Stories of Love

A Little Place Called Home #3

What Used To Be
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There was a little place, he used to visit to have some warm tea. Back then, it was just a simple house. Not that it changed much in appearance, but the yard sure looked even more lively.

She used to live there alone, after her grandmother died, after everything. The house was as lively as it does today, even with just only the two woman lived there, it was always chripy, pleasant and inviting. Her grandmother was way more talkative than she ever was, but they held the same graciousness and kindness that he was drawn to.

The fence was patches of broken wood back then, the old breech tree the only thing decorating the yard. The grass was green and lushful, as the elderly loved to sit down on the grass, much to her granddaughter's protest. He chuckled when he reminisched the way they would argue playfully, and then he would join Nana down on the grass if only to just make her irritated.

He still remembered the way her freckled face would heat up adorably, whenever she plopped down next to him on the grass. Then they would just have a warm ginger tea with cinnamon to soothe their stomach while they talked animatedly.

Such was the usual routine of their weekends, used to be, enjoying each others company under the peaceful morning sunrays. He didn't know if she still did that even now, seeing as the house was way more inhibited than it was before. Kids and adults visiting to have a share of warm treat, books, and nature.

He watched as the wind blew some of the withered honeysuckle that adorned its fence down to the still plushy green grass. He again felt the familiar pull he had everytime he remembered this place. This place was small and simple, yet it held so many memories, silently begging him to give in, walk to the door, and greet her warmly as he used to do ten years ago.

This place was a magnet to him, as were the two women occupying it long time ago. Especially the one woman who he knew was still in there, with a smile on her face for everyone in sight.

She was his first love, and his mistake. He was a fool, and his selfishness brought him closer to her.

He was just a lazy man, still to this day, a good for nothing. The feeling of acceptance and pure bliss than he got from this place was what drawn him to want to have more. To take more. And more until he realized than he was in too deep.

They had been in love. The second semester of college was when it started, when they registered in the same internship. She helped him up, and he ended up walking her home, since it was already late into the night. Her grandma immediately got overjoyed at the sight of him, saying, "Finally the chance for a great-grandchild, it's about time."

The two of them were as red as tomato, he was sure. She adorably sent her grandmother a look before introducing him to her as "not my boyfriend, or fiance, or husband". It was the start of everything, and it was the first time he experience what was called family affection. His family was cold, his father being abusive and tempramental while his mother simply ignored his existence. Hers, was the epitome of the family that he always wanted. So, he devoured everything he got from them.

She was very understanding, she never expected anything of him. Even when he had made her cry so many times, they would always get back together. She was sure that he was the one. He loved her, yes he did so, but back then he was still too young, too immature to accept the concept of such deep love for anyone.

"When will you two get married?"

It was what Nana asked, again and again. She would glanced up at him expectantly, and he would be left feeling choked. He was not ready, he was never ready. So he just gave them a tight lipped smile, as best he could muster at the time, saying, "When the right time comes."