I've never been lucky in love. Some people say it's a matter of effort, others believe it's fate, but whatever the explanation, one thing is certain: I'm a magnet for romantic disasters.
The first time I confessed my love to a girl was in elementary school. I spent weeks gathering up the courage, writing and rewriting a letter until, on the big day, I handed it to her with shaking hands. She read it, laughed in my face, and passed it on to her friends. I've never felt so humiliated.
Things didn't get any better in high school. My first date was a complete disaster. The girl seemed interested, but in the middle of dinner, her ex-boyfriend appeared out of nowhere, got down on one knee, and asked to get back together. She cried, I paid the bill, and we never spoke again.
Now, as an adult, with 28 years old on my back, my bad luck continued unabated.
"Erick, you're a nice guy, but I think it's better if we just stay friends."
Those words were already a classic in my life.
This time, the person responsible for the rejection was Alice, a coworker. I had been working up the courage to ask her out for weeks. We had good times together at the office, we talked about movies, we even exchanged anime recommendations. I thought maybe there was a chance. Maybe this time it would be different.
It wasn't.
She looked at me with a kind smile, but her answer was the same as so many others before her.
"Sorry, Erick. I really enjoy your company, but not in that way..."
I smiled as if I hadn't just been hit right in the heart.
"No problem," I replied, feigning naturalness. "Friends then."
After that, I spent the rest of the day at work in an automatic state. Answering emails, attending meetings, completing my tasks like a robot. When the workday finally ended, I knew I didn't want to go straight home.
I needed to clear my head.
I stopped on my way home, in a quiet part of town, in a neighborhood I liked to visit when I wanted to think. There was a square there, with a large lake and ducks swimming calmly. The place always brought me peace, so I sat on one of the benches near the shore and watched the night sky. The moonlight reflected on the water, and for a moment, everything seemed quieter, calmer.
I just wanted to forget about everything for a moment.
As I looked up at the sky, something flashed, a shooting star streaking through the darkness. This didn't happen often in the city, with all the artificial lights, and I was always fascinated when I saw one. Like a reflex, the thought of a wish came to me. The old superstition of making a wish when you see a shooting star.
Whoknows, right? WhatdoIhaveto lose?
I closed my eyes, put my hand on my chest and whispered to the star, even though I knew it sounded silly:
"I just... wish I had luck in love."
The star disappeared quickly, but I stayed there for a few more minutes, hoping that it would somehow answer my anguish. When I finally got up, feeling a momentary relief, I headed home.
I arrived at my apartment, locked the door and threw myself on the couch, exhausted. It had been a long day, and my head was racing. I went through the usual ritual: a quick shower, comfortable pajamas and, before going to bed, I still tried to check the emails that had accumulated.
Already in bed, I looked at the white ceiling of my room.
Asifasimplerequestcouldchangeanything.
I laughed to myself, but in truth, I wasn't so convinced that it was just a whim.
It was just another normal night, but little did I know that my request was about to come true in a completely unexpected way.