Why Does Love Hurt?

I didn't expect this thing right now. Frank's thoughts were racing now as he drove with the sister of his former classmate, Mariely.

He's going through something right now, and besides, he was already on his way home when Frank saw Mariely waiting for a ride. Mariely waited for someone to pick her up, but it was clear from her face that she would be commuting.

Maybe it's my lucky day. He just said to himself and shook his head. He's grateful that they agreed to give her a ride.

What will Nathan's reaction be? He couldn't help but wonder in his mind, unable to believe what had happened today.

He noticed Mariely's expression; she was just quietly looking out the window, not very comfortable being next to him right now.

What a plain girl. He commented on this and looked at her face in the side mirror again. It didn't even manage to fix her hair, and it's all messy.

This woman looks completely different from Nadia. Why is Nathan so overprotective of her? I don't find her beautiful, and I doubt any man would be interested in her. He was still thinking about it.

Well, she's my woman, right? She was still attending high school at that time, when she was my girlfriend before. Could it be that she has truly forgotten about it? Frank asks his mind.

He noticed that Mariely was staring at him, so he looked back at her without saying anything.

"Why are you coming home so late today?" He was only asked about it.

He wasn't used to a woman not speaking to him, so he took it upon himself to find a way to talk to her.

"Ah, I am reviewing today." She replied to him sparingly.

"Ah, oh yeah, there's a review center nearby. Is today your first day at the review center?" He then turned to her companion.

Mariely just shook her head. "No, this is the third time."

Frank just nodded. Mariely, who was in front of him, didn't ask any more questions either.

Patience, Frank, patience. If you want her to be part of your collection of women, be patient, okay? He just said it to himself.

"Why didn't your brother pick you up today?" Frank asked further.

"He's busy; he went with my mom, so I wasn't picked up." Mariely couldn't help but say that he wasn't even being looked at.

Frank just let his companion do whatever she wanted; silence fell between the two of them again during the trip.

The path leading to the Celestial's house was probably also noticed.

"I'm here now; I'll just take a walk." Frank heard Mariely's voice.

"No," he stared at it.

The woman with him was brought in front of him. She immediately took something from her bag and even put the money in the front seat.

"Hey, I don't need any payment." He just said he was hoping to return it.

"Thank you for driving me. Additionally, gasoline and crude oil are expensive these days, so please just accept that." Mariely gave her a long explanation.

He could only stare at the person in front of him. He has a blank expression right now.

Is she joking? He couldn't help but ask himself.

He was about to answer when it entered the gate. "Thank you, and good evening." She immediately walked straight towards home.

He was about to call it, but it had already gone inside. Frank scratched his head in confusion, then hid the three hundred pesos that Mariely had given him.

He just shook his head. He left immediately and needed to go home.

Maybe it's a chance for me, though. He smiled again at what he was planning in his mind.

XXX

She immediately kissed her father's hand, leaving him behind.

"Oh, you're already home." Her father sees her. "May God have mercy on you, Ely." Her father also blesses her.

"Dad, I thought Mom and Brother were already home too." She said this while she was busy putting her belongings on the sofa.

"Maybe they'll be here soon." Her father calmly said it to her.

"Dad, I'll get dressed first." And then go into her room.

That man is kind; maybe he's changed his heart and turned his life around. She just said it to herself.

As she recalled that man speaking to her rationally, she thought they were going to argue again, just like they did when they met at the mall. Another thing Mariely noticed today was that he was calm when he spoke.

Well, there's always a second chance for a person to change their behavior, right? It was just a comment in her mind. She's also finished changing into her casual clothes.

It's tiring to review, but you can do it, Ely. She just said it to herself.

A little later, she heard a car horn, so she quickly went outside to open the gate and let the vehicle in.

Mariely immediately went out of the house and opened the gate; her brother just honked when he saw her. Mariely saw that their mother had bought many different things today.

After parking the car, Mariely headed over to help them.

"It's wonderful that you were able to get on right away. It's awful traffic right now," her brother said as she was getting the groceries from the backseat.

She won't speak anymore and will tell her brother later that she just hitched a ride with Frank today.

Should I just not say it? She couldn't help but ask herself.

"Ah, you're right, brother. I thought I'd be there for a long time and wouldn't be able to catch a jeep." Mariely just replied casually.

I won't say it anymore. She just said it to herself.

"Mom, I'll take care of that." She immediately helped her mother with the bags she was carrying.

"Thanks, Mariely. Sorry we couldn't pick you up. Your brother and I encountered traffic earlier, and a large number of people were present where I was shopping." Her mom asks for her forgiveness again.

"It's okay, Mom." She just smiled.

They were also able to get inside their home, and their father helped as well. It's a good thing her father was done cooking by the time they could eat now.

She has many stories now about her review, except for the part where she hitched a ride in that man's car. She just sighed.

I know my brother will scold me if I lie to him. Mariely just said it to herself.

Sunday is the day she can rest, but she is already thinking about having to go back to work tomorrow.

The days pass by swiftly. Mariely could only think to herself and scratch her head.

Before she knew it, Monday had arrived, and she needed to prepare. She's feeling lazy right now, but she still needs to go to work.

Don't be lazy today, Ely. She made a mental note to herself. As usual, her brother drove her to school. She arrived early to the faculty, where she saw Veron.

"Good morning," Mariely greeted Veron immediately.

"Good morning, Faith!" Veron greeted her back.

"Are you okay?" She asked her again.

"Oh yes, I'm always okay." She was still laughing then. "Just a moment, I'll just visit my advisory class."

"Okay." It was also said while she was smiling.

She arrived too early today, so she knew there wouldn't be any students in the classroom yet. Therefore, she opened her classroom. The janitor who happened to pass by greeted her, and she just nodded in response.

"Isn't your student here yet?" Veron suddenly asked her.

"Not yet; maybe they'll be here later." Mariely still managed to say it.

"Good thing you survived those; no one lasts with those kids," Veron said to her.

"I have to put up with them, and besides, I don't give up on those things." Mariely just laughed.

Veron just patted her. "You're really brave."

She just laughed at Veron while shaking her head.