Two Sides of Love

6

I walk down the hallway, lost in my thoughts. I clutched my books tightly, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Suddenly, Ifreezed. There, leaning against the lockers, is zayvien, my ex-boyfriend. His eyes lock on me, and I felt a chill crawl up my spine.

Putangina, bakit pa kasi absent si Louise? Edi sana nasapak na niya ulit 'to!

Fuck, he is blocking my path.

"Elia, still clinging to memories?" He smirked.

My heart races. I remembered the pain he caused—the lies, the betrayal.

"Alis, dadaan ako." I said nervously

"Thought I'd say hello to my favorite ex-girlfriend. You know, the one who couldn't keep her mouth shut." His eyes turned black

His tan skin, chinito eyes, sharp and calculating, mirror the fractured shards of trust he shattered. They’re the kind that pierce through defenses, leaving scars that never fade.

His thin lips, deceptive in their softness, curve into a practiced smile—a weapon honed by betrayal. The air around him crackles with tension. His hair, a tousled mess of midnight strands, falls across his forehead, obscuring the guilt etched there.

Zayvien wears a leather bracelet. His scent lingers—a mix of rain-soaked earth and faded cologne, a haunting reminder of stolen kisses and whispered lies.

"You're the one who cheated on me, Zayvien. You're the reason we're not together anymore." Sabi ko

Siya ang sumira sa akin, sira na ako, mas lalo pa niya akong sinira. Sinubukan kong ayusin pero huli na, may gusto na siyang iba noon, may nililigawan na siya noon. At sino naman ako para pigilin siya hindi ba?

"Leave me alone, Zayvien. I don't want any trouble." Maayos kong saad.

He laughed "Trouble? You haven't seen trouble yet. You see, Elia, I've missed our little games. The way you squirmed when I whispered secrets in your ear. The way you denied your feelings for me, even when your heart screamed otherwise."

My face turned pale. I remembered the late-night texts, the stolen kisses, the way he manipulated my emotions.

"Stop it. You're sick, tangina!"

He leaned closer to me "Sick? No, Elia. I'm just playing the game. And you're my favorite pawn. But don't worry, I won't hurt you. Not physically, at least."

Ano pa bang gusto ng lalaking 'to?

He trails a finger down to my cheek, and I flinch

"What do you want from me?" My voice were trembling

"Oh, nothing much. Just a little reminder. You see, Elia, I know your secrets—the ones you buried deep. Like that crush you had on your best friend's brother. Or the way you cried everytime you family disown you. Vulnerabilities, my love. I thrive on them."

My eyes widen. How does he know?

"Why are you doing this"

He leans in, his breath cold against my ear.

"You think you’re safe? I’ll haunt your dreams, crawl through your thoughts. You’ll never escape me." Natakot ako, tangina ganito ba ang lalaking minahal ko noon?

I pushed him away, my voice fierce.

"Leave."

He steps back, eyes glinting like a predator’s.

"You’re mine, Elia. Always." He whispered

And then I smelled a familiar scent.

Esmael, his anger a smoldering ember, moved with purpose. His gaze swept over the color-blocked panels—bold rectangles of red, blue, and yellow—each hue representing a different path, a different emotion.

His school uniform clung to his wiry frame, His charcoal curls, unruly and defiant, framed a face etched with emotion. Thin, arched eyebrows knitted together, a silent storm brewing over his brown eyes. His lips, a delicate shade of rose, were pressed into a taut line, revealing clenched resolve. And that nose—sharp, almost accusatory—jutted forward, as if daring the world to challenge him.

Esmael’s anger radiated like heat from a smoldering ember. It danced in the tension of his jaw, the way he squared his shoulders, and the barely perceptible tremor in his fingers.

Esmael leaned against lockers "Bothering her again?"

"Who's this?" Tanong ni Zayvien.

Esmael looked directly in Zayvien's eyes "Just someone who believes in protecting what's his." Agad bumaling ang tingin nito sa akin at ang kanina'y seryosong ekspresyon ng muka, ngayon ay para bang alalang alala "Elia, are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you." I said gracefully

"Protecting? What? Who are you—"

Esmael leaned closer to Zayvien "Her new boyfriend. And let me be clear, Zayvien—cross her path again, and you'll find out how protective I can be." His jaw clenched

My breath catched. Esmael's calm demeanor masks a tempest.

"You can't be serious!" Said Zayvien

"She deserves better. Now, if you'll excuse us..." Esmael smiled

Esmael guides my away, leaving Zayvien fuming.

Salamat dumating ang isang 'to. Sa lahat ng encounters namin, unang beses ko pa lang mag papasalamat na dumating siya.

Nakarating kami garden as usual, umupo kami at saka inilapag ang bag sa paahan namin.

The garden’s air carries a symphony of fragrances—a delicate blend of jasmine, dew-kissed roses, and sun-warmed lavender. Each petal releases its secrets: jasmine whispers of moonlit rendezvous, roses tell tales of love and loss, and lavender cradles memories of childhood laughter. As the breeze dances through, it carries these scents, weaving them into a comforting embrace.

The sun casts dappled shadows through the leaves as me and Esmael sit on a weathered bench. My fingers trace patterns on my skirt, my eyes were looking distant

"S-Salamat.." my voice is barely audible "Esmael, I... I don't know where to begin. Parang binasag ulit 'tong puso ko."

He leaned "Elia, take your time. I'm here for you."

I swallowed hard "Zayvien... he betrayed me. With someone else. Kami pa noon pero may nililigawan na siya."

"I thought me and him had something real, you know? Late-night conversations, stolen glances... But now it's all shattered glass. I feel so vulnerable, like an open wound." I said with a teary eyes.

"Elia. Sometimes people disappoint us, but it doesn't define our worth. You're strong, even in this vulnerability. And I'll listen, always."

He handed me his handkerchief with his initials on it.

I wiped my tears "Salamat, ngayon na lang ulit ako umiyak ng ganito. Thank you, Esmael. For being here, for caring."

Esmael's expression softens, his eyes reflecting the shifting emotions within me. His brows furrow with empathy, and his lips curve into a gentle smile—a silent promise that he'll carry my pain alongside his own. His gaze never wavers, locked onto my face as if memorizing every tear, every quiver of my voice.

"Elia, I know it hurts. But sometimes, when the stars fall, they create new constellations. You're resilient, like a wildflower pushing through concrete. You'll heal, and you'll find beauty in the broken pieces." I looked into him and my eyes and him locked.

Ngayon na lang ulit ako nakaramdam ng ganito, kahit saglit pa lang kami mag kakilala, para bang napaka komportable ko na sa kaniya. Parang kahit anong hinaing ko sa mundo makikinig siya ng walang halong pang-huhusga.

I discovered that vulnerability doesn’t weaken bonds; it strengthens them. Our friendship blooms like the garden around us, resilient and beautiful in its brokenness.

"Let me be your anchor, your safe harbor. Lean on me, Elia."

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟