No One Will Love You If You're Unattractive

III

I was wiping down my tears when I suddenly felt a hug from behind..

"Rose, just don't listen to them."

"How?"

"Listen to me. Hindi ka kilala ng mga taong yan the way I do." Binitiwan nya na ko mula sa pagkakayakap at hinirap nya ko sa kanya. I was wearing my best poker face pretending not to be on the edge of crying.

"So what, Nathan?"

"You're an amazing person, Rose. You're talented, you can sing beautifully, we both know it and Diana. You're great in art and a very creative person. You love your family even though they hate the way you look." Nathan said, I just looked at him dead in the eyes.

"And guess what Rose... "

"What?" I asked.

"I love the way you're." I can't contain any feelings anymore and break down. Nathan had to hold my arms to keep me standing.

"How come you can saw me as a beautiful person behind my imperfections. Tell me kung pano mo nagagawa yan! Why my own family can't see it!?" I asked while crying. He just hug me and I never felt contented before the way I did tonight.

.

.

.

I was looking at my best friend and I can tell na naiinis na sya sakin.

After the party yesterday Nathan bring me back home without saying anything. He respect me and my privacy though I can feel the concern from his eyes.

"Rose, alam ko maganda ako pero wag mo kong titigan ng ganyan kung ayaw mong isipin kong natitibo ka sak--!!"

"Thank you for being the first one to accept me." Funny that my friend accepted me first and not me.

Natulala bigla si Diana sakin at tinitigan nya ko sa mata, I do the same thing. Maya maya lang I saw her eyes soften.

"I had to do it because you can't do it to yourself." Nasabi nya. Niyakap ko na lang sya para hindi nya makita ang pagbagsak ng luha ko pero naramdaman nya parin yung pag-iyak ko and pat me on my back while crying.

A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be.

Maya- maya lang I just found myself sa rooftop kasama si Nathan.

"About sa sinabi mong.. you love me even thou--"

"I mean it." Madiin nyang pagkakasabi na parang siguradong sigurado talaga sya kaya gulat na napatingin ako sa kanya.

"How..."

"I didn't plan on liking or loving you Rose. Bigla ka nalang dumating sa buhay ko and mess up with my heart kahit na hindi ka kagandahan nagkagusto ako sayo and I thought 'why'. Nung una nainis ako sa sarili ko but when I get to know you I thought... Your not that bad. I actually like you with my whole heart." Mahabang litanya ni Nathan. Napatitig lang ako sa kanya na para bang dun nakadependa ang buhay ko.

"Wait for me." Napalingon sakin si Nathan ng sabihin ko yan. Halata ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Nathan kaya napangiti ako.

"Wait until I accept and love myself first bago ko sagutin ang confession mo." Ang pangit naman siguro kong hindi ko alam kung ano ang kamahal mahal sakin habang yung ibang tao ay alam yun. Napangiti muna si Nathan bago sya nagsalita.

"I'll wait, Rose." Sagot nya bago kami nilamon ng katahimikan but it's a comfortable silence for us.

Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you.

After 10 years...

I already found myself, accept and love it. It took a lot of my time but it's so worth it. I've never felt so free in my goddamn life not until now.

I become a fashion designer at sa London ako nag-trabaho. Ofcourse hindi lang pag de-design ng damit ang ginawa ko but I also modeled in a lot of clothing brands and products. Sabi nga nila 'Chubby is a new beauty.' Hindi napigilan ng pagiging oversized ko ang aking pag-mo modeling.

I left my family for a good 5 years at dito ako nanuluyan sa London. Nung una mahirap dahil wala naman akong kakilala sa lugar na ito bukod sa nag-hire sakin as their fashion designer. I also left my bestfriend na si Diana, I heard that she become a Journalist. I'm so proud of her. Nung huli ko syang nakita hindi pa sya sigurado kung anong gusto nyang mangyare sa buhay nya but then I saw her happy with her current job and new relationship.

Speaking of relationship... Nathan. Matagal na rin nung huli ko syang nakausap. He become a Pediatrician Doctor. Hindi pa sya official na nag-oopera ng mga bata since bago palang sya but I'm still proud of him.

"Rose..." Napalingon ako sa tumawag sakin at napangiti ako ng makita ko sya.

My mom...

Kababalik ko lang kamakailan sa Pilipinas and I'm staying sa isang hotel. My family decided to visit me and here they are.

"You grew so much Rose and I'm proud of you. " Tinitigan ko si Mama nung sabihin nya yun.

"I'm also proud of you Rose. You come this far kahit na sobrang nasaktan ka namin noon. Your own family." Dagdag pa ni Papa. Napailing ako at ngumiti bago sila niyakap with my brother that remained silent the whole time.

"It's that you Rose?"

"Mhm." Sagot ko lang bago ako nito sugurin ng yakap.

"Aray, Diana. Kumalma ka nga." Kasama ko ngayon si Diana. I told her to come here sa favorite café namin.

"You look so mature, Rose! I love you!" Sigaw ni Diana kaya natawa ako. Siraulo pero maganda pa rin. Yeah, it's really my Diana.

"But I love her too." Rinig naming sabat ng isang lalaki. Napalingon kami dito and saw Nathan na nakangisi samin. Napatawa si Diana habang namumula naman ako.

"Welcome home Rose." Bati sakin ni Nathan kaya napangiti din ako.

"Yeah, welcome home to me too."

I want to tell him kung gaano ko sya na-miss at kung pano ako mas na inlove sa kanya over the years... But maybe I'll tell him later...

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WORRY ABOUT STUPID THINGS. HAVE FUN. FALL IN LOVE. REGRET NOTHING,
AND DON'T LET PEOPLE BRING YOU DOWN.

*******
Funfact: Butterfly can symbolize beauty.

A/n: Love yourself love myself, peace💜💜

Salamat din pala sa mga quotes na nakuha ko kay google. Salamat kay bestfriend MaryGraceHibek  for being here for me kahit na sobrang down ako.💜💜