Unconditional Love By: Samantha Sy It was a cloudy afternoon in March and students were already on vacation.

It was surprising that in spite of the supposedly summer month, the weather was quite dreary that day it seemed as though it would rain cats and dogs anytime soon. ! teenage girl wearing a school uniform was wal"ing down on the sidewal" on the way home. She had to go to school that day #ecause she had to receive her report card. !s the young lady too" slow steps, she slowly opened the report card again and scanned its contents. !nd with that, she smiled in satisfaction. She had attained her ultimate success, #eing the highest in her #atch. $e%t year, she hoped to #e the valedictorian #ecause she was incoming fourth year high school. &ith a sleepy yawn, she closed her report card and put it #ac" inside her sling #ag. !s she continued wal"ing, she remem#ered that she was having a #ad headache since morning of the same day. 'ver since she rose from her #ed when the sunlight entered the transparent window all the way to shine her eyes, she had #een feeling di((y and wea". )er mother thought that she was sic". She insisted her to stay home and offered to get the report card for her instead. She "indly refused and assured her mother she was fine. But now, the headache was getting worse and she would #e lying to herself if she said again that she was fine. She felt terri#le* her head was spinning, her chee"s felt hot, her #ody felt warm and her eyelids felt heavy. Being indifferent, she continued her steps. She was nearing home. $ow she was positive that she was definitely sic". )er feet felt tired and her #ody felt frail as ever and the #lea" atmosphere didnt help either. She sighed, touching her forehead. )er hand +olted and retracted as though what she touched was on fire,,,her head was #urning with feverShe groaned and thought of lying down on her soft #ed with a cold compress on her forehead. She would wait for her mothers famous duc" soup as soon as she reached home. Suddenly, a massive feeling struc" her,,,her legs trem#led, her eyelids felt heavier than a moment ago and she felt the symptoms now. She smiled wea"ly, she was the smartest in health class and she "new that if one has fast heart #eat, it is a symptom of fever.

$ow, she could practically hear her heart thumping and thumping hard against her chest she felt sweat fall from her face her head was spinning once more and one #reath escaped from her lips and then, it was all dar". , .n the same street, a guy in his teens wal"ed passed #y. )e +ust came from his school for his report card as well. &ith a smug loo" on his face, he continued wal"ing while loo"ing at all his grades in his report card,,,he didnt fail any su#+ect- )e was so over+oyed, he wouldnt have to attend summer school and he was going to college ne%t year)is happy thoughts were distracted when he eyed a defenseless,loo"ing girl lying down unconsciously on the sidewal", her face smothered with sweat and dirt. )e quic"ly ran as fast as he could, his +olly eyes were now filled with an%iousness and pity. )e "nelt down #eside the girl and e%amined her appearance while he wiped her sweat with his hand"erchief while curious passer,#ys loo"ed at the scene. )e scanned her visage. She was ravishingly #eautiful* she was li"e a fallen angel, a #lessing. )er #eauty was nothing li"e he had ever seen* she loo"ed so sweet and so simple and when the little sunlight reflected on her face, she was glowing. She had such a slender and curvaceous figure. )e felt her forehead and quic"ly removed his hands from s"in contact when he reali(ed that this girl had a fever, therefore, she fainted and collapse down the floor. She loo"ed so wea", so vulnera#le. /nowing what to do, he gently carried the feverish girl from the cold ground in his strong arms and continued wal"ing home. , )e unloc"ed the door with his free arm while his other arm carried the unconscious girl. &ith much effort, the door opened and he entered his house and closed the door #ehind him. )e loo"ed around and reali(ed the emptiness of his home, the lac" of mirth therefore made him conclude that his family must #e out again. &ith a tired sigh, he carried the girl with #oth of his arms and wal"ed upstairs to the guest room. &hen he entered the room, he hurriedly laid the feverish girl on the #ed and with a tender smile* he put a soft warm #lan"et on her. )e quic"ly went downstairs and too" a clean towel and a #asin of clean cold water and ran #ac" upstairs to the room where the girl slept. )e went near her and soa"ed the towel with water from the #asin and wringed it, allowing the e%cess water to drip down the water, filled #asin. )e tenderly placed the cold damp towel on her #urning forehead and ran #ac" downstairs.

)e made himself #usy in the "itchen. )e was preparing a warm healthy soup for the girl. )e didnt "now how to coo" well #ut he saw his mother did lots of times and he was sure whatever he was ma"ing was edi#le. 0ishing out a can of corn peas from the ca#inet, he opened it with the can,opener and poured the luscious contents of the can on the #oiling water in front of him. )is hands moved quic"ly towards the refrigerator and too" out pieces of sliced meat and threw them inside the #oiling hot casserole. !fter adding more ingredients and seasonings into the #oiling pot, he mi%ed the succulent soup with a ladle. &hen he saw the color of the mi%ture, he smiled with satisfaction as he sniffed the aroma emitting from the soup. It smelled delicious. )e too" a spoon and scooped some of the soup and too" a sip. )is lips twisted into a smile since he found the soup tasty and lu"ewarm. )e too" a plastic #owl and poured the warm soup in and added a plastic spoon. )e too" the #owl in his hands and e%ited the "itchen. )e too" careful steps up the stairs while constantly glancing on the soup on his hands, cautious so that he wont spill it. 1a"ing the last step of the stairs, he grinned coc"ily since the #owl of soup in his hands did not even spill a drop. )e wal"ed towards the room with the girl and once he was in there, he placed the #owl on a des" #eside her #ed and waited for the girl to wa"e up. )e couldnt stop loo"ing at every #it of her face, her #eautiful and sil"y long #lac" hair, her fair white s"in and 2her #eautiful #eing34. !s she #reathed, he o#served her once more. )er slow #ut steady inta"e of air mesmeri(ed him. )e loo"ed outside the window and saw the sun had come out from the clouds again, although it would #e sunset soon. 2he "new this #rightened the atmosphere.3sentence not important. !fter a few moments, the girls eyelids started to sha"e and suddenly, her wea" eyes fluttered open. 56oure awa"e.7 1he #oy greeted with a smile. !s soon as she reali(ed her situation after seeing the very handsome #oy grinning in front of her, she quic"ly got up to a sitting position and went into a sudden panic, throwing the #lan"et away from her. 1he damp towel on her forehead fell off as well. 1here was fear in her eyes. She loo"ed around the room she was in and eventually felt the soft #ed she was lying on. 5&here where am I47 1he girl as"ed with a scared voice. She had +ust wo"en up, reali(ed that she was in an unfamiliar place, she was lying on a #ed and moreover, a guy was right in front of her- She wondered how did all of this happen without her "nowledge and how was she #rought here. 1hen, she remem#ered that she was wal"ing in the street and had a high fever wait did

the guy ta"e advantage of her when she fell unconscious4- She thought in utmost horror. 1he guy was startled in seeing her frightened and "new the reason right away. If a girl found herself in a place she didnt "now and with a guy she never met #efore, she would indeed #e alarmed. 8nderstanding her feelings, the lad e%plained in a calm and friendly voice when the girl attempted to stand up and leave the place. 5&ait.7 1he man said, holding her hand, stopping her from leaving. 59ust let me e%plain.7 5&ho are you4 &here did you find me47 1he girl as"ed once more with a sha"y and hoarse voice. 56ouve got a fever and you must have collapsed on the sidewal". &hile I was passing #y, I saw you lying down the floor and I wanted to help you so I #rought you to my hum#le home and I let you stay here for a while, you "now, to rest. I even prepared soup for you.7 1he girl was still in shoc", if what he said was true, then, he is really a very "ind person, a very considerate and caring one at that. 5Is that true47 56es.7 Silence filled the air. 5&hy47 1he girl as"ed in the quiet nothingness of the atmosphere. 56ou dont even "now me.7 1he guy smiled understandingly and said. 5I couldnt +ust ignore you, could I4 &hat "ind of +er" would I #e if I did4 6our fever was really high and I dont "now any near hospital around. :oo", I did it #ecause I cared, alright47 'nough was said. 51han" you.7 1he girl mum#led when a small smile appeared from her lips. 5;o you want to drin" some soup4 I made this for you. &arm soup always helps sic" patients.7 1he guy said with an affectionate smile while reaching out a #owl of soup that he held in his hands. 1he girl nodded, and with a little #lush, said 51han" you7 again. 1he girl too" a sip and savored the taste while she smelled the delecta#le aroma accompanying it. She swallowed it. 5So4 )ow is it47 1he guy as"ed "indly. &ith a smile, the girl replied. 5! little #it salty #ut it tastes good.7 1he guys smile softened as he watched her eat and en+oy what he had prepared for her. !fter she finished the soup, she loo"ed at him with gratefulness and said. 5I really than" you for all your help. !nd Im sorry for the #other #ut I need to go home now.7 5!h wait.7 1he #oy called out while holding her hand. 56oure still feverish, Ill wal" you home.7 1he girl replied shyly. 5$o, its o". I can manage. Ive distur#ed you too much already.7 5$o, its alright, really, dont resist. It is dangerous for a girl li"e you to wal" #y yourself now that it is quite late already and there are lots of #ad people out there. I insist. Ill wal" you home.7 1he girl simply smiled #ac" at him and than"ed him for his "indness and compassion and said. 51han"s for your concern.7 She

felt luc"y meeting a man li"e him #ecause not many men could #e that "ind, hearted to a girl and he was one of them. , &hile quietly wal"ing down the street with the #eautiful crimson red sunset, the #oy #ro"e the silence. 5I never got to "now your name what is it47 5My names <race.7 She responded shyly. 56ou have a really #eautiful name .h, Im !lfred, #ut, call me 0red.7 )e introduced, and then <race +ust #lushed and said timidly. 5.h nice name 7 1he wal" was silent yet again. 5!h theres my house-7 1he girl said while pointing at a cute house near#y. 5.h, that house47 1he #oy as"ed in surprise. 5I always ride a #i"e every morning and I pass #y this road and I see your house everyday.7 1he girl controlled a laugh and smiled. 5.h, thats a coincidence-7 56eah 7 1he #oy smiled in return. Soon enough, the two reached the house and as <race opened the door with her "ey, #oth her parents appeared from the door with worried faces. 5<race- &here have you #een47 1he father as"ed worriedly. 5I told you not to go to school today, didnt I47 1he mother said apprehensively. 5&hat too" you so long4 &e were all so worried of you- )ows your fever47 $oticing the man #ehind their daughter, they #oth as"ed. 5&ho is he, <race4 Is he your friend47 <races father had this overprotective loo" in him when he saw a man #eside his precious daughter. <race laughed a #it and introduced him. 5)es name is 0red. I +ust met him today and he saved me.7 0red smiled and respectfully #owed to her parents and e%plained when he saw the surprise in her parents e%pression. 5Ill e%plain 7 5&hy4 &hat happened to my <race47 1he father as"ed a little #it angrily. 5=ome in, come in.7 1he mother said hospita#ly. 5:ets tal" inside.7 51han" you.7 0red than"ed with another smile as he and <race entered the house. 1hat night, 0red ate dinner in <races house and the two e%plained to <races parents and <races si#lings what really transpired that day. 1he parents of <race loved 0red a lot for what he did to <race that day and <race would always ride the #i"e with 0red to the par" every morning when he passed #y their house that #eautiful summer. Sometimes, 0red would even coo" soup again and let <race eat it. .f course, 0red introduced <race to his family as well and they were +ust as warm to her. Both <races parents and 0reds parents also got acquainted with each other and later #ecame good friends. Soon enough, they reali(ed that they were #oth from the same high school #ut 0red was one year older than <race. 1hey were slightly wondering why they never saw each other #ac" then in school why they never met inside the campus if they were schoolmates. 1he +uniors and seniors had different uniforms and their school was #ig so it was hard to recogni(e when they first met.

<race was >? while 0red was >@. 0red was going to a university ne%t year and he was planning to #e a doctor while <race was turning fourth year high school. <race planned to #e a doctor as well after she graduates high school. !nd true enough, after a year, #oth of them fulfilled their dreams. 0red got into a nice and prestigious university while <race #ecame the valedictorian of their #atch in fourth year. 1hey #oth studied in the same college now, aiming to strive hard in their studies to #e good doctors. 1hey #ecame the #est of friends. 1hey didnt focus on love yet #ut rather they studied really hard and remained friends. Because real love waits it does not haste and a relationship cannot #e made in a whim, they had to form their characters and #uild strong friendship with each other first #efore the crossed the line of friends to lovers. It is #ecause the longer the relationship is #uilt, the longer it will last. , Si% years passed and they grew more and more affectionate towards each other. 1hey studied medical school together and 0red would always help <race in her studies since he was a year older. ;eep down, #oth of them secretly li"ed each other very much #ut neither could admit it, pro#a#ly part of the reason was re+ection. But then, one day, when 0red was AB years old, he was a#le to admit his feelings. In the par" where the usually went every morning, 0red suddenly spo"e up while he and <race were wal"ing. )e was nervous indeed, he started to sweat and he also felt the rhythm of his heart pumping faster and faster. )e gave a sha"y sigh feeling really tensed. <race +ust stared at him. Ignoring his loud heart#eats, 0red reached out his hand and held <races shoulder and gave a friendly squee(e with an accompanied smile. 50red4 &hats wrong4 !re you sic"47 <race as"ed worriedly when she noticed his actions. )er eyes had traces of love and care. She gently held his forehead and concluded. 56our heads not hot.7 5$o, I 7 0red started #ut lost his composure #ut tried to #e calm, regaining it. Sighing, he said at last. 5<race Ive "nown you for si% years now and 7 )is eyes loo"ed sideward, not wanting to meet her eyes. 0or a man, he really didnt have the guts to tell her how he felt a#out her. 5!nd 47 <race as"ed with confusion written all over her face. 5I was attracted to your #eauty and fragileness when I saw you lying down unconscious on that street the very first time I laid my eyes on you and ever since, I started to li"e you more and more day #y day I see you smiling and you ma"e me happy. My feelings grew and I see you more than +ust a friend I felt this way since #efore #ut I never told you. !lthough you might not feel the same way, I I 7 <races eyes widened and she gasped. 1a"ing a deep #reath, he finally

released the words. 5I love you, <race Ill always love you, <race 7

youre the #est person Ive ever met

1ears fell from <races eyes, the drops flowing one #y one. ! pain li"e a sta# of a dagger penetrated 0reds chest when he saw those tears. In a panic, 0red wiped the accumulating tears lingering in her eyes and said in a rush. 5Im sorry you didnt li"e what I said, did you4 ;id I hurt your feelings4 Im truly sorry, <race sorry I didnt mean to upset you 7 5$o its not li"e that 7 <race said while sniffing. More tears flowed out and she inhaled deep #reaths. 5Because since #efore I 7 She swallowed hard, her #lurry eyes focused on his and with a smile she said lovingly. 5I love you, too 7 0reds eyes widened and he was very elated when he heard those words. $ot daring to #elieve, he as"ed for reassurance. 5Is Is that true47 &ith a small nod, <race #lurted out. 5I really love you 7 She said while #reathing hard and controlling her tears of +oy, loo"ing in his eyes. Instantly, 0red implanted a long passionate "iss on <races lips and she did not resist. !fter the "iss, <race smiled and said. 5I really love you 7 5!s do I 7 )e replied while gently cupping her chee" with his palm. !nd so, under the mahogany tree, <race and 0red gave each other an affectionate and gentle em#race. !nd so, their relationship started and it #loomed into a #eautiful strong love. 0red and <race promised each other that they would love each other unconditionally, through thic" and thin, for #etter or for worse. , .ne night, 0red was wal"ing to <races house for a visit. 1hen, as he neared the house, he saw fire truc"s and firefighters near the place and neigh#ors were screaming and panic"ing. 1here was thic" smo"e everywhere. )e got worried and so he as"ed one of the trou#led neigh#ors. 5)ey, whats happening47 5! ! house is #urning-- !nd a person is trapped inside-7 1he man screamed in terror. 5&hat47 0red yelped in dread. 5&hose house is #urning4 &hos trapped inside47 'ven #efore the trem#ling man could answer, 0red heard a scream no, screams. It sounded li"e <races mother and father. )is eyes widened in horror as he swiftly ran towards the voices. 5&hats happening here47 0red as"ed uneasily as he approached the couple. 50red- <race is trapped inside our house1he "itten hit one of the huge candles in <races room and it caused this huge fire- !ll of us were a#le to escape #ut then now we reali(e that <race is still in there-- Shes still in her room--7 <races mother cried endlessly as she narrated. 5<race-- <race---7 <races father screamed while tears continuously fell down the ground. !t that time, it was li"e 0reds heart +ust stopped #eating. )e couldnt let this happen. She couldnt die she +ust couldnt- If <race died, he wouldnt #e

a#le to live anymore. )is eyes started to sting as tears were forming in his eyes. She was the only girl in his life and she was the most important thing to him in the whole world. )is lips trem#led as he saw how the fire devoured the house. !nd so, with eyes #urning with determination, 0red screamed as he ran through the crowd surrounding the house. 5Im going to save you, <race--7 5$o--7 <races father yelled. 56oull die---7 5I dont care--- 1here is no life worth living without her---7 0red screamed #ac", shoc"ing the crowd when he entered the #urning house. )e constantly too" deep #reaths as he navigated himself to <races room, avoiding all the #urning pieces of cement and wood to fall on him. !t this point, 0red was already whee(ing #ecause of the thic" smo"e and he also got several minor #urns in his #ody #ut he didnt care. )e wanted to #e reunited with her once again* he wanted to see her once more, even for the last time. $o physical pain could #e greater than the melancholy he would feel if ever <race #urned into ashes. 1he powerful desire that 0red had towards <race led him to this level of #ravery self sacrifice. 6es, his love for her was unconditional, for #etter or for worse. If <race would die, he will stay with her until the very end, en+oying their last moment. )e ignored his #leeding and stinging wounds as he courageously ran towards her room. 1hen, his heart melted in an instant when he saw her lying #arely alive on the floor. 0ire was already surrounding her and she inhaled deeply, her lungs were pro#a#ly #egging for air. 1here were tears in her eyes. She had #urns all over her #ody and she was already screaming with all the pain. 0reds heart san" as tears now fell from his eyes. )e crawled #eside her, #aring the intense pain of fire touching his s"in. )e #reathed hard. 1hen, he enveloped her whole #ody in an em#race. 5<race 7 <races eyes opened in a flash when she heard that familiar voice and when she felt that caring em#race. 50red-7 She cried out. 5&hy why are you here4 6oull die-7 5Im trying to save you 7 )e said, teary,eyed. 1hen, forcing a soft smile on his face, he whispered. 56oull #e alright* Im getting you out of here 7 0ire was surrounding them now* their #odies were already in critical condition. 50red why would you ris" your life for me 47 <race as"ed while crying, the fire already getting to her. 5I love you 7 0red moaned when pieces of cement fell on him. 5:ove is unconditional for #etter or for worse Im with you 7 )e replied with a very wea" voice. 1he heat was draining his energy to the very last. 56ou are a part of me if you died I can never #e whole again 7 0red used all his might to carry <race and tried to stand up and wal". )e whee(ed and whee(ed again and reali(ed that he could no longer stand. Instead,

he crawled his way out of the room on the little spaces wherein fire still wasnt there with <race limped on his arms. 1he two gagged for more o%ygen #ut there was no use. 1he only thing entering their lungs was heavy smo"e. 5I love you until the very end 7 <race said while tears fell from her eyes. She was already very wea". 5 than" you I will always love 7 Suddenly, 0red silenced her with a soft "iss on the lips while holding her slender waist firmly. 1he two were already almost dying #ut they still held onto each other, while em#racing each other as tight as they can, they "issed each other passionately once more while their fingers were entwined with each other. 1heir love for each other had no #oundary. $ot even death can #rea" them apart. , <race slowly opened her eyes. )er vision was #lurry and her whole #ody stung painfully, her chest thro##ing. 'very muscle of her was swollen, even her face, and every little movement she made created un#eara#le pain. She opened her eyes wider this time and the first thing that came to mind was 0red. She wondered if the place she was in was heaven #ecause all her #lurry eyes could see was white. She wondered if 0red was here in heaven, too. 1hen, she started to recogni(e someone out of her vague vision her mother56oure awa"e-7 )er mother e%claimed with great relief. 5Steven-7 )er mother called out to her dad. 5<race is awa"e--7 5&hat47 )er father cried out with +oy as he ran towards her. 5Mom 4 ;ad 4 &here am I4 &hat happened47 <race mum#led with a very soft voice. 56ou are here in the Intensive =are 8nit, honey. 0irefighters were a#le to get you and 0red out of the fire on time, than" goodness- But luc"ily, the doctor was a#le to save you- 6ou +ust have to stay here for a while and recover 7 <races mom e%plained while "issing her lightly on the forehead. 50red was so #rave he +ust ran in there to save you 7 1he father said with awe. 5)e really loves you that much I really love that #oy 7 7&heres 0red47 <race as"ed softly, only moving a little #ecause there were tu#es inserted all over her #ody. 1here was also an o%ygen tan" #eside her. &ith a smile, her father said. 5)es in the other room and his parents are also there ta"ing care of him hes also in the same condition #ut he will survive.7 ! small smile formed on <races lips when she whispered. 51han" goodness 7 1hen, after that, she went #ac" into deep slum#er. , !fter several months of recovery, therapy included, <race and 0red were finally discharged from the hospital and they were free to go home. 1here were still #urn mar"s and scars left on them #ut most of their wounds have healed. 1hey still had #andages, though, and they still had to ride the wheelchair since they

cannot wal" long distances. 1hey were +ust glad they survived that day. Surviving that "ind of fire was very rare and they were grateful to <od for that. 5I could have never survived if you didnt come for me 7 <race reminded 0red with a tender smile. <race and 0red were #oth seated on wheelchairs at the par" under the same mahogany tree where they had their first "iss two years ago. 0red smiled #ac" at her and answered. 5Because I could never live happily without you 7 56ou save me over and over again 7 <race said in a soft voice, almost crying. 5My s"in is not as #eautiful now #ecause of my #urn mar"s and my scars Im ugly 6ou might not li"e me anymore and Im so wea" 7 She said sadly while her eyes were cast downwards, tears falling. 5Im not that shallow.7 0red said with a smile on his face. 5I have those scars, too I told you my love for you is unconditional whether youre #ald or fat or whatever I still li"e you no matter what and that can never change my love for you did not decrease one #it 'ven compared to a #eautiful tall model, I will still choose you 6ou are the only one no one can ever replace 7 0red said with full of love and understanding while stro"ing her chee" as gently as he could, wiping her tears away. 5I am really grateful to have someone li"e you.7 <race said with softness in her eyes. 5Same here, <race 7 0red said. 5)ey Im not fat nor am I #ald-7 <race pointed out. 5I "now I "now 7 0red said with a laugh while loo"ing at her with love and said. 5I +ust said if 7 5.h 7 <race murmured with a small smile on her lips. Side #y side, they were seated on their wheelchair, and somehow, 0red managed to give her a soft "iss on the lips. 5<race 7 0red said nervously. 5I "now this isnt the #est time #ut 7 <race listened carefully. 5 will you marry me47 <races #reath stopped for a moment, and a huge smile crept on her face. 56es6es- I love you with all my heart, with all my soul and with my entire mind- 6es, I will marry you-7 <race responded merrily. 5Im so glad 7 0red whispered while caressing her chee". 56oure still #eautiful and #esides our wounds will soon heal.7 <race smiled at him and said. 5'ven if you are not handsome, I will still love you #ecause my love for you is unconditional my love "nows no limits 7 5But Im still handsome.7 0red said proudly while laughing. <race laughed with him. 5I love you 7 0red whispered. !nd once again, under the mahogany tree, the lovers stayed and "issed. !nd so they wed in the =hurch after. Both of them #ecame successful doctors and they had four children. 1hey had a very happy family full of love. $o matter how much the world changes, their love for each other will never change.

1heir scars and #urn mar"s simply represent the hardships and pain they are willing to go through +ust for the #etterment of the other. 1hey can go through anything together. !nd that is how much they #oth love each other. $o words were said after, only good actions were done. !ction spea"s louder than words and true love is not simply a desire #ut a sacrifice and also for #etter or for worse. 1hat may sound clichC, #ut it is true. !nd so, this story is sealed with the "iss of true love, a true love that can never #e #ro"en #y time or distance. 1he 'nd March D>, AEEF, !pr A, AEEF