Split-screen holiday

Last year was our first time together to celebrate the new year as a couple. A year has already passed, but every moment of that night is still crystal clear in my memory. Never thought that it would come in handy during this holiday season.

It was a simple night yet so meaningful. We could’ve hopped on to different parties or stayed the night in a relaxing beachfront resort to welcome the incoming year. But as the dog lover that she is, we stayed in her house to comfort her sweet but annoyed dogs from the unmelodic bangs of firecrackers that the kids were playing with in the street. Different noises were gradually tuning up everywhere as midnight approached, and so were the irritabilities of Spot and Snow. We passed the hours with slices of homemade cracker cake partnered with coffee for me and hot chocolate for her.

We were sitting on the balcony as the skies lighted up beautifully when 2022 officially came in. I’ve always been amazed by fireworks, of how they turn a black canvas into a colorful masterpiece. But that night, I set my still eyes on her glowing face instead. Sitting next to her, feeling her warmth, savoring the moment. What else could I ask for?

Our province then was still recovering from the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Odette.” A lot of things had to be grieved that time, but way greater were the reasons that we needed to be thankful for that year. One of the topmost was us meeting again and being together at last.

Because of that subtle celebration of a night, I suggested to her that as much as we can, we should try to celebrate the new year together always. I wanted it to be a tradition for us to leave the previous year and greet the new one as one. For this year, plans were already being made as early as September. But what is life without turnarounds? I have to work farther away from home with uncertain schedules of vacation. This led to our first anniversary being celebrated through virtual dinner. And even plans for the new year’s yet-to-be-a-tradition tradition were canceled. We should be with each other. Now, I only have to play over and over again in my mind the night of our first new year together.

A little bit of a flashback. Early into the courting stage, she told me that she was not really into long distance relationships. Well, who is? She was in our province, and I was in Manila at that time. But we risked it anyway. For the early months of 2022, we managed to see each other every month. One of us would fly to the other one on long weekends or take a leave from work to extend quality time together. We made it work. We mastered rush planning of weekend getaways.

LDR is not for the weak and impatient. Both parties have to sustain meaningful communications, aside from constant sweet bumps of messages to greet the other good morning and wish good night. And of course, the endless reminder to grab some meals and to take care when driving. You have to time perfectly your schedules to suit her/him. You have to explore all messaging apps so that when one fails, there are still other options. You make friends with local flower and gift shops and delivery services. You even go duo in mobile games and other stuff to spend time with each other.

It has never been an easy endeavor. Sometimes we fail, we forget, we get tired of the screen time. And worst of all, we get frustrated, particularly during the holiday season when reunions after reunions are everywhere, and what you can only do is dial-up and pray that the network signal will be accommodating to the longing souls.

There would even be a time when one breaks because of sadness and questions the entire setup. Yet, as cliché as it is, love with commitment overcomes distance.

Being away surely is heartbreaking. But all your doubts would seem to have never existed in the first place every time you get to see him/her again. The very reason why you held on and keep holding on is personified. And all the questions got their answer in wrapped arms and passionate kisses.

I do not believe that there is an ideal setup for a relationship, or that one is better than the other. What I know is that you should be grateful for what you have now, whatever it may be, for you to enjoy the love and care of each other. We always think and hope of spending our life with the one we are with now. But no matter how great one’s love is, if it can even be quantified, reality slaps us with the fact that breaking up is still a possibility. So make the most of it, even in split-screen moments.

Even then.

Especially then.

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Sev Olid, 29, is from Palawan and works in the geothermal drilling industry.