ONE SHOTS

I stood frozen, my eyes locked up to old house where Elle and I shared a lot of countless memories. Nakaramdam ako ng kirot sa aking puso ng maalala ang lahat ng iyon, bawat ngiti, nakaw na tingin at lihim na pagibig. Years had passed pero yung sakit nandito parin. Bumalik ako sa aming bayan para sa burol ng aking Ina at para balikan ang aking minamahal. Ngayon desidido akong ipaglaban siya, sa pamilya namin at sa buong mundo. Elle is my childhood friend, my first love and the love of my life. We grew up together with so much laughter, our love bloomed like the flowers in the garden. But life tore us apart — my families disapproval, our different paths in life. Sa ilang buwan kong pananatili dito nagawa kong makamit muli si Elle. As we sat down on a swing, our fingers intertwined talking about our shared memories together like we used to. As we laughed, my father's shadow emerged. His eyes filled with anger and disgust. His footsteps we're heavy as he approached me. With a firm grip in my wrist, he pulled me away from Elle. "Dad, bitawan mo ako, nasasaktan ako!" I begged as I tried to remove his grip from my wrist. "Ano bang pagkululang ko sainyo ng iyong Ina, anak? You are just like your mother!" He spat, his words cutting deep . "A shame from our family." The weight of my secrets crushed me. My mom left us before she died to be with her lover, her best friend. As tear stormed from my face, I looked at Elle confusion is an evidence in his eyes. "Come home, Ava." He called out, his voice devoid of warmth. I hesitated, torn between my girl and the man who'd raised me. Elle's eyes met mine, filled with concern. "Go." She whispered, "I'll wait for you." "Babalikan kita." Hinalikan ko ito sa noo bago umalis. But what awaited me was storm. "You'll marry Mr. Chivas' son, whether you like it or not." My father demanded. "But Dad, I love Elle and I promised her to not leave her again." I protested. "How about me anak? Your mom already left me. Who'd you do the same?" His words made me frozen. He approached me and embraced me with his arms. "I love you anak, please don't leave me like your mom did." He whispered, begging and I am trapped. Days passed, I came to meet Elle to bid my farewell. I revealed the truth out – my father's rejection of my mother for loving a woman. The pain and shame he'd heaped upon her, Elle's eyes widened in pain, and I knew I was losing her. "Ava, does it matter?" Elle whispered, her voice cracking. "I love you." But I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "My father's words will always haunt us. I won't trap you in that pain." I took her hands and fell on my knees. "I'm getting married, I'm so sorry." Elle's tears fell, as she shoved my hands away and my heart shattered. "You broke your promise like what you did before Ava." My heart sank. "Leave. I don't want to see you again." With that I walked away, leaving behind the only love that had ever truly understood me. The house stood empty, a testament to love lost. My footsteps faded into the distance, my heart heavy with the weight of our shattered dreams. In the silence, I whispered, "Mahal kita" But it was too late. The distance between us grew, a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge. I disappeared into the night, leaving Elle and our love behind, forever lost in the shadows of my family's secrets. For the second time, I left her again, broken and alone. . . . @ayiishinaii