May Jhor V.

Toledo

11 – ARISTOTLE 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

Just Like The Eclipse

You were the one who liked me initially, but I was the one who fell harder.

We met along the seaside and, like other romantic clichés, we began with a hello. And as time passed,
we grew to know one another. Our likes and dislikes, favorites, what-if scenarios, and the future we
wish to live in. We spent half of every day hanging out as if we were looking for something deeper from
each other, as if we wanted to delve into each other's hearts. We were teenagers in love, so
inexperienced and rash. Teens who wanted to be free, who wanted to be held merely to feel someone's
warmth, and teens who just wanted to be loved. Maybe that's why we met each other. Maybe we're
destined to be together.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, you told me that you'll conquer the whole world using your single
hand if I'm holding the other. Therefore, I chose to not let go of your hand anymore.

And now we're still standing in the same spot, smiling and holding our hands like any other couple. And
I'm afraid I'll never be able to express how much you mean to me. Perhaps my love for you is like the
waves in this ocean; it is peaceful, yet it has the ability to reach great heights. Or like the sand on this
tropical island, it is pure and limitless. Or maybe it's like the way the sun shines in the morning—or the
way the moon shines at night. It is indescribable. Yet, it wasn’t meant to be.

It wasn't obligated to last—nor did it intend to last.

We felt it was too much while everyone thought it was great. The type of love we constantly give, the
kind of love we want, the kind of love we dream of—that's the kind of love we couldn't give anymore.
The fact that I was numb was ridiculous. I felt weak because it ached so badly. And I fell down because it
was so heavy. It felt like we’ve made a mistake when we didn’t. We adored it, didn’t we? We gave it our
all.

We tried our best.

We came to an end. As far as we can see, everything is in order. We sorted things out as we parted
ways. And while we tried, we fell out of love. My eyes had stopped weeping, and at this precise
moment, I truly wanted to kiss you. Even if it was only for the final time, I truly wanted to embrace you. I
don't want to make a mistake after this, but I can't seem to figure out what's holding me back. I, then
realized, we both want to be free. We want to be truly contented. We want to let go of each other. And I
wish I could stay, and I'm sure you desire the same, but... It's probably supposed to be this way. We
supposed to let go.

I find it odd that your solemn expression doesn't convey anything to help resolve this issue. I find it
strange that you can be so calm when I'm suffering. I might have loathed you to my heart's content, but
you were kind to me. And as I reflect on everything we shared, I know I truly loved you. And I know you
did too. Luna, you were like the moon to me, and I, tried to be the sun for you. And if we think of it,
we’re just like the eclipse. We meant to meet, but we also meant to say goodbye. And just like the moon
and the sun, we too, won’t make it there.

We may claim that our love was sufficient. Enough for us to know that fighting was not enough. We're
just standing motionless since we've already made up our minds. We have to let go. I want you to have
whatever you deserve, and I want you to feel the love that we both wished for but failed to have. As a
result, I'll have to smile once again and let go of your hand as you want. As I walk away, I had to turn
aside and hold back my emotions. Anything is possible for you—as long as it is you. As long as it keeps
you breathing, as long as it makes you happy, as long as it makes you feel free. I'll take care of
everything. And I suppose you're correct this time; you must choose yourself rather than me. You'll
meet people, talk to them, fall in love with them, dream with them, and I was simply one of those
people you needed to meet in order to rediscover yourself. I wasn't supposed to be by your side for the
rest of your life. I am not meant to be your lifetime.

But then, you won't have to be concerned. I'll love you as time passes, and I'll continue to love you after
my memory of you fades. I, too, will move on from you at some point. So... there's no need to hold back.
Live for yourself, run away from me, and be free from us. You may now conquer the whole world with
your both hands because… I can no longer hold the other.