This Story is Not an Ideal One

Not ideal?

We crossed paths at a time when neither of us was exactly welcoming new beginnings. But time intervened, fate prevailed, and here we are—trying to nurture whatever little seed had been planted months, and eventually years, ago.

It would also be worth noting that we didn't exactly click right off the bat. I once tried to offer some not-so-necessary help, and she politely turned it down. I simply shrugged it off and thought nothing of it.

But little by little, we found ourselves exchanging banters. Her sense of humor could make just about anyone fall head over heels, to be completely honest.

It certainly did that to me.

Those long work hours that drained every bit of energy from us eventually became blessings in disguise. They gave us countless opportunities to talk about things other than work while we were... well, working. For a few times, I also got to make her cups of coffee (both for early morning sessions and at night), include also exchanging coffee suggestions!

Hooray for multitasking!

Somewhere along the way, we started exchanging playlists—or rather, she started criticizing my Spotify playlist names.

Cue Harry Styles.

"We've been doing all this late night talking..."

And honestly, thank God for this generation where multitasking isn't just encouraged—it's expected.

As time went on, we found ourselves surrounded by a circle of friends, all trying to make something meaningful out of the toxicity that came with the corporate world we were in. Somewhere in between the shared frustrations, inside jokes, and late-night conversations, we slowly forgot we were only supposed to be friends.

Turns out, we were much happier being more than that.

I eventually stopped being afraid of the "White Lady in the other room" she used to tease me about during those late-night work sessions.

Instead, I became afraid of never getting to call her mine.

I knew I had to do something.

So, by the power of love, I made my move.

The rest, as they say, is history—some of which I hope to write about here someday, assuming my memory doesn't betray me.

Our story is not an ideal one.

It wasn't love at first sight. It wasn't some grand cinematic romance where everything fell perfectly into place.

It simply grew.

Patiently.
Unexpectedly.
Quietly.

We happened to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right person.

And looking back, I wouldn't trade our story for anyone else's.

Not on any given Sunday.