Sing!

'I Love You' Thrice

At 10 pm, people at the ball had started leaving. Adam, Vio, and Ben had walked Courtney, Lacey, and Geneva home, while Mark and I stayed a little longer at the cultural center even though the remaining ones at the venue started leaving as well. A few moments later we decided to walk myself home.

We were quiet at first. I was thinking about the hurtful glances that Ben gave on us before they had left. But I decided to take that worriness by starting a conversation with my beloved.
'My love. I'd like to take this opportunity to say sorry for everything I had done back at the hotel. I was so overwhelmed I did not know what to do. At first, I kept asking, how could I keep loving a person like you? But as time passed,' I paused a little. 'Your personality mattered to me more than your uhm,' I couldn't say the word so he said it. 'Sexuality.'
'Yeah,' I said while I twiddled my index fingers. 'What mattered to me more was that I loved you for you even though you're different. No, I mean, unique.' I said stutteringly.
'I know this could be awkward, but I guess the feelings you made me feel won. It was all new to me, falling in love with a lady. I tried to hold it back at first, but you know, you're just irresistible.' He said as his eyes shone with love. 'I was upset though that you did not let me explain, but that doesn't matter that much now. All I care about is that we've overcome misunderstandings.' He continued, looking up at the moon. Then, he looked at me. 'I love you.' He said. My heart almost exploded. Only him can say those words with such impact on me. I almost cried with the feelings he gave me.
We were looking at each other lovingly when a thought came into my mind. 'What about that William?' I asked anxiously, worried that I see care in Mark's eyes for him. But nothing but hatred could be seen.
'I left the hotel where I was suppose to check into. He tried to follow me but he lost sight of me, which was good. I was too fast. I had told him I don't want him anymore. Life with him was an agony to live in. I would never trade a chance with him over being with you. I'm done with him.' He narrated, almost disgusted. He was back at his gentle and sweet self after a moment. 'I love you.' He said one more time. This time, I got tears falling on my cheeks.
'Do you not know how strong and weak, both at the same time, you make me feel?' I cried.
'Darling, please don't cry.' We stopped walking. He held my shoulders for me to face him. 'It's the same for me.' He caressed my cheekbones with his thumb to wipe away my tears. His thumb stayed there before we hugged each other.
'Hey, drama much?' We heard Vio's voice call us from the gate. Mark and I did not notice that we had almost reached my grandparents' house.
'Oh no,' I pulled away gently and chuckled. Mark did, too, while he rubbed the back of his neck with his palm in embarassment.
'I'm about to leave. The girls had gone upstairs.' Vio said with twinkle in his eyes.
'Oooh la la, so with that look on your face, I can see that you've gotten what you wanted, am I right?' I teased, pertaining to the trust that Lacey had seem to given to him.
'I've succeeded.' He said, as his eyes continued to gleam.
'Well, what about Ben and Adam? Are they still inside?' I asked.
'Both of them had already left. Ben took a cab as soon as we got here. He doesn't seem to be doing good at all.' His face expression was suddenly replaced by worriedness. 'I wonder what is wrong with him.' He said, then looked at Mark, which made me think that he does know subconsciously.
'By the way, I have to get going. Dad might be looking for me now.' Vio carried on. 'Bye couz, bye mate.' He said to the both of us. He then hopped onto his motorcycle and started the engine. With his one hand waved goodbye to us, he finally had left.

'So,' Mark began. 'We'll be leaving for Manila tomorrow, right?'
'Yeah. It's the end of summer, we should go back to our normal life,' I said wearily. It made me think how we would be communicating. As if he knew, he tightened the grip of his arm around my shoulder. 'Facetime.' He said, reminding me of the videocall application on our phones.
'I know. But the timezone,' I said, still feeling weary. I sighed, thinking of how much I'm gonna miss this man.
'We talk before you go to sleep. Every single day.' He smiled. He made it all sound easy with that. How does he do it?
'Are you still worried?' He asked full of concern. 'Don't worry. Trust me I'll be faithful.' He hugged me tight this time and kissed me on my forehead.
'You never fail to make my heart skip beats. I just love you.' I said with a deep sigh that sounded so in love that if Vio would hear he would tease me unstoppably.

We stared at the stars shortly then a familiar voice called us from the front door. When we turned to look, it was mom approaching us, with a slight smile on her face. She was looking at me, as if asking 'so what happened? Thought you're over with him?' And yes, the happiness in her eyes is very evident.
'Hey mom. I'd like you to meet Mark. My boyfriend.' I smiled. She smiled widely. 'Oh I see. I'm happy darling that you got to patch things up with him.' She smiled, but with a little hint of tease in her tone.
'Oh mom.' I smiled sheepishly.
'It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Lapid. I'm Mark Feehily.' He extended his hand toward mom for a handshake. She accepted it gracefully.
'Hi, Mark. You may call me 'Tita Lyza.' She said.
'Okay, Tita Lyza.' He said, with the word tita sounding a little slang. I find it cute, though.
'How about some evening snacks, Mark?' Mom asked.
'It would be lovely Tita Lyza but I have an early flight to catch tomorrow.' He said apologetically.
'He'll be flying with us girls tomorrow Mom. He'll be going back to Ireland.' I mentioned.
'Ireland? Isn't that where your uhm—' Mom stopped when I slightly nudged him. Mark does not need to know about my ex who had the same nationality as him.
'Oh alright.' Mom segued as if she did not mention anything else. 'Have a safe flight tomorrow, Mark! And take care of my little baby, okay?'
'Mooooom.'
'But you are still my baby.' She teased while she tucked some strands of hair behind my ear.
'Oh mom.' I giggled awkwardly.
A cab was approaching, which Mark had signaled to pull over.
'I'm going. Thank you for today, Lyka and Tita Lyza. Please say thanks to Lacey and the rest.' He said as he opened the door on the passenger's seat.
'I'll see you tomorrow. I love you.' He told me as he smiled a lovely one which took my breath away again.
'Bye, Mark!' Mom said as she waved at him.
I threw him a flying kiss.

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Tita - Filipino word for 'Auntie'