FAIRY TALES by klara de guzman

When I was a little girl, I thought fairy tales do come true. I was enchanted by how the princess would find his knight in a shining armor, and together fight for their love and in the end live happily ever after.

As I grew up and lived in a family that treated me like a princess, I had hoped that someday, my prince would find me and take me to his castle, protect me from all harm and live happily ever after.

My first relationship was far from being a fairy tale. Ironically, it was a good material for a soap or telenovela. It molded me though to be a tough and strong woman. A woman of confidence and a woman of the new generation - independent yet longing to be treated like a princess. I yearned to be loved and cherished. I had dreamt of a perfect love story for my entire life. But somewhere in the midst of the endless cycle of one temporary romance after the next, my dreams had shattered right along with the broken and fragmented pieces of heart.

A year ago, my knight in a shining armor didn't arrive riding in a white or silver horse. He walked into my office with a friend. He may not be elegantly dressed, his adorably long and messed-up hair was something I didn't appreciate at first but learned to love it afterwards. He was what my previous man was not - intelligent, funny but most of all, he treated me like a princess. He was always there to protect me, that we felt we were karmically linked. He was like a soul mate i had been longing to find in years. We were compatible in ALL things. In fact, every moment together was the happiest moment of our lives. He said I was the light that illumined his dark life, gave meaning to it and showed him that life was beautiful after all. To me, he was a fulfillment of a dream, the end of a long time search. I liked myself when I was with him, he brought out the best in me. With all the happiness we had together, it was indeed a fairy tale come true.

But as they say, some good things never last. Or probably, my happiness is not of this world. Or perhaps, the author of our love story never meant to end our fairy tale with "...and they lived happily ever after." In the midst of our happiness, a bad witch made a potion, put him under her spell and took my prince away.

I was jolted back to reality. Reality has it that it was a battle between good (intentions) and evil (intentions). I was ready for the fight being a warrior myself... but i guess my prince, being under the witch's spell cannot fight with me and for me. I was struggling alone and it was too much for me to bear.

I gave up - no, it wasn't my love or my prince that i had given up. It was the situation. It was something beyond my control. I hold on to the love i feel inside of me and the dreams we have built together. Because I truly believe, when the spell has finally lost its potency, then my prince will come back.... and we will live happily ever after.

WHAT KIND OF MAN ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question "What kind of man are you looking for?".

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking "Do you really want to know?" Reluctantly, he said "Yes.".

She began to expound..." As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household with out the help of any man...or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask "What can you bring to the table?". The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money. She quickly corrected his thought and stated "I am not referring to money. I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life."

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain. She said, "I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked...believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster. I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman but strong enough to keep me grounded. I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive...he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a help mate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said "You are asking a lot.". She replied "I'm worth a lot."