower and uplift. Risa knew she had to honor her memory, to continue the fight for a better future.

She would champion the cause of education, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, had access to quality learning. She would use her platform to amplify the voices of the marginalized, to fight for equality and justice.

It wouldn't be easy. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but Risa knew she had to keep going. It was a promise she had made to herself, a promise she had made to Alice.

As she looked at the photo of Alice, a soft smile touched her lips. "I'll make you proud, my love," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll keep fighting for everything we believed in. I'll keep your memory alive."

The scent of sampaguita lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of a love lost, but also a testament to a love that would forever endure.

*⁠.⁠✧☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆✧.*