Ryan wait for me

 I was only fifteen years old when I fell in love with Ryan. He is a tall, lean, and charming man with his warm hazel eyes. He is eight years senior from my age. Every afternoon I would look from the window of my room from the second floor to the street. I patiently wait for Ryan to pass by our front yard from his work. He would look at me from the street and we would smile at each other. I know why he always knew I was just right there watching. Back when I was younger and no feelings emerged, I already have the habit of watching from my window every afternoon. Every time I would see Ryan, I would yell his name and he’d look and smile, and that made my day.

                I was young, and immature, and in love. I always dreamed that Ryan would become my husband someday, and that he’d take me as his wife. I always dream about us two, that one day we’ll get married at church and I’ll be walking down the aisle in my white princess wedding gown, and at the altar he’d be standing like he can’t wait to be my husband. We’ll say “I do.” He would kiss me as his bride. We’ll have three kids. One named after him, Ryan. One named after me, Charlet. And the youngest, we’ll name him Jacob.

                And then our kids would grow and we’ll see ourselves in them. We’ll cry at their weddings, not just because we’re giving them away, but that because we see ourselves years back. And then we’d grow old together, rocking our chairs and sitting in the terrace every afternoon, having tea and talking about our younger days. How sweet it is to fancy the life with Ryan, and I’m nothing but a fifteen-year-old.

                Ryan works at the same lumberyard where my Dad works at. My Dad is Ryan’s boss.  Sometimes from school, I would ride my bike to get to daddy’s office, just so I could see Ryan closer. Anyway, Ryan has this pesky 17-year-old best friend who also works at the lumberyard. He’s name’s John. He’s so pesky, he bugs me so well that time is wasted dealing with him instead of being able to flirt Ryan. Yes, John’s vocal about liking me. I bet he’s told Ryan that he likes me. He’s even told my Dad that he would marry me when we grow up. John never fails to give me the nerve.

                Valentine’s Day came and I long await this. I rode my bike to town to buy  the prettiest Valentine’s Day card I’ve been eyeing for since January. I earned for it so I could give it to Ryan. I wrote a letter to it saying,

“Dear Ryan,

                                I love you. When I grow up I want to marry you. Please wait for me.

                                                                                                                                                                Love, Charlet.”

When I arrived at the lumberyard, I  saw Ryan leaving my father’s office and I drove my bike towards him. “Hey, Ryan! I got you something,” I handed the card to him. He read the card as he walked and I pedaled my bike so we could go on together. After reading, he giggled and closed the card. “Why are you laughing? Everything in the card is true, Ryan. I love you. And one day, I will grow up. Just wait for me please. I want to marry you,” I told him. We stopped. “You don’t understand Charlet. You’re only fifteen. I’m twenty three. You’re too young to know things about love. Someday, when you grow up, you’ll get to meet someone you will love same as your age,” he answered. “But you’re the one I want, Ryan, not anybody else.” “I am leaving the lumberyard, Charlet. I’m moving New Jersey with my fiancé.” My world nearly collapsed upon hearing those words. Ryan wiped my tears and comforted me. He told me that someday I would meet the man who would love me forever.

                Years have passed and I turned twenty-five. I was watching from the same window I was watching from ten years ago. My baby from the cradle cried, so I racked the cradle. Not too long, she was fast asleep again. Then, the doorbell rang. I hurried down the stairs to the door, excited, expecting it was my husband. When I opened the door, I saw sweet Ryan of innocent and immature Charlet years back. In his eyes were filled with joy of seeing me. He held my hand and said, “Charlet, I thought I was happy with my fiancé, but your words that day never left me. It’s been ten years now since the day we last saw each other. I realized that it is you who I love. Now, you have grown, and I want to marry you.” My heart stopped, but I need to tell Ryan something. So, I told him, “Yes, I loved you. However, Ryan, you’ve been far away for so long. I have grown. It’s been ten years since you’ve been gone. So, I married your best friend, John.”