[You might lose her if you choose that over her...Pick wisely Cristof.]
I have been staring at my phone for almost 30 minutes. I am about to sleep before I have received a message from Mikhaelo. I breathe heavily several times as my palms started to sweat a lot. I do not know what to say.
Basically, Mikhaelo is my writing buddy ever since. I considered him as my only best friend. Well before, Mike was my rival as I started joining journalism when I was in my 9th grade. But as the time went on, we became friends and since then, we decided to commit ourselves in writing. We both aspired to become a great writer someday, so as we got into college, we undoubtedly applied for the university publication. Luckily we passed and despite of our hectic schedules since we have different courses, we still managed to pour our very best in writing news and other articles for the university paper. We did excel a lot in our academics and passion during our first year of being a freshman.
Year after year, everything was good and we were still blessed as our hardwork has been paid off at last! We were given positions in the publication as Section Editors. He was the Sports Editor and I worked as the head of the Feature Section. We were always doing our best and regret nothing for we do love writing.
Months after, I got myself in a relationship. I met Aeniele during the second semester of our sophomore year. We got along well because she also loves to write. Actually, she was the playwright of our university theathre arts but due to some personal matters, she left it with a heavy heart. I told this to Mike, he was so happy and supported me all the way. Weeks have passed by, and I believed we are having mutual understanding so I decided to court her and fortunately, she said yes.
Aeniele supports my journalism works and she never complained about my tight schedule because she said she already knows the life of a writer for she was a playwright before. Yet still, we managed to give each other a quality time.
“I am amazed that Aeniele really understands you, Cris,” Mikhaelo once said while he was eating his donuts happily. He was about to have first bite but then he noticed I was staring at him. “What?”, he asked.
I chuckled, “Yes, And I am amazed in her, too.” I wish I could give her my time more, but obviously...,” I sighed. “We still have more paperworks to do in the publication office.”
“Sad for you,. Well anyway, do not forgot the meeting later. Miss Anvleia has an announcement. See you!”, Mike concluded as he finished his food.
Well, Mikhaelo and I still committed in the journalism organization and we are now in our 3rd busy year. He is assigned as the new News External, a position higher than mine, while I am the News Internal. We are both passionate and busy with our works but we are still happy and so as Aeniele for me.
“So we gathered here today for a very important and exciting announcement,” began Miss Anvleia. “Remember the big training program that the International Organization for Journalists was preparing last month? Our university is invited to attend the grand event all the way to Canada! But unfortunately, we only have the opportunity to send two of our beloved journalists to represent our university publication because our institution could only accommodate two participants,” our adviser explained.
“Cris, I am confident that it is me, because I am the News External. I can finally reach my dream internationally,” Mike whispered to me boastfully. He smirked as I just simpered.
“This is a big opportunity because this training will be held for four months, a program that would actually help you to excel in journalism or even reach your dreams,” we are all astonished of what we have heard about. “And aside from our Editor-in-Chief, Clemm, I have also chosen you, Cristof. Yes! Let us all congratulate our two participants!”
My eyes are widely opened in amazement and surprise. This is a big news for me and I can’t wait to tell this to Aeniele. I looked around to see Mike but puzzled, I saw him walked away.
We had a little celebration in the office. I went home alone because Aeniele had no class and Mike has been missing since the announcement. I texted Aeniele that I have something big to tell her first thing in the morning when we meet.
I was about to sleep when my phone rang. Mikhaelo sent me messages.
[If I were you, I would not accept the invitation.]
I was confused. I was to reply but he messaged again right away.
[I think 4 months without you will make Aeniele crazy.]
[It is so funny that you will tend to leave her for 4 months knowing that you lack time with her. How poor.]
[I thought you love Aeniele? You better know your priorities.]
[You might lose her if you choose that over her...Pick wisely Cristof.]
I didn’t know what to say. He was right. I never had a good quality time with Aeniele because I am too busy. I love her so much, but...this is a great opportunity for me! I am almost reaching my dream to become a great writer of all times, but which one should I choose. I love my passion but... I will talk to Aeniele about this tomorrow.
“Goodmorning love! So what is it you’re about to tell me?!,” Aeniele told me excitedly.
I composed myself and sighed. I need to tell this now or never. “ I love you Aeniele,” she smiled in bewilderment.
“Okaaay. So? I love you too, then,” she replied.
“Our university is invited for a big program and my organization is given the opportunity to send two participants,” my lips are trembling. “ And I was given a chance to fly all the way to Canada and stay there for 4 months.” I closed my eyes immediately so I could not see her reactions, “But I declined the offer.” Few seconds have passed and I haven’t heard her voice, then suddenly...
“WHY DID YOU DECLINE?!! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? OH MY GOD CRISTOF! WHY DID YOU NOT ACCEPT IT? IT IS A STEPPING STONE TOWARDS YOUR DREAMS!” she exclaimed tremendously.
“A-are you not mad? It is 4 months, love. For worse, I’ll be leaving you here alone for 4 months,” I asked confusingly.
She smiled and hold my hands. “My ex-boyfriend forced me to leave the theatre. I got angry because it is my dream, my passion. I told him that I will leave the theatre but I will break up with him. He never understands me so I just leave him and never had a chance again to go back to theatre.”
“So?” I asked.
“I love you so much and I know how much you love me. I have faith in you and I believe that your honesty and faithfulness will lead your passion to success. I would never hinder you from your dreams. Because you never stop me also from dreaming. My dreams are your dreams and your dreams are my dreams. I can see how pure your aspiration to be a writer is. I love you, Cristof.”, she hugged me tightly.
That was the day that I alwasy remember whenever I miss Aeniele. It is my 2nd month here in training and we are getting better. I always make sure that I give Aeniele most of my time after the training schedule. She is getting used to this LDR. However, I haven’t heard Mike since that night he sent me messages. I found out form our Editor-in-Chief that Mikhaelo never goes to our publication ever since the announcement. She concluded that maybe he is just envy because despite of our position in the publication, I got the chance to participate here.
Well I guess, I never expected that to happen. I hope that we will have a great time to talk and reconcile our friendship back to what it was before. After all, I learned so many things from him especially about journalism but the biggest lesson he had taught me is to never rely on “what ifs” because it will only cause to hold you back from your dreams.
I am grateful to have Aeniele and she understands me so well.
I guess the playwright is right.
