Everyday was a reminder of why he can't pursue Dana. She made such a dent in his mind, and he can't simply shake that off. But the more he tried to suppress it, the louder in grew in his head. Going home at the end of the day means the reminder was right in front of him.

"How's your day honey?"

Leo walked up to his wife, Marlene, and buzzed her on the cheek. "It was fine," he replied dryly, placing his briefcase down. He slumped on an armchair, closing his eyes from weariness. He realized he had not taken a good look at his wife since he stepped in his house.

"Would you like to eat out for dinner? A friend of mine wanted us to visit her restaurant. It just opened recently," Marlene offered.

"Not now, dear. I'm so tired from that board meeting this afternoon," Leo declined. "We can eat out some other day."

"You always say that and it never happened until now," Marlene complained bitterly.

"Dear, don't you understand that I'm working hard enough to give both of us a good life?" Leo stood up and faced Marlene squarely, insisting his point.

"I know it, right? But you never have time for me anymore!"

This conversation was now escalating into one of their usual marital fights.

"Just be patient, Marlene. One of these days, I'll make it up to you." Leo tried to hug her but Marlene brushed him away.

"You never made time for me anymore!" she exclaimed angrily. "I don't even recall the last real date we had." She pouted, fighting back her tears.

Leo's eyes fell downwards. Those words pierced through his heart, because all of it were true. But he couldn't speak, couldn't find any words to comfort her, even if he wanted to.

Marlene turned to face him one last time and said, "I'll go out and see my friend. There's ready to heat food in the fridge. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I get home late." With that, she stormed off to their bedroom to get ready. Leo couldn't forget the hurt look on her face long after she had gone. He finished dinner by himself, the dark feeling staying within him without sign of going away.

Where did we go wrong?

Leo was on their bed, his eyes upon the ceiling. The room was enveloped in darkness except for a stream of light coming from the window. His hand felt the empty spot beside him. A part of him worried about Marlene coming home late. But more so, he worried about his marriage with her. He knew he still loved her, but these days, things don't feel the same as it used to be.

He first met Marlene in college, had a 3-year relationship, then got married right after graduation. It was all very sweet and romantic at first. But 6 years later, their relationship felt nothing more than an everday routine to him.

Did it had to do with marrying right away? Did it had to do with him forbidding Marlene to work, because of his high-paying job? Is it because they can never have a baby? Is it because Marlene went out a lot without his knowledge? Did it also have something to do with Leo losing his wedding ring somewhere in the house and made no effort to find it? Is it because they now have separate worlds apart from each other?

What happened? Why were they so happy at first, and now miserable together? Why did the distance between them grown so great over the years?

Is the love still there?

Leo really wanted to save his marriage. But the more he tried, the more they drifted further away from each other. Marlene felt more of a routine to him now. And add to that, there's this random girl he met on the bus and became friends with. Maybe he's going down that path now with Dana. Just one more step.

But he didn't want to take the step further.

Leo stood in front of two crossroads, and time will come when he'll have to choose only one.

But choosing one would risk the possibility of changing his life for the better. Choosing only one also means he would have to suffer longer. If only he can do both. But then, there is only one choice.