Under the Acacia Tree | ✓

Letter #2

December 10, 2012

Dear Luke,

Today was supposed to be our 3rd year anniversary. I went to the acacia tree a while ago before going to my on-the-job training. I stayed there for a few hours, probably because I was hoping you'd stop by and join me. 

But that would be impossible, I know. 

I reminisced for a while and remembered our first anniversary.

It was a chilly evening and we were out here, under the acacia tree. It was two hours before our dorm curfew and we were lying on the grass, watching the stars just above us. You spoke so low I almost missed it.

"You're beautiful." I looked at you but you were looking above. I smiled because this shy side of you is very cute. You held my hand on your side. And you know what? Every time you do that, I feel so protected. Like nothing else mattered. Just you and me. The two of us.

You stood up and reached out your hand. I grabbed it and you helped me up. I thought you were going to release my hand but you never did. Then, you grabbed my waist by your other hand and now we're facing each other. I was startled by your actions.

"What are we doing?" I let out a nervous laugh.

"Relax. We're just going to dance." I laughed because I know you know that I don't dance.

"I told you already Luke, I don't dance. Are you trying to insult me?"

"I told you. Relax, Nat. Can you please do this for me? Just follow my lead, okay?" You chuckled and I forgot that I'm supposed to be mad at you.

"This is weird. There's no music!" I said. You smiled and searched for something in your pocket.

"That's why I brought this." You plugged in the earphones in your iPod and put one in my ear and one on yours. You searched through your playlists and settled with a song that I will never ever forget.

When I was younger
I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart
And I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

...

You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception
You, are, the only exception

I hugged you really tight that night while we were dancing. 

You remembered. 

You remembered the story I told you.

 You remembered my story. 

That my mom cheated on my dad when I was young. That my dad raised me as a single parent. That I never believed in love until I met you. That I told you that you are the only exception.

I cried in your arms. I thanked you for loving me. You said you should be the one thanking me but I know deep down inside, I should be. 

I ended up stepping on your foot a dozen times but it didn't matter because the moment was perfect. Everything was perfect at last.

Our second anniversary was different. I even thought you forgot about it. I was sulking that day because you haven't greeted me yet. And then, while I was taking my Statistics exam, a loud squeaking sound of the microphone came blaring on the speakers outside.

"Paging, paging, Nathalie Garcia. Come outside for a second, please?" 

I recognized your voice but I was double thinking if I'll go outside or just stay here and finish my exam. 

All my classmates' eyes are on me. I smiled nervously at my teacher and he pointed out the door. I stood up and thanked him. 

My Statistics classroom was on the second floor building. I looked outside the terrace and saw you down there, at the school park in front of my building, holding a mic at one hand and a single red rose on the other. Somehow, my classmates managed to get out of the classroom and watch the scene with me.

"Nathalie Rose Garcia, It's been two years since I became the luckiest guy in the whole world. Thank you for being my girl. This won't be the last anniversary we'll ever celebrate. You won't get rid of me that fast," You were laughing and I felt tears streaming down my face, tears of happiness, "because I will grow old with you. I promise you that." Then Sam, Rob and Mia lifted up the boards that said I <3 U and I noticed that Luke was wearing a shirt with an infinite sign. 

I cried harder and went downstairs fast. People were clapping and whistling while we hugged each other.

I wish that moment didn't end. 

I wish I could just replay and then play it again. 

You knelt down and gave me the flower you were holding.

I still have the flower, you know? I kept it in my journal. But the flower is dead now.

Just like you are. And I can do nothing about it. I wish I could do something.

I wish I could take you back.

I just wish you were here again.

Nathalie.