The Mango Tree and the City Lights

Living in a world of rustling leaves and the sweet smell of Jasmin blossoms Anne, with sun tanned skin and ripe mango colored hair. Her life was an orchestration of the rhythms of nature — the coconut palms swaying, birds playfully chirping and river softly murmuring through the village.

Adrian, however, was a city critter. He was engulfed in a swirl of car horns, neon, and humanity's nonstop heartbeat. As a true city boy, he possessed a sharp tongue, a seductive smile, and an urge for things outside the harsh confines of the city.

It all started when their paths collided at summer camp: a serendipitous encounter that sparked an instant whirlwind of romance. Adrian was charmed by the unassuming sweetness and warmth of Anne; she, by the exuberant nature and quick wit of Adrian. Yet soon their amour would be put to the challenge of long-distance. The summer was over, the fish had long since gone, and miles of Philippine archipelago separated them now. Anne left the bush and went back to her village, in the safety of her mango tree that witnessed all night long about where she wanted to go. Adrian returned to Manila, his city lights reminding him constantly of the girl he left with.

Their love story was a tapestry made up of phone calls that lasted into 2 am, secrets whispered to each other as the night slowly danced by and the longing, oh how it stung. Each night, they'd talk for hours, carrying their words on the breeze as a makeshift bridge between them both and the silence of their separate lives.

Anne about the mango tree brimming with fruit, as an emblem of their love together and stream lined intentions. He would draw Adrian the Bright, the city lights, the markets overflow his streets all illustrated in vibrant colour and that limitless land of Adrian. Their love would transcend the miles and they could speak to each other about their firm when no one else would understand.

They built long-distance bonds. They would ship back and forth care packages filled with keepsakes of memories past: a tiny wooden carving of a carabao from Anne, a vintage record of her favorite band from Adrian. And they left voice notes, because there was no space between their voices and how people comfortingly filled each other’s rears.

But it wasn't always simple; There were gloomy days where the void of distance was just too much to bear. They would fight, yelling across the emptiness of their own rooms, so many miles away in person but never in spirit. At times, the seeds of doubt took root in their minds, planting insidious doubts about whether or not their love would last. The taller question was could they survive the distance? Would it withstand both time and distance?

And then they would remember the light that set them burning, the same feeling of touch through distances. Be thinking of the laughter, the dreams in common and all their promises. But they would find solace in each other, in their love, believing that their tale was worth preserving.

Adrian's call had brought incredible news, a turning point in their relationship. His voice brimming with excitement, he told Anne he'd secured a job in her province. Finally, they would be close after all the time spent apart.

Joy overwhelmed Anne, her heart leaping at the thought of a future shared side by side. Their love had been tested by the distance between them, but it had only grown stronger and more resilient. The challenges had deepened their appreciation for each other, teaching them to treasure every shared moment and find meaning in their time apart.

Now, as Anne anticipated Adrian’s arrival, she knew their journey was just beginning. The distance was no longer a barrier, and their love stood as proof of the strength of connection that reaches beyond time and space.

Outside, the mango tree swayed gently, its branches heavy with promise. The future ahead glimmered with laughter, warmth, and the delicate scent of jasmine in bloom.

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