You stared at your phone screen for the fifth time tonight. Still no reply.

Drei said he’d call after his meeting, but it’s been hours. You scrolled through old messages, trying to remind yourself he used to care—right?

A knock at the door pulled you from your thoughts.

You opened it and found Eli standing there, holding a bag of warm food and a look of quiet worry.

“Didn’t think you’d eaten,” he said, gently brushing past you like he’d done a hundred times before.

“I’m fine,” you murmured, though your voice cracked slightly.

“No, you’re not,” he said, setting the bag down. “You’re hurting again… because of him.”

You looked away. “It’s complicated.”

Eli turned to face you. “No. It’s actually not.”

You said nothing.

He sat across from you at the table, his eyes calm, but his voice trembled just enough to betray the pain he’d buried for too long.

“Every time he disappoints you, I see it. Every time you try to excuse the way he forgets you, I hear it in your voice.”

“But I love him, Eli.”

The words tasted bitter the moment you said them. Not because they weren’t true—but because love wasn’t enough anymore.

Eli leaned forward, eyes locked on yours.

“And I love you.” “The difference is… I’d never make you feel like you have to beg to be chosen.”

Your throat tightened.

You remembered every time Eli showed up when Drei didn’t. Every quiet moment where he didn’t have to say I love you—you just felt it in the way he looked at you, how he listened, how he stayed.

“Drei has his flaws,” you whispered, almost defensively.

“And you keep breaking your heart to forgive them,” Eli replied. “But when will you forgive yourself for settling for less than what you deserve?”

Tears welled up.

You hated this question. The one that’s haunted you for months:

Mahal ko… o mahal ako?

You stood, your chest tight with guilt, confusion, and longing.

“It’s not that easy,” you said. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“You already are,” Eli said softly. “Me. Yourself.”

He stood, slowly, giving you space—always giving you space.

“I love you. And I’ve waited for so long. But if you choose him again… I won’t wait forever.”

You didn’t say a word. Couldn’t.

And as Eli turned to leave, your heart screamed with a truth your lips weren’t brave enough to say:

He’s not the one you love… But he’s the one who loves you right.