Love and Resilience

Shared Sorrows, Healing Hearts

SERENA’S POV

After their heartfelt confessions, the two stood side by side, the warmth of the moment slowly settling in. The night breeze tousled their hair, and the stars overhead seemed brighter now that they had shared their feelings.

Serena, still leaning into Jovana, felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had always been curious about Jovana’s past but had never pressed her about it. Now, with this new level of intimacy, she felt comfortable asking.

"Jo,"  I began softly, "you’ve always been so strong.... I was wondering.... you never talk about your mother so much. What she was like?"

Jovana’s grip on the railing tightened slightly. Serena could feel the subtle shift in her, the hesitation. Jovana was silent for a moment, the city below offering her a momentary distraction.

"My mom...."  Jovana started, her voice quieter than usual. "She died 11 years ago. Because of cancer."

Serena’s heart sank at the weight of Jovana’s words. She had suspected something, but hearing it confirmed hit her harder than she expected. "I’m so sorry," I whispered, while my fingers instinctively reaching for Jovana’s hand.

Jovana nodded, her gaze distant as she stared into the horizon. "She was everything to me. I was only 19 when... when it happened. Watching her go through that... she’s the reason why I became an Oncologist. I wanted to help people like her, people who felt helpless."

I squeezed Jovana’s hand gently. "I had no idea... You carry so much, yet you’ve always been so strong for everyone."

"I had to be," She replied, her voice soft but firm. "For her. For myself. It’s been hard, but I’ve made peace with it. I still miss her every day, though."

Serena turned to face Jovana fully, her eyes filled with empathy. "I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like for you.  But I’m glad you’re here, Jo. You’ve turned your pain into something beautiful by helping others."

Jovana’s eyes softened as she met Serena’s gaze. "I think she’d like you," she said quietly, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. "You would’ve gotten along."

I smiled, a warmth spreading through her. "I would've liked to meet her."

Jovana gently pulled Serena into her arms, holding her close as they stood under the night sky, both feeling a deep connection not only to each other but to the unspoken bonds of their pasts.

After Jovana mentioned her mother’s passing, a heavy silence hung between them. Serena stayed quiet, allowing Jovana the space to speak if she wanted to. Jovana’s hand trembled slightly in Serena’s, and Serena gently squeezed, encouraging her without saying a word.

"I don't talk about it often," She began, her voice low but steady, "because for a long time, I couldn’t. When my mom died, it felt like my world just... shattered. I was 19, about to start med school, and I had to watch her fade away from something I was helpless to stop."

Jovana’s eyes clouded as memories she had buried deep rose to the surface. "She was my best friend, Seren. It was always just the two of us. Losing her was like losing the only part of me that made sense."

Serena’s heart ached hearing Jovana’s words. She moved closer, resting a hand gently on Jovana’s arm, but remained silent, allowing Jovana the space to continue. "For months after she passed, I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t sleep. I felt like I was drowning in grief. And  no one could understand. My friends were off living their lives, enjoying college, and there I was.... buried under this weight."

Jovana swallowed hard, her eyes glossing over. "I tried to push through it. I had to. I thought if I could get into med school, maybe... maybe I’d fine some way to honor her. But it wasn’t that simple. There were days I didn’t think I’d make it through. I questioned everything.... my choices, my future. I felt like I’d failed her."

Tears welled up in Serena’s eyes as she listened. "Jo... I’m sorry you had to go through that alone."

Jovana let out a shaky breath. "It felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders, Seren. The hardest part was that I couldn’t save her. And that’s what ate me. I went into medicine thinking I could fix everything, but I couldn’t fix her. I blamed myself for a long time."

Serena’s voice was soft but firm. "You were just a kid, Jo. You couldn’t have done more."

Jovana nodded slowly, her gaze distant. "I know that now. But at the time, I just... felt lost. It tooks me years to heal. I poured everything into my career, thinking that if I became a great doctor, maybe I could make up for what I couldn’t do for her."

There was a long pause before Jovana turned to Serena, her eyes finally meeting hers. "But the truth is, I’m still healing. And I think a part of me always will be."

Serena reached up, brushing a stray tear from Jovana’s cheek. "I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but I do know this you’ve turned that pain into something beautiful. You’re helping so many people now, and I’m sure your mom would be proud of you."

Jovana’s lips curved into a bittersweet smile, a tear slipping down her face.
"Thank you, Seren."

I pulled Jovana into a tight embrace, holding her as if to shield her from all the pain she had carried for so long.

JOVANA’S POV

A comfortable silence had fallen between them Jovana, gazing at Serena’s distant expression, felt the urge to ask the question that had been tugging at her heart.

I shifted slightly, turning to face Serena "Serena... you asked me about my mom, and I’ve told you how much her loss shaped who I am. But what about you? What’s your story with you dad? Hindi mo kasi siya nababanggit sakin, I’m curious, Serena."

Serena’s body tensed slightly. Her fingers traced the edge of her glass, her eyes focused on something far away, as if searching for the right words. I watched her closely, knowing there was more to Serena’s past than she’d ever shared.

Serena exhaled softly, finally breaking the silence. "He... he wasn’t the man I thought he was." she started, her voice is calm but with an unmistakable edge of sadness "Lumaki ako na iniisip na mabuti syang asawa kay mama. But when I was about fifteen, nalaman ko na niloloko nya si mama. It shattered everything I believed about love, about trust."

My heart sank as I listened. I reached for Serena’s hand and hold it "I’m so sorry, Serena. That must have been incredibly hard for you and of course to tita izza."

Serena nodded, looking down at their hands intertwined. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice more fragile now. "Yun yung dahilan kung bakit takot akong magmahal, Jo. Nakita ko kung paano dinurog non si mama. Nangako ako sa sarili ko na hindi ko hahayaan na mangyari yon sakin. Lagi kong iniiwasan ang mga taong nagpapakita ng intensyon sakin, never letting anyone in." She paused and met my eyes, her gaze filled with vulnerability. "Until you came along, yung takot ko na magmahal binura mo lang, pinakita mo sakin na hindi ako dapat matakot sayo at hindi kita dapat iwasan."

My heart swelled, hearing the depth of Serena’s emotions. I knew how much courage it took for Serena to let her in, to open up this much. I leaned in, her voice soft but steady "Serena, I’m glad na hinayaan mo akong pumasok sa puso mo. Ipapakita ko sayo na yung pag alis ko sa takot mo ay may kapalit. Ipaparamdam ko sayo yung pagmamahal na deserve mo, hinding-hindi kita sasaktan. Serena."

Serena smiled, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She could feel the warmth and sincerity in Jovana’s words, and for the first time in a long while, the fear that had always gripped her heart started to loosen its hold. "Thank you, Jo. For coming into my life and climbing the walls that I built to protect my heart."