FORBIDDEN LOVE

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I am currently in an old library in our school to search for the books that our professor assigned to us. It was already 6:54 in the evening, and I still couldn't find the books I needed for our research. I overheard a rumor regarding the library where I was standing just as I was ready to leave the place.

"I feel something odd here in this old library. There seems to be... a hidden wonder in this place." As a powerful wind slammed the library, one of the students there spoke. Five people were present, but only two remained in their seats as the other three went to fetch a book.

"Stop imagining things, Lily. It's all in your mind only." She responded while gathering her belongings.

Lily got up and took a leisurely stroll in my direction. "I swear. Someone claims that if you don't leave by precisely 7:00 pm, there's–"
"I SAID STOP! STOP THIS NONSENSE!" The girl yelled as she threw the things on the table.

There was a brief moment of stillness over the entire room before someone next to me spoke. "Shut up! You cannot simply shout at this whenever you want; this is a library."

I turned my head to the right where the sound came from. I literally see the madness in the librarian's eyes. Her solemn expression alone makes me want to disappear. What's more, if I hear her ominous voice?

"W–we're sorry, Ms. Grace." Lily and her friend uttered and then called the rest of their friends to go home. Ms. Grace was also gone from my side as the students left.

Anyone would be quite frightened and anxious about this librarian. She's strange and is really up to something that anyone in this school cannot explain.

Just as i was about to leave again, something caught my attention. "What is that?" I mumbled to myself.

"Oh, a book! But... why are the middle two pages blank?" After a time, I started to feel terrified and tense when suddenly, someone grabbed my hands.

"T–take my hands off of you! I–I'm going out now." I said bravely but still stammered from nervousness. It further tightened its hold on me and said, "Do you know what time it is now?–" I glanced at my watch and was astonished.

Before I said anything, it spoke once again. "Yes, you are right! It is currently 7:01 pm."

–

I opened my eyes, sweating and gasping for air. "Why are you sleeping?" The guy asked.
"I–I'm–"

"HAVE I TOLD YOU TO SPEAK UP? STAND AT THE BACK!" He interrupted me.

"Who is he to shout right in front of my face?!" I whispered.

"What are you mumbling over there?" I ignored him and just kept walking.

I can see how people in the room look at me and talk about me. I was unable to grasp what was happening since everything happened so quickly. Their appearance is distinctive, as is their attire. Could it be that I traveled back in time from the library and am now in the ancient university? But how?

–

"Miss! Miss! Miss!" A man in front of me shouted constantly. I even looked around to find out who he was calling.

"You! I'm calling you." He said while pointing at me.

"M-me?" I doubt.

"Yes, you dropped your book." He uttered and handed me the book. "Are you reading this, too?"

"Y-yes, but–" I was cut off when he took my hand.

"Oh sorry!"

We sat beneath a big tree in the plaza and continued to talk.

"That book is not just an ordinary book. It is rumored to be a mysterious book with magic-like qualities." It says, while I'm just listening.
"It is a story of two lovers from different eras. Incredible, isn't it?" He continued.

"But why are two pages blank in this book?" I asked out of curiosity.

"I'm not sure, but my father used to say that those pages are blank because the woman suddenly disappeared without a trace." He answered in a serious tone.

"What is the girl's name?" I asked.

"I don't remember it, but he gave me this necklace with the girl's photo on it. I don't even know why he gave it to me." He showed me the picture on the necklace.

I'm unsure of how I'll react to what I saw. This young lady looked familiar to me, but I'm not sure if it's really her.

He stood up from his seat and spoke, "It is late at night; kindly allow me to take you home." I nodded then stood up.

While walking, there are questions that enter my mind. "Could this be the reason why I am here now in the past? What follows next after this?"

After a few minutes, we reached my house. What my house in the future is just like here in the past. The only difference is that it is made of wood.

"This is my house. Thank you so much Mr.?..."
"Eli. Just call me Eli." He replied.
"Thank you, Eli! I'm Valeria by the way. Thanks, again!" I reached out my hand to shake hands, and then we departed our ways.

We discussed our personal lives, and he shared memories of his childhood. He also told me that he grew up without a mother. We leaned on each other and were always together in both happy and sorrowful moments. We feel butterflies in our stomach every time we are together. Yet, everything between us was abruptly altered. Since that day, we have rarely seen each other, not even a shadow of him. It felt like there were also people watching our movements.

Today is Saturday, and the festival is currently being held in the plaza. Eli invited me to attend here when we last met. Besides that, he also wanted to tell me something, so I went to our old meeting place, but I wasn't expecting what I just witnessed.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to see that girl again?" A strong slap touched Eli's cheek.
"But papa–"
"What is that flower for? You are really stubborn, huh?" He took the flowers and hurled them to the ground before trampling on them. I could clearly see Eli crying, but I was powerless to intervene other than to observe.

His father pulled his collar. "WHAT ARE YOU CRYING ABOUT THERE? STAND UP!" He shouted.
"YOU WILL FEEL EVEN WORSE THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU TOGETHER!" His father continued.

"B–but I love her, papa a–and I know she loves me too." Eli said weakly.

"IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL LOVE? STUPID!"

I saw his father pull out his gun. I just held my mouth as my tears fell. I quickly approached them when unexpectedly, his father called me and pointed the gun at me.

"VALERIA! VALERIA! VALERIA! I'M NOT WRONG, IT'S YOU. YOUR MOTHER DIDN'T TELL YOU ABOUT ME, DID SHE? OR... DID SHE LEAVE YOU TOO, JUST LIKE SHE DID TO ME?"

I don't understand what he is talking about, but he is right. My mother left me and I have no idea what her face is or even her name.

"W–what are you saying, papa?" Eli's father pulled the necklace Eli was wearing and threw it in my direction.

I can now identify the woman in this picture, but I'm baffled as to why Eli's father is telling me this in the first place.

"Now you know who your mother is. She was the only woman I loved completely but still managed to fool me and return to the future with the other guy." He laughed hysterically.

"M-mother? M-miss Grace?" I am perplexed. I don't know if I should believe what he says. The tears that wanted to escape from my eyes completely fell down.

"YOU! NOW YOU KNOW? JUST LIKE HER MOTHER, THAT YOUNG LADY WILL LEAVE YOU TOO!" It shouted again.

"I-i love Eli so much, and I will never do to your son what my m-mother did to you." I said breathlessly.

"STOP, PAPA! WE TRULY LOVE EACH OTHER." Eli shouted.

"Can you disobey me just for this girl? THAT'S A CHEATER'S DAUGHTER!" Then pulled the trigger of the gun.

I felt the bullet hit my chest, but what hurt even more was seeing my beloved Eli lying in front of me. My eyes gradually closed, and I eventually sank to his side.

–

I was woken up by a soothing voice and a cool hand caressing me.

"Valeria, my love!" His soft voice is like a melody to my ears.

"E–eli? H–how did–" He came to me and hugged me very tightly. "Yes, my love, we are now in the future. Nobody can harm us or forbid us from loving each other." My tears gradually fell from what he said.

"I love you, my Valeria!"
"I love you too, my Eli!"

After shooting the two, Eli's father picked up the book and read the brief note within. It is written here how the past and the future can be together. "If a person from the past who fell in love in the present but did not succeed is willing to sacrifice, two people who are close to him can be together by dedicating his life to the book." and this is exactly what Eli's father did for their love and happiness.

"Thank you, papa, for sacrificing yourself just to break the forbidden love for me and for us. I will cherish this forever." Eli murmured as the butterfly landed on his hand.

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