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

"I'm your Aunt, your mom's closest companion. She left you in my care when she died. I brought you up," her message read.


"Stop these impractical ideas. If you're trying to express your feelings again, I must say no and turn down your request," she had written.


Her rejection didn't come as a shock to me.


Since I fell deeply in love with my Aunt at age nine, I kept telling her how I felt. Because I was young then, she would reprimand me and call me a foolish child who didn't understand.


I innocently thought that when I grew up, we could be together. Each birthday, I eagerly shared my feelings once more.


But as time passed, her rebuffs became less frequent. Then, when I became an adult, her behavior towards me shifted entirely. She turned distant and firm.


This instance, though, I genuinely just wanted to honor her birthday. Couldn't she realize that after more than a decade, I finally addressed her as "Auntie" again, like in the past?


I simply shook my head and answered, "Yes, Auntie, I get it. Don't fret. I truly just want to celebrate your birthday this time. I give you my word."


She began typing ... then paused. After what seemed like forever, she finally responded with a curt "Hmm."


I chuckled bitterly and chose not to push the matter.


This would be the final time I celebrated her birthday. The last opportunity to show my gratitude for her kindness.


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