MANILA, Philippines – Balloons soaring, hearts pounding. Love is in the air. ‘Tis the season to make amends, to appreciate those you love through whatever gesture you deem necessary.
Here are 5 true-to-life love stories of everyday Ateneans, meant to make your hearts flutter and skip a beat.
Love beyond borders
Distance knows no boundaries, especially in the case of Paulina, an AB Communication student and Sam, her boyfriend currently living in the States.
Sam and Paulina met back in 7th grade and became the best of friends, but they didn’t end up dating until the summer before freshman year of high school. The day he asked her out was like a scene from a movie: really cliché.
He showed up at her doorstep one late afternoon, her favorite flowers in his hand, and told her to come with him. They got on his motorbike and he brought her to a clearing that overlooked Lake Ontario. I realized that he hadn’t called her all day that day; instead he had been fixing all of this all afternoon.
She said she friend zoned him hard, but that afternoon she found herself coming to grips with the fact that somewhere between the late night conversations and sharing her mom’s Filipino cooking, she had fallen for this boy with curly hair and deep soothing voice.
After sitting at the clearing until the sky turned a magenta hue, he got up and said, “Let’s go.” She figured they were heading home, but instead he took her to a small boat sitting on the water. She gasped. It was a pleasant surprise. They got in, and he had her sit facing him and the shore of the lake.
After going far enough he stopped in the middle of the water. His phone started to set off an alarm, and then he turned the boat a complete 360. She then saw the most breathtaking sight one could ever see; the huge orange sun meeting with the horizon and the water gleaming like diamonds. Lake Ontario has one of the most beautiful sunsets found in the world and at that moment, it was the most beautiful for her.
She looked at Sam as he took both her hands in his as started to say, “Paulina Nicole, you’re one of my closest friends, the best, and I know we always said that that’s all we’d be, but after getting to know you, and spending time with you, and your family, I want to be a part of that. I love you, and your family, and I want to be with you guys, I want to be with you…so please be with me.” She was grinning from ear to ear, and at that moment, she was beyond happy. She answered him, “of course!”
And almost 4 years later here they are still going strong. About a year ago Paulina left New York to study here in Ateneo. It was a hard decision, but Sam supported her through and through, and chose to stay with her regardless of being separated by thousands of miles.
This Valentines day, he’s still her valentine, and she his. They will have a date, dinner and all, but through the window of a computer screen. She is in love with this amazing guy, who just so happens to be her best friend, and no distance could change how much happiness they share, knowing they stand by each other from the moment the sun rises till it sets.
Love knows no limitations
Life has never been smooth sailing for both Kae, a freshman AB Economics student in Ateneo, and Pat, a freshman Cruise Ship Management from Mariners Polytechnic University of Naga, but they make do with what they have.
This love story starts at an age of exciting self discoveries – high school. Kae and Pat were both batch mates in an all girls’ school in the heart of Naga City. During their 3rd year of high school, they became classmates, seatmates, and eventually very close friends.
At that time, Kae had a fling, Pat herself had a girlfriend and at that moment everything seemed like it would last. Kae and Pat eventually became the best of friends and would spend a lot of time together. They decided to make Pat’s girlfriend jealous and tease her by calling themselves boyfriend and girlfriend. When Kae decided to end things with her fling, she realized she loved Pat but kept it to herself in order to avoid the awkwardness.
Then came senior year, the year of goodbyes, farewells and new beginnings. For Kae and Pat, this is when the magic first began. Coming straight from a break-up with her girlfriend, Pat began spending more time with Kae. They laughed, cried and did practically everything together. They both clearly liked each other and made no effort to hide their feelings towards each other.
On a fine sunny afternoon, Kae gathered up the guts and finally made a move. Before they knew it, they were together. Moments passed by and laughter was shared. Each day was a new discovery for this couple. Kae’s mother found out about this relationship, and she was initially angry but soon found it in her to forgive her daughter and support her choices.
To this day, with the support of their family and friends, Kae and Pat remain faithful to each other regardless of the limitations set. They have been together for almost a year and are still going strong, facing, together, one challenge after the other head on.
Love like no other
Destiny has a way of bringing two people who are absolutely perfect for each other and putting them together, such is the case of Cely* (currently a student of Ateneo de Manila University) and Luis (currently a student of De La Salle University). Cely and Luis were both batch mates, but never classmates, in high school, and met only during their senior year because of Luis’ best friend who was a classmate of Cely.
February is a month of hopeful moments between couples. It was nearing the end of February when their story started. One of their common friends was celebrating her 18th birthday and invited everyone. Luis, who was supposed to go with his best friend, went with Cely instead after the best friend couldn’t make it. Cely accompanied Luis for the night and sat at the same table with him. She swore they had instant chemistry between them, like sparks in a circuit. Luis felt it too, but like Cely, kept quiet about it. They took photos, shared stories and basically spent the entire night together.
After a night of moments and memories to treasure, Cely realized that this was the night where she noticed they had something between them; this was the night where it all began. They became closer and soon found each other being each other’s best friend. For a long time, they harbored their feelings for each other and kept it secret from each other in order to avoid awkwardness.
All year, Cely was waiting for Luis to ask her to prom. Problem is, Luis was planning to ask out another girl. Initially, she didn’t want to accept it and kept on talking about it. But soon enough, she just let the jealousy slide. She texted him a few days later, on Valentines Day, to ask how the proposal went. She was at a competition when she found out the news. He planned everything but the girl still said no. Inside she was quite relieved but tried not to show it.
One day, he grabbed her iPad and kept it with him the whole day, swearing that the only way for her to get her iPad back was to hug him. Cely, desperate to get her iPad back, reluctantly hugged him. Instantly when they hugged Cely felt the world go by in slow motion. From then on, their relationship grew to the point when they started dating and became official one month later.
The time came when they left for college, Cely for Ateneo and Luis for La Salle. It was heartbreaking at first being so far from each other at such an early stage in their relationship, but little by little, they made it work. They Skype, chat and call each other every night. Cely spent Christmas with his family and Luis visits their house, gives gifts to her mother and grandmother and takes her little siblings out. They just recently celebrated each other’s birthdays, which were only several days apart. Cely and Luis celebrated Luis’ birthday by visiting the cemetery where his father was.
In a few weeks, they will be celebrating their first year anniversary. For Cely and Luis, this is only the beginning of a beautiful tomorrow.
Love lived and lost
They say that when you truly wish for it, you get what you deserve. But this time, Ryan*, an AB Communication student, was not that lucky.
Isabel* was not an ordinary girl. She was smart, pretty, and the most wonderful person he had ever met. Ryan met Isabel the summer before freshman year. Common friends introduced Ryan, then a fresh Ateneo High School graduate, to Isabel, a graduate from Miriam College High School. They met at the afterball, and Ryan instantly took a liking to her. They talked all through the night and eventually became close all through the summer. There were several moments when he felt that their friendly relationship would go somewhere.
He tried to make a move but circumstances would always arise before she got to know his true feelings. At this point everyone, including their common friends, knew how much Ryan liked Isabel and began teasing them. Ryan, not wanting things to be awkward, took these lightheartedly.
As the summer grew on, so did their friendship. And then came the first month of freshman year. Being from different courses, they soon found themselves in different circles of friends, eventually finding less time to meet up. As they slowly drifted apart, Ryan couldn’t help but wonder. What if they became official? Would things be different?
At times they would pass by each other walking through the halls. Quick glances, shy smiles and simple hellos are exchanged. This is all there is and this is all there ever will be. Ryan has accepted this but can’t help thinking about her from time to time. He once thought that he and Isabel made a lot of sense but now, all he can do is watch her from afar.
Love no matter what
Strength doesn’t reside in never having been broken, but in the courage to grow strong despite being broken. Devi, now a professor in the Ateneo, walks along the red bricks that line the road and reminisces the times when she herself was a student. It was here where she met her friends, beloved org mates, and the man she never knew she’d fall for. But like every love story, there can never be a truly perfect happy ending.
Back then, love was simpler, sweeter. Devi, having transferred to Ateneo during her 3rd year, felt slightly out of place. Being the newcomer, she had to make a new start to her college life as everyone else was beginning to wrap up his or hers. Luckily she found solace in Tanghalang Ateneo, one of the theater orgs in school. She joined due to her love of literature. It was here where she first saw him.
Eboy was the typical, popular org boy, smart, kind, and devilishly handsome. Devi was immediately attracted. The only problem was, Eboy, at that time, had a girlfriend. His girlfriend was the exact female version of him. Many people commented on how much they belonged together. Devi, having thought nothing was ever going to happen between them, merely accepted the fact for what it is.
For her very first production, she was cast as a chorus member and Eboy was cast as a knight. She watched him act out his scenes with such emotion and precision. At that point, she became increasingly jealous but silently held it in.
One night, Eboy called her up to work together for another upcoming production, Romeo at Julieta. Long before cellphones were invented, she felt giddy that he would take this effort just to call her on the telephone. She thought how ironic it was that they were cast in a story that echoed her current situation. The theme of forbidden love sure had a familiar ring to it. She was cast as Juliet’s mother and he was cast as Mercutio. Being a part of the production crew, Eboy called Devi to ask if she could contribute props. What was meant to be a minute-long call lasted 3-4 hours.
As preparations for the play took place, they gradually got to know more about each other and became very close. She even earned the nickname ’Daring Devi’ after pinching Eboy’s butt because of a dare given to her by her teasing org mates. As they got closer, Eboy became conflicted with his feelings towards his girlfriend. He loved his girlfriend but at the same time, he was falling in love with Devi. Everyone in the org also felt conflicted, as they knew not which side of this love triangle to go with.
The time came to choose between the two of them and unfortunately, Eboy chose his girlfriend. Devi was heartbroken and cried for days. Her sister, who was always there for her, had to accompany her to class to make sure she was okay.
A few days later, Eboy came to Devi and said, “Devi, I made a mistake.” She was thankful but at this same time sad for his girlfriend. She felt as if she really was living out Romeo and Juliet’s forbidden love story. The girlfriend was heartbroken and the entire org was conflicted once again.
However, despite everyone’s judgment, they still pursued their relationship and are now happily married with two kids. She describes it as marrying her best friend. She would walk around the school and remember the times Eboy would send cupcakes and flowers to her room. She would remember every moment they had after overcoming all the obstacles. She would remember the hurt, and how she got over it. She would remember how lucky she was that she stuck with her decision.
To this day, she always believes that love will have its way.
*name withheld to protect privacy
– Rappler.com
Katrina Tiu is a Rappler intern.
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