Shion’s point of view

August 18, 2023, was the day Ethan and I became official. I still remember that
day all too well. We were on a date that day when I decided to agree to be his girlfriend.
At the seaside, there I saw how the moon reflected on his eyes—so beautiful—and how
delighted he was when I finally agreed to be his girlfriend.

I smiled as I cast my mind back to the most important day of my life. I cannot
believe it; it felt like yesterday. Now, we’re in a 4-year relationship. Indeed, time flies so
fast.

I am on the balcony, staring at the garden, and feeling the warmth of the sun as it
touches my skin. Ethan and I always celebrate our special day together. So far, nothing
bad has happened on every anniversary we have had, and I am sure that will be the
case today too.

So why am I nervous then? What am I nervous for? The nervousness I am

feeling is not the feeling when he is near, but the feeling that something big is going to
happen, negatively.

I shook my head as I felt my phone vibrate. I’ve got a message from Ethan.

Happy 4th Anniversary, Love.

Will be there to pick you up by 30.
Missed you:(

As I read his message, I grinned. Because of my previous unfavorable

sentiments, I shake my head. That's right, I'm overthinking things—nothing horrible will
happen today.

I sighed and immediately composed a reply to Ethan.

 Happy 4th anniv to us!
Okay okay! Take care, Love you! ><
Missed you too, so much:(

I immediately turned off my phone as I clicked the send button and went inside to
prepare. I missed Ethan so much. Our degrees need a lot of attention since Ethan is a
law student and I am a medical student. Our schedules don’t match, which is why we
meet more often than before. Luckily, we’re both free today.

After 30 minutes, I rushed down and went outside the house as I heard Ethan
sound his car’s horn. I was greeted by Ethan’s smile as I went inside his car, and I
smiled back.

"Hi, pretty." I blushed and giggled a little at his antics and said, "Hello! Where are
we going though?"

“Any place in mind?”

“Can we go to the museum? After that, let's proceed to our usual.” I said
excitedly.

Ethan let out a chuckle, “Sure, let’s do that.”

I’ve always wanted to have a museum date with him. We couldn’t go outside any
longer before due to our hectic schedule, but now we’re free the whole day. We have
the rest of the day, which is why I decided to go on a museum date with him.

We are now inside the museum. As we explored inside, I couldn’t help but be
mesmerized by every work of art we passed. The inside of the museum is beautiful and
majestic. I looked at Ethan; he was staring at the painting. An art is staring at an art. I
chuckled at my thoughts. Ethan is tall, has tanned skin, a pointed nose, and a sharp
jawline—the epitome of handsome. For me, Ethan is art—in the form of flesh and the
smell of home.
 Ethan’s gaze finally went to mine; he must have felt my gaze on him. When our
gazes locked, he went to me and encircled his arms around my waist.

"Love, what’s up?"

I looked at him confused and said, "Huh?" He chuckled and said, "What’s with
the stares, Lady?"

I scoffed at his reply, "Why? Am I not allowed to stare at my boyfriend, Mister?"

He giggled, and then we were enveloped in silence. The silence wasn’t awkward,
but disturbing. He’s been silent since morning; I can’t help but wonder what’s up. I am
not used to him being this quiet. Come to think of it, he hasn't said he loves me today.
That’s… So unusual of him. So I looked up and was about to ask him what our problem
was when I caught him in deep thought.

Noticing that Ethan was in a pensive mood, I said “A penny for your thoughts,
Love.”

He was startled, and looked at me, “Hmm? Ah, nothing much. Don’t mind me.”

I was in the middle of saying something when he cut me off, “Hungry?” I stared at
him and sighs, he’s changing the topic, there must be a problem. Based on him
changing the topic, I guess he doesn’t want to talk about it. So instead of asking him, I
said, “A little.” Lies.

“Let’s go?” I nodded in agreement. He walked away first, instead of walking

beside him, I stood in my place and stared at his back.

What’s our problem, Love?

Sighs. I proceeded to walk. I will think of it later.

 We always eat at Greenwich. I love the lasagna there, while Ethan loves the
carbonara. We went to the nearest mall to find Greenwich, and when we were
successful, we immediately went inside and ate. When we finished eating, we decided
to go for a walk around the mall.

This is our usual thing when we’re celebrating our anniversary, even on our
dates. We eat at Greenwich, wander around the mall—if we find something we like, we
buy it—and if the sun sets, we will go to our place—the seaside.

Too simple? Well, since we are always busy, we don’t have time to search nor
think of a place to go. We just want to be with each other, spend time together. Today’s
the only date that we went to other places than the mall and seaside. I am not
complaining though. As I've said, what matters to me, to us, is to be with each other—
to be in each other’s presence.

When the sun had set, we decided to go to the seaside. We bought some snacks
to eat. When we arrived, we immediately took a seat. We were just casually talking and
eating. After we finished our food, he cleared his throat and faced me. I went cold as I
think I know where this is going.

“Shion,” He started. I froze. Shion? What happened to love? baby? I felt like
crying but I stopped myself. Sighs, and finally decided to face him.

“Shion? Are we now calling each other’s government names?” I giggled, trying to
lighten the mood, but I saw him frown and groan, “Shion, please—can you be, like, be
serious for now?” my smile faded and looked away.
“How will I when I know that you’re about to cut off things with me?” I said. Silence. No
one dared to talk. After a few minutes, Ethan decided to break the silence.

“Remember when I confessed to you and asked permission to court you?” He

smiled, so I smiled too, reminiscing about that day.
 “Of course, imagine my surprise when my lowkey crush suddenly said he likes
me and wants to pursue me.” He laughed at my statement.

“Yeah, right. I did not know you had a crush on me before. In fact, when I
confessed, I really think that you don’t feel the same way. So, I was hoping to let me
court you at least.” He chuckles.

“But, to my surprise, you said you liked me too. So, I began courting you.” I
giggled at what he said.

“We were first year college students back then. Despite knowing how our degree
needed our full attention, I still decided to pursue you.” He chuckled bitterly.

“Because I think I can do it, keep up with you and my studies. But I guess I
underestimated my course.” He sighs, I looked away as I felt a bulge in my throat.

“My courting lasted 5 months, since you agreed to be my girlfriend on August

18.”

“Believe it or not, that day was the best day of my life. I was so happy.” I know, I
witnessed it.

“Can you believe it? My dream of having, is now my girlfriend?” He chuckles, so

do I.

“I was in a state of euphoria that day.” I am too.

“Our relationship was happy and strong. Despite the hectic schedule, we still
made time for each other. We still update each other, and even go on a date. Not as
often as a couple should though.” He said sadly.
 “That set up lasted over 3 years. In our 3 years of relationship, we were in our
third year of college as well. We became busier, our allotted time for each other got
lessened. We rarely date, or even talk.”

“Still, those circumstances didn’t stop us. We fought, we stayed, we did our best
to spend time with each other. I can do it because I love you. I can do this because
hardship will not stop me from loving you… Is what I thought.” A tear finally left in my
eyes.

Ethan sighs, “I thought I could, I thought I could still keep up with you together
with my studies. I didn’t notice that this would drain me. I got tired, Shion, and I know
you did too.” I shake my head in disagreement, and was about to say something when
he talked again.

“Don’t even deny it, Shion. I saw it with my own eyes—how you passed out when
we were in the middle of talking, how you sometimes cry at night because you’re
frustrated and guilty because one of our supposed to be dates got canceled due to an
unexpected schedule in school.” A tear fell from his eyes. He immediately wiped it.

He smiled, and continued.

“I did too, you know—crying at night. Frustrated, because I don’t know what to
do. Nonetheless, one of us never let go.”

“But I guess there’s really an end to everything.” I looked up at him after he said
that. I froze as I realized what he’s about to say next. No…

“Shion, let’s–” “No.” I cut him off.

He sighs, and is about to hold me, but I dodge.

 “Shion–” “No, Ethan. I’m not breaking up with you!” I screamed.

Ethan remained silent, so I continued.

“I got it! You’ve got tired, you are tired. Then rest! What’s the need of breaking
up?!” I frustratedly said. Ethan’s starting to get frustrated too.

“Shion, it’s not like that—” “Then what? Are you saying that you can’t rest while
having me?”

“Shion, I have a lot of responsibilities. My studies, my future, my family, and you.”

My mouth dropped open in disbelief, “Am I just a responsibility to you?”

“Shion, you misunderstood something.”

I sarcastically chuckled, “Oh? Am I? What did I misunderstand? Me being just a

responsibility to you?” He didn’t answer.

“That’s why it’s so easy for you to break up with me since you only view me that
way.” I said with a trace of pain in my tone. My tears are flowing.

I can't believe it—with all those responsibilities, I'm the only one he can let go of.
Pathetic.

“Do you even love me?” I whispered.

“What? Of course, I do!” Ethan exclaimed, I looked away.

 He sighs and takes a step, “Shion, I loved you, I still do. It’s just we really need
this. Shion, we’re graduating students, we need a lot of time to spend studying.”

“If we stayed and continued this, I am afraid that this might ruin us completely.”

I dropped my shoulder, and let out a wail. Ethan approached me and pulled me
for a hug.

“Ethan, I don’t think I can live without you.”

“You can, Shion. Live not for me, nor for other people, but for yourself.”

I nodded and returned his hug.

“Shion, you get it right? Why we need to do this.” No. I don’t understand it. But I
love you. I love you so much. Even though this decision of yours will hurt me, I will
gladly give it to you. Ah, I hate this feeling.

But, instead of saying those, I hummed in agreement, “Alright, so are you finally
agreeing?”

“Yes, but in two conditions.” I said as I looked up to him, raised my hands and
formed it into a peace sign.

He chuckled at the sight in front of him, “Hmm, let me hear it.”

“First, promise me that after you achieve your dream and if it still is me, find me.”

Ethan blinked his eyes, and couldn't believe what he just heard. He smiled, “Of
course. I promise, love.” Ethan said softly.
 I feel like my heart drops into my stomach.

Despite having a broken heart, I cleared my throat and continued, “Now for my
last condition.”

“Hmm, what is it?” Ethan asked.

“I want to be the one to say it.”

Ethan, once again, blinked his eyes, and couldn't believe what he just heard.
Nevertheless, he agreed.

“Alright.” Ethan smiled.

After Ethan said that, I let go of the hug, which I regret doing. The warmth of his
body suddenly lost, it’s cold.

I set aside those thoughts, and cleared my throat. Finally get into the business.
This is it.

Love… “Ethan,”

I love you. “Let’s break up.”

-----
I am now alone on the bench. After saying those words, Ethan left. Leaving me
alone. As I was staring at the air, fireworks came.

I jolted in surprise. I looked up to the sky, it’s beautiful.

I smiled.
 Happy 4th anniversary, Love.

Good day, Ma’am Richelle.

I hope you are doing well, and I hope you won’t mind me calling you Ma’am
Richelle. I do hope that you can read this; if ever you’ve reached this message, then
you might really have read my story or maybe skipped to the end, since I am aware that
this story of mine is quite long. All is well. I am also aware that you have instructed us to
limit it to 1-2 pages. That is why I am apologizing.

I sincerely apologize that my story went to nine pages. You may or may not
believe it, but this is really just a short story. Just half of the plot that I’ve planned (see
the evidence after this letter). I did try to limit my words, but I didn’t like it. It was
uncomfortable—putting myself inside the box—so I decided to free myself. I don’t want
to give you something that was done solely for the sake of having something to submit; I
want to give you my best, ma’am. I hope you understand that if ever you really want a
story with only 1-2 pages, please do inform me. I try to do it right away.

Thank you for your time, Ma’am. Once again, I sincerely apologize.

Apologizing,
Marianne Eugenie Clarisse G. Balayo
FA2-COE1-01

Plot xd
 Shion and Ethan went on a last date.
 After their date, Ethan asked for a break up, he said he wanted to focus on their studies.
 Shion was a med student; Ethan was a law student.
 Shion agreed, promising Ethan that if she finally got her career choice, she would come
back to him.
 Ethan promised likewise.
 Sana kung pwede na, pwede pa.
 Ethan keeps his promise.
 When they salubong in the mall, they talked.
 Ethan was ready to ask Shion to come back but then he saw a ring on her finger.
 Ethan asks her if she’s engaged.
 Ethan didn’t expect Shion’s answer. Shion’s not engaged but married last year.
 Shion’s husband arrived, and Shion bid a goodbye.
 Ethan congratulated them and returned the goodbye.
 Ethan was devastated, he was late.
 As he was about to leave, a woman bumped on him.