The Letter: A Valentines’ Day Short

FEBRUARY 14, 2019 · PUBLIC

59 Reads

Regrets are illuminations come too late.

-Joseph Campbell

It was February 14, yet Samantha was crying as she ran out to the hallway. She heard rumors that Dave, her boyfriend, was with another woman. Ever since she heard about the rumors, she wanted to leave Dave, it's just that she really loved him. It was only now that she got so tired that she have decided to leave him. For good, she thought.

As she runs down the hallway bringing books with her, she bumped into a man, causing it to fall down. 

"Oh, miss! I'm sorry, I didn't noticed!" the man said, abruptly trying to pick up the books that fell.

As the last book was about to be picked up, they accidentally touched each other's hand. They looked at each other, until he put away his hand. Samantha then picked up the book.

"That's okay, it's no problem." Samantha said as she tries to wipe off her tears.

"Oh, thank goodness." the man replied. "Why are you crying?"

"Ah! No, it's nothing."

"Are you sure? It's Valentines' Day, yet here you are, crying because of a man?"

Samantha froze for a while. It was as if the man had predicted her problem.

She wasn't supposed to be crying, because Dave gave her a letter just before Valentines' Day. It was a big, red box that's as tall as her. There was a greeting card that says, "Just open it before February 14" with a picture of a panda, Samantha's favorite animal. Yet now that she was decisive to break up with him, she just didn't want to open it anymore, even if it's something of great value.

"Miss? Are you okay?" the man asked.

"Oh, yeah. I'm okay."

"By the way, I'm Daniel. Dan, for short. What's your name?" He said, reaching out his hand.

"Samantha."

They both shook hands. Samantha prompted to leave.

"Wait!" He said. "Before you go," He then got out a piece of paper, wrote down on it, and gave it to her. "If you want to talk about him, or that problem you are probably facing right now, here's my number." Samantha just muttered thanks, then ran away.

As she got home, she got a message from someone.

"Sam, please talk to me. I can fix this, just let me explain."

She knew it was Dave, so she just replied, "I'm breaking up with you." Then she blocked the number. She was on her bed, thinking about everything they've had for the past five years: all the dates they've had, the times they laughed about past relationships, the times that they've cried on many things. And then she remembered the big box that Dave gave to her.

"Ma, can you put this on the cellar? I don't need this anymore." Samantha said.

"But, Sam, that's from Dave! How are you two?" her mother asked.

"Nothing. I just broke up with him."

Her mother was shocked. She knew that Dave was a good boyfriend to Samantha. Husband material, as millennials say. But her mother never knew that Dave would do something that would make her daughter break up with him. She went to sit with her daughter.

"What happened, dear?"

She cried, then leaned on her mother's shoulder.

"Ma, Dave is with another woman. I thought he was going to be more faithful with me now, but I was wrong. How foolish am I to give him another chance after I found him cheating on me? I never knew he was like that, a fake man!"

"Sam, did you make him explain why he did that?"

"I didn't need any explanations. I knew he was cheating."

"But do you know where he was coming from? Try to listen to him, you might probably know the reason why."

Samantha didn't listened. After their conversation, she deleted everything with her boyfriend on it: contacts, pictures, conversations, everything. She made sure that she would forget Dave once and for all, that she even carried the box out her bed and into the cellar herself. She slept with a tear on her cheek, thinking of the reasons why Dave would cheat on her.

As time goes by, her connection with Dave was cut short. As the lovers' flame faded, the flame with her and Daniel ignited. She was feeling chemistry, as he was consoling her as she tries to reminisce all the good things she have shared with Dave.

"Just forget it. How can you move on, if you just keep on remembering?" Daniel said one time, as they went to a friendly date.

"I don't know. You know, I really loved him. But I didn't know that Dave would do such thing to me. I knew his feelings was genuine, but with that foolish act? I don't know what to do with him."

"You know what. Just leave him be. That's what he wants. He wanted to be happy with that, so be it. It's now your move. Do you really want to be happy?"

Dead air filled the atmosphere. Samantha really wanted to be in good terms with Daniel, for she knew that she would be better with him than with Dave. He is kind, caring, and even a lovable man. What's more, he's more handsome. But the words she said would change the course of her life.

"Yes, I do. And I just want to be happy with you." She then held his hand. He smiled, for he knew that he had already got her heart.

Time passed by, ten years after. All the planets aligned in syzygy for the two, and it was now the time for their wedding vows. All Samantha's hate to Dave have vanished, and now they are acquaintances, although she wasn't so certain if Dave still loves her or not. The day before their wedding, Dave talked to Samantha personally. 

"Hello, Sam." Dave said.

"Hi, Dave." She replied.

"Now I know that you are happy now. I have never seen you that happy when you were with me back then."

"I know that you are happy now, Dave. I wish you can be happy with my life, too."

"Yes, I know. I just want to let you know that never have I ever cheated on you. But then you never let me explain, and so you left, without letting me say anything."

"It's because I know that you have cheated. Once a cheater, always a cheater. Remember that." And then she left.

That was their last conversation. She just let the hate roll off her back. It is wedding day tomorrow, she said to herself. All of a sudden, she remembered about the box that Dave gave to her, ten years ago. She went straight to the cellar to find the box, full of dust, yet still intact.

Its red wrapper was now fading, and the ribbon was almost teared up. The ink on the greeting card was fading too. But still, she admired that the box have succeeded the challenge of time. She wiped off the dust on top of the box, then unraveled the ribbon. What she have found in the box was a thousand sticky notes in a big box about the size of a shoebox. Some of them say, "Never give up. I'm still with you" and "If ever you are sad, always remember that I love you". There was also a big panda, but with brown fur instead of white because of the dust. It was still her favorite animal and she still admired it, but what really made her sit on the dusty chair was the letter she found out that the panda was holding. She was left in tears as she read the letter.

Dear Samantha,

 I know that this gift was early, but I know you love pandas. I'm sorry, this is the only thing I can give you. No extravagant date, no bouquet of flowers, no long messages. Just sticky notes, a panda, and this letter.

 I know I have cheated on you once before, but do remember that I will try to change. Pinky swear(I know that you still do that). Everyone changes, and if they want to change, especially if that is for the one they love, they WILL change.

 I know I came from a poor family. I admit that my mother is a washerwoman and my father is a jeepney driver, but it is no hindrance for someone who would work hard for someone they love. Do remember that I worked hard on my aunt's place for the entire January just to give you this. If someone sees me and tells me that I am with a woman, please don't listen. It is my aunt, and that I, over my dead body(lol), would try to replace you over her.

 With all jokes aside, always remember that I love you, even if we're of different social statuses. I may be poor, but I am rich when it comes to my love for you. Remember that I will never cheat just because I am not happy with you anymore. I would rather struggle with you than to be happy with someone else. Please, please remember that.

 I love you, Samantha. Happy Valentines' Day!

-Dave