Step

As I stepped foot into the bustling gym, a rush of emotions engulfed me, a heavy girl on a mission to transform her body and reclaim her sense of self. It wasn’t my first time here, nor my second or third. No, it was yet another attempt at conquering the daunting challenge of the gym, a battleground where I had both triumphed and faltered before.

The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to illuminate my insecurities, casting a spotlight on every curve and every ounce of self-doubt that clung to my frame. But this time, something was different within me—a flicker of determination burned bright in my eyes, fueled by a desire to prove to myself that I was capable of change.

I approached the rows of gleaming machines, each one a formidable foe waiting to be conquered. The echoes of self-criticism whispered in my mind, reminding me of past failures and the judgmental glances I had endured. But with every step forward, I silenced those voices and embraced the strength within.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way towards the weightlifting section. The clanking of iron plates and the rhythmic grunts of the dedicated athletes provided an inspiring symphony that enveloped the room. I chose a barbell, its weight seeming insurmountable, yet I refused to be intimidated. With trembling hands, I loaded the weights, feeling the heaviness settling on my shoulders, both literally and metaphorically.

As I stood there, preparing for my first lift, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. There she was, the girl I had been so eager to leave behind—a body adorned with curves and imperfections, but also harboring a heart full of resilience and untapped potential. In that moment, I made a silent promise to her—to nurture her strength and kindness, to embrace her journey with unwavering determination.

With my heart pounding, I grasped the barbell, feeling its cold, unyielding steel against my palms. The weight pressed down on me, a physical representation of the challenges I faced. But I refused to let it crush me. Summoning every ounce of willpower, I rose from the ground, defying gravity, and lifting the weight off my shoulders. It was a struggle, a battle against the weight of my own doubts and fears, but I persisted.

As I continued my workout, the gym became my sanctuary, a place where I could shed not only the excess pounds but also the burden of self-doubt. Sweat cascaded down my face, mingling with tears of both exhaustion and triumph. With every repetition, I grew stronger, both physically and mentally, proving to myself that my body was not an obstacle, but a vessel of power and resilience.

The journey was not without its setbacks. There were moments of frustration, times when progress seemed agonizingly slow. But I refused to succumb to defeat. I sought solace in the support of fellow gym-goers, who offered words of encouragement and shared their own stories of transformation. Their kindness and acceptance reminded me that I was not alone in this battle.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Slowly but surely, my body began to change, shedding not only pounds but also layers of self-doubt and negativity. I embraced new challenges, exploring different workouts and pushing the boundaries of my perceived limitations. With each milestone surpassed, I celebrated not only the physical changes but also the newfound confidence and sense of empowerment that radiated from within.

Now, as I stand in front of the mirror once again, I see a transformed woman staring back at me. The heavy girl who once entered this gym with trepidation has blossomed.

Well, scratch that.

That is what I thought would happen but that is not exactly what happened. It is all in my dreams. I waited for Weston but he is still not here. I can’t believe it. He set the time and date but still he didn’t come freaking early.

Instead of going to the gym I went to a coffee shop then I found Weston’s message. Canceling it out.

But he decided to find the homeless man instead. I met him in his condo. While he was not here yet. I read a book he have on the shelves.

I don’t want to o snoop around on his house so this is way better.

Rinesa has high dreams for herself. She will do everything to get what she wants even if it means burying the memories and forgetting the man she loves. She is ready to use her beauty and talent to achieve fame.

All men are fascinated with her, they are willing to give everything just to get her. Rinesa met Sepher Mondragon, a rich and handsome business tycoon who supports her college fund and family. He is able to give her luxury and popularity.

One day when Sepher planned for Rinesa to meet his family. She didn’t expect she would cross paths again with Elix, the man he left for her dreams. Who turned out to be Sepher’s stepbrother.

Lust and Love begin again between them. Elix is eager to tempt and win her over his stepbrother. Rinesa couldn't resist the temptation, her love for Elix sparkled again. She followed what her heart desires and hid everything from Sepher. When Rinesa's Aunt met Elix who she knew as her childhood friend, she forced her to stay away from him and hurried Rinesa's marriage to get money from Sepher for her own interest.

Meanwhile, Rinesa's cousin, Rosalia is forced to date Elix so her mother can have a luxurious life when Rinesa and Rosalia get married to the siblings.

But Elix never liked Rosalia. Rinesa and Sepher's engagement party was full of media and celebrities, Rosalia and her Aunt were invited. Unexpectedly, a photo of Rinesa and Elix with their lips locked came out. In a rage, Sepher rushed in and punched Sepher, which Elix retaliated. Rinesa was eventually hurt.

She admitted the truth, that he loved his brother. She thought that her marriage with Sepher would not continue because of that but he did not agree.

She locked Rinesa in the room, she chose not to eat hoping that Sepher would feel sorry for her and return her to her Aunt, but instead of her Aunt rescuing her from Sepher's abusive acts, she added salt to the wound. Hurting her more, physically, mentally, emotionally.

Elix came to rescue but Sepher caught them, he ended up shooting his stepbrother, soaked in his own blood, making him lose his consciousness.

Sepher and Elix Dad came to the house witnessing the chaos. Rinesa is forced by their father to leave both of his sons, without giving her any penny.

Her aunt is furious when she finds out what happened, not because Rinesa is hurt but because the luxurious and wealthy life slips off her hands.

She went to the Mondragons' mansion with Rinesa, where Rinesa saw Elix who looked like he had just been released from the hospital.

She’s concerned about him and tried to put some sense into him but before she could even utter a word. Elix’s Dad told him that Rinesa chose half a million over him. He felt betrayed, he’s in pain and mad at her so he threw her out.

Four years later, Rinesa became a famous singer, she reached her dream, her relationship with her aunt and cousin became good, all was fine not until their paths crossed again.

Elix Mondragon became the executive producer of their record label. While celebrating the successful release of her new music, Rinesa couldn’t resist Elix's hotness.

Rinesa thought they could go back to what they were before, not until Elix expressed his love to someone else after they shared a passionate night.

The next day she confronted him but she ended up opening the wounds. Elix still believes that Rinesa used him.

Although she didn't feel well, she continued her mall tour with Brandon, a singer on the same record label who became her friend and found her messed up in that situation.

She had no choice but to tell him the truth. After that mall tour, he met a young fan, Selena, who turned out to be Sepher's daughter.

They both reconciled. After the two left, a beautiful woman followed, she expressed how she loves her work. She was shocked when she found out her fan’s name when she's about to sign the cd of her album.

It was the name of the girl Elix uttered after they made love. It turns out she’s really the girl and they’re engaged and she asked her to sing at their wedding.

She doesn’t have a choice but to accept it. Then they went to Elix’s mansion for wedding preparation. Lisa asked her a favor to get her wedding dress but Elix only knows the boutique.

She rides with him. When they reached the boutique the designer thought she’s the bride and made her try wedding dresses then after Elix revealed she's just a wedding singer.

On the way to Elix’s mansion, the car broke down, they’re both stranded on a deserted road. Rinesa can't help herself to confront him but it didn’t make her feel better because in the end Elix still chose Lisa over her.

On Elix’s bachelors party that Sepher did he invited Rinesa to sing there, they both dueted a song. Elix can't take his eyes off her. Intoxicated Elix kissed her.

On the day of Lisa and Elix's wedding and what happened at Elix's bachelors party spread, it reached Lisa who knew everything. Finally, Rinesa relented, before she could leave the dressing room, there was a sudden fire around her.

A wooden cabinet fell, blocking Lisa’s way out of the room. Rinesa tried to help her but she ended up trapped inside the room when she freed Lisa, she looked for help and when Elix found out about it he rushed to the room, not minding the big fire and smoke.

He released Rinesa safely but she did not wake up. Elix found out that Rinesa was pregnant with their child but died due to a fire accident.

Weeks had passed, Elix became miserable because of what happened to Rinesa, Sepher told him about that truth, their father lied to him and he still had a child, Rinesa just hid it from him. He confronted him to fix himself because Rinesa is still fighting on the hospital bed. Rinesa miraculously woke up.

He asked for forgiveness and confessed her undying love for her.

They got back together and planned a wedding. Rinesa retired from her music career and focuses on her family and business.

Together with her loving husband, they don’t fuck up in life anymore.

After I read that waited for Weston once again.

*

Weston paced back and forth in the cozy living room, his mind racing with ideas.

Tamantha sat on the worn-out couch, her fingers intertwined as she watched her fiancé with a mix of concern and determination.

“We can’t give up, Weston,” Tamantha said softly, breaking the tense silence.

“We need to find the homeless man who witnessed our wedding. He might hold the key to let the court divorce this wedding.”

“I know, Tamantha,” Weston replied, running a hand through his tousled hair.

“But where do we start? The city is vast, and he could be anywhere.”

Tamantha stood up and walked over to Weston, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll start by retracing our steps. Remember, we got married near the bar. That’s where we first encountered him. Maybe he’s still around there.”

Weston’s eyes lit up with hope. “You’re right! He seemed familiar with that area. Perhaps he has made it his temporary home.”

With newfound determination, the couple grabbed their coats and headed out into the crisp evening air. They made their way to the park, where memories of their wedding flooded their minds. The gentle sound of the fountain brought a sense of calm amidst their growing anxiety.

“Let’s split up,” Tamantha suggested.

“We’ll cover more ground that way. Look for any signs of a makeshift shelter or belongings that might indicate he’s been here recently.”

Nodding in agreement, Weston ventured off to the left while Tamantha explored the right side of the park. Their eyes scanned every corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of their elusive witness. Time seemed to stretch as they tirelessly combed through the area.

As Weston approached a secluded bench tucked away beneath a weeping willow tree, he noticed a faint glow emanating from a hidden nook. Curiosity piqued, he approached cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest.

There, nestled among a pile of tattered blankets, was a small campfire, its warm glow providing a stark contrast to the chilly evening. And sitting by the fire was the homeless man they had been searching for. His face was weathered, his clothes worn, but his eyes sparkled with a hidden wisdom.

Weston’s voice trembled with a mix of excitement and relief. “Excuse me, sir. We’ve been looking for you. We need your help.”

The homeless man looked up, surprise flickering across his features. “Who are you? What could you possibly need from me?”

“We got married near the var, and you were our only witness,” Tamantha interjected, her voice filled with urgency. “But now, we need proof. We need you to testify.”

The homeless man’s eyes softened, and a gentle smile played on his lips. “You two. I remember now. Your love touched my heart that day. I’ve been keeping an eye out for you.”

Weston and Tamantha exchanged glances, a mixture of disbelief and gratitude in their eyes. It was as if fate had guided them to this very spot.

“We are forever grateful,” Weston said, his voice choked with emotion. “Please, tell us your name.”

The homeless man paused for a moment, as if contemplating whether to share his story. Finally, he replied, “Call me Samuel. I’ve seen love in many forms, but yours, it’s something special.”

Tamantha stepped forward, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you, Samuel. Your presence at our wedding meant more to us than you’ll ever know. We’ll make sure your kindness and generosity are repaid.”

Samuel’s weathered face softened even further

“Wait, he is not it. Weston.”

“Huh?”

“He is too nice. That homeless man is rude! He is mean to me. This can’t be him.”

Tamantha and Weston had been on a relentless search for the homeless man who had witnessed their wedding. Days turned into weeks, and their hope began to wane. They had exhausted every lead, explored every corner of the city, but still, their witness remained elusive.

One evening, they found themselves sitting on a bench in the park where they had originally encountered the homeless man. The fading sunlight cast a golden hue over the surroundings, casting a somber yet comforting atmosphere.

“I can’t believe we still haven’t found him,” Tamantha whispered, her voice laced with frustration. “What if we imagined it all? What if there was no witness?”

Weston placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. “We can’t give up hope, Tamantha. We knew what we saw, and we felt his presence. There has to be an explanation.”

As they sat in silence, lost in their thoughts, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows nearby. It was a man, dressed in worn-out clothes, his face lined with hardship. Their hearts skipped a beat as they exchanged a hopeful glance.

The man approached them cautiously, a weary look in his eyes. “Excuse me,” he began, his voice tremulous. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Are you looking for a homeless man who witnessed your wedding?”

Tamantha’s eyes widened with anticipation. “Yes! Yes, we are. Have you seen him?”

The man’s face contorted with a mixture of guilt and sympathy. “I… I believe there has been a misunderstanding. You see, I’m not the man you’re searching for. But I know who he is.”

Confusion enveloped Tamantha and Weston, their hope giving way to a sense of bewilderment. “You’re not him? Then how do you know?” Weston asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

The man took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the ground. “I’ve been living on the streets for years, and I’ve become familiar with the homeless community in this city. The man you’re looking for… he passed away a few months ago.”

Shock reverberated through Tamantha and Weston’s beings, their dreams of finding their witness shattered in an instant. Tears welled up in Tamantha’s eyes as she clung to Weston’s hand, seeking solace.

“I’m so sorry,” the man continued softly.

“His name was Henry. He was a kind soul, always willing to lend a hand despite his circumstances. I remember him talking about witnessing a wedding once. It seemed to have brought him joy amidst the hardships.”

Tamantha wiped away her tears, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. “Thank you for letting us know. We wanted to show our appreciation to him for being there on our special day.”

The man nodded understandingly, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. “You can still honor his memory and the impact he had on you. Help others like him, extend kindness to those in need. It would be a beautiful tribute.”

With a heavy but determined heart, Tamantha stood up, her resolve renewed. “You’re right. We may not have found Henry, but we can carry his spirit forward. We’ll dedicate ourselves to helping the homeless community in his honor.”

Weston rose to his feet, his eyes filled with admiration for his resilient bride. “Together, we can make a difference, Tamantha. Let’s turn our disappointment into a force for good.”

“No… I don’t believe him.”

*

Tamantha sat alone in their cozy apartment, a mix of determination and hope etched on her face. The memory of the man they had mistaken for their witness haunted her, but deep inside, she couldn’t shake off the unwavering belief that the homeless man they were searching for was still alive.

She stared out of the window, her gaze fixed on the city below, its bustling streets a stark contrast to the solitude of their apartment. Tamantha couldn’t help but wonder if their witness was out there somewhere, hidden among the shadows and forgotten corners.

“I know you’re still out there,” she whispered softly, as if her words could bridge the distance between them. “We haven’t given up on finding you. We need you to complete our story.”

With renewed determination, Tamantha gathered her thoughts and decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew she had to explore every possibility, exhaust every avenue, until she could find a glimmer of hope.

She began by reaching out to local shelters and organizations that aided the homeless. She spoke to volunteers, explained their situation, and asked if anyone had seen a homeless man named Henry who might have witnessed a wedding. The responses were often sympathetic but filled with uncertainty.

Days turned into weeks, and Tamantha’s search became a personal quest, driven by an unyielding belief that their witness was still out there. She spent her free time walking the streets, handing out flyers with Henry’s picture, hoping someone would recognize him.

One evening, as the sun began its descent, Tamantha spotted an elderly man sitting on a park bench, his clothes worn and his eyes weary. There was something about him that stirred her heart, a glimmer of familiarity that she couldn’t ignore.

Approaching cautiously, Tamantha asked, “Excuse me, sir. Have you ever seen a homeless man named Henry around here? He might have witnessed a wedding in this park.”

The old man looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and recognition. “Henry, you say? Ah, yes, I remember him. He used to sit here often, lost in his thoughts. But it’s been a while since I last saw him.”

Tamantha’s heart skipped a beat, her hopes rekindled. “Do you know where he might have gone? We’ve been searching for him, desperate to find him.”

The old man sighed, his voice tinged with melancholy. “I wish I could offer more help, but the life of those on the streets can be unpredictable. People come and go, blending into the backdrop of this city. It’s hard to keep track.”

Despite the old man’s words, Tamantha refused to lose faith. She thanked him for his time and continued her quest, exploring new avenues, talking to more people, and leaving no stone unturned.

As the days turned into months, Tamantha’s relentless pursuit began to yield unexpected results. She received tips and sightings from strangers who claimed to have seen a homeless man resembling Henry in different parts of the city.

Each lead fueled Tamantha’s belief, driving her forward even when doubt threatened to consume her. She followed every lead, turning street corners with anticipation, her heart pounding with the hope of finally reuniting with their missing witness.

Tamantha knew the journey was far from over. But she remained steadfast, convinced that their love story was intertwined with the life of the homeless man named Henry. And until she could prove otherwise, she would continue to believe, relentlessly seeking the truth that lay hidden in the city’s shadows.

I delved my eyes everywhere.

I was stunned when our eyes met.

That’s when I saw him.

Damn it, that is him!