He still loves you. Even when you broke his heart by rejecting him many times. I know you didn't expect him to fall this hard for you. I know you felt like you led him on simply because you were confused at a certain time; you felt comfortable that someone cares this much for you, you almost thought you liked him back. However, you realised you didn't feel the same way for reasons you know (or don't) but there's a gut feeling that tells you, you two are not meant to be. And so, with a heavy heart, you rejected him again and again. Softly at first, then harder next. Because he needs to know the truth: you're just not that compatible.

Then you meet someone else. You feel it, don't you? This time it's real. But he's still pining for you. I know you feel the guilt slowly suffocating you when you watch his crestfallen face when he catches you looking at your partner adoringly. I know you feel bad but he'll find someone else. You can't force yourself to like him back, no matter how sweet he is to you. It's a messy, confusing and painful experience but it's inevitable. You just need to give some space for both of you to untangle the knots. Give him time to heal. Eventually both of you will find your own happiness, and you know it isn't from each other. Someday the love he gave you will come back to him in waves and he'll be thankful you rejected him. But for now, it isn't anyone's fault.

-m.b

So many moving mouths
telling me to be careful
whenever I'd step out of the house.
They knew I was young, a fool.

"Don't give yourself to
just anyone, you hear me?
They'll play with you like a tool."
Not gonna lie, it sounded scary.

But I thought you were okay.
The laid back body, the easy
smile, like a sun's ray.
Funny jokes, though a little cheesy.

Your words coming out like waterfall,
tumbling into my easy ears.
Stifled giggles in the silent hall.
I was at the peak of my teenage years.

You pulled me gently and I,
an eager, curious subject,
succumbed to the twinkle in your eye.
You filled my empty longing ache.

I wanted it to be like
how I dreamed it to be.
This is how you do it, right?
Then why am I not happy?

You seemed contented
and I played along.
"You wanna go again?" I hinted.
Maybe I did it wrong.

But they say when it's right,
you would feel it.
There's no doubt.
My cheeks warm, humiliation bit.

This is what they warned me about.
I gave a piece of me to him
but he left it on the ground;
Just like the clothes when the lights dimmed.

When I woke up, I was alone.
My vision was blurry
as I can't call him on the phone.
Could someone please bury me?

-m.b

Dear Eros, get your arrows ready
to let it fly.
Isn't this what you do best?
I'm probably your fave subject;
What with the countless arrows you've
struck with.
I'm probably painted with over a
hundred wounds.
Is unrequited love my muse?
Or do you and Aphrodite do this out of amuse-
ment? I've fallen for so many people
and they never work out.
What is this all about?
You're close to testing me doubt
my worth;
But I won't let you.
I'm weak-kneed when it comes to
romantic love but
your prophecy won't alter my
life completely.

-m.b

Flower petals and confetti litter the ground.
Balloons held up by your friends.
Curious passersby gathering around.
You,being pushed towards the center of attention.
You, alone, in the middle of it all.
His friends wearing letters on their shirts,
Shuffling to spell out-

“will you marry me?”
It flashes on the jumbotron
In lieu of the kiss cam.
Fans hooting everywhere
“Say yes! Say yes!”, they scream
As he kneels on that popcorn and soda littered floor
And repeats-

“will you marry me?”
He says as his now sister-in-law gives you her bouquet.
His and everyone else’s eyes are on you.
Even though it’s his brother’s wedding’s reception,
he still managed to capture all the attention
Towards the two of you.

His eyes are brimming with tears
and glistening like the ring he’s holding.
He loves you. So much.
You love him,too. You know you do.
But how do you say I love you and no at the same time.
“I love you but, no.”
That doesn’t seem right.
So you stay on the middle ground and say
“I’ll have to think about it.”

The hooting turns to whispers
The tears on your boyfriend’s eyes come falling down
as he tucks the ring back in his pockets.
Your feet cemented to the ground
As people look at you as if you’re the strangest thing
to have ever existed.
And you may as well be.
No one says no to proposals.
It’s considered rude to reject such a thoughtful gesture.
But to whom is it being thoughtful of
Because it sure as hell isn’t of you
Since you’re the one who’s being viewed as a villain
But you have to remember that you’re not.

You are not a villain for saying no.
You are not the bad guy for not being ready.
Your decision is valid
And if he leaves you
Or makes a villain out of you
for being honest,
Then you were right to reject that ring.

If
  happiness
    was
      a
        cake,


I
  guess
    it
 ­     wasn't
        large
          enough
            to
       ­       go
                around.


Either
  that
    or
      so­me
        had
          been
            too
              greed­y.