I'm in Love with My Enemy : A MaColet's Journey

16

Summer arrived, bringing with it a mix of excitement and change. Maloi had been accepted into a prestigious research program that would take her to another city for a few months, while Colet was busy with a local internship. Though they had grown used to balancing their long-distance relationship, this time, the separation felt more significant.

On the morning of Maloi's departure, Colet helped her pack her bags. The bittersweet reality of their situation hung in the air as they tried to stay positive.

"I'm going to miss you so much," Colet said, her voice thick with emotion as she zipped up Maloi's suitcase.

Maloi smiled softly and reached out to brush a strand of hair from Colet's face. "I'll miss you too, but this is just temporary. We've gotten through so much already—this is just another chapter in our story."

Colet nodded, trying to stay strong. "I know. We'll make it work, just like always."

They shared a long hug before Maloi finally left. As Colet watched the taxi drive away, she couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. But she reminded herself that they were both pursuing their dreams, and that was something to be proud of.

---

A few weeks into the summer, Colet received an unexpected message from an old classmate, Janelle. They hadn't been close in high school, but Janelle was now attending the same college as Colet. The message was simple: "Hey, Colet! Want to grab coffee sometime? Let's catch up!"

Colet hesitated for a moment before replying. It had been a while since she had socialized outside of her relationship with Maloi, and she figured it might be nice to reconnect with someone from the past.

The following weekend, Colet met Janelle at a cozy café near campus. The two of them chatted about old times, shared stories about college, and laughed over their shared memories of high school drama. Colet was surprised by how much fun she was having.

"You've really grown up, Colet," Janelle said with a smile. "You seem more confident, more sure of yourself."

Colet blushed, taken aback by the compliment. "Thanks, Janelle. I guess college has that effect on people."

They continued to meet up occasionally over the summer, bonding over their shared experiences and rekindling an old connection. But as their friendship deepened, Colet found herself in an unexpected dilemma. She began to notice that Janelle's attention was becoming more than just friendly.

One evening, as they sat together at a quiet spot near the river, Janelle turned to Colet with a serious expression. "Colet, I have to be honest with you. I think I'm falling for you."

Colet's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't seen this coming. Her mind immediately went to Maloi, and guilt washed over her. She cared about Janelle as a friend, but her heart still belonged to Maloi.

"Janelle, I—" Colet started, trying to find the right words. "I care about you, but I'm in a relationship with Maloi. She means the world to me."

Janelle looked down, her expression a mix of disappointment and understanding. "I figured as much. I just needed to tell you how I feel."

Colet nodded, appreciating Janelle's honesty. "I'm glad you did. I don't want this to ruin our friendship, though."

Janelle smiled softly. "It won't. I respect your relationship with Maloi, and I'll always be here as a friend."

---

As the weeks went by, Colet kept in touch with Maloi, who was immersed in her research program. The distance was hard, but they managed to find time for video calls and messages, making sure to keep their connection strong.

However, Colet couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her heart after Janelle's confession. It wasn't that she had feelings for Janelle, but the situation had forced her to confront her own emotions. She missed Maloi deeply, and the distance was starting to take a toll on her.

One evening, during a video call with Maloi, Colet hesitated before bringing up her thoughts. "Maloi, I've been thinking... This long-distance thing, it's harder than I thought it would be."

Maloi looked concerned. "What do you mean, Colet? Are you okay?"

Colet sighed, feeling the weight of her emotions. "I miss you so much, and sometimes it feels like we're drifting apart. I know we're both busy, but I don't want us to lose what we have."

Maloi's expression softened, and she nodded in understanding. "I miss you too, Colet. This summer has been tough, but we'll get through it. We just have to keep communicating and supporting each other."

Colet smiled, feeling reassured by Maloi's words. "You're right. We've come this far, and we're stronger because of it."

They ended the call on a positive note, but the conversation had made Colet realize that they would need to work even harder to maintain their relationship. The challenges of distance, time, and new experiences were all part of the journey, but Colet knew that their love was worth fighting for.

As summer slowly came to an end, Colet and Maloi both returned to their respective campuses, ready to face the new academic year. The road ahead was still filled with uncertainties, but Colet and Maloi were determined to navigate it together, stronger and more committed than ever.

But neither of them could have anticipated the next twist in their story—a twist that would test their relationship in ways they had never imagined.