Her Greatest Love

"Hey, babe, happy 1st anniversary to us!" Tristan greeted me happily, handing me a bouquet of one hundred tulips, which felt a bit heavy."Thank you, babe," I replied with joy as I smelt the tulips he gave me, a mix of purple and white that looked so beautiful together."It's nothing. Just remember—I love you so much," he said as he hugged me tightly."You're so dramatic! Hmp! I already know you love me," I teased, giving his chest a playful slap."Ouch, babe! That hurt. Kiss me so it’ll go away," he said as he leaned his cheek toward me, expecting a kiss."Hey! Stop it," I said, annoyed but amused."I'm just joking! I just wanted to—" He didn’t finish his sentence because I suddenly kissed him on the cheek. He froze, totally shocked, like a statue, processing what had just happened. I couldn’t stop laughing at Tristan’s reaction. Who would've thought a simple kiss on the cheek would make him that quiet? "Hey! What happened to you?" I waved my hand in front of his face when he still didn’t respond. He finally snapped out of it and gave me the sweetest smile. Wait, babe, you really surprised me there," he said, still a bit dazed. "Why? Don’t you want me to kiss you? "I asked, he said, teasing. I do! But you caught me off guard. Can you do it again?" he said, leaning his cheek closer. I was about to kiss him again when he gently held the back of my head... and kissed my forehead. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I love you, babe. I will never get tired of loving you. No matter how stubborn or moody you get, it’s okay as long as you stay with me," he said, looking at me seriously. My heart suddenly raced at those words. I love you too. I love you so much. Thank you for understanding me—for all the efforts you’ve made. I appreciate everything. I’m so lucky to be loved by someone like you," I told him. We hugged each other tightly. In that moment, my heart was overflowing with happiness. I wished I could stop time just so we could stay like this forever. Come on! Let’s go somewhere. There’s a place I want us to visit together for our anniversary," he said, taking my hand as we walked toward his parked motorcycle. It was a Saturday, so neither of us had school. It was the perfect time to go out and celebrate. Truthfully, I still had work—I had some items left to sell. But he bought them all and gave them away to people, just so I could have more time to spend with him. Babe, why are we here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. We were standing in front of a large church, and I was surprised why we were there. Because we’re going to church. It’s our anniversary, and I want us to thank God—for letting us make it this far, for strengthening our relationship, and for hearing my daily prayers that we would have the courage to face whatever problems came our way," he said with a smile. I never realised he was this religious. To be honest, this was my first time entering a church, and he was the first person to bring me there. I felt a bit shy and didn’t know what to do since I didn’t know how to pray. Tristan noticed right away. He came closer and said, “Babe, don’t worry. Just follow me.” He was still holding my hand as we walked inside. I felt the presence of the people around us, their eyes fixed on the altar, and the cool air of the church. Just breathe. Relax,” he whispered, sensing my nervousness. “What matters is we’re here to give thanks. As we walked, the crowd made it a bit tight. We stopped in front of the altar, and he started praying—his eyes closed and a smile on his lips. I watched him, amazed by his devotion. I realised how serious he was about our relationship. Babe, can I join you in prayer?" I asked, still nervous. Of course! Just follow along,” he said, encouraging me to trust him. He began praying, “Lord, thank you for the blessings you've given us. Please continue to give us strength and love for each other.” His words deeply touched my heart. I tried to pray too, but no words came. Instead, I focused on my feelings, silently thanking God for him and for the beautiful memories we shared. Do you want to light a candle? ” he asked when we finished. I nodded, excited. We went to the candle area. Tristan picked a white candle, and we prayed again before lighting it. For our love,” he said, looking deeply into my eyes. “A symbol of light that will always burn for us. I blushed again. “You’re really so sweet, babe. I hope it’s always like this—full of love and gratitude. After the church visit, we took a walk outside. Around the area were food stalls with delicious street snacks. Babe, want to try this? ” I asked, pointing to a fishball stall. Of course! Let’s eat! ” he replied eagerly. While eating, we chatted about all sorts of things. He even teased me about our “firsts”—first kiss, first date, all the moments we’ve shared. Remember our first date? You were so awkward, like you didn’t want to talk to me! ” he laughed.“I was just shy! You were too cute! ” I replied, finally confident. I’m still cute, right? ” He grinned. Of course! Especially when you’re being this sweet,” I said, pointing at the tulips he was still holding. Then he suddenly stopped and looked at me seriously. Babe, we’ve been through a lot. But with every challenge, our relationship only grows stronger. So don’t worry—I’ll always be here.” Thank you, Tristan. I’ve learnt so much from you—especially about love,” I said, filled with emotion. Later, we decided to go to a nearby park to relax and enjoy the day. As we walked, I felt the warm sunlight on our skin and the joy in my heart from all the little things we shared. Babe, we’ve been together a year now. What do you want us to do in the next one? ” he asked, thinking ahead. I want us to travel—to explore other countries and create even more memories,” I answered, dreaming of our future. Deal! But for now, let’s enjoy the simple things and make this moment count,” he said, hugging me again. Wrapped in his arms, I felt safe and loved. This one year was full of lessons and joy, and I knew we had many more years ahead. Babe, it’s late now, almost 6:00 PM, and the church is nearly empty. There’s something I want us to do at the altar,” he said, holding both my hands and staring into my eyes, waiting for my response. Of course. What are we doing? ” I asked, 'You'll find out when we get there,” he said, pulling me along gently. I didn’t really have a choice. Father! ” he called to a priest. The priest smiled and walked toward us. Tristan took his hand and placed it on his forehead for a blessing. I followed, although I felt a little awkward. She’s the one you told me about? ” Father asked with a warm smile.“Yes, Father. She’s the one,” Tristan replied, glancing at me. I’m happy to finally meet you. You know, he talks about you all the time,” Father said. I was surprised to hear that. I always tell him stories about you when I visit,” Tristan added. I couldn’t respond—I was speechless from all the emotions of the day. Alright, let’s begin, lovebirds,” Father teased. What are we doing? ” I want God and Father to witness what I’m about to do,” Tristan said as he held my hand. “Babe, I want to make a promise in front of God and Father that you’ll be the only woman I’ll ever love. As he spoke, everything around me seemed to pause. Babe, that’s a big promise. Are you really ready for that? ” I asked, stunned. Yes, I’m ready. From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one. I want to show you my love in front of God and Father,” he replied sincerely. Father nodded in encouragement. “That’s a beautiful step. Let’s begin with your promises. Tristan, what do you promise me? ” I asked, nervous but excited. I've been waiting for this,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I, Tristan Javier, swear before this church that Emely Ford is the only woman I will love for the rest of my life. I promise to be faithful, in good times and in bad. I’ll always support your decisions, stand by you in struggles and joys, love you endlessly, and always be there for you.” I want to make a promise too,” I said, finding my courage. “I, Emely Ford, swear before this church that Tristan Javier is the man I will love forever. Like your promise to me, I vow to be by your side through every challenge and happiness. I will love you endlessly and always be here for you. Father smiled warmly. “Beautiful promises. Let’s sit and pray for these vows. I’d also like to bless you.” We sat at the altar and prayed together. My heart overflowed with joy as Father’s words echoed around us. Lord, we pray for the promises these two young people have made. May you continue to give them strength and love for one another,” he said. After the prayer, Father brought our hands together. May your love continue to grow, and may you be an inspiration to others.” Thank you so much, Father,” we both said, smiling. I felt the warmth of Tristan’s hand in mine—something intense and burning between us, connecting our dreams and promises. Babe, I’m ready to show the world that you’re the most important person to me. What do you think? ” he asked, excited. I’m ready to show my love to you too,” I replied, heart fluttering. Tristan looked around. “What are we waiting for? Let’s take a selfie here at the altar! Let’s document this special day! ”We laughed as we took a selfie. I realised that today wasn’t just about celebrating a year together—but the beginning of a new journey, full of memories we have yet to make. Babe, thank you for everything,” I said, still holding his hand. No, thank you—because you’re here by my side. To me, you’re the most special person,” he said, sincerity shining in his eyes. As we left the church, smiles on our faces and promises in our hearts, I knew we were ready for whatever came next. As we walked away, each step felt like a promise of new beginnings. The world was bustling around us, but Tristan and I were in our own little universe—full of dreams and love. Babe, do you want to eat at your favourite restaurant? ” he asked. Sure! I’m excited to have my favourite pasta,” I smiled. At the restaurant, we picked a quiet corner so we could talk peacefully. While waiting for our order, I found myself reflecting on our relationship—full of laughter, tears, and little moments that shaped us. You know, babe, in one year we’ve been through so much,” I said. “But through it all, you’ve stayed.” I’ll always be here for you,” he said, full of determination. “This isn’t just one year—it’s just the beginning of our story. When the food arrived, we enjoyed every bite and continued to talk. We shared our future plans—our dreams together. I want to be with you through every step of life. Someday, I hope we can travel to all the places we’ve dreamed of,” he said, his eyes glowing. I want that too! An adventure full of love and happiness,” I replied, feeling light-hearted. After the meal, we took a stroll. The day felt brighter, and every step brought us closer. Babe, what do you think is the most important thing we learnt this year? ” he asked. I think love isn’t just words—it’s action. We have to show it every day,” I said, recalling all the little moments that strengthened us. “You’re right. And trust is so important too. No matter the challenges, I know we can overcome them together,” he said. I looked up at the stars starting to appear in the sky. In my heart, I knew our love was something special. Whatever came next, we’d face it together. There are so many stars tonight,” he suddenly said, staring at me. You said there are so many stars, but you're looking at me, not the sky,” I teased. Well, one of the stars is right beside me—because I’ve already caught her,” he said. You’re so cheesy! ” I laughed and playfully hit him. Ouch! That hurt! You hit so hard, I think my bones cracked,” he joked. Duh, it’s your fault. Why didn’t you dodge it? ” I teased. It’s okay. What matters is you’re happy,” he said, laughing. Tsk…! “By the way, babe, it’s already 7:00 PM.” You might be tired,” he said. Nope, not yet. I actually enjoyed today. But thank you,” I replied. Why are you thanking me? “Thank you for loving me,” I said to him again, my voice soft and sincere. “Babe, I should be the one thanking you,” he replied, gently holding both of my hands. “You know, this has been the happiest experience of my life—having someone who’s always there for you. Babe, I should be the one thanking you,” he replied, gently holding both of my hands. You know, this has been the happiest experience of my life—having someone who’s always there for you. Aside from my family, that person is you. I smiled at his words. It felt so good to hear such heartfelt things from him. Babe, let’s go out for a bit before I head home. It’s only 7:30 anyway,” I suggested. Where do you want to go? ” he asked, curious. Hmm… I was thinking we could hang out by the beach. I want to take you to my secret place,” I said with a small grin. Secret place? ” he asked, puzzled. Yup. It’s a spot not many people know about. I go there when I feel down,” I shared. Really? I’d love to see it,” he said, smiling. I took his hand and led him toward the place I was talking about. We walked in silence, but I could feel the warmth of his hand in mine. I didn’t want to let go. When we arrived at the beach, the breeze was cool and gentle, and the soft crashing of waves filled the air. We headed to a secluded part of the shore where there were some rocks we could sit on. We sat there, staring out at the vast ocean. This is the secret place I was talking about,” I said while gazing into the distance. He nodded and smiled. “It’s beautiful here. Peaceful. Like there’s no problem in the world. Yeah, I come here when I need to think or relax. But today, I’m happy you’re here with me,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. He hugged me tightly and whispered, “Thank you for bringing me here. I love you even more now, babe. I smiled, feeling a joy I couldn’t describe. In that moment, I knew that no matter what came our way, as long as we were together, we could overcome anything. Promise me we’ll always come back here,” I said. Promise,” he replied, gazing at me like I was the only person in the world. “Don’t you want to ask me why I always come here when I’m feeling sad? ” I asked him. He turned to me, curious. “Why? Of all places, why here? Isn’t it a bit dangerous to be out here alone? Especially since you’re a girl? ”I took a deep breath before answering. “Because this place means so much to me. My grandmother used to bring me here when I was a child. She left so many memories in this place. So whenever I feel sad or heavy-hearted, I come here to remember her and feel like she’s still with me. I saw the sadness in his eyes as he listened. He squeezed my hand tighter. I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t know this place was that special to you. I smiled faintly. “It’s okay. I don’t usually share this with anyone. But with you, I just felt like I wanted to. I know you’d understand. He nodded and gently brushed my hair. “Thank you for trusting me, babe. Now I understand why this place is so special to you. And it’s even more special to me now… because I got to know you better here. I hugged him tightly, warmed by his love and support. “Thank you, babe. As long as I’m with you, I’m okay. Whatever sadness or problem comes, we can face it together." I'll always be here for you,” he said, caressing my back. “Whether we come here sad or happy, I’ll be with you.” Thank you”, I said with a smile. You’re welcome, my love,” he said, kissing my forehead. Look,” I said, pointing up at the sky. He followed my gaze. A shooting star? It’s so beautiful, babe! Come on, let’s make a wish. Close your eyes and wish for anything. They say it comes true,” he said excitedly, closing his eyes. I closed mine too and made a wish. What did you wish for? ” I asked him. You can’t say it or it won’t come true,” he answered. Come on, just tell me. It’s only me. I’ll even tell you mine,” I insisted. Alright, alright—you’re really persistent,” he chuckled, then held my hand and grew serious. My wish is to see you happy every day… and to be with you until my last breath. I wasn’t expecting that. “Thank you,” I said shyly. “And mine… I wished for us to always be like this. To stay strong no matter the challenges we face, we neither of us give up. And I hope you’ll be with me as I grow old… I want you with me until the very end. He smiled and hugged me tightly—so tightly I could barely breathe. Babe, I think I’m running out of breath with that hug,” I joked. He laughed and loosened his grip. “Sorry, babe. I got carried away. It just felt so good to hear you say all that. Turns out, we made the same wish. I smiled and looked into his eyes. “Yeah, we did. Because you’re the only one I want to be with… until the end.” In his embrace, I felt the warmth of his love. At that moment, I knew we could face anything—as long as we were together. Whatever the future held, we’d be ready, as long as there was love and trust between us. While we sat on the shore, watching the stars, a rare peace washed over me. Despite all the sadness and trials I had faced in this place, it was now filled with new memories—ones filled with love and joy. Babe, I promise I’ll never leave you,” he whispered, sealing our dreams and wishes with his voice. I promise too, babe,” I replied, thinking of all the possibilities ahead. We fight together, okay? “Together,” he said, then gave me a sweet kiss that sealed every promise and wish we made under the stars. “Babe, the ocean looks so beautiful with the moon shining so brightly,” I told him after our kiss. “You’re right.”Babe, the ocean looks so beautiful with the moon shining so brightly,” I told him after our kiss. “You’re right. Want to go for a swim? Night swimming? ” he asked with a grin. I don’t have extra clothes, silly. How are we going to swim? ” I said, protesting. Who said you don’t? I brought some clothes—just in case it rained or we needed to change. Come on, let’s swim! “Like I could say no to that!” Let’s go! Swimming in the ocean at night sounds amazing! ” I said excitedly, standing up. He stood too, smiling, and led me toward the shallow waters. The cool water touched my feet as we walked. This is so fun, babe! ” I laughed, still holding his hand. You ready? ” he asked, pulling out a T-shirt and shorts from his bag. He handed them to me. “Wear this after we swim. I took the clothes and smiled. “Thanks! As if you didn’t know I’d agree, huh? ”He laughed and put an arm around me. “I know you too well. We didn’t waste any time. We waded into the water, feeling the chill wrap around our bodies. But despite the cold, it felt amazing—especially with him there. We played like kids, splashing and chasing each other in the waves. This is so much fun, babe! I’m glad I agreed to swim,” I shouted, diving under the water. When I came up, I saw him smiling at me. “I’m happy to be here with you. It’s like we’re in our own little world. I paused, looking around. The only sounds were the waves and the gentle breeze under the moonlight. I looked at him and smiled. “Babe, thank you. For everything. He hugged me from behind and whispered, “Thank you too, babe. You bring joy to my life.” We stayed in the water for a while, savouring every moment under the moonlight. Despite the cold, his love warmed me. That night, nothing could compare to the happiness I felt—being with the person I loved the most. After swimming, we returned to our spot and sat down. He reached into his bag and handed me something. What’s this? ” I asked. Food”, he said. I can see that. I meant, what do you want me to do with it? ” I teased. Eat it, of course! You might be hungry, and I’m starving too. Let’s share this together,” he said. Babe, I thought of a poem for you,” he added with a smile. Oh? What is it? ” I asked, 'Want to hear it? ” He asked again, “Would I ask if I didn’t? ” I replied playfully. Alright, listen closely. Sharpen your ears,” he said dramatically. Okay,” I said, sitting beside him. Careful though; you might fall even harder for me after this,” he teased. Hmmm… that depends. But come on already! You talk too much,” I complained. Fine, fine. Here it is, my queen,” he said jokingly.---In the stillness of the night, I find my peace in you.With every glance, my heart knows this love is true.In the shelter of your arms, the world fades away.You are the dawn that turns my night into day.Your laughter is the music that soothes my soul.In your presence, I feel completely whole.Every word you speak is like a gentle breeze.Whispering love, bringing my heart to ease.Underneath the moonlit sky, our hearts entwined,No need for promises; our love redefined.Every touch is a vow that we silently make.To stand by each other, whatever it may take.In this life, you are my sweetest dream.In every thought, it’s your face that gleams.And as the stars shine above, one thing remains true,Forever and always, I’ll choose to love you.---I stared at him as he recited each line. Every word felt like a melody piercing through my heart. I couldn’t stop smiling, feeling a rush of warmth that almost made my chest burst with happiness. Babe… I didn’t expect that,” I whispered, lost for words. He reached out, taking my hand in his. His warmth pulsed into me. I made that for you—to show you how much I love you. I want you to know that you’re my inspiration in every poem and every single day.” Tears welled in my eyes, but I held them back. “Babe, you’re amazing. No one else could make me feel this way. Thank you… This is such a special moment for me. He kissed my forehead again. “For you, I’ll do anything. I don’t need any other reason to write—just you in my heart is enough.” In that moment, I knew that nothing could ever compare to the love he was giving me. And under the stars, in the quiet of the night, I embraced the joy and sweetness of his poem—a memory I would never forget. A few minutes passed, and he said it was time to go. It was already 9:30 p.m., and we needed to head home, or else I might get scolded. Thank you so much, babe. I really had a great time today,” I told him as I got off his motorcycle. Thank you too, babe. And happy first anniversary again,” he said. You should go now,” I told him. Oh? Kicking me out already? ” he teased. It’s getting late. What if someone sees you here? I don’t want to deal with gossip tomorrow,” I said. I get it, but don’t worry, babe. We’re a couple. What is there to be afraid of? “Nothing really… I just don’t want you to get hurt or ruin the peace in our relationship,” I replied. “Alright, babe.”Alright, babe. I’m heading off. Goodnight,” he said. Goodnight”, I replied. He suddenly stepped down from his motorcycle and hugged me again, kissing my forehead. Take care on your way home,” I said as I hugged him back. How I wish I could stay at your house tonight,” he said. “But I don’t want to ruin your dignity just because of me. What if your neighbours find out you let a guy sleep over? They might say terrible things tomorrow—and I don’t want that to happen to you. Don’t mind them,” I answered. “I don’t care what they say. What matters is we didn’t do anything wrong.”