ManyWriters

In the year I lost both my parents, my mother's closest friend, who I affectionately called Auntie, welcomed me into her home.
She nurtured me with great care and affection, offering support and a depth of love I had never experienced before.
As a young lad experiencing his first crush, I secretly promised myself that I would wed my aunt when I became an adult.
Yet, during my coming-of-age celebration, when I finally mustered the courage to express my feelings for her, she reacted with anger!
She considered my affection a breach of moral standards, violating ethical and social norms.
From that point forward, she became increasingly aloof and distant. She even consented to an arranged marriage with the Lombart Family, effectively crushing any hope I had harbored.
Devastated, I abandoned my aspirations. I embarked on a freight vessel destined for far-off lands, resolved to leave everything behind.
Nevertheless, Auntie wept uncontrollably and pleaded with me to face her once more.

Aunt's Forbidden Love

"Harry, I want to join you on your upcoming trip in three days' time."


The harsh fall breeze sent shivers through my body as I stood on the beach, surrounded by seagulls, composing the message.


As I pressed send, a wave of comfort washed over me.


At last, I could release this impossible romance and made up my mind to depart.


The moment after I dispatched the message, Harry phoned me.


"Joey Caplan, are you serious?" Harry Robinson's voice thundered through the phone, "Have you considered the implications? This journey could keep you away from your homeland for a decade, possibly forever! Are you prepared for a life of constant movement?"


"I can't allow it. If you go, how will I justify it to President Morris?"


Harry was the supervisor of my firm's international shipping division.


The President Morris he mentioned was my Auntie, the woman who had cared for me since childhood and was also the company's chief executive.


I had anticipated his hesitation. I even had a justification ready.


"Harry, this isn't a rash choice," I explained. "You're aware of my long-standing feelings for my Auntie. It's only caused her difficulties. My leaving will benefit everyone."


"Plus, if you don't take me, I'll find another vessel or leave the nation independently. You can't prevent me," I warned.


Harry remained quiet for a while. Then his voice came through the phone. With a tired exhale, he finally agreed. "Alright! At least if you come along, I can watch over you. You've endured enough already, losing your parents at such a young age. Get your belongings ready. We'll set off in three days."


After Harry ended the call, I gazed at my phone's background image, deep in thought.


It was a snapshot of my Auntie and me. In the image, my nineteen-year-old Auntie looked stunning, even at a simple roadside grill.


She was on her tiptoes with a playful expression, attempting to pour beer into my glass. Meanwhile, a nine-year-old me was frantically trying to stop her. We both had marks on our faces. In the background, people were watching our antics with amused smiles.


Back then, I was still in primary school. I was constantly bullied for being an orphan. One day, the teasing escalated into a physical altercation and the other child's parents shamed and even struck me.


When Auntie learned of this, she immediately rushed to the school and defended me on the spot.


As I recalled this memory now, the emotions I thought I'd let go of nearly resurfaced. So, I shifted my focus and messaged my aunt.


"Auntie, it's your twenty-ninth birthday the day after tomorrow. I'd like to prepare a meal for you myself. Would that be okay?"


I watched the chat screen as the "typing ..." indicator appeared, only to disappear moments later.


It took a while before I received a detached and formal response from my Auntie.


"Joey, I hope you understand. Even though we're not blood relatives, a romantic relationship between us is impossible."


2#02