In the wake of a romance, can a new relationship still blossom?
A year after we’d broken up, my ex-sent me a birthday greeting on Facebook. It seemed innocuous—it was link to a song we’d always liked—easily categorized as “something that friends do.” Yet I found myself tearing up and missing something I didn’t know what exactly to the point of mourning. Perhaps the song’s wistful ode to happiness uncovered a path I thought I’d already passed, but had in fact returned to again and again. In between sniffles something in my subconscious clicked: it couldn’t go on like this.
The years after, our once strong friendship faded (“You’re family,” he once said, defiantly, post-breakup). I suppose we could still be considered friends, if only because we are still on each other’s social media friends list and our families message each other randomly. I now refer to him as “an ex-boyfriend” and no longer “my ex.” When the American actress Gwyneth Paltrow famously announced hers and British singer Chris Martin’s conscious uncoupling, I thought of my own failed attempts at it. In the end, I was content to be a Facebook friend, one that merits a cursory like, but never a comment. This is a common story for many ex-couples. Many don’t even accept friend requests on social media, but stalk them on birthdays and Valentine’s. Despite this, many others are able to pull this off, this joyful uncoupling that requires equal parts zen-like acceptance and blithe indifference.
This story is from the September 2018 edition of MEGA.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2018 edition of MEGA.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JAY AQUINO
Witness the hair artist put the hair theory to the test with his muse, Janine Gutierrez
MAIN merit
Meet the beauty innovations that deserve a space on every shelf
TOP shelf
Inject some fun and flavor to your beauty routine with these new essentials
A FLATTERY OF flavors
This new restaurant will sweep you off your feet with a culinary experience designed to flatter without a hint of deception
THE WORLD IN FOUR CORNERS
Within the walls of Spruce Gallery, the world is confined to hundreds of titles it houses-waiting to be explored, cherished, and, above all, celebrated
neat HABITS
It’s time for a major reboot—here’s a quick crash course on wardrobe reorganization, the art of de-owning and re-owning, and the new staples for 2024
TRADE SECRETS
What makes PHx Fashion Group different? Knowing that what's more is not always better
NEW HORIZONS
In further carving her own path to happiness and an empowered life, Heart Evangelista sets her sights toward greater financial independence as the new face of GCash
PORTRAIT OF A MODERN COLLECTOR
Miguel Romulo opens the doors to his personal space and shows his growing collection of modern and contemporary art
SHADES OF GRAE
Beyond the actor we know, there’s a whole spectrum of Grae Fernandez waiting to unfold