the Chronicles of Love

Chapter 1 Getting to Know each other Part 1 "One. Two. Three. Four" I was doing my regular workout before going to school. I am so body conscious and I don't want to be left out since my friends are going on the gym regularly except me. Ding. "I had a message? Maybe from our class. Tsk. Eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one" I just ignored it and continued on my routine then took a bath right after because it's only an hour away before my class starts. Ding. "Hey beautiful. How are you? I was trying to chat you but you didn't reply. I hope this time you'll notice" At first, I ignored him because I thought it's just one silly prank. I had no idea who he was so I just let it slide. "Hey, how was your school? I hope I wasn't disturbing you. I noticed you only checked my messages but you never responded. It's okay, I'll wait?" "pff. Whatever. You boys, you all started the same. Hmp! You're just so good at first, then when we are intimately attached to you, you'll suddenly go pooff!! Leaving us in ruins without anyone to heal! Hmp. It's a no. No. No. No" I said to myself. I just got recovered from my last relationship were I put too much effort, but later did I know he's still into his ex. Oh come on. I was only a rebound. I sighed deeply as I realized how fool I am whenever it comes in an intimate relationship. "Degree is nothing when you are fool and stupid when it comes to love" I continued. After I prepared I went to school. I'm a college student and in a few years I'll graduate, have a decent job, help my family, travel, then get married. That's what I'm living for. I'm that type of girl who chose to go straight to home right after class, no matter how my friends insisted to go with them on a bar for an occasion. .... " Leah, are you okay there? " My grandma called. " Yes la. I'm fine. Why? Do you need anything?" " Yes, if your not doing something, come here in my room.. Come here, my white hairs are getting thicker, it's so itchy, come and remove it. Bring the tweezer, its at the side of the tv" my grandma is like any other grandma, she loves whenever I remove her white hairs. It helps her relax and helps her have a good nap, or a well rest at night. "La, I had a question for you, how did you and Lolo met each other?" " Is it part of your thesis? " Lola asked. " What? No? " " Then why ask? Are you planning to marry? Hoy Inday! Not now. Remember how hard your father is working for the two of you to continue studying, now your planning to get married? I'll cut the balls of whoever devil he is! " my grandma said. This is the reason why I have a hard time telling them that I got a boyfriend. I'm just a normal teenage girl who wants to explore the depths of the sea, and the ends of the universe. But with all this sentiments, I prefer experiencing it in secret. That's a lot safer. "La, come on, why don't you just tell me, who knows I'll meet someone like him soooooooooon. Like a million times soon" My grandma loves it whenever she tells a story she really knew about. Like how much she strategies to keep her corn field healthy with only organic supplements for her plants, how she manage to live everyday with just a little percentage of surviving, but she never had ever talked about her love life. She never shared about it, and all of my cousin's grew so interested in her love story. Not even her own children knew about it either. "Come on la, you never told us anything about it. Please" I tried to persuade her just in case I could convince her. I have never ever tried to ask Lola something that she declined it. I have no single idea why but in all of my cousins I am the closest to her. My grandma is like a mother to me, she raised me as if her own child. Though my sister and I grew up together, but the time she was ready to live in another country, my aunt took her there to help her with her studies. Though my Lola and dad is a bit hesitant at first but my sister is persist on studying abroad, she they agreed eventually. "Okay. I'll tell you my love story if you insist. But you had to promise me, never to ask about it ever again. It's not that I'm embarrassed about it, I just can't withstand the feelings of reminiscing things" My grandma is that kind of person who keeps all the memories inside of her and not telling it to anybody, because she is so attached to every memories that she felt like deja vu and she doesn't like that, she got overwhelmed easily. " Yes Lola. Promise?" I replied with a grin " Okay. Listen carefully. It all started this way" ....Flashback.... Grandma's POV "Good morning my lady, I'm Diosdado, 'dado' for short. I'm new in this town. I was just wondering if I could be friends with you" With a raised eyebrow I just stared at him from head to toe before looking back at his eyes. He looked sophisticated and doesn't look like from a farm family like us. I wonder what's his doing here. Is he the new priest on town? Hmm.. she kinda look like one. " I don't allow courting, and if you think of being my suitor, you better back off. I had a lot of things to do than just sit there and be silly." I might sound rude sometimes but trust me, I'm not. "I'm really in a need of friend or two this time. You see, we had just bought that house next to yours so maybe, just maybe we could be friends. I'm nice you know, I'm a sacristan back at my hometown " " Wow interesting" "Yeah. You see, being a friend of a sacristan is so good because we could help you get closer to the Lor... " " No. Not that. The 'maybe' thing. Maybe means it's either a yes and a no. And that maybe of yours is a No for me. Thank you. I had to feed the hogs. Excuse me" Dado was dumbfounded to what just happened. He didn't get what I said, and that's the point. I drowned myself for working since I was a little. I am the second born of three. My two other siblings are privileged to have what they wanted because mama believed that they are more smart than I am. I understand that, mama might sound unfair but studying really hard is never easy, and I can't be jealous about that, I am happy to what I am now, and that is taking care of the farm animals. My two other sisters had a chance to go to school because my older sister is quite a sticky person and could not stand the hard works on the field, while our younger sister is a smarty-pants so she also had a chance. I never complaint about it, infact I enjoyed it so much and whenever I thought about growing up, I always felt excited, that whatever may happen, I know how to survive in the farm. I harnessed myself in improving my survival skills without being pressured going to school. I love books, I don't mind having nothing new on any occasion as long as they pay me with books, I mean tons of books every now and then. Our father thought us to live on our own, he never told me about relying on some fat bearded man to put food on the table for me, rather find the best ways for living. The nest day... "Good morning again. You seemed so busy. Can I give you a hand?" " I already have two, what do you think I'm going to use that for?" I replied while preparing the food and water for the pigs and the chickens. I honestly don't like whenever someone looks at me with pity. I'm not disabled and I've been doing this things since the day I learned how to walk, why there's still ignorant people saying that I couldn't do this, I couldn't do that. "Hahaha. Your humorous. I like it. The girls back in my town love to pretend to be clumsy, and soft, and pretended not able to carry a two liters of bucket but you, you're different" " Excuse me. If you are seeking for that type of girl here, I suggest you better go back to where you came from. Who knows you'll marry a woman who doesn't know the difference to buffaloes and a cows" " Ow-yooo-hooo. Who's this handsome guy my little sistah? " My oldest sister loves to play with boys in a flirtatious way and it seems that Dado is her new target. "Hmp. He's been looking for you since yesterday manang. I told him you went to college that's why he came early today. He's thrilled to meet you" I'm laughing so hard inside, I saw on Dado's face the disbelief on what I said, I just looked at him and raised one of my brows. "Omy. Omy. Why didn't you say so? Hi. I'm Josefa. I'm young, and fresh, and I'm currently studying arts and crafts at the city. My father could afford it so... " " Umh. Yeah... Hi, I'm ... I'm dado, I'm a sacristan" " Oh... God bless you dado. Why don't you come in and join my breakfast" "Umh. I'm.. good. I just ... I just had my breakfast" " Manang, Dado is a little shy. He's been here for a couple of hours and must be tired of all the waiting of you. Why didn't you wake up early? Such a shame, you make him wait" I said. " Omy. Omy. We don't let our visitors get hungry. Come on in. Mom is such a good cook, you'll love her food" Dado followed my sister hopelessly inside. He seemed to be uncomfortable, sine when did I care someone's comfortability? "Wait, are we not going to wait for your sister to join us? " " Oh no. I can't eat with her. Don't you notice her smell? Ughh. It's awful, the sweats and dirt, no thinking about it lose my appetite " " She smell nice to me. She smell like a wild flower battered with the weather, I like it" " She stinks. Ugh! It hurts my nose. She smells like one of the carabaos, or the pigs, or the... Ugh. Can we not talk about her. How about you tell me your life back at the city" " Food is ready" mother announced. " Mama, can you not call everybody yet? Can't you see I have a visitor, this is dado, dado that's my mama, she cook delicious food, and a stay home woman because she can't find decent job at the city, you know, you can't work without basic education and mom is missing that part so have to stay her, Lourdes inherited that illiteracy from her. Right mama?" " Hi dado. You were from the next house right? I saw you talking to Lourdes yesterday" Dado's eyes almost fall out on how Josefa introduced mother to him, the embarrassment of mother was painted all over her face. Though she forcibly smile, you could still see her hurting. " Oh yes mama. He's been looking for me since yesterday, Lourdes didn't told me last night, I should've prepared a little something. That jealous dimwit, ugh! " Manang Josefa doesn't like me even before because she thought I am brainless and born to be a slave, unlike her she had ambitions, and dreams, and a life she wanted to live. I don't hate her because she's my sister, but on the other side I wish she was never been my sister. "Mama, I'm hungry" Julieta said, their youngest sibling. "Oh dear, your sister is having a visitor and we can't join them, I'll just bring food outside, at the cabin. Okay? " Julieta is a bit upset but she had no choice than to not make Josefa mad, because behind that pretty and well cared face is a monster that is ready to swallow anyone -who bumped on her way, alive. Chapter 2 Getting to know each other Part 2 "So Lola, how did you and Lolo became together when Lola Josefa is meddling with him?" " Well, it's simple, if your meant to be, your meant to be. Blocking mountains or drowning sea is nothing compared to the power of love you had to each other" Continue of flashbacks.. Lola's POV " Hi. Good morning. I apologies for not visiting the other day, I got ill after I went to town. I got flu and been sick so badly, but now I'm well. I made sure to be fine before seeing you again. Oh hey, I had something for you. Here take it" " What is this?" "Well, you put your hands inside, make sure it's comfortable. It helps you to work better. It lessens the pain of your hands while doing all this chores. I could say your hands are quite calloused so I thought it might help" Dado explained. I looked straight to his eyes to intimidate him but I caught myself off guarded. He has this well shaped brown eyes glowing beautiful. I pretend like I wasn't amused and tried as hard as can be to hold that neutral emotion that I always have. " I might not able to go to a formal school but I know what it is. I was asking you what are these for? Why are you giving me gifts? Why don't you give my sister something instead of me? " Because of being busy and very hands-on at the farm, I did not noticed that I was the only one who had never received any gift from my family or anyone, except the books that father always bought for me. I deny it to myself but honestly it gives me a different feeling inside but I can't show it off because of the negative thoughts I had in my mind. "Oh! Umh. I don't know. Maybe because your my first friend here? " "Initially, we're not friends, I didn't even tell you my name, furthermore, I've been a quite mean to you and even lied that you're looking for my sister" " Well, that's quite mean of you though, I admit it. But I like to be around with you, no offense to Josefa, she's nice, but I like your humor, and I like you because you are different, like you're not scared to show who you really are, and umh.. if you allow me, I can court you in any ways you want" I was so stunned to what he says that I could not utter a word. Never in my life told me that I can have a normal romantic relationship even if I am just a farm girl without any basic education. I even thought that I'm going to live alone forever just like our other relatives. End of flashbacks "That's it?!" I yelled. "Lower your voice of I'll cut your eshopagost!" " Hahahaha. It's esophagus Lola. But you hadn't told me everything yet" " Well, you have to wait til my gray hair grow back and by then, we'll continue our story" grandma said then got up to prepare herself for feeding her chickens. "Lola, let me carry that. That's heavy" " You know, back in the days, I can carry a full grown carabao" " Woah! What? Are you kidding me?" "' Are you kidding me?' I'm just messing around. Move! It's just 5 kilos feeds for chicken, not a hundred. Move away. You better finish your thesis or I'll be too old before you graduate college you moron" " Lola, that's not going to happen. I will finish college right before you know it" " I know everything child. Don't be so comfortable. I even know your secrets Leah" I don't know why but there's a sudden blockage on my throat that made me uneasy to swallow. Her eyes suddenly changed from humourous to death stare real quick. If she knew my secrets then why didn't she told dad about it? If she does, I'll be in a huge trouble. It's my father's only rule, NEVER TO HAVE A BOYFRIEND BEFORE FINISHING COLLEGE. I cleared my thoughts and continued on working my papers. I don't want to end up in the farm, I know being a farmer is the most awarding job in the world but I don't want it to be my lifetime job. ..... "Hi beautiful, its me again. Can I call you now? " I got another message from that exasperating nincompoop. This time I just totally ignored him and continue doing my job. Kring kring. My phone rang and I almost threw it away with surprise. "What do you want?" I asked angrily. "Woah! Chill, I just want to make friends. You know, it's been awhile since I kept on chatting you but you never replied. I wonder why" " You wonder why? Well because I don't like you. Basic! " " Umh. Really eh? Then why did you keep on reacting on my posts and my 'my-days' on f*******:? " " What yuck! No way. It could be because your posts are always popping on top of my news feed" " Or you're just simply stalking me" He said with a grin that gives me goosebumps. "Shut up. You're creeping me out. I'm going to report you if you won't stop" I warned him. " Then why didn't you ignored the call and answer me instead? You're hurting me" " Because you need to know that you are annoying me" "Well then, my plan worked and now I got your attention, smart isn't it? " I paused for a bit thinking about what he said. I hate to admit it but he's right. I could just simply end the call if I want to but why I kept on talking to him. Ugh. He's getting in my nerves. Luck is on my side when the electricity went out all of the sudden and the call ended . "Ho. He's creepy. Who is he anyway?" I said with a disgusted feeling. " Hold up. Why is he so cute? Like, omg... I never knew he's that handsome. Oh nonono you don't Leah. Don't be stupid, you can't like him. You don't know him" " Leah! What are you mumbling about? Are you done with your work? " I was so shocked when grandma suddenly entered my room and yelled from behind my back. "Did I think out too loud Lola?" I asked her shamefully. " I don't know what you're talking about. Finish your work and we will have lunch in a while" I felt a strong electricity flowed my veins. I was so scared that I peed a little on my pants. I know it's disgusting but it's a thing. ... "Hey, why you're still ignoring my messages? . I am so eager to know you. I mean, my intentions to you are serious. I like you, and if you will give me a chance, I will treat you better than you expected" I know that if I don't agree with him, or if I won't give him what he wants he won't stop. But if I won't give him a chance I will miss a jewel. I mean, what could go wrong, you don't need to marry him or live with him for the rest of your life, isn't it? It's just some silly puppy-online-love right? And besides, he is the most handsome suitor I ever had, so why not? "Oh come on self, you're so irrational, why not just block him? He is a huge disturbance to your study. Come on, you're better than that" I whispered to myself. " Hey. You look beautiful at your recent post. You look so happy. But you look lonely" he said. I suddenly felt a little sting to my heart. I am indeed lonely, coz all of my friends, except my bestfriend had already a partner and so far, they're doing good in any aspect. " What could possibly go wrong? Let's just play along with this one" It's not my first time in a relationship online. But most of them didn't last for a month, so I believe this one will be easy too. "Just for fun" I whispered to myself. "Fine! What do you want?" "Wow! I'm so glad finally I got your attention again" " I'm a busy person, so I don't have all the time chatting and talking to you" " It's okay. I understand. Thank you again. I hope to see you soon. By the way, I hope you won't mind me courting you" I didn't replied his last message anymore and went back to my work before going to bed. .... "Lolo, how will I know if that man is serious to me? " " Hmp. Let me think. You know my child, I have no concrete answer to that. But as for me, I never looked for it. I never ever even think about it. The moment I saw your Lola, my heart skipped a beat, and that never happens in all my life. Whenever I look at her eyes I know that if I let her go, I won't see any other woman like her. After she accepted my love for her, I swear to God never to look or think for another woman after her. Not even now that we're two worlds apart" I jumped out of my bed as soon as I noticed that he's fading away and almost tripped down the floor. I was so surprised too knowing that I was just dreaming. "It felt surreal" I gasped for some air to regain my consciousness. "You lazy woman, why are you still in your pajamas eh? Can't you see? The sun is already out? I'm not your maid you fathead! Get up and warm up your veins! How can you be successful in life when only getting up from bed is already a hardwork for you! " My everyday starts like this. No matter how early I get up and fix my bed, she always say the same thing. Sometimes I'll just imagine she had an OCD. But nah! It's just her routine, her warm up for the day. Chapter 3 Getting To Know Each Other Part 3 "Good afternoon. I brought you some fresh flowers. I saw a bunch of it along the way so I picked it up. I assume I'm not going to jail for stealing some flowers for my beautiful lady." My jaw literally dropped as I saw him standing at the the exit gate of the university I'm studying. "What are you doing here? You can't be here. Somebody I know might see you.. " I scolded him as I walk him away from the crowd. "Why? I mean, I can't sleep well after you said I can court you. I want to show how serious I am to you. See I brought you flowers. Isn't it romantic? " I don't know what to say because I was terribly dumbfounded I almost laugh my ass out to the way he acts. He is something new, like, no one showed up in front of me before even if I forced them to do so because they were scared of me. Well, I hope its a good sign. All I have to do is to go with the flow and see how far he can go. "Well, since your already here, why not treat me something. I want food, I'm a little hungry" " Hmm.. I see. Luckily, I saw something delicious on my way here. Let's go" I tried my best to be vigilant in case somebody I know see me and report me to my Lola or worse to my dad. I don't want to be in trouble, I respect my dad so much but I want to give this sweet, and charming man a chance. Just a tiny bit of chance. What if this relation will work? What if he is my soulmate, wait, do I have a soul? I'm sure I am not that mean to anyone to be deprived of having a soul. "Hey are you okay?" he asked. I almost hit him with my books to my surprise. I didn't noticed I was so lost with my thoughts, as always. "Are you hiding?" he asked. "Me? Hiding. Ppff. No... No way" " Yes you are. Come here, use my hat to cover you up, and I know it's a little too hot but my jacket will do too" Am I that obvious? All of a sudden the butterflies inside me became wild, they've never been like this before. I was just staring at him and realized he was so handsome, so fresh smelling, so perfect. "Here we are" he said. My eyes almost pop out as I saw where he took me. I mean I'm not picky eater, I ate every single grain I have on my plate, doesn't matter if it's a dinosaur of a truck of broccoli but this is an exception. "Umh, here? I mean, no offense but, seriously? In the... the.. hmp. The street food? " " Yeah. Do you have any allergies? We can find another one" Allergies? What would allergies do to this situation? " Hahaha. Are you serious? Is it a joke?" " Huh? What joke? Brother, can I get one of this, this, this, and two of those, oh and one soda too. Thank you bro" He then sat down to a vacant seat after he ordered. He didn't even bother to ask what I want. Though I ate street food many times in my life but, come on, it's our first date. "I.. umh.. I guess I'll just buy food from the fast food across the street. You could just wait me here" I don't have allergy to any street food so far, I can even eat as much as any other normal people could. But the fact that it's our first meet up and by far our very first date and he took me at the street food stand? Is he kidding me? I called my best friend Missy to pick me up after I ordered my meal and I immediately left there. I felt sorry for him but I'm so upset and disgusted. I never thought this would be my first date. ... "I never expected him to be that broke that he can't even afford to buy me real food" " What if he's not broke. What if he really has money and you just overly reacted?" Missy replied. " No girl. I'm really disappointed. He looked so cool, so good, and he just brought me to.. ugh.. the flies there, it's everywhere. If that's a test, I'll be so glad to fail than to go to the hospital for food poisonings and whatsoever " " Hahahaha. Come on miss Clean. I can hire you as the partner of 'Mr. Clean the detergent'" she just laugh out loud and that drives me even crazier because I don't know what to do. Ding "Hey, are you okay? I've been looking for you around. I thought maybe you just went straight home. Are you sick? Does anybody saw you? I hope not. I hope to see you again. Chat me back if you receive this message. That would be a relief" " The nerve!!! Omy. Omy. Doesn't he know the clue. I don't want to see him again. Argh! " I was so furious that I want to punch somebody. I don't get it why I'm so mad at him, because because he doesn't met my standards, I don't know. "Can you show me his profile?" Missy asked. " What no! You might stole him from me" " Hey dorky, why would I do that? So I'll be the one sitting at the street food stand with him.? Hahaha.. as if" She then snatched the phone from me and went through his profile picture. "Holy honey peanut butter. Is this that guy? Is this that Kian?" " Yeah. I know right? " " Omy.. I can eat all the street food out there just to be with this hotty. Are you serious to me now Leah?! That's why you don't have a real boyfriend because you keep on dreaming of having one of those fictional characters! Girl! Those people are scripted character, there's no such thing as Tom Holland or Robert Downey in real life. This is it. You can start to have a new life. Give him a chance. He'll learn how to be a human eventually" I know I am the most exaggerating person when it comes to expressing emotions but she beat me on this one. ... Three Months After "Hey. Let me bring it for you" he said. " No. I can handle it" "No. Let me help you. It looks heavy. Here's the cap, and use my jacket. It's a little bit cold today" I took his cap and his jacket and use it. I don't care how odd I look as long as no one