My True to Life... to Fantasy Love Story

"My True to Life... to Fantasy Love Story"

I was in grade school when I started to have a boyfriend. I was in fourth grade that time, but those we're just puppy love. Ever since, I didn't have any fear of showing my feelings to the person whom I admire, to think that I am the girl. So that's what's weird about me.
Years passed, I got new boyfriends, some lasted for 9 months, others 3 and others 1 week. And many more came who just brought me sadness and tears by playing with my heart. It was really hurtful having 8 out of 10 people cheating, playing and using my heart.

I planned a reverse action with the others who will court me. I'll accept their love by underestimating them and treating them like girls! Just like what the other guys did to me.
I stayed single for some time and a guy named Alvin Lauchengco came. We became text mates in May 21, 2005, met on May 22, 2005 and I accepted him to be my boyfriend on May 23, 2005. We've been together for almost 3 years in a long distance relationship. I live in Manila and he, on the other hand is most of the time in Laguna. His childhood friend was my choir mate. She's telling me the background of Alvin because I haven't known him for long. She confessed the things which Alvin lied about to me. I was really shocked! I don't know what to do! All I know is that I love him and he loves me.

Few months passed and we're still together, until news from my friend came that he's cheating on me. I didn't want to believe it at first until I found it out myself. Then, we started fighting most of the time. I cried, screamed and even trying to commit suicide but, I figured out that in long distance relationships, you can't always stop the lying and cheating on each other. So, I talked to him asking if maybe we could just be friends.

Some years later, we're not talking to each other anymore, until I graduated college and started my work as a Director/Actress in the Philippines. Another year later I went to a business work in L.A. There, I'm working with performers like me in theatres.

It was December 17, 2013 in Bristol Hillman Music Conservatory when we were practicing for a very big event for February. I was one of the lead characters in the play. I was paired with one of my co-performer named Johan Alonzo who's a very good singer, dancer, instrument player and actor. I didn't like him because he is boastful and he's always fighting with me because we have the same interests in life. Many people say that we're a perfect match, but I said "no way!" We may have the same perceptions and interests in life, but we are very different people.

Days pass, we we're always fighting during the practices and our director is always getting mad at us. Then we actually got a suspension to clean up our act. Our director was German and he is very strict. He assigned both of us to go on a week trip to the starving kids in New York. In the plane, both of us we're very noisy with me saying, "This is all your fault! I'm suppose to be rehersing right now, but you.. you ruined everything!" and he replied, "Me!? you're always shouting at me! You talk to much!" and the fighting continues.

We arrived in New york and went to the Hotel where we're supposed to stay. We were surprised because the room has only one bed. And so, as Johan being the guy and is fast compare with me, he ran going to the bed and saying, "This is my place!". He started to annoy me again so i didn't bother to fight with him. I went into the couch and placed my things near the window and hit the showers. Johan was completely questioned with what i was doing because i didn't faught with him. I went out, ready for bed, he was still wondering why i was acting like that. I sat on the couch and pray that he might change his attitude and I started to lay down. He looked at me feeling bad about what he did and went to go freshing up. I was already asleep when he whispered in my ear, "i'm sorry".

Early morning an alarm rang, it was irritating so i got up and heard it coming from the small dining room. I went inside and saw food on the table with a note saying, "Goodmorning! I prepared breakfast, thinking if you might get hungry." with his name on the bottom part of the note. I smiled sarcasticly thinking of it as a joke.

So, I went alone going to the seminar. The people in charge told me to go to the field because the children we're there. And so, I did and surprisingly the kids shouted, "I'm sorry!" and Johan went out with a funny entrance, dancing around wearing tootoo's and ballet shoes. I forgive him, and i asked for forgiveness too. And that's where the fun and bonding began. We took care of the children together with the other volunteers.

We went back to L.A. with our minds clear. Practices again went on and on and the bonding became stronger. Sparkles of heart beat is being felt everywhere. Feb. 14, 2014, the play was succesful, the group had a big celebration at the directors house. It was really fun having the group playing jokes, dancing and singing around. I was in the terrace when Johan started saying something on the microphone, "These past few months was a bit annoying. I was even given a suspension! It was really irritating to have a person sitting by you who keeps on shouting with absolutely have a piontless direction." the people was laughing and looking at me. So, I started being angry in a silent manner trying to listen to what else he has to say. Then suddenly, i was surprised when he said while looking at me straight in the eye, "But, i never thought of knowing her like this. I feel like i was chosen, chosen to find a key through a door that was never been opened. I found a person who became my inspiration, who i felt my heart first beated like this." I was very strucked on what he said. My eyes felt its tears coming out and it did when he sang... "have i told you lately"

At that moment my heart fell from heaven, he walked right through me and saying, "I LOVE YOU, WITH ALL MY MIND, ALL MY HEART AND ALL MY SOUL......." and we all laughed when he added, "....SO HELP ME GOD" but he continued to say "I LOVE YOU".
We spend time together for another year in L.A. having fun. Until, it was time for me to go back in the Philippines. He drove me to the airport and when i was about to go, he cried, "We'll still see each other, ok." and i replied crying, "yes." We hugged and kissed and said our loving goodbye's. I watched him as he went in the car and drove forward. I didn't anymore looked back when I heard his voice shouting, "Shanine!" and i saw him ran to me and hugged me while his eyes are in tears, but we we're forced to leave each other for the plane is boarding.

Back in the Philippines was a warm welcome back by my family, friends and relatives. We started the stories and they we're willing to meet Johan. 2 months later, I answered a phone call, it was Johan. He said to meet him in Butterfly Spring because he'll be coming in the Philippines for a surprise.
So, I told my family, friends and relatives and they're all exited.

Feb. 24, 2015, I went in Butterfly Springs a beautiful restaurant near the airport. I was asked to be there at 8pm, i got there 6:50. So, i waited very exited and somehow nervous, and the nervousness is beginning to conquer everything. Then suddenly, i felt something. It was striking, my heart felt weird and I feel like I'm going to faint. My heart beated so loud and wondering what is happening. I stayed for hours in the Butterfly Springs waiting for him, when my phone rang and our friend was asking me where i am. I said the location and he said to wait for him there. I waited until he came. He hugged me and he started to cry and i asked, "Whats wrong?" and he showed me a beautiful box where rings are being placed. I asked again, "What's this?" and he said, "Johan asked me to take care of this and asked me to prepare this place for a very speial evening which you'll surely treasure." It began to make me smile and i asked, "where is he?" he paused for some moments and said, "he's gone.........." I didn't know what he meant but it made me wonder and my eyes started to fall its tears.

My tears fell on the box while i was holding it. I opened the box and saw a small gold key, and I started to cry hard and fell on my knees. At that very moment i felt what love is.
My friend says that Johan was about to propose to me that night when his plane crash. Everything felt different, and I couldn't sleep. My family and friends comforted me and i felt so loved. I met Johan's family who also comforted me.

When one night i fell asleep and i dreamed of a very beautiful place. I saw candles in lined in a form of an aisle and white roses falling everywhere. I looked around and saw a group of people singing beautifully the song, "This I Promise You". And I continued looking around and saw white balloons rose into the skies with a banner saying, I LOVE YOU. And i began to cry and from far away someone was coming and I saw Johan, he came to me, giving me the key and saying, "Let me be the one to open your heart remember that I'll always be with you. I will love you, always and forever. This I promise you."

I woke up with a promise in my heart, a promise which will remain as a beautiful memory in me until eternity.