Beautiful Tragedy

I saw my boyfriend with another girl. I couldn't help but notice how happy the girl looked; they were even walking arm in arm. I knew that girl—it was his ex.

The pain was intense, but I had already suspected this from the beginning. He only loved me because Dayana and I have similarities. Over our two years together, I felt it.

Yes, he loved me, but not in the way he loved her.

"Pa, can you stop the car? I'll go home, I promise. I just need to talk to someone." I knew my parents had seen what I saw. They are the kind of parents who trust me because they believe I'm capable of making my own decisions. They let me get out of the car, worry evident in their eyes, and I reassured them with a smile.

I got out of the car and approached them. I confronted them.

"Hi, love," I said, smiling.

"K-kira." He looked shocked to see me.

"Oh, hi Dia!" I smiled genuinely at them.

I wasn't angry, just deeply hurt.

"Love, can we go home now? Shall we?" I extended my hand to him, watching to see which he would choose. I saw him hesitate, still with his arm around the girl, shifting his gaze between us.

"It's okay if you're not ready yet. I'll head home first." I smiled, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. I turned to leave.

"I'll be back." I heard him say to Dayana. He hurried after me and grabbed my arm.

"Akira, let's talk." He said, his eyes pleading.

"Oh, yes, we need to," I said with a laugh. "Let's take a cab." I acted as if everything was normal. I wasn't being fake; I just didn't want him to worry, knowing he was happy with someone else.

"Where should we talk, at the place where it all began and, I guess, where it will end?" I smiled again. His face looked troubled. I knew he loved me too, so I wasn't angry with him. I could tell he was worried about me now.

After we got off the cab, I called Mom.

"Mom? I'll be late coming home. Don't worry, I'll be back. I'm your daughter, after all! I love you, Mom." I tried to sound cheerful, but tears were already welling up.

When we reached the top, we could see the city lights below. I looked up and let my eyes wander among the stars.

"Explain."

"L-let's break up." He said with a forced smile, finally saying what I had been expecting.

The pain was unbearable. It felt as though my heart was being hammered. But what could I do? I could never force this man to love me.

"Why?" I asked.

I stared ahead at the city lights while he faced me, his head bowed.

"My love for you has faded. I'm really sorry; it wasn't intentional." I looked at him and smiled.

"Don't worry. It's okay. At least you've been honest. Let go of the heavy feelings, okay?" I turned him to face me and smiled.

"Be happy, Van."

I left with a heavy heart. I didn't even realize I had made it home. I walked into the house, still fighting back my tears. Mom, Dad, and my sister were waiting for me, their faces full of concern. I smiled at them.

"I'm just going to my room for a bit."

"Sweetheart, you know you can tell us everything. Let's talk?" Mom said, her concern evident.

"We bought ice cream," Dad said, holding up a big bucket of cookies and cream, my favorite. I laughed through my tears. I cried so hard.

"What happened?" Mom asked, guiding me to the couch.

"He broke up with me. It's over, Mom. It's really over." I cried while eating the ice cream. Dad really knows how to make me feel better.

"Why?" Dad asked.

"His feelings faded. He still loves Dayana, it's still his ex." I cried like there was no tomorrow, my face smeared with tears and melting ice cream.

"Shh, everything will be okay, baby. We're here for you. We love you." They hugged me tightly.

I just smiled and held back my tears. I didn't want them to see me so broken.

"Of course! I'm your daughter, right? I'll fight on! That's just how life is. We can't do anything if we just keep crying. Fight!"

"Get some rest, sweetheart." They smiled.

They helped me to my room, and I still carried my ice cream with me.

When I was alone, I curled up on the floor, hugging the melting ice cream, and cried out everything. At that moment, I talked to God.

"Lord, this hurts so much. I loved him, I loved him so much. But Lord, even though it's painful, I know this is part of your plan, so I'll accept it. I know he's happy with her, so I'll be happy too. I'll just study hard to ease the pain. But for now, I'll just cry, okay? I'll just cry."

I fell asleep in that position, hugging the melted ice cream. I didn't realize my parents were listening outside my room.

Anika's Father's POV:

It was late at night. My wife and I were asleep when we heard the doorbell ring. I looked out the window and saw Van. I remained calm and went outside to meet him. My wife watched from our bedroom window.

"Sorry, Tito, I couldn't sleep. May I see Akira?" he pleaded.

"She's asleep," I said calmly.

"Please, Tito."

"Why? What for?" I said, trying to hide my irritation.

He fell silent and looked down, his sadness palpable. We walked to the playground in our village. I didn't ask him what happened; Akira had already shared the story with me earlier.

"I admit, I'm angry with you. I want to hit you because my daughter is hurting because of you." He remained bowed and silent. "Do you know? You're a big fool."

"Sorry, Tito."

"My daughter is so kind. Earlier, her mind was full of positivity. I'm angry, but what can I do? In this world, she will be hurt, and not all the time I can protect her."
"I-I'm really sorry, Tito," he said, holding back tears.

"Stop saying sorry. Be happy. That's what my daughter wants. Go home; it's late."

After saying that, I went back inside the house and was greeted by my wife.

"Love? What did you talk about?" she asked worriedly.

"Shh, don't think about it. Everything's under control. Don't stress yourself, love."

"But that's our child. I'm worried."

I pulled her towards the bed and embraced her.

"I know, but our Akira is strong. We should trust her, okay? We're here to guide her, not to control her life." I kissed her forehead as we drifted off to sleep.

Akira's POV:

"Good morning, world! New day, new battle, new fight. Fighting!" I said with a fighting gesture.

My body ached when I woke up. Sleeping on the floor does that. I pouted when I saw the melted ice cream. I put it in the mini fridge in my room. I stretched because my whole body was sore, then went to the mirror.

"Aaaaaaaaaa," I shouted

"Sweetie, what happened?" Mom rushed to my door.

"Zombieeeee!"

"Hahahahahaha," Dad laughed from the outside.

I looked at my face and was horrified. My hair was a mess, my eyes were swollen, and I had dark circles. I looked terrible!

"Go get ready. Your brother is coming over soon," Dad said with a smile.

"Really?" My tear-filled eyes lit up at the news. I quickly showered and got dressed, putting on some concealer under my eyes to hide the puffiness. When I heard the horn outside, I rushed down, hugged my brother, and even had him carry my things despite being grown-up.

"Aysus, hahaha, still my baby." My brother ruffled my hair and smiled. He was with his wife and their baby. He said he'd take me out while his wife and baby stayed at home because they missed Mom.

While we were eating ice cream at the mall, my brother suddenly said, "Son of a b-!" His irritation was evident as he messed up his hair.

I looked to see what he was staring at and saw Van with Dayana. I saw the smile on his face, the same one I hadn't seen before when we were together.

"Hi Dayana. Hi Van." I smiled, stopping them in their tracks.

"Don't get it wrong, I'm not being fake. I just want to say take care of each other and be happy. Goodbye." I said genuinely and waved goodbye. My brother and I left with smiles still on our faces.

"I'm proud of you," my brother said, kissing my forehead.

I smiled at my brother, realizing something: Yes, it's painful, but that's life. Life comes with pain, and nothing will change if you just keep crying. Be happy for someone else's happiness. Think positive. You'll get hurt, but fight for your happiness. It's hard, but it's always worth it. Fighting!