Tagalog Love Stories Romantic Pinoy Stories Tragic Love Stories

STEPS

Sunset. The cool ocean breeze blew on her young and delicate face. She was on a wheelchair by the shore, staring impassively at the vast horizon. Three years have passed since it happened. Everything was shattered. Her mind. Her heart. Her soul. Her dreams. Her life. Her body was crippled, paralyzed by her past. She couldn’t let go…

It was a breezy afternoon. A tree stood in the middle of the meadow. Its branches were almost bare and its leaves were scattered on the ground by the tree’s roots. A book was lying open on the ground. Under the tree, beside the open book, was a flower, a pretty yellow one with dew on its petals.

A man, riding a black stallion, passed by the tree. He saw the open book and wondered why it was left lying on the ground. Seeing no one nearby, he got off his horse and went closer. As he bent down to get the book, he heard a muffled sound above him. He looked up and was surprised to see a lady trying to get down from the tree. He stepped back, hoping he would miss her fall. But too late, she lost her grip on a branch and toppled him over to the ground.

She stood up and shook the leaves off of her. Looking down, she saw the man, stunned by her beauty and radiance, sitting on the ground.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

The man stood up as she spoke. He, too, brushed off the dirt and leaves on his rugged shirt.

“No, I’m fine. And you?”

“I’m all right.” She blushed as she spoke.

The man reached out his hand. The lady noticed it was shaking.

“I’m Ethan. And you are?”

“Samantha. But just call me ‘Sam’.” Then, she smiled at him.

Ethan saw the yellow flower on the ground. He picked it up and handed it to Sam. At that very moment, snow began to fall.

A couple of months went by. One morning, Ethan asked Samantha out on a date. Sam thought he would bring her to his house. Unfortunately, she was wrong. He had her blindfolded as he carried her on his horse. When the stallion halted, he helped her descend the horse. Samantha removed the cloth that covered her eyes and was stunned by what greeted her eyes.

Ethan prepared a picnic for her. There was a green-and-yellow-striped blanket with a basket on top. The basket was overflowing with fruits and bread. Around them, a wide green meadow spread out. There were flowers of different colors everywhere. The fragrance of the grass and flowers combined were enough to make the day enchanting. That same day, they became a couple.

One summer night, the young couple was lying down, hand in hand, on the warm sand by the ocean shore. It was nearly sunset. The wind was blowing on their faces. Ethan sat up and stared at Sam’s gentle face.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes, of course. What is it?” Sam answered, still lying on the sand.

Ethan reached for something in his pocket and handed it out to Samantha.

“My dearest Sam, will you marry me and love me for eternity?”

Samantha was too shocked to speak. She sat up, hugged Ethan as tight as she could, and kissed him in the sweetest possible way.

Winter came once again. It was chilly and the roads were slippery. It was too dangerous to go outdoors, but the couple needed to go to the city to make arrangements for their wedding. In the car on their way to the city, it was too silent. Ethan decided to break the deafening silence.

“Why so quiet?”

“I’m just nervous.”

“Nervous about what?”

“I don’t know. It’s the wedding perhaps.”

“You know what? You’re going to be the most beautiful bride. You know what else? I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

“I love you so much, Ethan.”

The road was slippery. Snow was heavy. Screeches and cries were heard. There was blood everywhere. Two hearts were pounding fast. Then, only one was left beating. Alone. Forlorn.

Sunset. Memories of the past kept haunting her as she stared at the ocean’s vastness. Suddenly, a huge wave came onto the shore. She saw a flower, swept by the tides of the body of water in front of her. The flower…it was a familiar pretty yellow flower. She gasped, remembering her past once again. Then, she spoke his name…

“Ethan…”

She started to cringe in the wheelchair. Then, suddenly, after three long and difficult years, she stood up on her own two feet. She took a small step. And another. And another. Then, she was already walking towards the flower on the shore. She bent down and reached for it. Staring at the flower, she smiled. This smile, her smile, a smile that was kept hidden in solitude for years. Then, it began to snow. She looked up at the sky and a teardrop fell from her eye. #