What Blooms Will Eventually Wither.

First comes the surprise when they meet: catching each other's eyes across the room, bumping into the other, assigned to each other for a project work. Then comes the confusion. The constant battle in their heads. Afraid of taking the risk, afraid of rejection, afraid of commitment. Then comes the anticipation of a crush. Counting the days until they'd once again meet. Reading old text messages. Making up imaginary conversations in their heads- by that time, they'd know each other well enough to know how they'd respond in conversations. Finally, one will give in, fighting their nervousness as they confess their feelings.

Feelings that are reciprocated by the other.

Happiness. Relief. Confusion. "What do we do now?"

The romance then takes flight as they decide to start dating. Phone bills pile up as they become glued to the screen, texting sweet nothings, promises, virtual kisses. He never allows her to spend money on dates. She, in turn, helps out in the non-financial areas. Cooking, sewing, listening to his rants every now and then. Their blooming romance brings hope. Bliss. Unwavering doubt. They could conquer the world with just their love, for neither of them would ever stop being a pillar of support for the other.

Their romance, now at full bloom, escalates. He gets down on one knee, pulls out a ring. She tears up, nods her head and they both go to bed with smiles stuck to their faces. There it is again. The anticipation. The torturous wait for the day they would officially be pronounced family. They imagine their lives together, their future painted in nothing but bliss and unwavering love.

The day arrives. She walks down the aisle, her beautiful wedding gown makes her look the prettiest she's ever been. Her arm is locked with her father's, whose eyes are brimming with tears. He stands at the altar, his eyes widen the slightest bit and he for once, thanks the Lord for giving him the most beautiful woman on earth. They say their vows. The groom kisses the bride. Overwhelming joy consumes them as they start to cry. They are afraid for the future, but they know they will survive. They would conquer the world with just their love, for neither of them would ever stop being a pillar of support for the other.

They soon find out that pillars are not indestructible.

Not many couples can handle the change in their relationship from romantic to platonic. They are now husband and wife, but also mother and father. They devote their attention to the child. Responsibility threatens to throw them into financial crisis. He works day and night to support the family, while she cooks and cleans and waits for his return. Doubt starts to settle in. She wonders if he is truly at work. She questions his growing lack of romantic attention. The pillar starts to crack.

Exhaustion settles in. He tells her for the millionth time that he's not coming home for dinner to work overtime. He reassures her once again that she is the only woman he will ever love. He hangs up and sighs in exasperation, wondering if she'd always been this insecure. Another crack in the pillar.

Envy deals another blow, and so does indignity, and so it continues until the pillar is broken beyond repair.

She now goes out when he's at work, in search for the romantic attention she so foolishly believed would always be showered upon her. He eventually finds out. Catches them in the act. He is angry now, and so is she. They fight all day and all night, their child silently holding back his tears upstairs in his room. He wonders what was going through his mind when he proposed, and she berates herself for accepting the proposal.

The pillars are now unstable.

A few weeks down the road and they have yet to fix their relationship. They now turn their backs on each other, on the romance they once shared, now withered. They file for a divorce despite their child's pleas. Neither wants custody of the child- he reminded them too much of each other. Of the relationship they once thought was unwavering. They give up on their relationships, both romantic and platonic. She swears never to love again, and he does the same.

A child sobs quietly as he picks up the pieces of rubble and tries to put the pillar back together.

He now knows that what blooms will eventually wither.