The Adventures of Peter Valentine

November 13

On the 13th day that Peter Valentine was writing on Wattpad his novel-in-installments about his romantic affair with Luke Paclibar—Friday the 13th of November 2020—and the same day he wanted to write about Day 3 of their love story which included their first lovers' quarrel; and three hours later, their first reconciliation; and another two hours later, Luke's eventual virtual marriage proposal on Facebook Messenger complete with an icon of a diamond ring, and a two-second voice message asking, "Valentine, will you marry me?", Luke Paclibar unblocked Valentine on Messenger, and messaged him, picking up on Valentine's frantic questions of October 29 wondering if Luke was still there: "I am sorry, Valentine. I didn't mean to be rude, but I needed space to breathe. I hope we can still be friends."
Valentine, excited, but unsure how to deal with the new development and strange situation, simply replied, "OK."
He waited for a bit, and when Luke thumbed up his text message bubble, he added, "I still miss you, though. I hope your family are all safe through these typhoons Ulysses and Rolly."
"I'm in the hospital right now."
"OMG! What happened?"
"Grandma got confined. It's a real hassle. I have much to do." And without missing a beat, Luke added, "Pneumonia. But we are kept away from the Covid ward. Still, it's a hospital, you know. And I'm her only companion."
Valentine was relieved it wasn't Luke who was hospitalized. But he tried to keep cool. "OK. Do first what you have to do. Just be safe. Don't worry about me. I will survive like I always do. Anyway, I'll see you in Cebu when this Covid clears."
Luke sent a message which he immediately unsent. It was not the first time he did this to Valentine.
Valentine didn't get to read the message, but he didn't want to pressure or interrogate Luke. If Luke removed the message, or unsent it, it mustn't have been worth it, or it really wasn't meant for him to read. So he just continued texting Luke, "You are a good and dutiful grandson, Luke. You are a good and beautiful person. That's why I liked you a lot."
"Yes, I am good, and still, you always quarreled with me," and he followed it up with, "I am a good friend. But yes, let's not argue about it again."
"Me? Fight with you about such things? Why? If I don't even want to hurt my enemies, why would you think I'd fight and hurt you who I love most dearly?"
"Ok, ok. Let's just not argue anymore." And then, he continued, "How are you now, anyway? You should try and sleep already. It must be 3 a.m. there. I'll be here in the hospital for a while."
"I just woke up to take a piss. Haha. But now, I'm so happy because you spoke to me again after more than two weeks. Whatever happens next, if you feel like leaving me like that again, just remember I still love you very, very much even if friendship is all that you can offer me."
Luke replied with four consecutive texts: "Thank you, Valentine. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart." "I will still be in your life even as just a friend." "I am so tired. I feel choked in my heart. Like I'm suffocating." "But I am okay."
"Oh, Luke! If only I were with you right now. I will hug you and comfort you. And that's all I've ever wanted to be in your life. To be your comfort, and your refuge." And before Luke could reply, he added, "I know it's hard for you to process that. But that's all I've always wanted since the first day we met online. I talked about the other things only for transparency and full disclosure. I didn't want to waste time—both yours, and mine." 
"I'm really sorry. Sometimes, I just feel overwhelmed, and it's quite toxic. But I hope that you realize that I tried to really understand and accommodate you."
"I don't want you to feel toxic. I also don't want to absorb other people's toxicity. Luke, it's not a one-way street. I also tried to understand and empathize with you. That's why my heart was completely broken when you just took off, and blocked me on Messenger like that. And still, patience and understanding are needed in any relationship."
Luke's reply was much delayed. When he finally said something, he sent three messages: "Lola had to pee. Hehe." "I hope we can be together, Valentine, even if we start slow by just being friends. Who knows where it may lead?" "Sorry if I hurt you. I really don't want to hurt you."
"Of course, Luke. I've already accepted the fate of my love for you when you just suddenly disappeared from my life two weeks ago. So, I'll deal with whatever plain friendship it is that you are talking about."
"Thank you. I really won't be gone from your life, you know."
Valentine went through the motion of the next hour and a half chatting with Luke about things mundane and profound. They laughed and cried, and recalled their best online moments. They talked about things that they have talked much about before, like they were an old married couple. And all the time, though he was also excited about Luke's coming back into his life, Valentine was thinking, Fuck you, Luke Paclibar!