Threads of Fate: Serendipitous Encounter and Unforseen Love

Chapter 3: "Threads Intertwine: Hermes and Mariz's Growing Connection"

As the days pass, Hermes and Mariz find themselves increasingly captivated by each other's words. Their chats, once casual, now carry a weight of meaning, each message pulling them closer together. With every exchange, they peel back the layers of their lives, revealing vulnerabilities and dreams, and discovering a shared sense of purpose. The invisible thread that binds them seems to tighten, weaving their stories together in a tapestry of growing affection and understanding. Despite the miles between them, their hearts beat in sync, guided by this unseen force that is leading them toward each other.

(Hermes's POV)

After asking her name, I quickly add her on Facebook. Then she accepted it.

As the time pass I found out that I am super comfy to her. I getting to know her bit by bit. "Ang Gaan kausap ni Mariz, di sya katulad Ng iba na nakakasuffocate pag kinakausap". She can even lighten my mood even ako'y lubog na lubog na. "Too much in my mind nothing to say" ganyan ako dati, but Nung dumating sya  "Too much in my mind I can only say it in one person". She's become a important person to me. Siya Yung takbuhan ko sa mundong nakakapagod.

But one day may mali akong nagawa sa kanya.

I played mobile legends that time, then nag chat sya. Nagkakasiyahan na kami that time, I mean Yung Convo namin gumaganda na. Then she asked "what I'm doing", and "I answered I'm playing Mobile Legends rightnow". She asked again "paano ka nakakachat sakin, di ba ako nakakaabala". I answered Naman na "nakaopen Naman ang laptop ko e, kaya Naman kita ichat while naglalaro". But na offended ko sya. Ant*nga t*nga ko that time.

Di ko na tinapos yung game sa Mobile Legends, dahil dali-dali akong nag apologized and nag explained sa kanya. Ansabi ko sa kanya na di kita tinatake for granted, kasi bakit ko naman gagawin yun sa taong comfortable ako. For me Mariz, is  a person i can talk whole day, and I can feel that im happy while having a conversation to her, so bakit ko gagawin yung bagay na ganun sa kanya and even isipin yung ganung bagay di ko ginagawa kasi Mariz is a unique person in a good way. Honestly, I want to have a a bright future with her, kaya binabaan ko yung pride ko and I quickly apologized and explained . I told her, "Mariz sorry, I don't take you for granted. I'm even willing to delete Mobile Legends for you. You're important to me, and I'll treasure you. Di kita ipagpapalit sa isang laro".
Buti nalang napaka understanding n'yang tao and open minded, pinakinngan n'ya yung explanation ko, buti nalang kundi ang laki kong hangal that time na pagnawala yung babaeng comfortable/nagkakafeelings  ako sa ganong way. And may na realized ako that time na ayaw ko ng ulit masaktan ko  si Mariz unintentionally lalo ng intentionally, so pinangako ko sa sarili ko na papahalagahan at iingatan ko siya.

Since that day I haven't played Mobile Legends that much instead I focus on other things, especially Mariz. Every day I waited for her to chat, my waiting time was always worth it. Because every day I felt happy to talk with her. Day by day I manifest our connection bloom like a sunflower. Why sunflower? Because the sunflower is only faced in the sun, and I want our connection to move forward or only face in one direction which is to greatness.

(Mariz's POV)

In the morning, as has become customary, I found myself waking up late once more. This habitual tardiness of mine never fails to irritate my mother, yet I knew she could never truly stay mad at me. With a chuckle, I rose from my bed and hastily checked my inbox. A message from Hermes awaited me. A smile graced my lips as I read his words. Before I realized it, our daily exchange of messages had become a routine. He frequently inquired about my activities, plans, and even my meals. Despite our limited familiarity with each other, his thoughtfulness and care were evident. However, on that particular day, I was struck by a wave of pain.

Noon kasi, may taong nagparamdam sa akin na para bang napakahalaga kong tao, pero binali naman niya ang tiwala at pagpapahalaga ko. Kaya ngayon, natakot ako. Lalo na para sa sarili ko, ayoko ng makitang umiiyak, namumugto ang mga mata, na walang ganang gumalaw ang sarili ko. Pero sumubok pa din akong kumilala..

Kahit pa sa sugal na iyon, walang kasiguraduhan ang aking pagka panalo at malaki ang chance na ikaguho na iyon ng mundo ko..

But in a while.

I began to suspect that he was taking me for granted.

My trauma..

This thought shook me to my core.

Our conversations were typically filled with laughter and joy. He had always been affectionate, even though we weren't in that thing. But as the saying goes, "sorrow is the twin of joy." On that day, amidst our discussion on various topics, I asked him what he was doing as I sensed he was preoccupied. Fearing that I might be disturbing him, I inquired. His response was, "I'm gaming, but I can multitask." This was possible, of course, because he owned a laptop.

Sabi ko pa kaya ko iyon, pero parang sa kaunting dahilan lang.. gumuguho na naman ako.

A whirlwind of thoughts and ideas swirled in my mind. I had always been prone to overthinking due to my past experiences, which he was somewhat aware of. The feeling of being taken for granted was painful. I couldn't help but shed tears, as trivial as it may seem. Yes, he made me cry... for the first time.

Lahat ng emosyon ata naramdaman ko na, pero ang pinaka masakit talaga, ay ang makita mong umiiyak ang sarili mo para sa taong kung kailan mo lang naman nakilala pero apektadong apektado ka na..

Is this love already?

Because I experienced the same pain that I felt before, but now.. mas masakit na lalo kasi bumalik. Bumalik kung ano at sino ako noon, nauulit. Ang mahinang ako na walang ibang naramdaman noon na kung gaano ako kahina at ka t-nga.

I was disappointed, not by him. But, for myself. Hindi ko kasi ine-expect na mauulit, kahit pa alam ko namang hindi sinasadya. Yung pakiramdam na ang t-nga t-nga ko. Kahit pa sawang sawa na ako makaramdam ng ganun, bakit palagi na lang nauulit.

He offered an explanation...

I urged him to continue with his activities, acknowledging to myself that "I have no right to demand." After all, I was just me. We had no real connection. Eh wala naman talaga e, haha

These were the thoughts that consumed me at that moment. Sa totoo lang, nilalamon na ako ng sarili kong pag iisip niyan.

However, as he explained, my confusion gradually cleared.

I feared that history would repeat itself, but he was different. I knew that. I had vowed never to be foolish again, but with him, I didn't have to be. He had hurt me unintentionally, so I accepted his apology.

From that day forward, our connection deepened, and we found genuine happiness in each other's company. With each passing moment, our bond grew stronger.

Time allowed us to journey together, our hands intertwined, yet apart.

Sa simula pa lang sa una hanggang sa marating ko man ang dulo, wala naman akong ibang hinihiling kung hindi ang 'kasiyahan', pero alam ko naman na ang kasiyahan ay mahirap makamtan kung puro lungkot at pasakit na lang ang ibinabato sa iyo ng mundo.

Tinatanong ko pa noon sa sarili ko kahit wala din naman akong mahahanap na sagot, "Wala na bang mas isasakit pa? bakit ako na lang lagi ang puntirya ng sakit at pighati? hindi ba pwedeng mapalitan naman ng matamis na ngiti na hindi mabilis mapapawi?"

But that question did not end, until now..

Para sa isang babaeng katulad ko, o kahit hindi pa, isa lang ang masasabi ko.

Kahit kailan hindi magiging pantay ang trato ng mundo sa bawat uri ng tao.

Kaya nga tayo nasasaktan ngunit hindi pa din tumitigil..magmahal.

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As Hermes and Mariz reflected on their journey, they marveled at how their paths had intertwined. Despite a moment of unintentional hurt, their bond deepened. They knew their meeting was no coincidence, but the start of something extraordinary. Looking back, they felt their story was just beginning, with each chapter bringing them closer in ways they never imagined.