Same as yours

I didn't know what success meant to other people. Was it getting what you've been waiting for to happen in life? Was it about achieving what you're aiming for a long time?

Well, success means to me as receiving things you've been longing for, not alone but with someone that you love.

See, I'm a 25-year-old guy, sitting in my studio. My paintings around me just finished taking a phone call from my manager, who was telling me that I got asked to put up my portraits - A collaboration exhibit with the most celebrated painters all over the world.

Three years ago, my life wasn't like this. I was a struggling artist painting outside the street, not earning for my living, but living my dreams, I was ambitious. I have had always wanted to be an artist. My family wasn't supportive of this since I came from a family that loves business. My dad had always told me to put aside my hobby and help him with the company. Of course, I declined. It was not that me being lazy, but it wasn't my calling, for now. He did understand me, and so I was grateful.

About Four years ago, my life changed- like a whorl. It happened in one of the exhibits my School has asked me to organize and during the preparation of the event.
I was wandering along the hall when I found the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. She was looking at one of my paintings while smiling. Boy!, I was so stunned then she turned her head around and looked straight into my eyes. She had perfect blue eyes.

God!, I never knew what whacked me, but my heart started beating rapidly. I blankly stood next to her and blurted out

"You're beautiful."

She looked at me as if I'd grown two heads. It took her seconds to talk

"thank you, "  she said

Her face flushed crimson red, and she was embarrassed then she walked away from me.

I felt so mortified, realizing what I did.
Turning my whole body more than fifty shades of red from humiliation like if there's another shade existed, it'll be named after me.

Long story short, I was able to find her. I found out that she was an exchange student from another state and was allowed to study at my School.

I messaged her and asked her out. We were inseparable since then. We dated for six months, and we became official after a year of getting-to-know each other staged. It took a while for me to gain her trust. Breaking the walls, she built around her heart for years was the hardest.

We were so happy from then on; she lifted my spirits high, she became my companion when I was down, she was my support, she gave her everything to me so as my everything to her.

I loved her.

I never thought that I would lose her soon after an argument. I didn't even know if I could call that an argument.

We were talking about my plans after graduation. We were sitting outside the porch on a couch like we always do. My head on her thighs, her hands were caressing my hair when she suddenly asked me about marriage and having a baby.

I was taken aback when she asked about plans of having a baby, We were not yet prepared, and knowing myself being cautious. I always made sure we use protection every time we made love.

I answered her, "Marrying you is my dream goal, but having a baby isn't part of it right now; I have so many plans, and I'm not ready for the responsibility."

Her hand stopped rubbing my hair,

"Okay, I'm sorry for asking," she whispered

I sat down alarmed, held her hands and looked at her