Loving You Too Long

Gilbert’s phone rang. He reached for it in his pocket, seeing Haisley’s name. Deliberately, he pressed the green button and then the loudspeaker button, placing the phone on the table.

“Yeah, H.”

“G, are you coming here?” the girl asked from the other side. Sounds of clattering were audible, and Gilbert could tell she was preparing her breakfast.

“I am. Later. With the others,” Gilbert replied, taking a bite of his food. Meanwhile, Nathan frowned, not understanding. Where? Where was the girl?

“Oh, okay then. Come earlier though, okay? We need to shop first. We’ve run out of groceries. The kids asked for this and that. Have you read the group messages?”

“I have. Alright then, see you.” Then ‘click.’ The call ended.

“Where are you all going?” Nathan finally asked. He looked at Gilbert, who raised his head from his meal.

“To Haisley’s place,” he replied flatly.”

Nathan’s forehead furrowed. Wasn’t the girl supposed to be living here? He questioned silently.

“Are you so busy that you didn’t realize Haisley isn’t here anymore?” Gilbert teased.

Nathan’s frown deepened. What did he mean?

“She moved out from here last week,” Gilbert replied again, as if he was a psychic, answering questions Nathan hadn’t voiced. He pocketed his phone, cleaned up his finished meal, and got up to leave.

“Why?” Nathan finally asked.

“Why what?”

“Why did she move? Wasn’t she supposed to live here? Why did she suddenly leave?” Nathan inquired, wanting to know.

“She never wanted to live here. From the beginning, she stayed here because of Mom’s persuasion. She never forced herself to stay. Her initial plan was to live independently here. After getting to know the area, she wanted to move. And voila, she now knows the place, has socialized, and found a new place to live and work,” Gilbert explained candidly.

“Work?” Nathan snorted.

Gilbert returned a mocking smile. “Changing someone’s mindset is indeed difficult.” Gilbert answered Nathan’s question with sarcasm. “From the start, all you ever saw in Haisley was her negative side. To you, she never looked good. And the way you think about her is something you need to change,” he said before walking away, leaving Nathan stunned, unable to retort against Gilbert’s jibes.

Gilbert felt exasperated himself. He chose to leave Nathan at that moment. He had to restrain himself. He couldn’t possibly engage in a full-blown argument with his own brother over something that wasn’t really that important.

Gilbert himself was puzzled by Nathan’s behavior. He didn’t know if his brother liked or disliked Haisley. He knew that Nathan wasn’t always like this. He used to be normal. By that, Gilbert meant he used to act like a good older brother to Haisley. He was friendly and caring. But suddenly, everything changed. If Gilbert’s calculations were correct, the change occurred about six or seven years ago.

Argghh! Gilbert didn’t want to waste any more time dealing with their insignificant love story. His own love story might not even work out. Besides, Haisley had decided to give up. So Gilbert would follow what she deemed best. Because the truth was, the girl was right. Nathan didn’t care at all. He wasn’t even aware that Haisley had been gone for quite a while. And Haisley was right too. Holding onto a man like Nathan might not make her happy after all.

Gilbert knocked on Haisley’s apartment door. A girl he knew turned out to be there already. “Loretta? What are you doing here?”

“Why?” Loretta asked back, opening the door wide for Gilbert. Gilbert didn’t answer her question and instead continued walking towards Haisley.

“Why is she here?” Gilbert asked when he saw Haisley coming out from the bathroom. Haisley responded to his friend’s question with a smile.

“It’s the weekend, G. She said she had nothing to do,” Haisley answered softly.

“Does she have to be here?” Gilbert asked again, sounding sarcastic.

Haisley just smiled at his friend once again. He didn’t know what made Gilbert dislike his sister’s choice of partner, and it made Haisley feel guilty towards Loretta. He looked at the beautiful girl who stared back at Haisley and Gilbert alternately, her forehead creased in confusion because she didn’t understand English at all.

“Yeah, maybe she just really needs a friend,” Haisley replied casually. “Besides, don’t be like that. She’s your future sister-in-law, G.” Haisley’s words, despite being accompanied by a smile, clearly showed the sadness there.

“What do you mean?” Gilbert asked, puzzled.

“Her relationship with Nathan is serious, G. Last week, Nathan met Loretta’s family. And Loretta said her family asked about their relationship. Nathan said he’s serious.” Gilbert now focused his gaze entirely on Loretta.

“May I ask you something?” he asked seriously. Loretta looked at Gilbert confused but then nodded slowly. “You and Nathan, are you really serious about your relationship?” he asked without preamble.

Haisley grabbed Gilbert’s arm, squeezing it slightly, although he knew it wouldn’t affect him at all. But at least he hoped Gilbert wouldn’t be so harsh on Loretta.

Loretta looked confused too by Gilbert’s sudden question. But she just nodded her head.

“That’s what Nathan said when he met my dad,” she answered with a happy expression on her face. “Nathan even said he would introduce me to his parents if we go to America.” She continued before turning her attention to Haisley with a questioning look. “We are going there, right, Haisley?” she asked, trying to convince. Haisley answered by nodding his head.

“What does that mean?” This time Gilbert looked at Haisley sharply.

“You remember our conversation, right?” Haisley reminded him. “That we’re going to America during the semester break.”

Gilbert nodded. His face instantly turned cold. “Yes, but that’s for vacation,” he retorted. “Why did it turn into a meet-the-family event?” he disagreed, again using language Loretta didn’t understand.

Haisley just shrugged. “Come on, G. Why make a fuss about it? Our agenda is to go back to America for vacation. Nathan introducing Loretta as his future wife is his business. You should be grateful, if anything. It means Nathan has moved on from Crystal,” Haisley replied in a calming tone. But Gilbert shook his head again firmly.

“It can’t be like that, Haisley,” Gilbert refused. “Loretta.” Gilbert’s tone, sounding more like a command, startled the girl. “Can you go home? Or at least visit your boyfriend at his house. He must be happy to see you there.” Gilbert’s request sounded more like an eviction.

“G…” Haisley tried to intervene. But Gilbert ignored him and started typing something on his phone. Haisley’s phone chimed. Haisley opened the message in their group chat and read the message sent by Gilbert. He asked his friends to cancel their plan to come to Haisley’s place. “G, what’s going on?” Haisley asked, not liking this.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.