As I sat there with Angelo, I realized that being friends with him was not so different from being lovers. Even though we weren't holding hands, or stealing kisses like we used to, we were still together.
We laughed, we talked, we comforted each other. His presence alone was enough to make me feel whole. I could feel the warmth of his body beside me and the gentle breeze that caressed my face. The scent of freshly cut grass filled my nostrils, and the sound of birds chirping in the background created a peaceful atmosphere.
I looked at Angelo and saw the kindness in his eyes.
Even though he didn't remember our past, he was still here, trying his best to make me feel better.
I realized that true love was not about grand gestures or physical intimacy, it was about being there for each other through thick and thin.
I could feel my heart beating faster as I looked at him, and a smile slowly formed on my face.
In that moment, I knew that Angelo would always have a special place in my heart, no matter what.
The thought of losing him again made my stomach churn with anxiety, and I knew I couldn't let that happen. I turned to him and placed my hand on his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.
"Thank you for being here, Angelo," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Angelo laughed, breaking the intense atmosphere that we had built between us. He smiled and said, "You're so corny Gina..But! I don't remember how to play guitar. You should teach me some tunes. I have a lot of guitars in my house but... Really I don't remember any."
What a turn. He was the one who taught me so well yet now... I will return that teachings. He even said my nickname.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I thought that he was just saying that to ease the tension between us, but as he sat down next to me and picked up my guitar, I could see the sincerity in his eyes.
I watched as he clumsily positioned his fingers on the frets, struggling to remember the chords. It was both amusing and heartwarming at the same time. As he played, I could feel my heart swell with emotions I couldn't even describe.
I sat beside him, watching as he slowly but surely learned how to play a little. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm orange glow on us. The breeze was gentle, rustling the leaves of the trees around us. It was as if the universe was telling us that everything was going to be okay.
As Angelo played, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and contentment. I realized that being with him, even as just friends, was all I ever really wanted. We didn't need to be lovers to be happy; we just needed each other's company, our shared memories, and the love we had for each other.
Love is the best.
And as we sat there, strumming the guitar together, I knew that everything was going to be alright.
As Angelo showed interest in learning how to play the guitar, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement inside of me. It felt like we were going back to the old days, where we would spend hours together playing music.
"You're a fast learner, Gelo."
"Pfft! Gelo? So corny." He shrugged with a fake hurt expression. That was the nickname that I gave to him. "I learn fast because I have a great teacher." He winked.
I groaned—bonking him in the head.
I was wrong. He was the same as before.
I handed him my guitar, showing him the different chords and strumming patterns. As he tried to follow along, I watched his fingers fumble on the strings, causing some of them to buzz.
But despite his mistakes, I couldn't help but smile as I watched him try again and again. It was like watching a child learn something new, and it was endearing to see him so determined to get it right.
We spent hours together, practicing and laughing at each other's mistakes. And as the sun began to fall, we sat together under a nearby tree, strumming our guitars and singing some of our favorite songs.
It was a moment of pure bliss, and I knew that I didn't want it to end. Even though things were different now, being with Angelo felt like coming home.
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As I walked into the house, my parents immediately confronted me with worried looks on their faces. They asked me where I had been and why I had been gone for so long. I could feel the weight of their disappointment and anger on my shoulders.
But this time, I didn't want to hide from their emotions or cower in fear. I took a deep breath and looked them straight in the eyes, my voice unwavering.
"I needed to clear my head," I said firmly. "I've been going through a lot and I needed some time alone."
My parents looked taken aback by my sudden assertiveness, but I continued.
"I know that you were only trying to protect me, but the way you handled things was wrong. You didn't listen to me or try to understand how I was feeling. You just forced your opinions on me and expected me to follow them blindly."
As I spoke, I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I needed to be strong.
"I love you both, but I need you to trust me and respect my decisions. I'm not a child anymore, and I can handle my own life."
There was a moment of silence as my parents looked at me with a mix of surprise and understanding. Finally, my mother spoke up.
"We're sorry, Regina," she said softly. "We didn't mean to push.. you so hard. We just want what's best for you."
"I know," I replied, my voice still strong. "But sometimes, the best thing for me is to make my own mistakes and learn from them."
With that, I walked away, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I knew that things wouldn't be magically fixed between us, but at least we were starting to communicate and understand each other better.
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My parents sat across from me, their expressions a mix of concern and guilt. "Regina, we're sorry. We didn't mean to put so much pressure on you. We only wanted what's best for you," my mother said, her voice soft and apologetic.
My father nodded in agreement. "We were wrong to expect you to be perfect. You're allowed to make mistakes and figure things out on your own."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to their words. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. For so long, I had felt like I had to live up to their expectations, and it had been exhausting.
"I forgive you," I said, my voice cracking. "And I'm sorry too. I should have talked to you both earlier about how I was feeling."
My parents smiled at me, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. It was like we were finally able to start fresh and move forward together.
As I sat there on my bed, I couldn't help but think about everything that has happened. From the moment I met Angelo, to the day I lost the math competition, to the moment I taught my teacher, to the moment I confronted my parents. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, and I didn't know how to feel about it.
But then I realized something, something that I should have known all along.
Expecting myself to be perfect and expecting others to expect the same from me was wrong. It's okay to make mistakes and it's okay to fail, as long as I learn from them and strive to be better.
I also realized that pushing myself to the limits was not the right way to live my life. I needed to find a balance between my studies and my leisure time. Striving for success was important, but enjoying life was just as important.
Lastly, I learned the importance of letting go. Letting go of the past, letting go of the things that were out of my control, and letting go of the expectations that others had for me. It was time for me to live my life the way I wanted to, and not the way others wanted me to.
And with that, I strummed a few chords on my guitar and hummed a tune.
A tune to remember the lessons I had learned, the mistakes I had made, and the memories I had created.
A tune to remind me that life was not perfect, but it was beautiful in its imperfections.
As I closed my eyes, I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me.
The future was uncertain, but I was ready to face it with an open heart and an open mind. And as long as I had my guitar and the memories I had made, I knew that I would be okay.
Because I always have a tune to remember.