IT'S A LOVE STORY

I was six years old when I started to appreciate and love watching and reading fairytales. I find it
really captivating and frolic, in fact, it made me dream and wish for my own prince charming.

A prince charming who can be my own knight and shining armor, who can fight for his love for
me. Fortunately, in my 16th birthday, I met Rome. He reached my standards which I thought that
only in fairytale movies exist.

Rome courted me for 2 years, and on his 19th birthday, I gave him my answer, an answer that
made him even happier on that day. Our relationship went fine, but just like in a fairytale, there
will always be a problem that would challenge our love and trust upon each other.

Rome introduced me to his family and relatives, and they're so glad for meeting such a person
like me. His family accepted me warmly and it didn't gave me a hard time pleasing them, in fact,
they are very welcoming. They made me feel that I'm already a part of their family.

But things end up oppositely on my parents' side. The next day, I decided to introduced Rome to
my family, just to be fair with what he did to me. But things didn't happen base on what we have
expected.

My parents disagreed with our relationship — they don't like Romeo for me, and the reason
was; he came from a poor family. His family doesn't have a place in the business industry unlike
my parents. Dad even told Rome that I deserve someone who can level our life status and it's
obviously not him who can't even make ends meet.

I felt really bad because of how my parents treated Rome.

Everything between us twisted. Rome's parents hated me and my whole family for what my
parents did to their son; they belittled him and slapped him the truth that he has nothing to offer.

Dad became hard to me. He prohibited me for seeing Rome, he even hired three men to look
after me and follow me wherever I go.

But I and Rome, tried everything to make things work. I disobeyed my parents rules and he, for
the first time, lied to his parents.

Every 12 midnight, I always find ways to sneak out from my room just to see him in our garden.

"Rome, hindi ka ba nahihirapan sa set up natin na ganito?" I asked, holding his hand while
sitting in a big rock.

He kissed my hand and smiled. "Hinding hindi. Basta mahalin ako, sapat na dahilan na 'yon
para ipaglaban ka." He said.
I smiled back. He cupped my face and closed the distance between our faces.

And in just a blink of an eye, under the moon and bright stars, his lips met mine.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!"

A deafening deep voice of a man invaded our ears. My heart pounded really heard the moment
I realized who's that voice was.

It was my dad.

"L-let me explain, s-sir.." Rome said, stuttering.

He slowly walk towards my father.

"Rome, don't.." I pleaded.

My dad can do anything just to get rid of him.

"I am not afraid to you, sir." He said, controlling his temper.

My dad grabbed a gun from his pocket and raised it towards Rome.

"I'm more afraid losing your daughter without fighting.." Rome continued.

"Dad, please no! Please!" I shouted from the top of my lungs.

"Tell him the truth, baby." My dad uttered, still holding a gun, pointed towards Rome.

I cried.

"Tell him or else!" Dad added.

"R-Rome..." I called.

Rome look back, his eyes are full of courage, pain and love.

I avoided every gaze he's throwing towards me.

"I don't love you.." I started, "It's all a game." I wiped my tears away and forced a smile.

"What are you saying?" He asked, his voice cracked.

"Leave, Rome. I need someone who can give me a life of a princess, I told you, I want to live
like a real princess like those princesses in a fairytale, and we all know, Rome. You ain't a prince
and will never be one." I said.

Tears are falling nonstop from his eyes and finally walked away.

My dad became the happiest man on earth while I was left alone, sorrowful.

Starting that night, I never saw Rome again even his family. Days, weeks, months, and years
later, I'm still hoping to see him again, I want to tell him that I lied that night, of course! It's a lie,
God knows how much I love him.

"You love him but you didn't fight for your love for him?" My friend asked.

That question broke my heart into pieces.

"Nag-focus ka kasi sa mga fairytale na pinapanood mo na ang prince lagi ang nag-fa-fught para
sa princess niya. Bes, in reality, hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon, lalake ang magliligtas, minsan,
tayong mga babae kailangan ding mag sakripisyo." She added.

I smiled, "I just did." I said, "I saved him. I saved him from my dad." I continued.

"Mas mabuti pang sumama ka nalang sa 'kin ng sa concert ni Taylor Swift." She happily said.

"Sure!"

It's been 3 years but I haven't moved on yet. I don't know if 'moving on' is still existing in my
vocabulary.

It hurts, still.

Colorful lights invaded the whole crowd, everyone's jumping in so much gaiety. Taylor's voice
together with the audiences shouts filled my ears.

The crowd became silent when the iconic song of Taylor already played.

"Romeo, save me,

I've been feeling so alone,
I keep waiting for you,
but you never come.
Is this in my head?
I don't know what to think.
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring,
And said.."
Me and my friend sang along. But suddenly the music stopped. A guy from nowhere suddenly
appeared on the stage.

My heart skipped a beat.

It's..

Him. Rome.

"Marry me Juliet,
You'll never have to be alone.
I love you and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress.."

He left the stage, slowly walking down through the audiences. The crowd went wild when he
grabbed a diamond ring from his pocket, and kneeled near me.

Tears are already forming from my eyes, and it finally fell down the moment he continued the
song.

"It's a love story baby just say 'Yes'"

I opened my mouth but nothing came out.

"YES!"

I shifted my gaze to my friend who's standing next to me.

"I love you, Juliette." He said.

Juliette.

That name slapped me back to reality.

"I love you, too, Rome." She replied.

The man that I didn't fight for is now in a battle with someone else.

"Rose, this is my boyfriend, Rome, I mean, my fiancée." She chuckled.

And I am Rose, the Rosaline in Rome and Juliette's love story.

-
Written by Jane Locheia
More stories here: https://bit.ly/41KXYY0

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the story and not intending to claim it. It all belongs to the rightful
author. Let all the credits and properties will be directed or placed to the rightful owner.

Credit* Seraphim