Under the Cedar Tree(Liezel Matias) They were young and very innocent then. Full of curiosity, full of wonder. Nonetheless, love they knew, but they defined love so different way back then.

Theirs was a beautiful love affair. It seemed no one and nothing could break them apart. Everyday, they fell in love with each other more. Everyday, it was like him and her against the world. Everyday, it was like heaven.

They kissed, they cuddled and they made love. But time passed so quickly. Things had changed and so their fate.

Then came one winter day under the cedar tree. The very day they vowed to love each other forever; the very tree where they carved their heart of promise; the very promise that broke them apart.

He said he’ll be gone because he’s joining the Army. She said she wanted him to stay. He assured her that he’ll be home before she knows it. She cried and said, “A day without you is like a year for me.”

He took off his coat and put it around her. But it didn’t make her feel better inside. He asked, “Are you too warm with my coat put on?” She asked back, “Are you too cold with your coat put off?”

He grabbed her and imprisoned her in his arms. He thought he’ll miss this girl so much. She thought of this moment not to end. Slowly, he reached for her face and cupped it with his both hands. He looked her in the eyes so intensely and made a promise. “I’ll be home soon. By then, we’ll never be apart ever again.” He gave her a kiss and bade her goodbye.

Days had passed into months and years but she never heard from him. No single letter from him was ever sent to her. It killed her inside thinking he no longer remembered her.

Over the years, she thought of him. His last kiss and the promise he made. For nights she cried and asked herself, “Was he thinking of me the way I was thinking of him?” And for many times, she left her question unanswered. But she feared that he might find someone new. And that he’ll love that woman more than he loved her. With that thought in mind, she couldn’t help but cry.

Time had grown old and she had gone tired. Waiting for him seemed endless. She was not over with him yet, she knew. But she had to get a life. She put his memories behind her and married another man. She left the place that used to be her home and ventured somewhere with someone else.

Then came another winter day under the cedar tree. Two people met for another time in their lives. He looked longingly at her beauty and asked if she’s okay. She said she’s better off this time. She gazed at the old cedar tree hardened by the times and yet remained strong and devoted to its ground. He let go of a better smile and seemed to notice that she might be wishing they were as sturdy as the still tree.

That winter day reminded them of the past, the vow, the promise and the love affair that fell apart. It reminded her of her waiting and the pain he brought her. It reminded him of his struggles while away from her.

She looked at him heartbreakingly and said, “I waited for you long enough that I grew tired of waiting for your return.” He told her, “I was sent to places I never thought I'd set foot on. I’ve seen faces and things I’ll never lay my eyes on again. I went to fight someone else’s war and every step I made was a step away from you. Those were the days that letters were unanswered because they were unsent. But I’ve fought so hard to stay alive for you.”

He then opened a box of bundled letters he was supposed to send her those days. She shook her head in disbelief finding the sincerity in his words. “I heard you’re married to someone else and I can only wish you happiness,“ he said again. She smiled bitterly and with misty eyes she said, “Happiness was never mine because you took it the day you left.”

She can no longer tolerate her pain so she decided to leave. He then said, “I never loved another woman the way I loved you. Maybe this lifetime is not ours but at least we tried. Maybe next time we won’t go halfway.”

“Maybe next time you’ll fulfill your promise,” she added. He painfully smiled and told her, “Maybe next time you won’t lose faith in me. And maybe, just maybe you’ll wait a little longer.”

She said, “I waited for you.” He said, “I never broke my promise.” She cried and he did the same.

It was the last time they ever spoke; the last time they ever saw each other. It was too painful that it ended that way. And it all happened one winter day under the cedar tree.

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