“ONE-SIDED LOVE”

"HOW long have you been waiting?" Daniel asked her when he came to her on the roof deck busy reading a book. 

"Not long, about fifteen minutes," Ara replied then closed the book she was reading. 

It was then that Daniel sat down next to her and then lowered a paper bag. "Eat first, you might be hungry," he said, taking out the two sandwiches on the paper bag and then handing one to her, and then he followed the two bottles of cold mineral water. 

"Thank you, you're right I'm hungry," Ara laughed softly before starting to eat the sandwich that Daniel gave her. 

The young man just stared at her then nodded while smiling. "I just remember, didn't you mention to me that you have a twin sister?" 

"Yes, Bella," she replied while chewing the sandwich. 

"Why aren't you together?" Daniel asked again. "I hope you don't mind me asking, I'm just curious as to your friend, it means nothing else," the young man explained promptly then took a bottle of mineral water and opened it then handed it to her. 

"Thank you," she replied then accepted the water and drank. 

Daniel just stared at her. He was obviously waiting for her story so she didn't prolong it. 

“Bella and I have an Italian father, that's why I look like this. Actually, Bella and I are really very identical. Papa, he was my mother's suitor for a long time, when our mother got pregnant by our biological father and just left, that was when Papa offered my mother a marriage and that's where their love story started,” Ara recounted and then finished eating the sandwich. 

"Does that mean when your mother and father got married, their situation was one-sided love?" Daniel asked incredulously and it was obvious on the young man's face. 

Ara's smile widened at the young man's reaction. "Why do you seem so surprised?" she asked then followed that question with a soft laugh. 

It was then that Daniel drank first and then shook his head. 

While Ara at that moment seemed to be lost in her own sanity watching even the way Daniel drank water and how he consumed the content of the plastic bottle. When the young man was about to put the empty bottle in the paper bag, Ara spoke quickly. 

“Ah! Can I just have that? ” she asked sounds a little embarrassed that's why her voice automatically weakened. 

Astonishment immediately reflected on Daniel's face then placed the lid of the bottle before handing it to her. "Are you saving plastic bottles?" he asked. 

She did not have that in mind but Ara nodded voluntarily so that she could somehow save her pride. She is worried about what Daniel might think because of her actions and like Jenny, the young man would have a hint about her secret admiration for him. 

“Y-Yeah, I actually plan to grow vegetables, urban gardening. You know here in Manila our space is a bit limited unlike in the province, right?” she said hurriedly putting the plastic bottle from the young man inside her bag. 

"Yeah. But anyway if you need help with what you say vegetable garden or urban gardening, just tell me, I am willing to help you especially now that I am alone at home and my sister is not there,” said Daniel who took his guitar and then took it out it from its case. 

"All right, if you want since your garden is big, let's just do the urban gardening in there!" Ara suddenly felt an intense longing for that topic even though in fact she just invented it now to cover herself from the empty plastic bottle. 

"Sure, no problem, vegetables are better without chemical fertilizer," Daniel agreed. “And then what happened? About what you were saying?" Daniel is now asking her to continue her story about her parents. 

"So, because our parents can't support both of us, Bella had to stay behind with our grandparents. Another thing is, when I was a child my body was a bit weak, I always got sick so I was the one who needed more attention," she explained to Daniel. "Anthony was the son of Papa Anselmo and my mother,” Ara continued. 

Daniel nodded. "But I admire Uncle Anselmo." 

"Really?" 

“Yes, because when I had dinner with you there were no traces that they came from one-sided love. How they talk, exchange sweet smiles and meaningful looks, they obviously love each other very much,” Daniel said in a tone of intense admiration that touched Ara's heart deeply. 

Ara just smiled at what Daniel said so the young man spoke again. 

"But I do not believe that love can be learned, maybe it can be developed, but for me, those two have different meanings." 

“Looks like you already have a lot of experience in love? That is maybe the reason why you already know a lot, ”Ara laughed softly. 

Daniel shrugged. “I like to listen to love songs. If you know what I mean? ” 

Ara immediately got what Daniel meant from what he said. 

Daniel loves love songs, which means he is a romantic person. 

"But I already had girlfriends," the young man added after a while. 

Ara's eyebrows met at what the young man had said. "So you're proud about it, huh?" she said, slightly annoyed. 

Daniel smiled broadly then positioned his guitar. “No, don’t get me wrong okay? I'm just telling you these because that's more correct. It would be better for you to know about that right now, that I have no plans to keep any secret from the woman that one day I will marry,” he said emphasizing the words I will marry and suddenly winked at her. 

Not only that, the gentle pronunciation of that word caressed her heart which caused her whole face to blush so fast that she quickly averted her gaze from the man. 

"What are these things that you are telling me? Are you making fun of me?" Ara complained still not looking at the young man. That is even though she could still feel the intense heating of her face all through her ears. 

"Why are you blushing?" Daniel asked her in amusement that causes Ara to turn to the young man. 

Ara's throat immediately dried up because of that simple eye contact. As her chest began to swell more intensely for reasons she could not explain. She did not speak and chose to shake her head in response to Daniel's question. Not because she could not answer whatever he asked her. But because she knew she would only tremble when she tried to speak. 

Ara saw Daniel just smile as his eyes stared at her. A few moments later the young man began to play the guitar he was holding. The piece he chose to play was familiar to her because it was the theme song of her mother and father. Jose Mari Chan's, Afraid For A Love To Fade. 

Daniel continued to play well, which was later accompanied by singing. The young man's voice was beautiful and immersive to accompany him, so later Ara found herself accompanying Daniel. 

That was their first duet. 

She could not say that she was good at singing but she was in the tone so she knew she did not come out embarrassed in the sight of the man she secretly admired. 

Ara was very happy that day in a way that could not be bought or exchanged for any amount of money. 

Hopefully, like her parents, she will also have a happy ending with Daniel. 

Because just like what he told her earlier, love is not forced but can be developed. 

Ara hopes that will happen. 

She hopes Daniel can also develop his feelings for her and that the young man will love her too, eventually.