Love In The Time Of Nostalgia

"Will you start packing, or are you going to just sit there and press your phone?" asked Emily.

"I'm done. Just waiting for you," replied Caroline.

"It's Christmas, Caroline, and we're celebrating at your family's house. You will need enough clothes to visit relatives."

"No, Emily, it's my family's house, which means I have more than enough clothes boxed up there to visit relatives," snapped Caroline. Then she stood up and grabbed her handbag.

"You know what, meet me outside when you're done," she said and walked out of the sitting room.

Source
Emily hurried to pack for both of them; she knew most of the clothes Caroline had back then weren't the type she loved now. Her fashion sense changed two years ago after a heartbreak.

When she stepped out, she met Caroline just by the door.
"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry I shouted at you. I'm not feeling too well; I guess it's my period."
"I know, baby. We've been together for almost two years now, so I understand you," said Emily.
"Are you sure?" She pouted.
"C'mon, Caroline, we're going to be late if we continue like this," said Emily.

They were chatty throughout the journey; they talked about their childhood when they were just friends, and they talked about Caroline's ex.

"I stopped loving him a long time ago. It wasn't easy, but I've moved on," Caroline said.
"I believe you, Care, only that whenever you talk about him, your eyes tell me otherwise," said Emily with a frown.

"Then let's change the topic. Let's talk about us; you know you make me happy, Emily," she said as she leaned her head on Emily's shoulder.

When they arrived at the family's house, everywhere was well decorated with the colors of the season, lots of balloons, ribbons, Christmas trees, and twinkle lights.
There were up to five cars packed at the open garage.
"Awesome. It seems all your relatives have beaten us to it," said Emily with a chuckle.

As they entered the house, they were greeted with a chorus of merry Christmas and warm welcomes. Caroline's grandmother, a petite woman with a kind face, enveloped her in a tight hug.
"My dear, it's so wonderful to see you! You both look more beautiful than ever."
The nephews and cousins swarmed around Caroline.
Then came her parents with more hugs and compliments.
It's been two years since she came home for Christmas, and everything still looks the same.

As they made their way through the throng of relatives, Caroline's eyes suddenly locked onto a familiar figure – Emma, her ex-boyfriend. He was standing by the Christmas tree, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.
"Merry Christmas, Caroline" he said.

Caroline's eyes narrowed. She wanted to ask him what he's doing here but suddenly remembered that his parents are family friends. He always comes for Christmas, but appearing here after their breakup is selfish. This is the first meeting after their breakup, things are still awkward between them. Emily, sensing her tension, slipped a reassuring arm around her waist and walked her to the bedroom.

Source
When dinner was ready, the family gathered around the long table, laden with an array of delicious dishes. Caroline stood up to serve everyone. She was a bit clumsy, trying to avoid eye contact with Emma, who seemed to be in awe of how beautiful she had grown in two years. He also noticed how differently she's dressed and wondered what happened to the long skirts and turban she used to wear.
As Caroline's eyes finally met his, he felt his heart skip a beat. His stomach twisted with a familiar ache.
"Caroline...I just hope you're feeling the same way." he muttered under his breath.

Emily noticed her girlfriend's actions and nudged her from under the table.
"Care," she whispered, her eyes flashing with jealousy. The familiar lovelorn look in her eyes had returned, and that scared Emily.
Caroline stood up and excused herself to the kitchen, followed closely by Emily.
"You still love him, don't you?" Emily asked, her voice low and concerned.

"No, I don't," Caroline replied.

"Then how do you explain what just happened out there? You two were practically drooling over each other. Do you think no one noticed?" Emily pressed, her eyes narrowing.

"I'm sorry, Emily. It's just that Emma and I...this is where he asked me out, on a Christmas day just like this. Seeing him again, I think I still feel something for him," said Caroline, pacing the kitchen in confusion.

Emily's expression turned stern. She couldn't believe her ears.
"No, Care. You're being swept away by nostalgia because this is where we grew up. I saw you sniffing at your old clothes in the cupboard before dinner. Caroline, please..."

"That's the point, Emily. This is where my life began. This place is filled with memories, and it's overwhelming. Look at me, I couldn't even breathe when he looked at me. I buried all my feelings for him, but right now, I think it's consuming me."

Emily's voice turned cold. "Care, there's us now. You have to let go. What you're feeling is not real. Don't be stupid, please."

"Really?" Caroline's eyes flashed with tears.
"You're calling this stupid? Aren't we the ones being stupid? We're together in secret, we can't even let our families know because they might not accept it. Aren't we stupid to nurture something that might not work out?"

---

Tears streamed down both their faces as the weight of her words hung in the air. Emily began to shiver in fear, she took hold of Caroline's hands and looked her in the eyes.
"We love each other, Caroline. That is what matters. That guy stopped loving you two years ago..."
"I never stopped loving her," said Emma, his voice low and husky as he walked into the kitchen,
"And from what I overheard, she still loves me. She only stopped responding to my texts." He said directly to Emily.

Emily's eyes searched Caroline's face for an explanation, but Caroline looked away.
"I'm sorry, Emily," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emily tried to control the tears that had begun to form in her eyes. She realized that Caroline had never truly loved her; she had only accepted her as a means of escape from Emma. A feeling of sadness mixed with hatred surged in her heart.
Caroline was her childhood friend; she should have let the relationship remain at that. Now, two years of lies.
She turned to plead with Caroline, but was met with a devastating sight: the two were embracing each other; Caroline felt so safe, so relaxed, like she had missed all the comfort a man could give a woman.

The tears she had tried to suppress began to stream down her face. She rushed back to the dining room, grabbed her handbag, and smiled weakly as she bid goodbye to Caroline's relatives, citing the excuse that she needed to pick up her brother from the airport.

"I've hurt Emily too deeply, do you think she'll ever forgive me?" Caroline asked, her voice laced with regret, as she held onto Emma's hands.
"I'm sorry about what's happening. I believe Emily will forgive you. She's always been forgiving, especially when it comes to you," Emma said with a gentle smile.
"Remember when you hid her favorite teddy bear when we were kids?" Emma's eyes sparkled with mirth, and Caroline couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, she didn't talk to me for two weeks, and she cried when I didn't show up early on her birthday," Caroline said, a mix of sadness and nostalgia washing over her.
"I hope she forgives me this time." She sighed, her eyes welling up with tears.

As they stood there, hands entwined, Emma pulled Caroline into a warm embrace.
"We'll face whatever comes next together, okay?" he whispered. Caroline nodded, feeling a sense of hope wash over her. Though she knew she still had a long way to go to make things right with Emily, she was grateful to have Emma by her side.