ONE SHOT STORIES

The cold breeze of wind hit me as I shivered and I embraced myself. I was all alone on the seashore, the beach was good to look at, and it made me forget everything that happened. As I looked above, the scintillating stars captured my heart. "What are you doing here late at night?" A familiar voice at my back said. I looked at him, and I was right. It was Ethan. He sat at my back, and he hugged me tightly. "Sorry about what happened earlier," he said, and I just nodded. My eyes kept staring at the beautiful scenery of the beach with the stars in the sky twinkling as if something good was about to happen. "I can't breathe Ethan", I chuckled as he loosened the grip of his hands around me. "Oh sorry", he smiled as he held my hand and intertwined it with his. I smiled after he did that. "Ethan, why does life seem so scary sometimes?", I asked him and rested my head on his chest. He sighed heavily and he became serious. "Life can seem scary because of uncertainty and the unknown. It can also seem scary because of the potential for failure or disappointment," he said. "Life is unpredictable, so it can be hard to anticipate what will happen next and how we will handle it. Many people also experience fear due to their insecurities, worries, and negative self-talk." He looked at me deeply, and I was taken aback by what he said next. "I may not know what will happen next, Sam, but always remember that I will always love you no matter what. No matter how scary life is, I will always be by your side. I won't leave you." I felt secure after he said that, and I was happy about it because my boyfriend assured me that I would hold onto it. "It's getting late, let's go back to our rooms." I nodded and stood up, and I followed him while holding his hands. When we reached the room that was reserved for me, I smiled at him. "Thank you, Ethan", he smiled, and before I closed the door I kissed him on the lips and I immediately turned my back on him and closed the door. "Oh my God what did you do this time, Samantha," I said in unison as I felt the sudden heat of my face. We've been in a relationship for 2 years, but I never kiss him, and he respects me too. It was my first time to kiss him and it was so embarrassing. I was the girl, yet I was the one who initiated kissing him. I immediately go to the bathroom and wash my face. I looked at myself in the mirror and I saw a beautiful woman. And I can't help but praise her beauty. After I finished my bathroom routine, I immediately went to bed and lay down. I'm still thinking about that kiss earlier because of the frustration. I grab the pillow beside me and I put it on my face. My face burned with heat again after I remembered what I had done earlier. "s**t Sam! How will you face him tomorrow?" I mumbled as I imagined how embarrassing it would be to see that man tomorrow. Not so long after that, drowsiness engulfed me, and I was in a deep slumber. As soon as the sun's rays hit my face, I woke up, stretched my arms and yawned. I looked at the clock beside my bed and I was shocked when the arrows said it was 9:00 already in the morning. I rushed as I realized I was already late for the session, it took me 20 minutes to finish my daily routine. I opened the door in my room as I heard a knock. "Yes?" I said as I saw the hotel crew. "Ma'am, Sir, Ethan is waiting for you in the lobby", he smiled. I'm surprised because of the crew's behavior. They weren't like this yesterday. Today it feels like something is going to happen and I don't know what it is. "This way, ma'am " I was confused as to why he kept on accompanying me when I already knew where I should go. Yesterday they weren't like this, and now they're acting weird. Every time I see some staff members, they keep on smiling. I don't know what's wrong with these people. I am not a business tycoon who needs to be picked up from my room and to be escorted to the lobby of this hotel. I am only an assistant engineer, yet they're treating me like that! Just what the hell just happened? "Winter snow is falling down Children laughing all around Lights are turning on Like a fairy tale come true Sitting by the fire we made You're the answer when I prayed I would find someone And baby I found you~" I stopped walking as soon as I heard that beautiful voice. "That v-voice and that s-song," I whispered. "All I want is to hold you forever All I need is you more every day You saved my heart From being broken apart You gave your love away And I'm thankful every day For the gift~" I spun around to find out where that voice came from but the crew beside me earlier was nowhere to be found. I was almost in the lobby when everything went dark and I saw a spotlight. I jolted in surprise after I saw him walking towards me while holding a bouquet of red roses. "If only time stood still But the colors fade away And the years will make us grey But baby in my eyes You'll still be beautiful~" He kept on walking and his eyes remained on me while singing my favorite song. "E-Ethan" I whispered his name because of happiness, I felt so special. "All I want is to hold you forever All I need is you more every day You saved my heart From being broken apart You gave your love away And I'm thankful every day For the gift" A tear escaped my eyes because of happiness. My heart rejoices right now. I can't believe that I am experiencing this right now. I thought this only existed in books. He gave me the bouquet of roses and as soon as I had it, I smiled at him and I smelled the roses and the fragrance of them was so amazing. Just like how amazing his love is to me. "Sam, I love you. The love that I feel right now is the same love that I felt from the first time I saw you. We've been together for 3 years now. Cheers to those happy and sad memories we've shared. Sam, you're the greatest gift I've ever received in this lifetime, because God gave me you." My tears continuously fell after I heard that. He came to me and wiped away my tears. He looked at my eyes again full of sincerity. "Today marks the anniversary of the day when I received the greatest gift of my life. You've been an incredible blessing to me, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life. You are the light of my life and the one person who truly understands me. I can't imagine my life without you, Sam. You fill my days with joy, and I'm so thankful for your love and support. And today, I want to thank you for being an incredible partner. I love you more than words can ever express Sam. " I sobbed as I felt the overwhelming heat stab my heart with happiness. "H-happy anniversary! B-baby, Love, Babe, Honey, or whatever endearment I may call you. It's been an amazing year since you entered my life. I'm so grateful for the gift of having you in my life. God gave me the greatest gift that I have ever received. You've made this day and every day of my life special. I love you now and always Baby!" A tear escaped from his eyes and he hugged me tightly, and I hugged him back too. He then caressed my face and claimed my lips. "I LOVE YOU BABY AND HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY," he said. "I LOVE YOU TOO ETHAN" I replied. The crowd applauded as soon as Ethan held my hand and kissed me on the forehead. I forgot this was the same day that I answered him with my precious "Yes". And I was surprised by what he was doing right now. I never expected him to be this sweet and romantic. "I'm so lucky to have you Ethan, thank you for loving me this way, even though I'm a transgender woman. You never fail to show how much you love me. Every day you always made me feel that I was the most beautiful woman in the world. And thank you for always making me the happiest woman in the world. The joy that I've felt right now is beyond the happiness that I feel every day because of you. Thank you so much, Ethan, I felt so special. _____________ REMEMBER True love knows no gender. Regardless of a person's gender identification, a real man treats them with the same respect and affection and accepts them for who they are. For love knows no boundaries, no classifications, and no restrictions. Since genuine love is selfless, it ought to be celebrated and embraced.