These Stories Of Ours

Roses are Red

"Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
Take these roses of mine,
Cus' I love you."

You then gave me a bouquet of roses, and a smile crept on my face. It was our graduation day. You decided to do this romantic stunt, proclaiming your love for me, in front of my parents.

"You're such a dork," I tell you and then you wrapped me in a tight embrace. I could hear the many aww's from our dear classmates and friends. My parents then pulled us apart to snap a picture.

We actually feared this day, but now, we can't remove the smiles on our faces. Our last day in the place where we met. The day we say our goodbyes to friends, classmates, teachers, and our memories.

A few days later, I said goodbye to you. You've been accepted in a prestigious university miles and miles away from here. I pushed you to go there because I love you too much. I wanted you to be happy, to do great things. You had the potential to be great.

"I promise to keep in touch," you said, "We'll make it work." I watch as your car slowly disappear. How long are we going to stay apart?

Every night, we would talk on our little devices. Sometimes, time suddenly past by without us noticing. I remember my mom telling me to put down my phone and sleep, but how could I? She didn't understand the pain and longing that I felt. I wanted you. I needed you, but at the same time, I don't want you to come back. You need to be there.

Is this what love does? You push them away even if you thirst for their presence. You put their happiness before yours. You shed tears each night so that they can smile each morning. Why is love so painful?

One day, you called me. "It's tough here," you said. You began ranting about the different tasks you need to complete and the different deadlines you need to meet.

"Can't you ask for help?" I asked you, "I am sure someone is willing to do so."

"There is someone," you said, "She's smart, but I don't think you'll like me asking another girl for help." You're right, I don't.

"What do you mean?" I said, "I won't mind! As long as she can help you in your tasks then I'll be okay with it." Every word that I said was a lie which I'm willing to tell. I could feel fire burning in my heart. The thought of you with another woman irritates me, but I have to endure it for you.

Our calls become shorter as our piles of responsibilities grow higher. You told me that you've been studying with this girl and that your grades are getting better. I know, however, that you still love me because I still love you. When all of this is over, I'll run into your arms once again.

On the week of my finals, you told me that you won't call throughout the week. You said that you wanted me to concentrate for the tests. You're probably returning the favor, right? You're doing this because you love me.

A whole week passed, and soon, a whole month. You'd call me once a week and text me thrice a day. You keep on telling me that you're busy, that you're studying. I believe you. You always want to be on top of everything, and that's why you're there and not with me.

"Hey, I gotta tell you something."

This was the last text message recorded on my phone. I called you after reading it. You told me you fell in love with someone else. You told me that everything has been difficult for you. You told me that there's someone out there for me, and that person is not you.

That night, I didn't shed a tear, but I can feel my heart crack. I feel emotionless like a corpse. I looked at the framed picture on my desk. It's the one my parents took during our graduation. I have a bouquet of roses and you have your arm around me.

"I see, Roses are Red until they completely wilt away."