The Young Love

Ashley, the female protagonist of the story, had her first love at the age of sixteen with a guy named Therence, who happened to be five years older than her and was her brother's best friend. Obviously, Ashley and Therence learned about each other through Ashley's brother, Kenneth. Therence and Kenneth became friends way back in their high school days, and they continued to be best friends up to their college days. Making Therence became almost part of the Sol family. Hence, the special connection between Therence and Ashley. The feelings between the two grow stronger with the presence of both parties in each other's lives at every event, be it a big one or a small one. But just like any other love story, theirs has its share of misfortune. Because Therence is Kenneth's best friend and is almost an addition to the family, pursuing Ashley can't be an option for him. Plus, he's five years older than Ashley and is almost the same age as Kenneth, so he definitely is almost and should be just like a big brother to Ashley. Also, in deference to the Sol couple and for some personal reason he chooses not to tell, Therence makes the right decision in choosing to stop and control his then growing feelings for his best friend's little sister, Ashley. Ashley, on the other hand, being young and so innocent, wants to pursue her feelings for Therence regardless of how everybody else might take it. It was her brother Kenneth who learned about it first before their parents. Kenneth, as Ashley's protective brother, aware of the possible consequences of what his little sister wants to happen and the pain it could cause her, tries his best to convince her to not make any reckless decisions out of her innocent feelings. And he advised her to think and consider the situation and the people that might get involved and the possible result of her action. "My God, Ashley, are you freaking serious about it? About your feelings for Ther? Don't you think you're just being impulsive about it? I mean, he's almost like a brother to you. How can you seriously have some kinds of feelings like that for a guy who is almost your brother? " Kenneth unbelievably asked his sister. "Just like what you've said, Ken, almost my brother, but definitely not my brother. And why? What's wrong with that? If your concern is our age gap, it was just a five-year age difference, Ken. So what if I have feelings for someone older than me? It shouldn't be that big of a deal. " Ashley explained to her brother. "That's not my point, Ash. The point here is he was almost your brother because he's almost part of the family." He pointed to his sister trying to hide the real one. "Precisely, Ken. He's almost part of the family, our family. He's your best friend. Mom and dad treat him as their own, and he is getting along so well with us. So, what's the problem? Having him as my boyfriend shouldn't be that hard, right? " "No, Ash! There's no way it won't be that hard. I'm telling you, having him as your boyfriend isn't going to be as smooth sailing as you thought." " What about it that you are so against, Ken? " She suspiciously asked Kenneth. " Not that I'm against it, Ash, it's just that I know things you don't. So, if I were you, as soon as possible, I would control and stop whatever feelings I have for him while I still have the ability to do so." Kenneth advised his sister. " And what is that, Ken? What is it that you know that I don't? And why do I have to stop and control my feelings for Ther? I mean, is it a crime? Is loving someone now a mortal sin, Ken? " Ashley asked her brother earnestly. " No, Ash! Definitely no! It's not a crime nor a sin to love someone. " Kenneth replied his sister. " Well then, why? Tell me why I can't have feelings for him, Ken? " " Come on, Ash, did Ther also feel the same way as you do? " kenneth asked his little sister. "And if he does? What difference would it make then? What difference would it make to the situation you've been trying to point out here, which I totally don't get? What difference could his feelings make here when you seem so opposed to it in the first place? Are his feelings way more important to you than mine? " She rudely asked her brother. "Don't talk to me that way, Ashley! You're being disrespectful to me. Just because of the feelings you have for Ther? You dare to act that way towards me, your brother? I can't imagine what else you can do for that damn feeling of yours. Who else are you going to disrespect besides me? Mom? Dad? You're losing your grip on reality. Do you think it will all be worth it? " Kenneth reprimanded his little sister. "I'm sorry, Ken. I didn't mean to be disrespectful to you, but I just don't understand why you are so against it. I don't know where you are coming from. Could you please explain it to me? Only then could I understand why my feelings for Ther seem like a sin you're totally against. Because I honestly don't know where to find the reason to understand you. " Ashley explained to her brother. "I'm afraid I cannot explain it any further to you, Ash. I'm not in a position to give details about it. Just please listen to me, huh? Just like mom and dad, I want nothing but your happiness. And your happiness can't be Ther. " "And why is that? Why can't he be my happiness, Ken? He's making me happy. His presence makes me happy. But you're telling me that he just can't be my happiness? Why do you sound so contradictory to what I actually feel about Ther? " She confusedly asked her brother. "Enough of the questions, Ash. Just please listen to me. It's for your own sake. I swear! " There will be no single reason that's going to be sufficient to persuade a brother whose only concern is to protect his little sister from possible heartbreak, but isn't it a little too late to prevent some hearts from breaking? Especially when the one being protected is lost in the sea of inexplicable reasons that are bound to be incomprehensible.