Strings Of Time

II

Both Alex and Coreen knew they were meant for each other. Both strings were perfectly aligned. What could possibly go wrong? It was destined. It was written. It was permitted.

In years' time, they were faced with trials and betrayals. They were pushed to the extent of their emotions to make them weak and vulnerable. Their pride was always at its way. The course of their relationship was almost meaningless until...

Alex was looking up at Coreen quite nervously and said, "Coreen, will you marry me?". She couldn't figure out what was Coreen thinking. The expression of her face was blank. Alex knew proposing was the only way to keep their relationship and it is the only thing that Coreen ever wanted from her. Commitment.

Coreen hoped that Alex would break her walls and open up to her rather than being alone in her own world thinking that it was solitude. But it was sad to look at. There was an instance where the young lady thought that she wasn't the one for Alex and someone else might be more of help to her. But she couldn't bear the thought of losing her, so she stayed. Alex would beg her not to go and promise she would change but in time it was only words for Coreen. The worse part was, Alex's parents doesn't even know that Coreen existed. She kept her away from them and she doesn't even know why.

"What's your answer?" asked Alex with a hopeful voice while holding up a ring.

Coreen broke her silence and smiled with teary eyes, "Yes... Yes. Of course, I'll marry you."

Alex stood up and placed the ring on Coreen's finger with a smile on her face. Coreen mouthed the words "I love you" as they share a kiss that would seal their fate.

Months later, Alex decided that it was time to introduce Coreen to her parents. It was nerve wracking and Alex was showing signs of walling up again.

Coreen knew this was going to happen so she stayed quiet hoping that Alex would somehow pull it together. The young lady had that sinking bad feeling that something would go wrong. While Alex was packing her last clothing, Coreen approached her and held her hand. She sat on the side of the bed with sad eyes.

"What's wrong?" asked Alex as she sits beside her distressed lover. "Are you okay? Are you coming down with something? L-Let me get you something to drink."

Alex was about to stand but Coreen held her hand tighter, stopping her from going somewhere. "Are you sure about this? Is this really what you wanted?" She looked at her lover hoping that she would say something that would ease her mind.

Alex looked away and blew out deep sighs, she knew that Coreen noticed her eerie silence. "Coreen... when I asked you marry me I knew I was doing the right thing."

Coreen scrunched her eyebrows and was confused about what Alex was saying, "What do you mean doing the right thing? Are you seeing this as an obligation? Are you telling me that I forced you to marry me? Is that what you're saying?"

Alex looked at Coreen with wide eyes and shook her head. She held her hands tighter because Coreen wanted to let it go. She was panicking and her words are jumbling up. "N-no... of course not. I mean, you know... I... I... I'm not really good with words. But I know how I feel about marrying you."

"Then show me! God damned it! Show me, Alex! You don't have to say it. Show me that you love me."

Alex looked down and massaged her temples as she clenched her jaw. She stood up and closed her suitcase and brought it to the trunk of the car. Coreen followed her still waiting for an answer. But all Alex did was to glare at her and said, "Get in the car."

The young lady couldn't take it anymore, she sat on the ground and cried. Alex didn't even got out of the car and console her. The young painter doesn't know how to ease her lover's mind. She sat there staring blankly at the dimmed road while gripping tightly on the wheel. In reality, she was scared. Scared of change, scared that they would somehow wind up like her parents. But she couldn't say it to Coreen because she might not understand.

Suddenly, thunder and lightning swooped in followed by a shower on rain. Alex, opened the passenger door and signaled her devastated girlfriend to get in the car. The young lady followed but she was still drenched in tears. Alex started the car and drove off. The car ride quiet and awkward. Coreen would cry silently with sobs in between. Until finally, the young lady said something.

"Alex, I don't know if this is going to work. I'm tired. I can't do this anymore."

Alex dismissed what her lover said, "Coreen, you're overreacting. When we get to my mom's house it would be like nothing ever happened." She held Coreen's hand and kissed it with a smile.

Coreen once again scrunched her eyebrows and bolted her hand away from Alex. "What is wrong with you? Huh? Do think this a joke? I'm done, Alex! I'm done! I don't want to get married anymore! I'm done with you and your issues and I can't help you anymore! It's over!"

"Hey... what's the problem? I didn't do anything, Coreen!"

Coreen sighed as she closes her eyes and held her forehead. "Pull over..."

"What?"

"I said pull over!"

"Are you insane? I can't leave you in the middle of the road." protested Alex. "You have to stop doing this to me."

"Pull over!!! I'm done with you!"

The aggravated painter looked at her passenger abruptly and shouted, "Nobody is getting out of this car!"

"I'm done!!! I'm done with you! You hear me??" said Coreen while hitting Alex with her fist. She was bawling her eyes out and it was like she was begging for Alex to release her.

"Stop it!!" commanded Alex with a stern look. "You are not doing this to me again!" she added with a hint of tears. "I'm sick and tired of your rant, your voice, and your stupid excuses!! You want this to be over?" then suddenly Coreen's reality came back. Whenever Alex would ask her if she really wanted it to be over she would come to her senses and realize how much she loves her. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her again and again. "Then—" Alex added, unaware of what lies ahead.

Coreen gazed her eyes on the road and saw a person standing in the way, "Oh my God, Alex watch out!!"

Alex quickly turned the wheel to the left not knowing that there was a large tree. Coreen hastily embraced her lover in order to somehow save her life. The souls with wide eyes collided with nature and soon death was on its way. Alex was unconscious and Coreen tried to open her eyes as she slowly reached her hand on Alex's cheek.

One.

Two.

Three.

"I love you." She whispered as she slowly closes her eyes.

There is a rumor where it only takes around three seconds to fall in love, the reason is because it only takes three words to say I love you.