The Shattered Bliss by Ms. K

This story is part of the Make it Bitter or Make it Better Writing Challenge, where we invited writers to explore the storytelling possibilities of a simple situation. We gave authors free reign to interpret the prompt as they see fit, provided that they give their story a clear ending.

Read on and let the author take you on a ride through their imagination. At the end, don't forget to show them your support.

Note: This story has not yet been proofread.

SYNOPSIS

Slow but passionate…..Dreamy yet whirlwind……Intense and consuming. 

Call it what you want.

But…

It was just a moment in time.

What was once a euphoric exchange shattered when the shocking and unexpected twist of truth was revealed. 

Would they dare to indulge? 

 Or….

 Resist the satisfying pleasure?  

Despite knowing that it will shatter their bliss. 

SUMMARY

Two people, same town, different vibe but both chasing the sun’s sweet grace. He loves to play guitar while she loves to read and write. Music and sunset is his therapy while stories written in books and a pen in hand were her. They get along so well, childhood besties if they say. His mother and her grandmother are close. They are both presents in each other's gatherings may it be fiestas, birthdays, and any other occasions they’ll have. 

At first, she thought it was normal. Like who wouldn’t? They’ve been doing it for so long. Playing together, sleeping together, eating together, going to school together and even going home from school. They are both so innocently living and vibrating in each other's presence. Time goes by until they turn 16, that's when their life changes. She found out that her so-called parents are not the biological ones, yes, she is adopted. She told him about it, and he already knew it, he said his mother told him so. And it’s not a secret in the town, every single person in the town knows that she is adopted. 

That was a devastating point for her, she's not mad about it. She's even thankful, thankful for the hands that held and loved her. She later on met her biological mom, her 3 step sisters, and her 1 biological sister. It was a dreamy morning she could ever wish for, for her, everything is falling into place. Then time, as cruel as it could be, her grandmother died. August 17, 2021 was a cruel day for her, many gathered at the funeral but she's only looking for one specific person. He's not there, just his mother. Later on that day she received a text, a simple “My deepest condolences for your loss, be strong she wants you to hold on”. Just like that, she melted. Crying her eyes out, it was what she needed. For almost a day exhausting herself out helping their relatives manage the people at the funeral, that was a comforting word so far she never knew she needed. 

It is so true that the plans we made don't always align to every situation we are in. She didn’t plan living outside her hometown, it wasn’t even on the plan she listed. But time, the cruelty of time can happen in a single bit. We really don't know what will happen next, so cherishing every moment we have is the only thing we could do. After all, everything is just a memory. July 14, 2021 her next journey began in an instant. Her step mom decided to bring her to Cavite. Her  life changed, she met new people that became her safe place, found comfort in new places, and of course more in love in books and butterflies. 

Facebook and Messenger is her only social media platform to connect with him. They don’t call, just text. With him, she found peace and he had no idea that with a simple strum and songs that he sent, it made her smile and fight for another day. That setting went on for a year, and a lot can happen even just for one day. Later on he stopped sending songs and she was blocked. She didn’t know the reason. “What went wrong? Did I do something that made him upset?” For days, her mind was occupied with a lot of questions. Life doesn't stop even when you want to. Days turn to weeks, weeks to months, and months turn into years. She was filled with school work and research within those times. School was her escape from that feeling. She knows she had feelings for him, she won’t be affected and felt miserable if not. 

Indeed time is cruel, but it also has its way of surprises. He added her on instagram one night. She was in shock, she thought he forgot about her because she has no contact with him and vice versa. “Oh God! Oh God!” words she shouted after a minute of realization. It’s real, it's not a dream. And to test that, she posted a story. A picture of herself. And he replied to that story for goodness sake. And it went on and on, asking how they have been for a year and confessing each other's feelings. It was smooth, peaceful, and a tantalizing moment for her. Love that doesn’t demand to be seen, but the presence is felt. A love that understands and treasures every little thing they have for each other. 

It was everything she asked for. He understood that they’re still young and a lot can happen but both believed that they surpass whatever it is. He started sending songs with his guitar because he knows she loves it. Days went on just like that, it’s so perfect. So perfect that they didn’t believed the shocking news. 

It was the day of her exam, he was on vacation. He texted in the morning that he had something important to say. She texted back “I’m on my reviewer, i have an exam tomorrow. Can you wait for me after my exam?” And he said “Yes sure, study well”. That day went on without any problem for her, she was happy because she did well on the major exam. Until 10 pm arrives, he is online on instagram. And with that everything seems a blur. 

Her: “Hi, jgh. How are you? What was it about you wanted to tell me earlier?” 

Typinggg…

Him: “Hi, I’m not fine. I have some bad news” 

Her: “Okay, what is that?” 

Him: “I had a serious conversation with my mom last night”

With a worried face she typed “What is it? I’m all ears”

Him: “I told her about us. Everything. That I love you and that we are talking now.” 

Her: *With a happy face “And? What did she say?”

Typing….

Typing…

Typing…

Typing…

Typing…

Worries started to come in her heart and mind. For about a minute the chat box was like that. Him typing and it will be gone for a moment, and went back to typing again and then gone. 

Her: “Okayyyy, I’m starting to feel that is 100% bad indeed HAHAHAHA”

Typing…

Him: “She said we are cousins” 

WE ARE COUSIN……cousin……cousin……..cousin…..cousin…

That word, that exact word kept echoing in her mind. She didn’t respond to that text. 

Him: “She said, your biological grandmother and my grandmother are related. We’re 2nd cousin” 

Him: “Hey, talk to me. I don’t know what to do”

She was speechless. Couldn’t process everything. 

And it hit her. 

Yeah, how can she forget, she is adopted. Fucking ADOPTED. 

Her: “Are you sure about that?” 

Him: “That’s what she said. She said we should stop this” 

For a while, she breathed. Breath in, breath out 2x, 3x, 4x, she couldn’t tell. Her heart feels heavy, and suddenly tears evolve to form in her eyes. That's when he called. Yes, he called. She stared at it for a moment, wiping her eyes and picking it up. It’s a video call on instagram. She turned off the camera, afraid for him to see her crying. What was once a happy moment together became a devastating one with that news. An unexpected news. 

For years, she had no contact with him and now that they both are happy and at peace with what they have for each other. That’s when a ticking bomb blew. 

‘Why? Why now? Now that I am sure about us? Now that I am so invested in my feelings for you’ I will never forget these words he says on that call. 

We had no choice, his mother wanted us to stop. So we did. Yes, we did. We sorted things out and decided to let things go. It was not an easy pie decision, but it is the right decision to make. TO STOP. Kill the feelings before the feelings kill you. But how? How can you kill a feeling that's been rotting in your bones for so long? Would you even dare to kill it even when it means you have to kill yourself too? 

Life is indeed full of ups and downs. One moment you're happy the next thing you know you’re crying your eyes and heart out. Full of surprises and conceptions. Good things always come to an end. Now I think happiness was not a gift. It's a loan, and the universe always collects the debt. 

‘I felt a profound connection, but it was a fantasy rather than a reality we could build on.  Still, I will forever cherish those moments. I love you, always and forever’ 

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