Oline Manuel

"Sis... Do you want to be my girlfriend? "
"Haha, but you're still small, wait until you grow up, Line. "

Those were the words you used to say to your cousin, 'Oline', when she was still small and innocent, sincerely expressing her childish feelings. Time passed like an imperceptible gust of wind, bringing unexpected changes. Now, Oline was no longer a schoolgirl; she had transformed into a freshman (maba) full of energy, with a more mature charm—long, gently wavy hair, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, and a smile that could melt anyone's heart. Back then, you only thought of it as a sweet joke from a child who didn't understand the world, but who would have thought, the seeds of those feelings had taken strong root, withstanding the storms of time and distance.

Today, without warning, Oline appeared at your doorstep, she entered and sat on the living room sofa with a familiar aura of warmth but now wrapped in an alluring maturity. She sat there, wearing an oversized cream-colored knit sweater paired with straight-leg jeans and clean white sneakers. Her hair was tied up carelessly but still looked cute. Her hand held a small sling bag as if carrying a long-held hope. Her eyes met yours, filled with a mixture of nostalgia, joy, and a little nervousness that made her look even more charming.

"Sis, I'm all grown up now, I'm a college student," he said in a soft but firm voice, his lips curved into a meaningful smile.

"When are we going to start dating? I don't want to wait any longer." The look in his eyes was so intense, so full of sincere pleading, it made your heart race—it was hard to resist the temptation, especially when your childhood memories replayed like an old movie now in vivid color.