Elvin

While sorting through old belongings, Topher discovers a photograph of a young man named Elvin Silva, marked with a heartfelt message from his mother, Selena. Curious, he asks about Elvin, and Selena shares a story from her college years—a time of youthful romance, bittersweet memories, and a love that shaped her. As she reflects on the past, she reassures Topher that while first love leaves a mark, true love is the one that endures. In the warm glow of the autumn sunset, mother and son share a quiet moment, embracing both memory and the present.

“Elvin was my first love,” Selena admitted to Topher. “And first love never dies. He’ll always have a special place in my heart. He taught me what love truly is, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”

–Selena on Elvin, her first love.

Autumn afternoon at the Kennedys’ mansion. Dried leaves—brown, orange, yellow, and red—covered the trees, scattered on the ground, and fluttered through the air. The windowpanes gleamed with clear, shiny glass. Inside, Carlisle, the family butler, dressed in his formal tuxedo, carried a box of old, used items as he walked down the long hall. Nearby, Selena was sorting through a large pile of boxes—rows upon rows of them. Topher, in his bedroom, was doing his part in the cleanup.

While sorting items into boxes, Topher noticed a photograph that had fallen out. Curious, he picked it up and flipped it over. The image was of a young man with short, wavy black hair and dark eyes. He sat on a wooden bench, casually dressed, playing a guitar on the patio with the warm glow of the sunset behind him.

Topher turned the photo over again. It wasn’t blank—something was written in the lower-right corner: “Elvin Silva. October 16, 1994. The love of my life. – Selena.”

Who is this, Elvin? Topher wondered, his brows furrowing. This isn’t Dad. His curiosity got the better of him, and he left the room, hurrying down the hall.

Topher found his mother in the living room, still busy checking the boxes. “Mom, can I talk to you?”

“Of course, son,” Selena replied, setting down the items she was handling. “Let’s sit on the couch—it’ll be more comfortable.”

They settled onto the sofa in front of a glass coffee table adorned with a vase of flowers. The soft, furry brown carpet underfoot added to the cozy atmosphere.

“Mom, who is Elvin?” Topher asked directly, holding up the photograph. “He isn’t Dad, so why did you call him ‘the love of my life’?”

Selena glanced at the photo in her son’s hand, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You found this—it must be fate.” She sighed softly, her gaze turning distant as she began to reminisce.

“It was a long time ago,” Selena said, her voice growing gentle. “Back when I was in college. I left town to study in Metro Manila. I had passed the entrance exams for the Big Four universities—UP, Ateneo, La Salle, and UST. Your Lolo Al was so proud, but your Lola Emily was reluctant to see me go. It was the first time I’d be away from home, living in a dorm full of strangers in a big city. It was a completely new world for me. I stayed in an old house with other dormmates, and our landlady was a strict, middle-aged woman named Linda.”

“My father came with me to the city,” she continued, smiling at the memory. “I remember bringing a bayong, a woven bag, with a live chicken from our household. The other passengers on the bus were so confused!” Selena chuckled. “There were four boys and four girls in the dorm, but our landlady made sure the boys and girls had separate rooms. One of my dormmates was Elvin—a tall, lanky guy who often got teased by another dormmate, Renner, for being so thin that they called him ‘Lizard Man.’”

“Elvin was always on the patio, playing his guitar whenever I passed by. One day, I started receiving anonymous love letters. I had no idea who my secret admirer was until June, another dormmate, caught Elvin writing one and revealed his secret. I confronted him, and while he didn’t admit it outright, he didn’t deny it either. Instead, he invited me to hang out—subtly asking me out on dates. He wasn’t very smooth when it came to romance.” Selena laughed softly.

1995

Selena and Elvin went on several “hangouts,” which were essentially dates. Over time, they fell in love. They watched horror and action movies, ate at Shakey’s while listening to live bands, had picnics in Luneta Park, and spent time together at Ever Gotesco Mall in Recto. One day, Elvin introduced Selena to his family as his girlfriend, even though they hadn’t officially labeled their relationship yet. From that moment on, they became a couple, and Selena didn’t mind—she was deeply in love with him too.

But their happiness was short-lived. Elvin had been born with a congenital heart condition, which eventually caught up to him. He underwent long treatments—checkups, tests, medications, and later, frequent hospitalizations. Selena spent her days by his side in the hospital, caring for him. But despite their efforts, Elvin eventually succumbed to his illness. Selena mourned deeply during his wake and funeral, heartbroken by the loss of her first love.

The day of his burial was clear and bright. The sky was blue, and the wind blew gently through the trees that lined the cemetery. It was peaceful, almost serene. Only Selena and Elvin’s mother, Selya, were present as Selena stood by his grave, tears streaming down her face.

“Elvin was the youngest in our family,” Selya said softly, standing beside her. “We loved him dearly. It was a miracle he survived his condition during childhood, but he made it through high school and even to college. He would have made a great judge if he’d lived longer.”

Selena listened quietly as Selya continued. “His life grew brighter when he met you, Selena. You gave him love, and for that, I’ll never stop thanking you. You made him so happy. But now, you must let him go. Don’t drown in sadness because he’s gone. Be grateful for the time you had together and the memories you shared.”

Selya placed a comforting hand on Selena’s shoulder. “I would have been glad to call you my daughter,” she said with a warm smile before pulling Selena into a hug. “Thank you for standing by him—and us—until the very end.”

Present

“Elvin was my first love,” Selena admitted to Topher. “And first love never dies. He’ll always have a special place in my heart. He taught me what love truly is, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”

She paused, then smiled softly at her son. “But your father, Bill, is my one true great love. He gave me you, and nothing in the world made me happier than when I gave birth to you. Your father is my lifelong companion, my partner through everything.”

Topher nodded, understanding. “Thank you for sharing this with me, Mom.”

Selena embraced her son warmly. They sat together, mother and son, surrounded by the autumn leaves falling outside, as the orange sunset cast a golden glow across the horizon.