Life is not a movie.
People say that like it's supposed to mean something sad. Like it means there won't be happy endings or dramatic love confessions under the rain. Like it means everything beautiful has to disappear eventually.
But why?
Why does "life is not a movie" always sound like a warning?
It doesn't have to end in tears. It doesn't have to end in death. It doesn't have to be tragic just because it's real. Your life is not some whimsical musical disaster waiting to fall apart.
It can be quiet. It can be simple. It can be filled with small moments that don't look dramatic — but feel bigger than fireworks.
Your life can be filled with roses all year round. Red roses that smell of new beginnings, trials and errors. Above all, the sweet scent of love. A love that stays with you in those quiet moments. So even when it's hard, try to see the good hidden inside the bad. There is always someone who loves you.
"Joel, look, I found it," he quickly turns to me, holding it. "It was on your bed." He takes the hairspray from my hand. The smell hits my nose. It's familiar and comforting, making me feel warm for no reason at all.
"Does my hair look good?" He bends his head slightly. "Does it suit me this way? If not, help me fix it." He grabs my hand and places it on his head. "Can you check if my curls are okay?" His eyes meet mine.
"Some are usually curlier than others." I take a closer look at his hair. "Your hair is always perfect. You have long hair, and it's 3b." I pause. "It never looks bad. Especially when it's wet," I murmur. A slow smile appears on his face. "Hmm, Adah. Especially when what is wet?"
I feel my ears getting warm. "I'll be happy to show you my hair when it's wet, if that's what you like."
"I don't want to see your wet hair. It's cold outside, and we need to leave soon. Your shopping is our top priority."He lifts his head and goes to grab his jacket.
"Joel, you're not using the jacket you wore to church?" Mrs. Sali peeks at us from the kitchen into the hallway. "No, I wanted to match Adah." My head quickly turns to look at him, but he turns away.
"Ooh, we have two lovebirds here," David says, before getting nudged by Bae. "Don't bother them now. You wouldn't want them to act like that toward us once we become a couple."
"Yes, okay— what?!" We all stare at Bae. "What? You two aren't the only ones trying to get into a deeper relationship."
I look at Bae, and she smiles at me. I smile back."Joel, why are those two smiling at each other like that? Is it some secret girl thing? Can they communicate with a smile?" David whispers dramatically.
Joel looks at him with confusion. "Yeah, I think it's a form of communication. They usually look at each other like that at school."
"Joel, what are you whispering about over there?" Mrs. Sali asks, amused. "It's nothing, Mom. Me and Adah will be back before eleven."
"You'll be out for so long, how will you eat dinner? Should I give you some snacks?"Before he can refuse, I happily accept them.
Walking outside, I can feel him squirming beside me. "Joel, stop pouting and tell me what the problem is." He looks at me with a soft sadness in his eyes. "It's nothing. Let's just go."
The store smells like fresh fruit and cinnamon. I never knew men's clothing stores could smell this nice or look this classy. But it makes sense — they sell suits here.
A clerk welcomes us and shows us into a private fitting area with a sofa and a dressing room.
"How will you choose your clothes if we're in here?" I ask. "We'll bring outfits based on Joel's taste," the clerk explains gently. "Joel and his parents are regulars here. They usually buy suits for special occasions."
"Thank you for explaining." I smile, and the clerk leaves.I sit down on the sofa and immediately feel his gaze on me.
"Why are you staring at me?"
His focused eyes soften. "Because you're beautiful. And your smile is mesmerizing. I love it."
"Do you want to see more of it?" I tease, expecting him to brush it off. Instead, he takes my hands and slowly caresses them. "I know this isn't the most romantic moment," he says quietly. "And if you want, I can wait. I can say this somewhere prettier."
He takes a slow breath.
"But I don't want to wait anymore." My heart pounds. "Can I be your boyfriend?" His voice is steady, calm — certain.
Silence fills the room. "Can I be your one and only?" he continues. "I promise to cherish you. To take care of you. I'll be your safe place. The person you can run to when things get hard. I love you. And I don't want to pretend I don't. Please… give me a chance."
My heart, which was racing, suddenly feels still.
"I don't need a romantic setting," I say softly. "You're enough. This is more than I could ever wish for. So can you give me a chance to be your girlfriend? I'll do my best to make you feel secure and loved. Of course, with God's grace." Something shifts between us. The air feels lighter. Warmer.
He pulls me into a hug, rubbing his face against my neck as he exhales deeply.
"You're mine now," he whispers. "So you can't go back."
"I'd never go back," I whisper back. "This feeling is the best. Being in your arms feels like cloud nine."His arms tighten around me. He lifts his gaze. Our eyes meet—
A knock.
The clerk enters.
"These are some of the outfits we prepared… Is everything alright?" We immediately sit farther apart. "Yes, everything is fine," Joel answers, barely hiding his grin. "I'll go change," he says.
The clerk looks at me knowingly. "It's not what you think," I say quickly.
His grin widens. "Of course, dear customer. I'll be waiting outside. Take your time."
After a while, the curtain shifts. He steps out of the dressing room and onto the podium. The soft lights catch the sharp lines of his suit.
"Adah, what do you think?" He looks breathtaking. I cover my mouth, smiling. "You look handsome. Come closer and stop worrying about your hair."
"How can I stop worrying when you're looking at me like that?" I reach forward and grab his tie. His tie bar has his name engraved on it.
"Joel, your tie bar has—"
Our eyes meet. He places one knee on the sofa. His hands press against the backrest on either side of me. I'm suddenly surrounded by him.
"Am I that handsome that you need a closer look?" he whispers near my ear. I pull his tie slightly.
"You're not close enough. I need a better look."
"You're making me feel really good today," he murmurs.
Something about him feels different. More confident. More certain. Like he's grown in just a few minutes.
"I'll make your days full of happiness," he says quietly. "It will be Valentine's Day all year round. Every day will feel special. You've made my world colorful. I want to make yours bloom in ways you've never seen before."
Your life will be filled with peace.
A quiet, steady kind.
Speaking boldly about you
makes my heart tremble.
Every day will feel like a festival.
Fireworks cannot compare to your love.
Sparkling and brave
are my moments with you.
A love so gentle, yet powerful.
Not just for one day.
Not just for February.
With you, every day is sweet.
Every day is Valentine's Day.