It was truly an enchanting night. The cool wind was caressing my face like the touch of a lover’s; as sweet as honey and as intoxicating as the bubbliest champagne. I searched for a face in the crowd but all I saw were familiar strangers, people I saw hanging out in the malls or sitting next to in the bus. Common faces abound yet tonight they were somewhat different. The magical night seemed to have sparkled moon dust upon them, causing them to glow. The captivating smiles heightened their regal looks clad in glimmering gowns and elegant tuxedos but these were merely exterior fascades. What really lured me to ogle them was that certain aura that radiated through their eyes. The eyes of people in love, like my eyes that stared upon the man sitting beside me underneath the twinkling stars and brightly romantic moon.

But what truly is love? How can one begin to define something as fathomless and mysterious? How do you know if you really love a person? I used to believe that love makes the world go round. Love is everything. What I didn’t see is that love often make fools out of wise men and it tends to make us blind; Blind to the reality that not all love makes us feel glorious and complete. Sometimes it hurts, devastates and breaks us into pieces. So, this is love and I learned it the hard way!

Though I have been scorched by love a zillion times, I still believe in happily-ever-afters. I still dream of a prince that will sweep me off my dainty feet. I visualize a dinner under the stars with moonlight serenade. I see myself with a dazzling hunk who will drop on his knees and offer me a dozen white roses. We will then have a fantastic carriage tour of the city of Paris at dawn. Or may be riding a gondola in Venice and kiss underneath the fairy-bridge. Then we’ll say our pacts, promising to love one another for eternity.

Call me a fool, a hopeless romantic! At least I have a vision. A dream that someday, I will fall deeply, entirely, unabashedly in love that the world can’t do anything but smile upon my good fortune! If ever I fall flat on my face, I can say that even if I failed, I definitely tried. For it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. That’s falling in love! Anyway, if my prince charming turns out to be a fraud after all, I can always turn upon the people who truly loves me. That’s the difference of loving and falling in love. A lover you fell in love with may leave you with a bleeding heart and shattered dreams but the people who loves you will always be there to help you pick up the scattered pieces.

Now, don’t go looking for love. Love is all around you. Love is the gentle embrace of a mother when her child is in inconsolable tears. Love is the tired yet loving face of a father as he goes home from work with a gift for his dear children. Love is the encouraging smiles of brothers and sisters as they look upon their sibling singing in the stage. Love is the gay laughter and excited giggles of frineds as they share life’s daily experiences. Love is even the meek nod “hello” of strangers standing next in line in movie theatre counters. That is love. It is not just the passionate kiss of a lover nor the spine-tingling, knees-wobbling sensation one feels when holding his hands. Love is universal. It is right there, within your grasp.

And if a dazzling lover again sweeps me off my scarred feet? I’ll gracefully fall again and again and again. At least I tried! Then I will rise and wipe the dust off my dress. Hey, life is a game! You win some and you lose some! Maybe tomorrow I’ll be lucky and true love will finally come my way! I’m keeping my bruised fingers crossed! ^_^