IVAN'S POV
It's your boy, Ivan boy. Where must I start? Aha! I know where to start. Tell me something about her—about a girl I fell in love with.
Honestly, she's different. Before, I knew exactly what I liked about a woman, but everything changed when I met Louise. I feel comfortable when I'm with her. I can joke around, say silly things to her, and be myself. There's no dull moment when we are together. I love to throw jokes at her because she easily laughs and smiles.
She's my long-term partner in a parallel universe. I'm just kidding. I hope she is.
Do you remember when I hugged her? Yes, of course, you remembered that. It was my first time embracing a fan, and I didn't want to let her go. How can I describe her? Hmmm... She's too good to be true. You probably like her if you're in my shoes, but sorry, you're not me.
Now we're here, on top of the mountain. I was watching her while she was alone, thinking about something. My heart was aching when I saw her tears; she was too vulnerable earlier, but I liked her courage to forgive her friend. If I were her, I wouldn't forgive Laura for what she did to me. It's almost a love story between Emmanuel and Louise, but she suffers too much because of Laura's selfishness. It's saddening because it seems like the world, the universe, deprives her of happiness.
When she talked to me these past few days, I felt like she was longing for romantic love. I know she's not in a hurry, but who wouldn't want to be with a person who's sure about you? A part of me was happy that she didn't end up with him because I couldn't like her anymore, and he would hurt her more. And I don't want that to happen. She deserves everything in this world.
"Hey." I was startled when Jacob suddenly stood beside me.
"Did you tell her that you like her?" He asked as he slid his hands in his pocket.
I crossed my arms, looking ahead in Louise's direction.
"Yes. You know I'm vocal about my feelings, so I told her," I replied.
We fell silent as we watched Marvin and Louise take selfies. If you know, you know that Marvin likes her as well. I feel Jacob, too, and the rest of the members.
"I'm afraid to tell her." He blurted out.
This is healthy competition. We will not ruin our friendship because of Louise; I know she wants it, too.
"Why did we like the same girl? I couldn't imagine that we would fall in love with one woman." I shook my head.
Marvin left her alone again. In the meantime, I want to approach her, listen to her rants, and give her space.
"I have to approach her. She needs someone who can be alone with her." Jacob uttered.
He walked towards her, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. Louise fell in love with us first, but we deeply fell in love with her.
My friend Jacob is a grown-up man now. Ack! I can't imagine seeing him with Louise, with our best girl.
Did I say that Louise is our best girl? Yeah, she is. I can't find the right words to describe her.
Before returning to the resort, we got off at the little town Louise went to.
"Grandma!" Louise shouted and waved her hand at Grandma in front of us. She immediately ran towards her.
We followed her, and we looked around inside Grandma's shop.
"I'm glad you're still here. I promised you that I would bring them here and buy stuff." She smiled.
"You have many friends, and the boys look handsome." The older woman said.
"Little thing, grandma." I joked. They burst out laughing.
Louise was chatting with her as if they used to have a deep relationship. I looked around the inside of the shop, and it looked expensive and beautiful. The jewelry pieces were made of wood, and one thing caught my attention: a hair clip. I picked up the silver hair clip and checked if there was damage. It was a butterfly hair clip that suited Louise.
"Hey, Louise. Can you try it for me?" I called her. She said something to an older woman before she approached me.
"What is it?" She asked. I can't take my eyes off of her. Her eyes are too pretty, as are her face and smile.
"Hey!" She caught me. I shook my head and put the hair clip on her hair.
"Look at yourself in the mirror," I said. She turned back on me and looked in the mirror.
I can't look at her right now; she's too beautiful in the hair clip, which suits her well.
"This is so pretty. Who are you giving it to? It's so pretty." She asked while checking her reflection.
I should act like a calm person. I shouldn't be panicked in front of her.
I cleared my throat first and looked at her. "It's for you. I'll buy it for you."
She was surprised and blinked her eyes repeatedly while staring at me.
"Are you sure about it?" She asked.
"Yup. You can keep it now. I'll pay it to Grandma." I replied before I turned my back on her.
Yes! She accepted it. I was nervous she wouldn't accept it, but I'm glad she liked it.
After buying in the little town, we returned to the resort. Later, we had a barbeque party, so we fixed our things before preparing the grilling pan and the food.
The girls on the other side were talking about something. I didn't understand them because they were speaking in Filipino. I noticed that Louise was on her phone, talking to someone. She went to the quite dark side of the resort and sat there while she was on her phone. I was fighting with myself not to go to her and eavesdrop on who she was talking to, but in the end, I found myself approaching her.
"Hey, Louise, why are you here?" I asked before I sat beside her.
She was startled when she saw me. "I'm talking to my mom."
I just nodded and let her talk to her mom. I don't understand any of their words, but I smile widely while listening to her laugh. She laughed aloud while talking to her mother.
She misses her mom the way I miss my mom.
"My mom wants to talk to you, " she said, and then she looked at her phone.
"Hi. What's your name?" Louise's mother asked me.
I smiled. "I'm Ivan. You look so pretty like your daughter."
She laughed on the other line. "Hays! You're joking, aren't you?"
"No." I laughed. "I like your daughter."
They both fell silent. Louise's eyes grew bigger while she fixed on me. I stole her phone and smiled at her mom.
"My intention for your daughter is good," I uttered. "Your daughter is one of the nicest people I've met. It seems she got that trait from you."
"How? She doesn't know how to cook. She can do household chores but is too lazy to finish them." Finally, she spoke to me.
"Ma'am, I can do household chores, and I will be the one who finishes her unfinished tasks," I replied.
Her mom smiled at me. "When she was young, we couldn't let her have a boyfriend because we wanted her to finish her studies before she could enter into a relationship. She studied hard, followed our commands, finished her studies, attained her dreams, and became independent."
I looked at Louise, who was now quietly playing with the sand. She was so pure, and I liked her because she was Louise.
"Amazing parents raised her, and that's why she became a beautiful and smart girl," I said without looking at her mom. My eyes were fixated on Louise.
This woman beside me is a superwoman. I can't take this anymore; I want to hug her for being an obedient daughter.
She loves her mom. I like a woman who loves her parents.
"This time, I want my daughter to be the happiest person. She gave up her love life to give me a better life. She worked hard to buy me everything I wanted. She paid my debt. She built a grocery store for me to have a business. She built her dream house. She achieved all those things even if she's shy about talking to others." I heard her mom say.
Why did she exist in this cruel world? She's too kind to become vulnerable and hurt by the people around her.
"Mom, stop it." She said before she stole her phone from my hand.
I was staring at her, and can't wait to give her a tight hug for being a good human.
"She loves you, Ma'am," I said while looking straight into Louise's eyes. "She couldn't do that if you're not raising her correctly. Thank you for giving birth to this amazing woman. You have a wonderful daughter that everyone adores."
I see myself in her eyes. Her eyes are too beautiful, but there's a glint of sadness that she doesn't want to tell.
I want to protect this fragile person, heal her from her past, build her again, and love her unconditionally, and faithfully.
"Louise, I have to go." Our stare was cut off when her mom suddenly spoke.
We bid farewell to her. When she hung up the call, I hugged her and caressed her hair immediately.
"Let me hug you this time," I said. I rested her head on my chest.
Shit! I hope she doesn't feel my heartbeat. It would be embarrassing and awkward if that happened.
"This is the best way to comfort a person. A simple hug can lighten a heavy heart." I uttered.
I don't know what she's going through, but I'll never leave her. Even if she doesn't choose me, I'll stay with her no matter what.
God, please heal her from everything. I want her to be happy. That's all I need.