𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: "Everything About Him" by Ley Anne Caringal

 

Published by Amhiel Thare khorasani

Date published: February 14, 2023

Time published: 11:54 AM

Category: Prose

Theme: Love and Appreciation

Synopsis: On Valentine's Day, Lauren’s professor asked her what she loves about the person she is with now. She answers with all sincerity dropping reasons on what she loves about Liofer.

“Tell me, Lauren. What do you love about the person you’re with now?”

There are too many reasons. Two minutes isn’t enough to drop everything I love about Liofer. The list can go on, and on, and on.

“Liofer himself,” I said. My professor smiles and nods, signaling me to continue. I turn my eyes in front. My classmates are waiting for me to continue. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

I have no idea how to put them in words. I don’t know if I can speak without stuttering. We’re talking about Liofer. My Liofer. It is still hard for me to talk about him. But I have no choice.

As I open my eyes, I look at the vacant chair imagining him sitting there, waiting for me to describe him.

“I love how he makes me feel safe,” I take another deep breath before I continue. “I love how he makes me laugh when I’m down. I love how his eyes shine brightly when seeing things he loves.”

A smile escapes from my lips as I remember him going childlike at the sight of kittens. It is a gloomy day for me and he wants to make me feel better so we head outside to buy food. As expected, we get back to our apartment with no food in our hands but with two kittens in a box.

“I love how he makes me feel… me.” I don’t have to pretend to be someone else when I’m with him.

“I love…everything about him. The way he speaks, the way he smiles, everything.”

I love him. I love him so much that I was willing to give up everything. If only I have one more chance to—

“He’s so lucky to have you!” Jian, my friend, shouted.

“No, it’s me who’s really lucky to have him,” I smiled.

“Are you seeing each other later? You know, to celebrate Valentine's?” one of my classmates asked.

“Yes.”

After class, I went to the flower shop to buy him flowers.

“The usual?” Mary, the flower shop owner, asked.

“Mhm,” I nodded.

She gives me the flowers and we bid our goodbyes. I’m excited to finally see Liofer. I'm so busy at school so I haven't got the time to visit him. I head to our usual spot where he is now buried. I remember going here on our first date. He wants me to meet his mother who died giving birth to his brother.

“Hello, my safe place.” I put down the flowers and lay down beside his tombstone. I pick a flower from the bouquet and put it beside his mother’s tombstone.

Two years have passed since he died. I know that he cannot live long before I entered the relationship, but that can't stop me from loving him. I am ready to be with him for the rest of his life.

“You know, Professor B., asked me what I love about you,” I say looking at the sky. “I’m kind of guilty though. I wish I had told you the reasons what I love about you when you were alive.”

“I missed you so much, Liofer. It’s sad that I didn’t get the chance to marry you.” I wipe my tears as I got up. “Maybe next life.”

Others said I should look for a new person to replace Liofer. They say Liofer will prefer me to know someone else. Why should I pour love on someone who is no longer here?

The answer is, it’s because I love him. My love for him will not stop. He is the love of my life and my soulmate. Our love is endless. My love for him is infinite.