Part 11: A Storm?

INTRO:

Sweet moments find their way,

Through sickness and health.

Will this love keep growing strong,

Or will a storm rise to test its strength?

"PLAN"

Senior's birthday is coming soon.

So many plans in mind...

How to make it special?

How to make it unforgettable?

A date here or there?

Where to go? What to pick?

And then, it all clicks.

A night date—just the two of us. 

"FREE"

"Senior?" he asked.

"Are you free on your birthday?"

Is he planning a date?

Of course, I'm free.

I'd rather spend my special day with him

Than with anyone else.

I pinch his cheek,

Hold his hand,

And together, we head to the canteen.

"CHAT"

Lately, Senior's been glued to her phone.

She's chatting with someone.

An old friend—her mother's friend's son.

They've known each other since childhood.

She's comfortable around him.

Too comfortable.

I shouldn't be jealous... but I am.

"JEALOUS"

She starts showing pictures,

Sharing her past, her memories—

Some with him.

She speaks fondly,

Like he was someone special once.

I trust her, I do.

But in some photos,

His eyes...

They held something deep.

Something I have now—

Her love.

"THE DAY"

My birthday!

A big day for me.

Morning classes,

A small celebration with friends.

Afternoon and night? Fully booked.

Then a message pops up.

Mom asks me to pick up

Big brother Jonathan from the airport.

Jonathan?

Why is he here?

I ask but still go.

If he's here for me, I appreciate it.

"THE AIRPORT"

A man in shades stands at the lounge.

I wave, he waves back.

"Why did you come unannounced?"

"Wanted to surprise you."

He pats my head.

"Happy birthday."

His hand rests on my shoulder.

We walk out together.

"REGRET"

Jonathan.

Two years older.

My Kate—once mine,

Or at least, I wanted her to be.

Regret fills me.

Why now, when I'm finally back?

When I'm ready to be with her?

I never confessed,

But I showed it.

And now…

She's with someone else.

They say it's still new.

Fine.

I'll see if he's worth her love.

"PART WAYS"

Grade 7, she was.

Grade 9, I was.

The day I had to leave,

She clung to me, crying,

Begging me not to go.

I was her world.

She admired me.

She looked up to me.

I made a promise.

"I'll be back."

I held her face, wiped her tears.

"Be here when I return."

She promised. No hesitation.

"SINCE THEN"

In America, I worked hard.

Every effort, every success—

For her.

She was my reason, my dream.

But time is cruel.

"HEALING"

At first, I longed for him.

But life moved forward.

Memories faded.

By Grade 12,

My feelings for him were gone.

And in their place,

A new face took over.

A boy with a smile,

One that lingered in my mind.

"EXCITED"

Angelo prepared everything.

Even skipped class.

Excited, thrilled.

He went to pick her up.

She wasn't there.

He waited.

And waited.

Four hours passed.

No sign of her.

His excitement faded.

Then, a text:

"Sorry, my older brother arrived.

We're having dinner at XXX.

Can you come?"

"HANGING OUT"

Time slipped by.

Jonathan wanted to explore.

Arcades, malls—

Memories of childhood flooding back.

Before I knew it,

I was late.

One hour.

Two hours.

My phone died.

I charged it, then texted him.

"APOLOGIZE"

Outside the hotel,

I waited.

The moment I saw him,

I ran to him,

Apologized, sincere.

He smiled,

Held my hand.

"It's okay."

"MEET"

Inside the hotel,

A long table.

Familiar faces.

Then him.

The man from my past.

Jonathan.

He walked up to Angelo.

Offered a handshake.

"HER MAN"

So this is him?

Average.

What does she see in him?

A quiet strength? A charm?

I'll find out.

His presence unsettles me.

But I won't waver.

"FOE"

His eyes studied me.

His grip firm.

A silent challenge.

He loves her.

And he's testing me.

Fine.

I won't lose.

"A NIGHT TO REMEMBER"

Dinner is done.

Jonathan finds an excuse to keep Kate for the night.

But I know his intentions.

Without hesitation, I take her hand.

A polite goodbye to my in-laws,

And we exit together.

Now in the car,

I drive with no destination.

The place I reserved is already closed.

Plans ruined, but the night isn't over.

I take her to the sea.

The moment we arrive,

I open my trunk.

A bouquet—tulips, to be exact.

Kate blushes.

Her friend once told her,

Tulips symbolize true love.

Red for passion,

White for affection and happiness.

I hold them out to her.

She smiles, eyes sparkling,

And accepts them with both hands.

We sit on the sand.

The waves roll in gently,

The stars glimmer above.

I order dessert,

And we talk as we watch the sea.

From my pocket,

I pull out a small box.

Inside—a necklace.

I turn to her.

"May I?"

She nods, lifting her hair.

I fasten the chain around her neck.

A golden heart pendant rests against her skin.

I smile.

"It suits you perfectly."

I tell her how I planned this night,

How I wanted everything to be special.

But a part of me sighs,

Knowing things didn't go exactly as planned.

Kate smiles softly.

She holds the pendant,

Then reaches for my hand.

Her eyes wander—

To the sea, the sky, the waves.

She points at everything around us:

The cool breeze.

The rhythmic waves.

The silent, peaceful shore.

The scent of fresh tulips beside her.

The soft sand beneath us.

The warmth of my hand in hers.

The necklace resting against her heart.

Then, she turns to me.

"Do you get it?"

She grins.

"You did it.

This night, my day…

Will always be a night to remember.

All thanks to my kind and handsome boyfriend."

She leans in.

A gentle peck on my lips.

We stay there longer,

Talking, laughing,

Enjoying the night.

Then, I drive her home.

OUTRO:

With a new man in the picture,

Will love stay strong?

Or is this the start...

Of their greatest trial?