Nicole… she has been my life since elementary. With all the years we've been together from college to working, I never thought the day would come when I'd make such a confession. She was quiet at first but when she was with her friends, she was the most naughty. Beautiful, white, with elegance, and I never tire of looking at her face. Many were obsessed with her, many tried to woo her. But in all that… I was not the one chosen.
Why? Maybe because I'm not handsome, I'm not rich, and I have nothing to give her but my love. I also couldn't tell her how I felt. I was afraid that if she found out, she might walk away forever. So even though it hurt, I hid it. In my heart, I hoped that if we were really meant for each other, destiny itself would make a way.
Nicole only had three boyfriends during our friendship. I first met Alfred, and I can say, that was the first time I felt intense jealousy. I saw her happy, holding hands, and leaning on another man's shoulder. It was like cold water had been poured on me. But I smiled, shook his hand, and joked that she was so lucky. I didn't show that inside, I was so crushed.
When they broke up, I was the first to arrive. She was crying, drunk, and barely able to speak. I hugged her tightly, shedding tears to share her pain. The same thing happened when she had a second boyfriend, Alex. She cried again, and again, I was there.
Until Paulo arrived. He was kind, respectful, and I could see in Nicole's eyes that he was the one. And yes, I was right — they ended up getting married. She even chose me as Best Man. Imagine, I was there by her side on the day that would have been my biggest dream, but the groom was different. While she smiled at the altar, I, on the other hand, hid the pain in my heart.
A few years later, Nicole texted me. She asked for help because her husband had bone cancer. She wanted to go with me to China to find herbal medicine. But at that time, I was filled with anger and sadness. I told her, “Nicole, I want to have a life of my own. I’m tired of loving you in secret.”
He got angry. He slapped me, called me a useless friend. But even so, behind everything, I still did what I could. With the help of other friends, I became a donor for his wife. Paulo's surgery was successful, but not mine. I had complications. I didn't tell him.
One day at the hospital, Nicole arrived with her friends. She held me, crying, and said, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me that you’ve loved me for so long? I’ve been waiting for you for so long. I love you too!”
It was then that I realized that if I had just told you then, we might have been together. But it was too late. My body was weak. I caressed her cheek, wiped her tears, and whispered, “You are the only woman I have loved in my entire life… until the end, only you.”
In the last moments of my life, I looked back on all the memories — the laughter, the teasing, and the simple moments we shared. If I had one wish from God, it would be just one more day to be with him. But He had other plans.
We weren't meant to be together... but I was meant to love her forever. And for me, that's the greatest love I can give.
