It Feels Good To Love You

It was evident from the corner of his eyes that he wasn't thrilled with her reaction.

He was asking for the third time. They say the third time's a charm, but perhaps not.

Leo and his girlfriend have been together for five years. They first met in college and have been together ever since.

And every single time he proposed to her, she would always reply with a firm NO.

Heartbroken Leo sat quiet, holding his breath, his eyes closed as he slowly exhaled.

"Why? At least give me a proper reason," he urged calmly.

Liliana gave a sheepish grin.

She looked down.

She couldn't think of anything to say.

She wasn't ready to marry.

Plus, Leo didn't seem like the ideal person for her to settle down with.

"Is there something I'm missing?

Or am I mistaken in wanting to settle with you since I love you?" Leo inquired.

"No, it's not that Leo," Liliana clarified.

"What's with the constant refusal, is there anything wrong with me?"

"There is nothing wrong with you, Leo, I just ..."

"Or you just don't want to marry me?"

Liliana groaned.

She fixed her focus on Leo.

"Why don't we talk about it another time, I'm stressed out," Liliana said as she stood up and adjusted her purse on her shoulders.

"I'll call you, Leo." She added as she moved away.

Leo felt his heart ache badly as he watched her go.

His phone suddenly rang.

It was his mother.

He groaned before answering

"Mom?" He responded.

"Oh, my dear. How did it go, and are we celebrating?"

Her ecstatic voice rang out.

Leo was even more devastated.

Her love and care for Liliana were limitless.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

He replied solemnly.

"Aww, what are you sorry for? It's all right, she must have her reasons for saying no the tird time."

Leo gave a nod.

Probably. Or she simply did not want to marry him.

He exhaled a sigh.

"Instead of trying every year, Leo. Why don't you both have a serious discussion? And ask her why she has been declining your proposal."

"Okay, mom. That seems like a good plan.

I'll talk to her about it. And I'll keep you posted on how it goes,”

"Okay, Bye. Keep yourself safe."

She hung up.

Leo exhaled a sigh.

His mother was right. There was no reason to skirt the issue.

Every year he tried to ask her out, she refused his marriage proposal without giving a legitimate reason. It was best to have a serious discussion about it.

Now that he gave it some thought,

Their relationship had not been that deep in the three years since he had asked for her hand in marriage. She seemed to be moving further away from him, but he refused to say anything. He was always frightened of hurting her, of arguing with her, perhaps because she was his first girlfriend and he hoped it would be the last and their narrative would finish in a happy marriage. But maybe not.

Unlike other kids in high school at the time, Leo was not popular or particularly attractive, and he was never in the spotlight.

He had a crush on a blondie back then, but she had ended up pregnant before they graduated high school.

Leo made the decision to live on his own. Instead of breaking his heart by giving it to the wrong person. That was the one thing he was frightened of.

But, for the first time, he let his guard down when he entered college, which led to where he was now.

The first year of their relationship was everything he could have hoped for.

Despite their hectic schedules, they always made time for each other and made it a significance to spend their weekends together. Leo was concerned he didn't love her as much as she did him because her love for him was always evident and genuine.

She had always wanted to spend time with him, but now it was the inverse.

When he asked her to spend the weekend with him, she would always give an excuse.

Leo rose up, sighed, and went away.

***

Leo's mother sighed as she sat in front of a young lady.

Mrs. Levine was well aware of what was in store for her son.

It was obvious to her, but she worried if Leo felt the same way or if he would even be able to withstand the pain. Liliana has always been the lone woman in his son's life. What will become of Leo?

"Don't tell me she said no again, Mom."

Mira, Leo's younger sister, inquired.

She had always been wary of Liliana, fearing that she would shatter Leo's heart, and that moment seemed to be getting closer than ever.

Mrs. Levine sighed once again.

"It remains the same. She must have a good reason."

Mira frowned, "We both know the truth, Mom. I'm certain you do, admit it. My brother will be heartbroken in the end. I forewarned you about Liliana!“

"What were we supposed to do, Leo was so in love with her, it was best to simply let them be," Mrs. Levine said hastily,

Mira sighed deeply.

"That idiot Lilian!" Mira spat out.

"Hey!" Mrs Levine stopped her.

"That Liliana girl is truly evil, mom, She is purposefully tying down Leo. I'm very confident she already has someone she wants to marry,”

"If she is going to end her relationship with Leo, that's it. You cannot compel someone to be in a relationship with you, no matter how much you adore that person" Mrs. Levine stated

Mira sighed loudly once more.

"That's exactly my point, Mom. She has no intention of accepting Leo's marriage proposal even from the start. He is not the one she wants to marry, but why hold him down, why is she still in a relationship with him, why can't she just come clean so my brother can start over?"

"Do you believe it's that simple?"

"I know, but isn't it better to be heartbroken and start over than to be in a relationship with someone you can never have a happy life?"

Mira continued.

Mrs. Levine shut her eyes.

"Putting Leo's case aside. What exactly are you doing here? Are the divorce paperwork prepared?" She inquired.

Mira sighed and rolled her eyes.

She returned home to get her mind off of it.

"I'm worried about it!" Mira voiced out

"Did someone ask you to marry so young?" I'm not sure which is worse, yours or Leo's. "I'm going to take a nap."

Mrs Levine rose to her feet and entered her room.

She was 52 years old and radiant.

In a blue indigo outfit, she wore her blonde hair in a pun and her silky smooth white complexion.

Mira sighed deeply.

Her mother was right, who on earth asked her to marry so young?

Their marriage hasn't even been a year, and the divorce papers were almost ready.

She sighed once more.

***

When morning arrived and Leo was still in bed, he startled awake. He grabbed his phone and texted Liliana

"Let's meet tonight in the bar, Please,”

He sighed and dropped the phone.

Leo's Physique was masterfully crafted.

He had the stature of someone who should be admired.

As he walked to the bathroom, he considered what his day would be like until evening, when he would meet up with Liliana.

He had no available jobs because he primarily worked from home.

***

A man in black suits entered a lecture room full of boisterous students. The entire class fell silent.

"Okay. Let's get started!“

His deep voice dominated the room.

"I shall begin with attendance." He continued.

The pupils sighed.

"I stated previously that I will not be lenient towards anyone who is late for my class today. You must be self-conscious in this college,” He went on.

The students grumbled once again.

"Has Jamal not arrived yet?"

A female student inquired of a male classmate.

He jerked his head. His gaze was fixated on the doorway.

They both had a concerned expression on their faces.

"I'm not sure why he has to work part-time at such an early hour,”

"He can't keep missing classes," Tara expressed her concern.

Darnell agreed with a nod.

Jamal was often reprimanded for being late to classes. It had to stop.

Mr. Brown began to summon others.

Darnell breathed deeply.

"Jamal Garcia?"

Mr. Brown called

Tara and Darnell exchanged stares.

Jamal walked in and said, "Present!"

"Well, well, well. Look who just arrived, Jamal?"

Jamal was panting and looking over at Tara and Darnell, both of whom were scared and distressed.

He gave a small smile.

"I apologize, Mr. Brown." He stated calmly.

"That's something you usually say.

So, young fellow, take your seat."

Mr Brown stated as he turned away from Jamal and faced the class.

"Thank you, sir," Jamal murmured as he took his seat. Tara and Darnell were both staring at him. He made a small hand wave.

"There's no need for it. After this lesson, you must wait," Mr. Brown took note.

Jamal nodded, a small smile on his face.

Following the lecture

Tara, Darnell, and Jamal walked out together, as they always did as best friends,

Smiles on their faces.

"We'll be in the cafeteria," Tara stated. She and Darnell walked away leaving Jamal to tend to the instruction Mr. Brown had given earlier,

Jamal exhaled a sigh.

"Hello, Mr. Garcia." As Jamal entered, Mr. Brown called out from his seat.

"Have your seat," he said, motioning to a seat.

"I didn't want to get involved because, of course, it's none of my business, but you keep being late to my classes, so I need to know," Mr. Brown explained.

Jamal did nothing except nod.

He could see where this was going.

It would most likely begin with the number of part-time jobs he currently had.

"Okay, Jamal? What number of part-time jobs do you have?" Mr. Brown inquired, his face flushed.

Jamal gave a small giggle.

"21," he said hastily.

Mr. Brown was taken aback.

He exhaled a sigh.

"You are free to leave." He stated.

Jamal remained motionless for a few seconds.

"Is that all?" He inquired.

Mr Brown gave a nod. I believe I know everything I need to know,”

"Okay."

Jamal rose up and walked out of the office.

Tara and Darnell waved from their seats in the cafeteria.

"And?" As he sat down with them, they inquired anxiously.

"He only asked about the number of part-time jobs I had," Jamal explained.

Both of them sighed.

"He's really thoughtful," Darnell added.

Tara smiled.

"Can't you stop the early morning part-time work, Jamal?" Tara inquired.

Jamal raised his head.

"It's fine.

It's quite great," Jamal pretended to smile.

They all sighed.

"What about Mary?"

Darnell inquired. Tara agreed with a tiny nod.

Jamal pretended to smile.

"We're fine."

He sounded disheartened.

"Wooow...so, does she know you know?"

Darnell inquired.

He was mentioning how Jamal apparently paid a surprise visit to his girlfriend's apartment.

He knew the lock code, so he went in, only to find her in bed with a popular college senior.

He had silently exited.

It was a month ago, and he has been silent about it.

Tara exhaled a sigh.

"She's going to break up with you, so why waste time?"

Jamal's phone screen suddenly lit up with a text message.

From mary.

Tara and Darnell exchanged worried glances.

"Its Mary, and she wants to meet at our usual Bar tonight."

***

He sat still. It was Mary who waved at him from outside. He smiled and waved back.

"I apologize for taking so long."

As she sat down, she said.

"No problem, I just arrived."

Jamal stated.

"So?" Mary sighed.

Jamal raised his head.

"Have you considered it? Will I be staying?"

Mary inquired.

"I don't think that's fair to you, Mary.

I'm sorry I have to do this," Jamal stated calmly.

Mary's eyes were fuzzy as she cried.

She instantly cleared them away.

"What's wrong with me?" she asked, seeming to chuckle.

"Mary?" Jamal called calmly.

"Jamal, I'm fine. It will take some time, but I will be fine" With a nod, she assured.

Jamal also nodded.

"Are Tara and Darnell aware...that you're gay?"

Mary inquired.

Jamal slowly shook his head.

"Mary, I'm terrified. I'm not sure how they'll react,”

Mary grinned. "It's not like you to be afraid...the sooner the better. If they truly are your best friend, they will support and not object," She stated.

Jamal grinned.

Mary, too, grinned.

"I have to go then," she said as she stood up.

They kissed each other on the cheek and waved goodbye.

The narrative of Mary being in bed with a senior was all a fiction Mary had made up to help with their split and to conceal his secret from his best buddies.

He had no choice but to tell them sooner than later.

He looked outside through the glass wall, it was already dark.

Just then, Leo and Liliana entered.

They sat down right away.

"Let's break up," Liliana said bluntly.

Jamal was surprised at his seat. He could obviously hear what they were saying. He exhaled a sigh.

What an evening!

On the other hand, Leo, was deafeningly silent.

His mind had gone completely blank. He wasn't surprised; he just wasn't prepared yet.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way. Best wishes" Liliana added

She stood up and walked away.

Jamal sighed in his seat.

What a jerk she is.

Jamal rose to go.

Instead, he stood outside, staring at Leo, who was still completely blank.

A waitress approached Leo.

"May I get you something?" He inquired.

Leo remained deafeningly silent.

"Sir?" The waiter called once again.

Slowly, Leo turned to face him.

"Is there anything I can get you, sir?" The waiter inquired once more.

"Um...beer," he said.

"Ok. One beer bottle"

The waitress took notes.

"No, five bottles," Leo replied.

"What!?" The waitress was taken aback.

Jamal was even more surprised when he saw the waiter drop the five bottles of beer for Leo.

He took two steps ahead before coming to a halt.

"What does it matter to you?"

He reflected to himself.

Jamal resolved to mind his own business and leave, but he couldn't.

He turned to face Leo once more. He was most likely going to be quite drunk.

A stranger he had never met but cared deeply about.

He sighed and sat on the bench outside.

Why?... He didn't expect it to end this quickly or in this manner.

This was unjust.

He sobbed while drinking a bottle of beer.

It was 9:30 p.m. when Leo staggered out.

Jamal noticed him and sat up.

He could tell Leo was completely drunk since his face was flushed red and his eyes were half-closed.

Leo made another stride before collapsing.

Jamal laughed.

He sighed as he looked about.

Leo awoke. He yawned and felt so at ease. He opened his eyes and was absolutely taken aback.What happened to him?Where was this location?He jerked himself out of bed.He had a stunned expression on his face.He looked around and asked, "Where am I?"When he looked down, he realized he was only wearing boxers.At sea, he half-yelled.His clothing were all strewn on the floor.He took a look around.What happened to him?Is it a hotel?"What happened?""How did he end up here?"Many thoughts raced through his mind.On the bedside table, he noticed a white piece of paper with something scribbled on it.As he accepted it, he took another leisurely glance around."I'm Jamal, and you were splayed out drunk in front of the