Sweet Night [ Vrene Anthology]

s p r i n g • f l i n g

[ Irene's  POV ]

Love is a carefully designed lie.

At least, that was what I believed. You can't blame me. I was raised by a single mother because my dad was abusive. Her second husband cheated on her, and the third one just... tried to harass me. When will she ever learn her lesson?

I asked her many times if she wasn't tired of making the same mistake again, but you know what she said?

"That's just love, Irene. We get hurt... that's why we love. We get lonely, that's why we need love. You don't have to have an explanation when it comes to love, you just feel it. If it's for you, then it's yours forever. If it's not, then you'll just have to wait for what's yours."

I don't believe her. Love is a lie, and she's obviously caught in that same stupid lie time and again. Growing up, I always thought I had to be stronger for both of us because my mom is weak when it comes to men. I had to play the father role and scold her as much as I could, but what could I do? It makes her happy. Sure, there are times when she blooms with happiness, but when days of sadness come, I just want to teach her a life lesson she'll never forget.

But my mom never listens. She never gives up on love.

"Oh, come on, Irene. You're already 27 and you still haven't had your first kiss yet," my mom started pressuring me again while we were having breakfast. It was Saturday, and we only got to eat together during weekends because we work our butts off Mondays through Fridays.

"Don't worry, I'll kiss a random stranger later so you won't have to worry anymore," I said sarcastically. But I did find it funny. Kissing a random stranger? I must be crazy enough to do that.

"Irene, I'm serious... why are you wasting your life like this? You should go out and have fun. Don't work too hard and enjoy your life. It's my job to take care of you until you're independent enough to care for yourself," she reminded me.

"Mom, I am independent and I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me so much, I'm perfectly happy and content now," I replied.

While it's true that I envy couples dating, I can't just force myself to settle because my mother says so. I am not worried about my timeline. I know someday... that someone will come to the right place, at the most perfect time.

°~••~°▪︎▪︎▪︎°~••~°

Spring had just begun, and my one-week leave was about to start. My mother insisted I should go on a trip to explore new places and meet new people, so I decided to go solo backpacking to Nami Island.

The moment I arrived, I was mesmerized by the breathtaking view. The sun highlighted the leaves of the chestnut, poplar, and mulberry trees perfectly. I walked and ran along the open path of overgrown Metasequoia trees, capturing pictures with the Cherry blossoms.

I rented a bicycle for an hour and strolled around the island. The scenery was stunningly beautiful, and I couldn't resist taking pictures. I held my monopod tightly, pedaling while taking selfies. I was so immersed in admiring the pictures that I almost crashed into someone passing by. I managed to stop in time but fell down instead.

"Ow..." I winced, looking at the small scratch on my arm.

"Are you okay?" my almost-victim asked, extending his hand. I had no choice but to take it. I carefully checked my legs and other arm for injuries, thankfully finding none.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you," I apologized, not looking at his face as I grabbed my bag and placed it back on the bicycle.

"It's okay, I didn't get hurt. Are you sure you're alright?" he asked again. I just nodded and walked past him.