Turning Point

Almost a fortnight has passed. Comes near the end of May, so was the day our love came into fruition—our second anniversary. 

          Anniversary—a principle that is most ridiculed by those recluses, what those words meant, they know not—who has nothing better to do in this world, "Huh?! Why does that somewhat stings?", and those who are engaged in such a concept—as do I, the despises, however powerful, falls futile for our love is absolute, and none shall break this love nest of ours. Should they just get in a relationship themselves, they wouldn't have the need to utter such impudence. Seriously brother, get a girlfriend!

          As per usual, I always get to go at Claire's apartment first. She's practicing Civil Engineering program so our schedules are different. I'm not noteworthy of being deemed as a great cook, I just do enough and made sure that I make it to the standards of her liking. Her mentioning my dish good enough and see her take pleasure of the food like a woman who will probably dine late, is a bliss to my eyes; my heart consuming happiness to their fill—I could even die tomorrow without regrets and the thirst of finding the purpose of my very existence, quenched. In preparation for our anniversary this Saturday, tomorrow, I made her favorite, adobo.

          It was quarter to three after I am done cooking at her apartment. I do not always render her the service of washing her laundry, but, I made a special consideration today. Especially knowing that tomorrow's, going to be our special day. I want her time to be free of obstacles as much as possible so that I can feast myself of on that singular woman that I so much love. Spend all my time with her, have a spot on the meadows and reflect on how much far have we both become. Not only I did her laundry, but also cleaned every nook and cranny, every dust that dared to show on my peripherals, gone in an instant.

          "Now then, I've now set the stage, None shall block our path to LOVE! Ahhhhhh, My heart aches with joy!", said I, gay and delighted.

          I saved up some decent amount of money of this past few weeks, in anticipation of giving her the most precious gifts on the day of our anniversary. I stopped at the nearest flower and jewelry shop. If I do so say myself, the things that I'm considering on buying are actually pretty much decent, befitting to the lady in question. 

          "If I recall properly, she did said that she didn't want any flashy jewelry or those ridiculously big ones. She doesn't even wear one at all! Oh no, I do hope that this won't go to waste, however slightly, at least my efforts will ever reach to her.", said I, lost in my thoughts, having the difficulty of choosing an item.

          "Good day sir! Welcome to Timeless Treasures! How may I help you today?"

          "Oh hi! well you see, tomorrow's our second anniversary with my girlfriend and I'm conflicted as to what should I give her. Do you guys have any suggestions? "

          "Ohh I see. Well you went to the right shop to stop sir! Because here at Timeless Treasures, it is our specialty to help burdened men as you are, when it comes to choosing gifts to their loved ones!", said the consultant with a gleaming smile.

          "Oh, yeah right."

          "Well let us get moving then! Does she have any preferences when it comes to jewelry and stuff? Does she prefer necklaces, rings, or earrings?"

          "Well, the thing is, she's not actually fond of wearing of any of those that you mentioned or any accessories there is, for whatever reasons."

          "Then what did you give to her during your first ever anniversary sir?", she asked with a confused maiden face.

          "Hehe, I actually forgot the day of our first anniversary. So, I—I forgot to give her any...", said I, not able to hold an eye contact  to the lady.

—

          "Hmm, I see... An uncompetitive scum boyfriend who forgot their very first anniversary—WHICH SHOULD BE THE VERY MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN ANY RELATIONSHIP AS IT LEAVES FIRST IMPRESSIONS TO YOUR PARTNER,  is now carefully choosing gifts for her to make up for his foolishness that time past. Very well, then! I suggest that you give her a necklace as your first time gift; which should've not been the first, especially that it is your second anniversary ALREADY!."

          "You don't have to be that blunt miss", I uttered in dismay, questioning myself if I'm truly worthy of Claire .

          "This is not the time to be reflecting about your choices sir! We have a variety of necklaces that would surely delight you partner!", said she, then led me to the counter with varieties of necklaces to choose from.

          "Then, give me a necklace with a blue sapphire gem embedded upon it as it complements her blue-like sapphire eyes.", I said with my utmost confidence, where  there's no room for even a slight half hearted thoughts.

          "Well, I must say sir, you're not half as bad as what I thought you to be!", said the lady with a mischievous tone and a grin on her face.

          "Just what did you think of me until just now, miss?!", said I also grinning with a shade of anger.

         "Thank you for your purchase! Please do come back, especially at your third anniversary sir!", was the lady's remarks as I make way to the door.

          This woman, I swear! I hope that she won't find the cold part of her pillow when she sleeps tonight no matter how much will she turn it upside-down.

          On my way back, just not far from the store that I've gone, I saw a familiar face on a restaurant together with one woman and a guy. As a slowed down my gait and came closer, that familiar face was none other than my girlfriend, Claire. If that is Claire, then the girl must be one of her friends and as for the guy—I suppose that's a friend of her friend. 

         I wanted to approach them and say my greetings, but this bouquet of flowers that I'm holding would surely catch their attention; I want to surprise my girlfriend for tomorrow and prove myself that I'm not that incompetent sorry of a guy. So I did immediately turned around so as not to get their attention, but my eyes were caught to something that I did not expect of. I saw Claire wearing a necklace of some sort, but I really can't tell, for I am so much far away and I can only see its ray of reflection caused by the sunlight. 

          "It's really rare to see Claire to wear an accessories, heck the word rare wouldn't even do justice. I haven't seen her wear one in the lifespan of our relationship. Must be given to her by her friend just this recent. I mean if my bestfriend gave me something, I would never disappoint him by neglecting the stuff he gave to me. Heck, I would even use or wear or whatever it is confidently just to humour them. Yes, that must be it, but still, I wonder if Claire would do the same to the necklace I'm about to give to her.", said I doubting of what I had just witnessed and that doubt was gone the moment they all stood up from where they're sitting. They must be done with their food.

          On the alleyway that I always take in pursuit of home, I saw but a strange thing covered in ragged cloth near the trash bin, heavy with dirt and grime. I heeded it no attention, but as I grew closer, I could definitely tell that it wasn't just a lump of dirty cloth. The sides of the cloth form a rectangular shape that of those you see when a table is covered with a table cover; and it characterizes quite a height. Curious as I am, I lifted up the cloth and to my surprise, it was three books that were perfectly stacked up into each other. It wasn't just a normal book but a brand new ones at that, each with the title having: Time is relative, by ᜀᜎ᜔ ᜊᜒᜁᜍ᜔ᜐ᜔ᜆᜒᜁᜈ᜔; Chemistry of the World by  jᜂᜑ᜔ᜈ᜔ jᜀᜃᜓᜊ᜔ᜐ᜔; and World of Minerals by ᜊ᜔ᜍᜂᜋᜈ᜔ᜈ᜔. All sharing the same characteristics: subjects on a scientific world and authored by weird unreadable characters—not to my knowledge at the least.

          "These are all but brand new books", sniffs the book like a pervert, "It even gives off the smell of how a new book would smell. I'm not that of a literate of a guy, but I'm pretty sure that this is way to cruel for a book to be abandoned on such a place unfit for learning. Well, finders keepers I guess! Besides I do have chemistry class this coming Monday—what a convenience. Must be a blessing from the heavens, then I might as well take their offer".

          Out of curiosity, I opened the first book that I first picked up before putting it on my bag. It says, "Time is relative, the rate at which time passes depends on the observer's frame of reference, particularly their speed and proximity to gravitational sources, leading to phenomena like time dilation, at such...."

          "Oho... This is literally as what the title of the book said. Well I'm aware that Einstein made this concept, but why was this book authored by some otherworldly characters. Well either this is read as Albert Einstein or it's a fraud one but the information here is pretty much decent and factious, although some contents are far-fetched but—"

*ring-ring-ring-ring*

          As I answered my phone, in which was Claire was the one calling, I subconsciously placed all the books in my bag and continued on my way.

          Having answered all the homework that was given to me, I was hoping that sleep would soon overpower me. I kept thinking about the letter that I left below her study table when I was still cleaning at her apartment; the content of the letter is the whereabouts of our destination of which we will be having our dinner for our anniversary; It was computer printed and didn't include my name on it to make it more daring and mysterious and so as for me to cover my bad handwriting. And my excitement is quite very considerably high. So I continued reading the book from whence I stopped this time past when I was still at the street. It was quite an interesting book if we set aside all the suspicions and the common knowledge that we know of, because some parts of it are really absurd. It's like a physics book mixed with a fantasy one because it mentions super powers. I mean why would there be magical powers on a physics books right? And at the end of the book, I didn't fully read it and skipped, it says "three out of four conditions are met.", What? Anyhow, I went to bed, not without anxiety and excitement for tomorrow.

         The moment dawn shined upon me, the very first thing I did was call her.

        "Good morning babe! Happy Second Anniversary! How are you? Doin' good? Man I really can't to see you later.", I cried like a Golden Retriever who met his owner that came from outside.

         "Good morning babe. Happy... WAIT! WHAT?! You actually remembered or anniversary!? You of all people hahahaha. I'm sorry babe, but, hahahhahha"

       "Oi, just who do you think you take me for, huh?! Anyhow, can't wait for later, I made sure to prepare everything this time. Consider this for atoning my sins for my foolishness from our last anniversary. Heh heh. Jokes aside, I'm really sorry for way back then, I really forgot that because I have to work extra because....."—The very reason why I forgot our anniversary back then was because I have to work extra in preparation for her birthday. And I was suppose to treat her that day whole day, but, she went to her parents instead to celebrate. Maybe surprises really are a bad idea; romantic I thought it to be, but I guess not all people see it that way; and there's no way I'll tell her that this was the reason why I forgot the most important day of our lives, as one engaged in a relationship, it sounds so stupid and bringing that up at such a momentous crisis would have riveted the most indifferent, "...ahh nevermind."

          "Ummm I'm so sorry babe, but I'm not available tonight; something came up, though I am free the rest of the day! You better treat me well then. And ohh, the food was really great, I loved it; I even shared some to my friends, that's all, I think I just wanted to inform. Ok, see ya later.... LOVE U!", she concluded.

          She didn't even let me talk back, but at least she liked my food though. That stubborn woman I tell you, you're playing hard to get I see. She even told me that she'd be busy, 'something came up my', my ass. Hehehehe, Claire, you really do know how to spice things up. I wrote in that letter that we would be meeting at Nocturne Restaurant at 8:30 pm, but I guess I'll have to come early than that; I really want to make our day flawless.

          Claire and I just had made the most of our day fun and memorable, everything went smoothly on our date. While I was looking at her smile, I realized, it has has actually been awhile since I saw those beautiful precious smiles of her. I was way too busy on my part time job and on my duties as a student to the point where I just took for granted the diamond that was already laying in front of me the whole time. It made me melancholic seeing those eyes smile but at the same time, it made me really happy that I was able to pull that out of her. Time sure does fly fast when you're having fun. Its just that, I wish we could realize that we are at those point in time that is memorable before we actually left them.

          As time was near six in the afternoon, so was our date ended. She gave me a little present: a box of chocolates for our special day, she said. I grabbed her a taxi and made sure that she properly set off. "I LOVE YOU CLAIRE!! I LOOK FORWARD FOR OUR DINNER TONIGHT!!", I cried out as the cab took of a distance. I'm not sure if she heard, but she already knew the plan.

        *7:53 pm at Nocturne Restaurant*

          "D**n, I was way too early on our schedule. I should've at least came here at—at least 8:15 or the like. Still that woman is playing hard to get; she wouldn't answer my call. Although, that madam is right, I do look great in this suit. Feels like its the real deal. And this perfume that I'm wearing right now, this better be working in bewitching that d**n woman of mine; this baby does actually costs quite a fortune.", said I to myself, resolving my will.

          It's almost 8:30 pm now. I do hope she will like this gift of mine. I can't wait to witness the luster of this sapphire necklace, as it runs smoothly on her fair skin, and shines identically to her sky blue-ish eyes that warms you with love.

          It's past 8:46 now. I concluded that maybe I should go head in first, and will just meet her right away if I see her on the entrance. The flower bouquet that I bought yesterday consists of Poenis flowers; they are very delicate flowers yet they easily wilt on a short period amount of time. I chose such a flower to reflect the very image of Claire: beautiful, smooth, and fair, delicate, cute and many more pleasantries human can ever think of. To sum it all up, her beauty is incomparable and is inadequate of human tongue. Yet then again, they're most likely to wilt faster, but what I'm trying to do, is to prove a point that even the most sensitive flowers out there exists, I can take care of it; just as what I'm doing to this very bouquet of flowers that I hold dear at this very moment. But, I was racing with time. I let it took every ounce of my hardwork and dedication so that It will still look blooming until she arrives. It was twenty-eight minutes past nine in the evening now—

          "Sir! May I take your order? It's been a while now. Are you sure you're still waiting for someone?", said the waiter, which was already his fourth time to come and take my order.

          "I'm really sorry, but could you please wait for....." 

          *That voice! It really sounds familiar. It is the voice that I yearned  for this whole time* 

          “...and so I was like, you didn’t need to put it in there! Hahaha, you should’ve see her face the moment she realized….-- ”

          “You speak way too much when you’re still eating. Look at the mess you’re having in your mouth. Let me….”, remarked the guy as he reached out to the woman whose voice I am familiar with. They closed their face to each other, then they kissed. The way they kissed was as if, they’ve been engaged into a relationship for a considerable amount of time now.

          Huh?! Wha…what?! What’s going on right now?!

          The sound of their kisses coveted my ears. Their eyes locked on each other; it was intimate and sincere. Their eyes sparkled like of the steady flow of river when touched by the ever reaching moonlight. I witnessed a spectacle, one I yearned for and will never ever achieve. It was so close yet so far.

          “By the way, I’m really sorry I made you wait a little longer, I have to attend to some stuff today. I was exhausted! I didn’t expect that he is that prepared for today. I wasn’t even expecting that he’d remember it today”. There’s no need to explain whose familiar voice this belongs to, and there’s no room for doubt; It was my Claire.

          It is supposed to be our anniversary today, then why--why would she be with some other guy on such a fancy restaurant? She looks dazzling in those dress, in which I have never seen her wore one before. And -- I was right the other day, the thing that reflected upon her chest, it was a necklace, and this ones looks very the same at that one. Was my hunch correct back then? But it was supposed to be a gift from her girl friend? Huh?! I’m so conflicted right now. They’re just literally right there--at the other side of the table, my Claire and… Ahhh I see, so it really did came to this huh. My head is spinning right now. I’m at loss of thoughts and words. I can feel my eyes becoming watery. I’m so mad yet I have no strength to do so--

          “Umm sir, I’m sorry for the intrusion but, are you sure you’re waiti--”

          “It’s… Thank you but something urgent came out.”, I muttered whilst holding my pride as a man of not crying over such a petty thing. In believing the principle, ‘it is what it is’, my diligence remains steadfast, but why, the authority of such principle haven’t touched me today. Why of all days…

          I stood up, at loss. The sweet serenades of the musicians and their acumen of their year long profession -- aged like fine wine, that should make merry the hearts of those who listened, all but this one’s soul, devoured by melancholy to their fill. I’ve come to realize, that no matter how much I tend, even to the point of sacrificing my own life, to those Poenis flowers that I’ve bought, no matter how beautiful and sweet and promising, there comes a time that they will always wilt…

          Should I have interfered and and faced them like a true man? If I have done did it, what changes could have I done? But the way they kissed… Since when were they then engaged in a relationship? I pondered these things, doing the best of my abilities to understand the situation, even though there’s already none to sort. I took the bus home, my shoulders heavy with despair; my eyes, already filled with tears; an unbefitting sight, a fate that every man wishes to never fall upon them, yet here I am, on my knees rendered powerless, thinking of different variety of ways on approaching such event.

          I’m drunk with sadness in pursuit to home at the alleyway with the precious necklace I bought, at my hand. I clenched on it in hopes that it’ll break but to my dismay, it was really sturdy befitting to the fortune it costed.

          “There’s not much I can do now I guess. Hahahahaha”, I cried as my tears came rushing down much denser than of the time when I am still at the restaurant.

          I went head straight to my room, a domain where I feel safest the most. A place where I can fully let my guard down. A stagnant place where I can rot, a space in the universe where I am its master. 

          It’s midnight now, and who would’ve guessed that this b*tch have the audacity to message me --

          ‘Hi there babe! Happy anniversary! Man that was 
          a really fun day we had. I didn’t expect that you’d 
          be that prepared on our special day. It’s truly a bummer
          that I wasn’t able to come to whatever you’re planning
          tonight, I was with my parents; you know, as usual I alway

          miss them that not visi…’-- 

          “WHAT A LOAD OF BULLSH*T IS THIS WOMAN!”, said I as I wasn’t able to stop my tears to burst, that I’ve been holding on for so long this time, out on top of my lungs

          FOUR OUT OF FOUR CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET

           ᜈᜃᜋᜒᜍᜆ᜔ ᜋᜓ ᜈ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜎᜑᜆ᜔ ᜈ ᜃᜒᜈᜃᜁᜎᜅ᜔ᜈ᜔ ᜂᜉᜅ᜔ ᜋᜄ᜔ᜉᜆᜓᜎᜓᜂᜌ᜔ ᜐ  ᜅ᜔ᜈᜋᜒᜊᜒᜃ᜔ ᜂᜁᜐᜒᜍᜒᜆ᜔. ᜉᜆᜓᜎ᜔ᜌ᜔ ᜐ ᜊᜒᜎᜅ᜔(ALL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET AND IS READY TO FOLLOW PROTOCOL. TRANSITION IS NOW COMMENCING IN):

10!

9!

8!

          I f*cking swear that I’ll never put myself in this position again! It hurts so much…

7!

6!

         My life has always been awful! Nothing really comes good in my way. I have been exiled out of happiness, I have no rights of feeling as such merriness. The only thing that is left sweet right about now is this box of chocolates that I anticipated would benefit both of the parties. Might as well eat it then, I am not that petty enough to neglect myself out of health; though I did skipped dinner this time because of such circumstances. “Let’s feast to our heart's content like there will none for tomorrow! The sweetness that I kept for so long!, none shall remain today as I devour the contents of this very parchment!”

5!

          “May they realize the sincerity love can offer, and none shall to mine! Bring her happiness that I failed to do so when I was her man. Break up those true feelings that she kept on guard, around my proximity; live out a life of love without any facades that you both needn’t bother exhaust.”

         cough cough

         “What the! Why am I coughing blood! Huh!!?”

4!

         Cough cough cough blueewgghh cough cough

          “Why am I coughing blood! Is this because I skipped dinner? But that is absurd, it only happened once…”

         My head was very dizzy and blood kept coming out of my mouth the very moment I cough. 

3!

          “There’s no way that….”

          The moment I realized, it was all too late, and besides, what else could I do? I have already ingested it and there’s no way of telling that it was poisoned? But why though?! Haaaaaaah, I guess this is it. They probably had devised this for quite some time now. But why?! Really? Is this how things is going to really end? I’m sorry mom, dad………………………………………………………………..

2!

1!

ᜆ᜔ᜍᜈ᜔ᜐᜒᜆᜒᜂᜈ᜔ ᜃᜓᜋ᜔ᜉ᜔ᜎᜒᜆ᜔!
(TRANSITION HAS BEEN SUCCESFUL! INSTALLING PROTOCOL 1 OUT OF~~~)

~~~

           "WELCOME THY POOR SOUL, I HAD YET MADE A MISTAKE AGAIN. ALL MY EFFORTS HAVE GONE TO WASTE. I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS THE BEST FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, TO BOTH OF US, BUT I WAS NAIVE AND FOOLISH. I HOPE THAT YOU BREAK THIS LOOP THIS TIME AROUND. I’M SORRY FOR PUTTING SUCH A HEAVY BURDEN UPON TO THE MANY YOU HAVE AT HAND RIGHT NOW ON YOUR SHOULDERS. I’M REALLY SORRY! STRUGGLE AND ENDURE TO FREE THE OTHER ME FROM THIS DAMNATION. YET AGAIN, I TRULY AM VERY SORRY, ME!"