All The Sweet Things They Can Find"I like it. No, I changed my mind… I absolutely love it!" I said as if in a dream, staring at miniatures and tracing blueprints with my fingertips. My future home. How wonderful. "Darling?"
My fiancé met my gaze and smiled indulgently. "Yes. It's simply marvelous. But with you around, dear, any place is marvelous."
"Oh!" Here I am, about to be married, yet I'm blushing like a schoolgirl with a crush. You could never be too old for this stuff, I guess. Warmth filled my heart. I squeezed his hand tenderly. He squeezed back, then turned his smiling eyes to the man standing next to us. "Thanks, John. We really appreciate it."
John beamed. "Glad you liked it, David. It's the least I could do, being friends with both of you for so long."
"Especially with Belinda here. Way back in college, right?" David chuckled. "Well. When are you going to settle down anyway? It's not too late… we could still make it a double wedding…"
Laughter rang, but I thought John's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "What can I do?," he said with a wry smile. "The girls seem to be afraid of me."
"With that smile of yours? Nah." Laughter again. "You'd better think about that double wedding, and fast. The offer won't last long. I can't wait to sweep this princess off her feet and bring her to our castle."
I linked my arms into David's and said, "While you're awaiting the completion of our castle, my Lord, I am going to take a walk by the rose garden." I dimpled. "You boys discuss the plans. I'll be back."
Apart from David, John is probably the guy closest to my heart. I think there's nothing wrong in admitting that once upon a time, when David hasn't claimed my heart yet, John had it all to himself. He was my college friend, my first love. For the longest time I was in agony, longing to tell him what I really felt about him. But all I could be to him is a friend. There had always been other girls - pretty, curvy girls with tinkly laughter - to whom I could never compare. Countless times I tried to forget him, but I just can't. Later he pursued his dream to be an architect. Me on the other hand entered law school, thinking I'll never fall in love again.
That's where I met David - at law school. I can't remember when or how it happened, nor did I expect it. I just woke up one day and realized that I am already in love with him. I never doubted that love. He's the best thing that ever happened to me, and I know he feels the same way.
There's not the slightest prick of bitterness nor regret whenever I think of John. I no longer wonder what could have been, and there's no need to bury something that simply isn't there anymore.
I waved as they walked away, arms linked. I felt a dull ache in my chest; the love I felt for her from our college days hasn't changed a bit. For the longest time I was in agony, longing to tell her what I really felt about her. But all I could be to her is a friend. There had always been other girls - pretty, curvy girls with tinkly laughter - but they could never compare to this warm-hearted girl that was my friend, the one I could never have. Countless times I tried to forget her, but I just can't. I pursued my dream to be an architect, wanting to divert my mind from this feeling. She on the other hand entered law school.
That's where she met David - at law school. She says she can't remember when or how it happened, nor did she expect it. She just woke up one day and realized that she's already in love with him. I never doubted that love. I know she's the best thing that ever happened to him, and I can see she feels the same way. I never saw two people more in love.
The least I could do is to build this house that I've always dreamed of building for her… for us. Only it is not me who'll be sharing this home with her. I think I will never cease regretting and wondering what could have been. But then, there's no use hoping for what wasn't there in the first place.
"And as I go through my life, I will wish for her, his wife, all the sweet things she can find… all the sweet things they can find." - Diary, Bread.