My Soulmate, Goodbye
by Alaine Therese D. Uy
I can still remember the first time I saw you, the first time I knew you existed. But you really didn't stir in me any feelings yet. I was barely six years old at that time. As I grew, you were just one of the things I encountered everyday, when I was still with someone else, but you never meant a thing to me back then. True, we spent a few times together. You, me, and some of my friends. We had fun, too, but you didn't make an impact in my life... yet. I was busy loving someone else. Of course, because of my innocence, being still very young and all, I never really knew the real meaning of love yet, and I took that someone else for granted. There came a time when, inevitably, we had to be separated. I still wanted to be with that someone but I knew we didn't have a future together, no matter what I did. So, eventually, I had to let go.
During that time, I got to know you a little bit better, to get a feel of you, to discover a bit about what you're really like. But I didn't get to do it for a long time thought, just for a few hours, but I was getting to like you. I could feel it in my bones that I'd be happy in your company. Two months after that, I had a peaceful time at home. I wasn't hurting or emoting, even a bit, about the one I'd let go of. Nothing really bothered me much, except that I knew I was supposed to move on. It was the law of life.
But I was scared. I wasn't sure, I didn't even know what I'd be facing next. I really didn't know what to expect, because many times in past events, my expectations hadn't been met. Luckily, you were there.
Within those two months and a few weeks, we were officially together. The first few days, I felt awkward, I didn't know how to act. But after a few more months, I began to relax, to feel comfortable, to get used to your company, I was now able to show my true colors. I was able to be myself. You introduced me to other people, some familiar faces and some new ones. Through you, I found my friends.
I also learned a lot from you. You taught me many things that I will forever be grateful for. Those lessons you taught me will always remain in my head and in my heart for not only did you teach me lessons from books, you also taught me lessons from experience, values, morals, and lessons for the heart.
In the first few months, our relationship was moving smoothly. We got along with each other well but as the months wore on, you started giving me problems that got more and more difficult to solve. There were even some that kept me up most of the night. It was quite unfair. I never gave you any problems so why did I get so many? Were was I supposed to find the time to solve all of them? But still, I understood. I understood that was the way of life, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Our relationship blossomed with each passing year though it's quite surprising to know how it happened, because we were never alone together. There were always lots of people around us. But still, I, inevitably grew fonder of you. You were always there when I was sad or happy, but mostly when I was happy. You provided me with joy and excitement, especially when you brought promises for new and exciting things to come my way.
During our third year together, I had some of the best moments of my life with you. Moments of fun and laughter. Those moments tat I spent with you are very memorable for me. It was then that I realized that I loved you, and until now I still do. Oh, how I wished everything could have stayed the same as it was in our third year together because even if you did give me difficult problems, my joy surpassed it all and made the problem-solving seem like an enjoyable task.
Unfortunately, things have changed now that we're in our fourth year together. There seems to be more pressure around us. And it's not the same as it used to be. I don't know when, I don't know how, I don't know why this change happened, but it's just really very different. I know something bigger out there is calling me, to give me a better opportunity in life, to be more prepared for the things to come. After our fourth year together, I'm afraid I have to say goodbye, whether I want to or not. I know it'll be sad for me to leave you, but life has to go on.
You and I both know that we couldn't be together forever. However, as I embark on another part of my journey, another chapter of my life, you will always remain in my thoughts and in my heart. Your lessons and our experience together will guide me along the way, you've helped mold me into what I am right now. You've become an important part of my life. It's really sad to go. But even tough I'll be apart from you, I'll treasure all my memories of you and me. A part of you will always be with me, and you'll never be forgotten...my dear Alma Mater.