True Love Never Dies

Hello~

This is my first original non-fantasy story. Thank you for reading!

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“Great. Oh, just great,” I muttered under my breath.

The freezing but unpolluted air of the province whipped against my face as I traversed the dreary green path. Acting accordingly, I pulled my long black hair into a lopsided ponytail and held my bag firmly in my arms.

It was almost summer, yet in this seemingly isolated place, the bitter wind was harsher than the cold spells of Manila, the capital of my beloved country.

I was done with the first year of college in U.P. and I already talked Mama and Papa into letting me stay in Carictan for a vacation – my most awaited and well-deserved rest.

They never thought twice about it and allowed me to stay with my Uncle Tony and Aunt Marie. They even told me that I needed it – like badly needed it. By the dark rings around my eyes, they might’ve noticed the silent struggle I had just to keep up with the high standards of the State University.

I barely managed to survive the academic competitions… too bad I wasn’t born a genius.

2011. The old Carictan was almost wiped out because of all the new buildings and houses. I almost got lost finding a means of transportation. Before, hauling a ride was instantaneous.

When I reached the given address, my cousin Zeny immediately rushed me in. Despite the years, I could easily recognize his small beady eyes and broad forehead so I couldn’t be mistaken. He was taller than before, I think.

“Zeny!”

“Hey,” he mumbled.

 Before I could greet him warmly, he grinned at me and quickly paced off.

What the heck? Rude much?

Instead of giving him the pleasure of ruining my day, I pushed him and his antics out of my head. I turned my attention inside the Spanish bungalow.

I became nostalgic. Seeing the familiar house, I felt like returning to the past – the time when I first came here. Nothing changed inside. The living room, the bedroom, the kitchen, all remained the same.

It seemed like time stopped inside the house.

I walked around in a daze, gazing at the old photographs of my extended family and the little wooden carved figures that my uncle made. It was so quiet I thought I was alone. I was very surprised when I saw my aunt watching me from a corner.

Wait. Was it just me or did she got smaller? Back then, I had to reach up to kiss her cheeks. Now, I had to look down. Back then, her black hair was so dark you could almost see it shine blue, but now it had hints of gray.

She gasped.

Despite the changes, she was still my most favorite aunt.

“Aunt Marie!” I exclaimed as I hugged her. She choked while pushing my arms away. I simply grinned but gave her a breadth of space.

“You know, I almost did not recognize you, Jas! I expected to see a pale child about my height with rosy cheeks and wavy hair,” she admitted with a thin smile, “but what did I find? I saw a very beautiful girl with a very beautiful smile.”