Love Between Novels & Stories

Jasmine Ito – POV The truth was simple. And that was what made it hurt the most. John was the only man I had ever truly loved. Not admired. Not respected. Not chosen out of duty. Loved. My fingers trembled as I wiped at the tears slipping down my face, but they wouldn’t stop. They came faster now, warmer, heavier—each one carrying a memory I couldn’t outrun. That night. It replayed in fragments. The way his lips found mine—not hesitant, not rushed… just certain. Like he had been waiting for that moment longer than either of us wanted to admit.

His perspective, free from the emotional entanglement she had once experienced, offered a valuable mirror, reflecting her own evolving understanding. Sarah, in her effervescent way, also contributed to this burgeoning understanding of love. While she often focused on the immediate joy and excitement of life, her unwavering loyalty and genuine affection served as a powerful example of love in action. Her ability to love fiercely and unconditionally, without expectation or judgment, was a testament to a spirit that understood connection at its core. She embodied the joy of shared experiences, the comfort of a reliable presence, and the power of laughter to heal and strengthen bonds.

I froze. He pushed himself off the door and took a few unsteady steps into the room. “It’s everything.” His voice was rough, jagged at the edges. “This marriage. This house. This life. Seven years, Elena.” He looked at me then, really looked at me, and there was something raw in his face that made my chest tighten. “Seven years tied to a woman I can never love.” For a moment, I could not breathe. The words struck me harder than I wanted to admit. Harder because they were not shouted in anger alone. They were too honest for that. Too tired. Too real.

I watched her for I don't know how long, minutes or maybe longer. My heart was pounding so hard I was scared it might wake her up. The words were right there again, sitting on my tongue. I love you. Just three words and that was all. Three words that should have been easy. But every time I opened my mouth, something closed in my throat. I could feel the familiar fear of letting someone in creep in again. I always believed loving someone meant giving them the power to destroy you, at least that was what I learnt from my parents relationship.

My eyes involuntarily searched for the lock Katherine had locked. "You can't find it," Mike said, staring down at me. When he noticed the confusion on my face, he added, "The very next day, I sent a locksmith to unlock Katherine's lock. It was never meant to be locked because"—he lifted his hand, showing the lock of our names—"this love lock was meant to be locked." I crossed my arms around his torso as I hugged him. His arms came around me, pulling me closer to him. "I love you," he whispered as he nuzzled into the crook of my neck.

We went from seeing each other every day to once every three months. Yet, every time he came back from a business trip, he would come home first and bring me a flower. And I would make him a simple bowl of noodle soup, just like I used to when we were kids. That day was just like any other. I made the noodles and waited for Felix to come home. I waited and waited, but instead, I got a call from the hospital. Time no longer mattered to Felix. Because my love was forever frozen at the age of 20.

- You need to calm down. – Devin said for the thousandth time. - Why does it hurt so much, Devin? - I sat on the floor crying. Devin sat down next to me and wrapped me in his arms, I leaned my head on his chest, still crying. Couldn't stop. Why does loving hurt so much? Because he does not love me? - Because you love him. He kissed the top of my head. - And you don't know how to deal with it now, but you're strong and you'll make it.

Ramdam ni Jay ang pagmamahal ni Lorenzo dahil sa halik na ibinigay ni Lorenzo sa kanya. Nang maghiwalay ang kanilang labi ay niyakap ni Jay si Lorenzo. “Naniniwala ako sa iyo. I love you, Lorenzo,” sabi ni Jay. Halos mabingi si Lorenzo sa lakas ng tibok ng puso niya ng marinig niya ang mga kataga na kailangan niya ngayon kaya niyakap niya si Jay pabalik. “I love you too, Jay,” sabi ni Lorenzo. Ramdam nila sa isa’t-isa na naging isa ang pagtibok ng puso nila.

I add as they both walk out of the closet too. "Janice he's right. If we should be anything,it's to be thankful right now. Let's just leave and not fight it out. Please?" Lucy begs her and shakes her shoulders slightly. She sighs and turns to look at the jug of water still on the table. She walks towards it and fills the cup sitting next to it. She lifts her balaclava up a bit, stopping it on her nose so she can drink the glass of water which she gulps down in two seconds .

Moreover, he despised my job. "So what, Hannah? I just made a mistake that every successful man would make. Besides, nothing is going on between me and her. In love, men are always doing subtraction, while women do addition. With your lovesick brain, I doubt you'll be able to survive without me!" I would admit that I was lovesick if loving someone and giving someone everything counted as one. However, I had never forgotten to love and enhance myself while loving Samuel. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the achievements I had today.