Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Gladwin parked his car behind the large supermarket building. He courteously opened the passenger door, allowing Flavia to get out before locking it. His large hand reached for Flavia’s hand, deliberately intertwining their fingers. Flavia resisted and attempted to free herself from her uncle’s grip, but Gladwin instead stared back at her and tightened his hold.

Gladwin walked ahead of Flavia as she tried to maintain a distance between them. The girl continuously lowered her head, prompting Gladwin to intentionally halt his steps just to make her head bump into his back or the side of his arm.

“Are you really ashamed to walk with me?” Gladwin asked, with a condescending tone, for who knows how many times. Flavia looked up and shook her head. “Why? Am I ugly? Am I too old for you?” he asked again. Flavia shook her head once more. “Then why do you keep avoiding me?”

“It’s not like that, Uncle,” Flavia replied softly. “It’s just that…”

“Just that what?” Gladwin stared sharply at Flavia. “Okay. I forced you to come here when you didn’t want to go with me. I know you’re embarrassed because I’m too old to take you out.” Gladwin then released their intertwined fingers. “I won’t force you anymore. You can go home or wherever you want. I won’t stop you.” Gladwin continued his steps with his brusque tone, ignoring Flavia, who now stood silent, gazing at her uncle’s retreating back.

Flavia knew that Gladwin was currently angry with her, and she didn’t like that. She didn’t want to upset Gladwin, and the thought of being left alone by him made her feel lost. Her hand, which had been tightly held by Gladwin, now felt cold and empty, and once again, Flavia didn’t like that.

Flavia lifted her head and searched for her uncle, who was now far from her sight. “Uncle!” she called out with a slightly louder voice. Gladwin didn’t turn at all. Whether he heard her call or chose to pretend not to, Flavia didn’t know. What was certain now was that Flavia was half-running to catch up with her uncle, reaching for his elbow. “Uncle, don’t be angry,” she pleaded softly.

Gladwin glanced briefly, his face still showing a flat expression. He ignored Flavia’s pleading face and continued walking slowly. “Who’s angry?” Gladwin said curtly. “I’m not angry. I just have self-awareness because I know you’re embarrassed to go out with me. It’s okay; you don’t have to force yourself. Just go home or wherever you want. Didn’t you prefer taking a taxi over going with me earlier?” He continued, putting some items into the shopping cart he was pushing.

“I’m not embarrassed, Uncle,” the girl said with a trembling voice. “I’m not embarrassed to go with you. You’re not too old for me. I just…” Flavia bit her lip, hesitating.

“Just what?” Gladwin inquired.

“I just feel confused.”

“Confused? Confused about what?”

“I can’t explain it. Basically, I’m not embarrassed, and you’re not too old for me, Uncle,” Flavia said, sounding like a whimper in Gladwin’s ears.

“Are you really not embarrassed?” Gladwin asked, lowering his gaze to observe Flavia’s expression closely. Flavia answered her uncle’s question with a nod. “Really, I’m not too old for you?” Flavia nodded again. “So, you really like me?” Flavia nodded once more. And…

“Huh?” she exclaimed when she realized. “What did Uncle just ask?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Gladwin shrugged with a mocking smile. “No instant replay, Sweetheart,” he replied casually.

Whether the man realized or not that his endearing term a few seconds ago instantly made Flavia’s cheeks blush, Gladwin extended his hand toward Flavia, palm facing upward. Flavia gazed at the large hand with confusion.

“If you’re not embarrassed to walk with me, come here and hold my hand,” Gladwin coaxed with his sweet smile, once again making Flavia’s heart beat incredibly fast.

“But, um…” Flavia stammered nervously.

Again, Gladwin chose to continue walking, pushing the shopping cart away from Flavia. Aware that her uncle was sulking, Flavia chased after him and grabbed Gladwin’s right hand with her left. Gladwin smiled triumphantly. That’s how he melted Flavia – by making her feel guilty. It might be cunning, but what can you do? Everything is fair in love and war.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

They walked through aisle after aisle, putting in the items they needed, having small debates about things considered too expensive or unnecessary. Gladwin thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with Flavia – the companionship he knew he had wasted during their five years apart.

“Wanna go to the bookstore?” Gladwin offered after they finished shopping.

“Where to?” Flavia asked again.

“Doesn’t matter. If possible, let’s go to a place with good food too.” Flavia seemed to think for a moment before nodding and mentioning the name of one of her favorite bookstores.

A while later, they arrived at Flavia’s chosen bookstore. Flavia headed straight to the fiction section, while Gladwin walked towards the non-fiction books.

“Looking for fairy tales?” someone greeted Flavia as she was inspecting a colorful children’s storybook.

Flavia looked up and saw a handsome young man in a hoodie and jeans smiling at her. This didn’t escape the watchful eye of Gladwin, who stood not far from where Flavia was now standing, only separated by two bookshelves that didn’t even reach the man’s shoulders.

“No, just browsing a bit,” Flavia answered honestly, refocusing on the books on the shelf.

“I’m Kenzie.” The man extended his hand, inviting Flavia to introduce herself. Flavia stared at him hesitantly for a few seconds before reciprocating the handshake.

“Flavia,” she replied flatly.

“School? College? Or working?” the young man asked again, seeming very interested in Flavia.

“College,” Flavia whispered. She continued to walk and look at other books, and the man still followed closely behind.

“Oh, by the way, if I may ask, what’s your major and where? I’m in the Architecture department,” he mentioned his campus.

“Interior Design,” Flavia answered again, mentioning her campus.

“Wow, we’re in the same campus then. But why have I never seen you before? I’m in my sixth semester now, interning at Quirino Construction. What semester are you in?”

“Second semester, Graduate Program,” Flavia’s soft answer left the young man in front of her wide-eyed.

“S-Senior?” he stuttered. Flavia just smiled. “Sorry,” the man said, embarrassed. “You look so young. I thought you were still in high school.” He awkwardly rubbed his neck. His face suddenly turned red, and he looked funny in Flavia’s eyes. Flavia almost laughed but tried to hold it back, not wanting to embarrass him further.

“Ahem.” Gladwin’s cough made both of them turn simultaneously. Unbeknownst to them, Gladwin had apparently been standing behind Flavia for who knows how long. “Got the book?” he asked in a cold tone, glancing at the young man in front of them. Flavia swallowed nervously. She felt anxious and scared at the same time.

“N-not yet,” she stammered.

“If you’re not looking for anything, we might as well go home. I’m hungry,” Gladwin said again, reaching for Flavia’s hand.

Flavia frowned and looked at her uncle in confusion while Gladwin responded to Flavia’s question with a meaningful smile.

“Still looking for something?” Gladwin asked again, and Flavia quickly shook her head. “Well then, let’s go now. I’m really hungry. You wouldn’t want me to eat you here, would you?” he teased, causing Flavia to widen her eyes and glance at the young man standing beside her with an embarrassed expression.

Gladwin gently grabbed Flavia’s hand and pulled her towards the cashier after giving a threatening look to the young man who had talked to Flavia earlier.

Gladwin was furious. Just keeping a few steps away from Flavia, his girl was already engaged in a conversation with a stranger. Gladwin clearly didn’t like that, especially when Flavia appeared to smile warmly at the young man, igniting a heat in his chest. He didn’t like it when other guys looked at his Flavia with such adoring eyes.

Gladwin knew Flavia was beautiful. Very beautiful. Even when she smiled, her eyes looked incredibly gentle, always melting Gladwin’s heart. Oh God, if only there was Doraemon’s shrinking flashlight, Gladwin would happily borrow it. He would shrink Flavia and carry her in his pocket. He would return her to normal size only when they were alone. Yes, not a bad idea at all.

After having lunch together, Flavia thought Gladwin would drive her back home. However, her assumption was wrong. Gladwin steered his car in the opposite direction of her house, and Flavia didn’t ask where they were going because she didn’t want to worsen her uncle’s mood.

Since they left the bookstore, and even during lunch, her uncle seemed to go on a silent strike. Not completely silent, but the man who usually had a lot to talk about suddenly became mute, making Flavia a bit uncomfortable.

They arrived at Gladwin’s apartment basement. Still without much conversation, Gladwin unloaded all their shopping bags and only allowed Flavia to carry the paper bag containing the books he had purchased.

In silence, they went up to the floor where Gladwin lived. Gladwin entered the apartment after entering the password, kicked off his shoes with his feet, and walked toward the pantry. Flavia placed her uncle’s shoes on the rack before following him inside.

“Is Uncle angry with me?” she asked later. Gladwin didn’t give an answer. He seemed engrossed in arranging his purchases, sorting out what goes into the fridge, freezer, and what belongs in the pantry. Flavia wanted to help but, afraid of making a mistake, she ended up just standing beside the bar table. “Uncle…” she whispered again, but Gladwin remained silent.

Flavia felt a pain in her chest. Being ignored like that by Gladwin felt uncomfortable. Her eyes welled up, and Flavia knew that her tears were threatening to spill. She didn’t want Gladwin to see her cry. Flavia chose to withdraw.

“I’m going home, Uncle,” she murmured, then grabbed her bag.

“Don’t you care about my feelings?” The cold-toned question from Gladwin managed to stop Flavia in her tracks. The girl looked up and gazed at her uncle with a puzzled and nervous expression, while he returned her look with a melancholic one. “I’m feeling jealous,” he answered. “Why should I see you being approached by so many guys?”

Flavia’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Wh-what do you mean, Uncle?”