10 - Unrequited Love Prevails

"Dead Stars" is a story written by Paz Marquez Benitez. It was published in 1925 and considered to be the first modern Philippine Short Story in English.

The story revolves around Alfredo Salazar and two women: Esperanza and Julia. Alfredo and Esperanza have been together and the society takes that the two will be married. However before the wedding, Alfredo met this girl named Julia where Alfredo immediately fell in love with her. Alfredo and Esperanza got married. After eight years, Alfredo went on a trip to the town where Julia lives. He visits Julia but he found out that she doesn't love her anymore. She no longer had feelings for him. 

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At first I wasn't really expecting someone to love me especially with the person who will be married soon. I didn't know what to do so I too eventually fell in love. He loved me and asked me "Did you ever have to choose between something you wanted to do and something you had to do?" He was forced to marry someone he doesn't love anymore because he made a promise to that girl.

As years pass by, I was living quietly. Someone came for a visit without me knowing who is coming. It was him, the guy who promised the girl that she will marry her. He still loved me but I didn't. I stopped loving him and I will never love him again.