Going to the beach with Rai was indeed awesome. The beach was not sandy. Well.. The sandy part had been closed, but there were pathways along the coast. There were many stores and restaurants along the path, so we bought food and drinks before walking down the track.   We walked hand in hand. Rai picked me up and twirled us around. It was just like in the movies. Many people were looking at us. They were not used to public display of affections, but we didn't care. As long as we didn't do anything too lewd, we would be alright.   We shared stories, and Rai told me about his time in the U.S. He was more talkative than usual, and I loved it. I knew much more about Rai while walking on the beach than any other time we had ever spent together.   I asked him a question that had been bugging me too.   “Rai, why are you single? I knew that Damian was hurt before, but what about you?” I inquired. &nb

The next day was the day Rai needed to go to Bali. We were standing on the front porch, readying to say our goodbyes.   “Rai, we will keep in touch like when you were in the US, right?” I asked.   “I’ll try, Princess. Though I might be very busy, I’ll always chat you up when I have time,” he said, convincing me.   “Okay, then. Come back soon, Rai. I need you here with me.” I hugged him tightly, not wanting to let him go.   “Princess, I love you.. With all my heart.. With all my life.. More than life itself.. I’m so glad that I found you. Remember, Princess.. I love you till my last dying breath, till the day I die..” And with that, he kissed me deeply and hugged me so tightly like never before.   “Ready to go, Rai?” Damian asked.   “One moment,” Rai said as he hugged me again like there was no tomorrow.   “Till we meet again, Princess.. A

Then came that dreadful day - the day when my greatest love turned into my worst heartbreak. It was around a month after Rai’s last texts. “Ring ring”.. “Ring ring”.. I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I looked at my alarm clock and saw it was only 4.30 am. Who would have called this early in the morning? I thought. Looking at my caller ID, it was Damian. I picked it up, still groggy from my sleep. “Damian, is there something wrong? Where are you? Are you not home? You do realize that it’s only 4.30 am, right?” I yawned. “Kat, Baby girl. Wake up. You need to come to the hospital as soon as possible.” He said hurriedly. I could hear that he was distraught. I bolted up so fast on the bed, not feeling sleepy anymore. “Damian, are you alright? Where are you?” I asked again as I started to panic. “I’m alright, Baby girl. Please be ready. I’ll pick you up soon.” With that, he hung up the phone. Oh my God, is there something wrong with Damian? That was my first thought a

On the second day, nothing changed much. I stayed by Rai's side, leaving only to use the restroom. I didn't cry as much but cried I still.   I managed to eat a few spoonsful, but Damian had to force-feed me.   Nat tried to talk to me, but I still wouldn’t.. I couldn’t speak to anyone.   More people came to the funeral home. They offered me their deepest condolences. After that, they will chat with the other guests. They laughed and all, just like nothing happened. It was just like a gathering of friends and families.   How could they laugh when Rai is no more? I thought as I stroked his hair.   The third day was when my heart was really broken into pieces that I thought I might not live again.   I remember it was in the afternoon. I was feeling sick, so I went to the restroom to throw up. Damian was always with me, taking care of me, although he just kept qui

Reaching home, my legs subconsciously brought me to Rai’s room. There were still some of Rai’s shirts left as I asked Damian not to return all of Rai’s belongings to his parents. I changed into one of Rai’s shirts.. to feel him.   I sat on the bed, leaning back against the headboard, and took out everything Rai had given me from the paper bag. I lined the boxes and opened them. They were the ring I wanted to buy and a beautiful rose in a dome. It brought tears to my eyes. Rai always bought me things that I loved.   I took the letter out, wondering if I had the strength to read it yet, knowing that they were Rai’s last words to me.   I looked at the letter in my hands for quite some time, and with my hands shaking, I opened it. It was quite a long letter; there were pages of them. I took a deep breath, and I began reading his letter.   “Kat.. Katarina.. My Princess..