What Could Love Be

Chapter 7: True Love

Melissa, how was your weekend? How’s Victor? It feels like ages since I last saw him,” Lydia asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

“He might be transferred back to his office branch just around the corner,” Melissa said, with a gleam of excitement in her eyes.

“Really? That’s great news! I bet you’re happy about that,” Lydia replied, her voice filled with clear enthusiasm...

“Absolutely! The house feels so boring without him. I’m just at home with my mom and dad. I could really use some young energy around,” Melissa shared, smiling as she thought of Victor.

“I’m so jealous! I have four younger siblings, and being the oldest is tough. They’re always around, while you get your own room, and here you are complaining!” Lydia said with a playful pout.

“Everyone has their own challenges, you know,” Melissa said, laughter in her voice as they walked to class. With no lectures that day, the two girls took the chance to chat.

“How’s Dennis?” Melissa asked, her curiosity piqued. “Did you call him?”

“Yes, I did. We’re okay,” Lydia said, though her smile seemed to fade just a little.

“You might want to take it easy with this relationship. It’s only been two months, and you seem to have something on your mind,” Melissa advised, her tone mixing concern with friendliness.

“I’ve learned that it’s better to talk openly instead of letting things build up,” Lydia replied, her voice firm but thoughtful.

“ So what do you have planned for your birthday next month?” Melissa asked, switching to a lighter topic.

“I haven’t thought about it yet. Can you believe I’m turning 22 soon?” Lydia said, sounding slightly surprised by the thought.

“Time really flies. I remember how we were so excited for our 13th birthday, wanting to be teenagers. Now we’re almost 22! It’s hard to believe,” Melissa said, reflecting nostalgically on how quickly time had passed.

“Stop saying that; it’s making me feel old!” Lydia said with a playful roll of her eyes.

“Well, aren’t we old now?” Melissa teased, and they both laughed, their laughter brightening the hallway.

After class ended, Melissa noticed Lydia’s sudden change in mood and asked, concerning slipping through her voice, “Why have you been sighing during the lesson?”

“It’s nothing; I just miss my baby,” Lydia said, giving an exaggerated pout.

“You have a baby?” Melissa joked, raising an eyebrow. “I never knew!”

“You know what I mean! I miss Dennis. We haven’t seen each other since our last date, and it didn’t exactly end well,” Lydia said, her voice filled with longing.

“Why haven’t you two met up? It’s only been a little over a week, but you make it sound like it's been forever,” Melissa pointed out, amusement creeping into her voice.

“Don’t you realise a few days can feel like years when you’re in love? He’s busy with his finals and can’t come to see me,” Lydia explained, her eyes showing her longing.

“Then why not surprise him? Or is there a rule that he always has to come to you?” Melissa suggested, her face lighting up with the idea.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!” Lydia said, her eyes widening with excitement.

“Does being apart for a few days really feel like years?” Melissa asked, curious.

“Oh, yes, it does,” Lydia answered with earnestness.

Melissa thought for a moment before adding, “Victor’s girlfriend is currently in the USA. She’s studying for her master’s at Harvard, and she won’t be back for about three to four years. I wonder how Victor will handle that,” Melissa said, frowning as she thought about her brother’s relationship.

“It’s tough being in a long-distance relationship. They might break up, and feelings can change because, as they say, out of sight, out of mind,” Lydia said, looking at Melissa thoughtfully.

“I really don’t think Victor’s feelings will change. You know she’s his first love, and those feelings tend to last,” Melissa replied confidently.

“I don’t think I could handle a long-distance relationship,” Lydia admitted, sighing.

“So, if Dennis had to travel, would you really end the relationship?” Melissa asked seriously.

“No, I wouldn’t,” Lydia said firmly.

“Then what’s your plan?” Melissa asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you said distance would be too hard for you.”

“It wouldn’t really be a long-distance relationship because I’d travel with him!” Lydia said, bursting into laughter at the thought.

“You two lovebirds,” Melissa teased, shaking her head as they both laughed.

Later, Lydia went to Dennis’s school and called him. Her heart fluttered as she suggested meeting at a nearby restaurant she found on campus. When Dennis arrived, he gave Lydia a warm hug, his face lighting up with relief and affection.

“I was actually thinking about skipping one of my final rehearsals just to come to see you,” Dennis admitted, feeling happy to see her.

Lydia stood there, looking anxious, as if a heavy weight pressed down on her. Melissa squinted, trying to understand what Lydia was saying, but the noise around them made it hard to hear. "What is she saying?" Melissa asked, her voice showing her frustration. "I can't hear you, Lydia! Speak up!"

Lydia's eyes flicked nervously over her shoulder, showing fear and urgency that made Melissa feel uneasy. "Why does she look like that?" Melissa thought, her heart racing. Lydia kept looking back; it seemed as though someone was coming after her. Lydia looked distressed, troubled by an unseen threat.

"Speak up, Lydia! Please, I need to know!" Melissa urged, but her words dissolved into the silence. Just then, Lydia's panic broke the calm, and in a flash, Melissa woke up, her heart pounding, realising it had only been another dream.

The dream’s haunting nature left Melissa unsettled. She lay back down, her mind spinning, wondering what could be the cause of Lydia’s fear in the dream, and what it might mean for the days ahead.