This is a short story written by my daughter, fondly known as Yaya, when she was 15 years old. The story was inspired by the song called “8 Letters” and it was sung by a group from USA called Why Don’t We.
27 Oct 2018
Story inspired by: 8 Letters (Why Don’t We)
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I had experienced way too many heartbreaks over the years. I promised myself to never give them a chance -but guess who bit his tongue? Chances after chances, I couldn’t count how many I had given to all of my previous lovers.
And that’s when I had enough. I swore to myself to never love again.
But then you came along, eyes shining brighter than the stars, a glowing smile. You were brave enough to come up at me at a party, introducing yourself. I thought I’d give you a chance.
“Hey, the name’s Isabel. Heard a lot of good things ‘bout you Jack.”
“Thanks, didn’t think you’ve heard of me. You’re beautiful, by the way.”
The first couple of months were amazing, we were smiling and laughing every day, every second.
‘Isn’t it amazing? How almost every line on our hands align. When your hand’s in mine, it’s like I’m whole again. Isn’t that a sign? I should speak my mind.’
I wanted to talk about it, my problems. But I’m too scared, scared you’ll leave me like the rest. Scared to be lonely.
The words, eight letters…the way it rolls off my tongue…it tastes bitter like vinegar. Was I not sincere? Was I not sincere when I said it out loud, for you to hear?
‘I’ve said those words before, but it was a lie. And you deserve to hear them a thousand times.’
‘If all it is is eight letters, why is it so hard to say? If all it is is eight letters, why am I in my own way?’
My anxiety kicks in. The lies I faced back then flooded my mind, making me dizzy. I grew more scared at the thought of you leaving me for good. Anyone can betray anyone. I tried to hide it, but I’m no good actor. You can clearly see through me.
“What’s wrong Jack?”
You would ask almost all of the time. It annoys me at first, but I wish you were here so I can listen to your voice again. Worried or not, I don’t mind, as long as the voice belongs to you.
You grew tired of me and my double personality. I understand, because I’m tired of it too. I convinced myself that it was to protect my heart, to stray myself away from my fear – I wish I’ve realized sooner that I’m scaring you more than my thoughts are scaring me. I forced you to love me, then I asked you to leave and it keeps on repeating.
Again, and again, and again.
‘Why do I pull you close and then ask you for space? If all it is is eight letters, why is it so hard to say?’
I tried my hardest to say those eight letters, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Our relationship went downhill. You’ve given up on me, just like them.
‘When I close my eyes, it’s you there in my mind, when I close my eyes.’
It’s true. Only you in my mind, no one else. You were with me longer than I expected. And you will be in my heart, forever and always. I’ve practiced. The words I’ve been dying to tell you. Simple and short, full of love, full of pride.
But it was too late.
Not only that you’ve left me, you’ve left the world too.
‘I LOVE YOU’
That’s a sad ending. 🙁
