Oneshot Album

11:11

Someone once told me that love isn't a toy, that it's serious and not a joke. I'm not used to it. I'm always faking love. I don't want to become committed since no one would stay. Binibigay lang naman sila para makilala mo at hindi makasama mo.

I'm playing Truth or Dare with my friends when the bottle suddenly points towards me.

"Yuan, your turn." Ngumisi sila nang maturo ang bote sa akin.

"What I'll gonna do?" I asked, bored.

"Hmmm?" Nagkatinginan sila at sabay ngumisi. "Court Avi and be her girlfriend for 1 year," Gray dared.

"Easy." I smiled devilishly. Just like I said, Love is just a toy for me and love is just for fun.

Avi is a simple young lady. She is not like other attractive ladies; when you meet her, you will find that she is easy to be with and love. Even if my jokes were corny, she was always smiling and laughing.

My heart beats faster every time she says "I love you," but I'm not going to fall for her. I'm going to win this game.

"Yuan! It's 11:11! Come on, make a wish," she said cheerfully as she stared into my eyes. I saw her love for me, and I saw how happy she was to be with me, but I'm a jerk who will leave her after a year.

As I wished, I smiled and closed my eyes.

11:11 Avi, be happy and successful even if you don't have me.

I opened my eyes to see Avi on stage, receiving her awards while genuinely smiling. She's happy. She graduated with honors. She's their school's valedictorian. I am so proud of her.

"Congratulations to all of this batch's grads," she remarked. "I'm so lucky to be the valedictorian of this school. I didn't expect it. Thank you to all of my teachers and classmates for being a part of my college life. I also thank my family for their support. I thank the Lord for this grace. Thank you to the man I first loved because you are the reason I got here."

Because of what she said, my tears welled up. "If you hadn't let me go then, I probably wouldn't have made it here. Thank you for being a part of my life, even if it was only for a year. Thank you for the second man who loves me. He's there," she said, pointing to the man in the first row. Everyone smiled and laughed. "Thank you, Aeron, for always supporting and loving me no matter what; thank you for always being there; thank you for never leaving my side, and I love you for that." Her eyes welled up with tears of joy. "Again, congratulations to all the grads!" she exclaimed.

Bumaba siya sa hagdan at niyakap ang magulang niya. I just watched her. I'm just here, but you don't care for me anymore.

Lumapit si Aeron sa kanya at niyakap din siya. I watch how you kiss him with full of love in your eyes. I'm thankful that my 11:11 wish was granted. You're happy. You're successful. Even without ME in your LIFE.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE
Love is sacred. It is not a toy to play with. Love is love. Don't say I love you if you don't mean it. There's a people who will get hurt. If you don't love him/her, tell her. H'wag mo nang patagalin pa dahil mas lalong masakit kapag pinatagal pa.