Love’s Return

Chapter One: Under a Distant Sky

At the airport in the Philippines, Lisa nearly stopped in her tracks multiple times before reaching the boarding gate.Her mother’s eyes were brimming with tears, as if silently pleading, “Don’t go.”Her usually cheerful younger brother managed only a trembling “Take care, okay?”Her little sister, too young to grasp the situation, merely waved with innocent delight.

Lisa had chosen to work abroad for the sake of her family. Although she dreamed of attending a local university, her mother’s poor health and her siblings’ tuition costs took priority. While her friends talked about starting businesses or studying overseas, Lisa made the difficult decision to move to Italy instead.

“It’s going to be fine. I’ll be fine,”she told herself over and over as she boarded the plane. She looked out the window at her homeland, growing more distant by the second, a painful ache tugging at her heart.

Chapter Two: A New Land—Italy

Italy greeted Lisa with a landscape and a chill in the air completely unlike the Philippines. Through an agency back home, she had been placed at a small nursing care facility in northern Italy. Hired as a caregiver, she arrived barely able to speak more than basic Italian greetings.

Though the staff were kind, they were also extremely busy, leaving little time to help her acclimate. Instructions came in rapid-fire Italian—“Do it this way,” “Hurry up now”—and Lisa struggled to keep up by reading gestures and facial expressions. By the end of each shift, she was so drained that she fell into bed the moment she got home.

Still, she had to endure—for her family. Each time she felt her spirit about to break, she would recall her mother’s worried face telling her, “Don’t push yourself too hard,” and renew her resolve.

Chapter Three: An Encounter

Once she had settled into her work routine, one of the residents, Elena, remarked to Lisa,“You sometimes look very lonely. My grandson works abroad, and you remind me of him in a way.”

Though advanced in age, Elena spoke a little English. Encouraged by this opening, Lisa explained—stumbling between English and rudimentary Italian—that she had come from the Philippines to support her family. Elena listened intently, smiling gently.

Not long after, Elena’s grandson, Giulio, visited the facility. Tall, with warm brown hair and a kind expression, he greeted Lisa politely. Nervousness tied her tongue in knots at first, but Elena introduced her: “This is Lisa. She’s the one taking such good care of me.” Lisa managed a small smile and a bowed head.

Speaking fluent English, Giulio said, “Thank you for looking after my grandmother.” Lisa felt relief that she could at least communicate with him in English—a moment of solace in the midst of her unfamiliar world.

Chapter Four: Crossing Cultures

Giulio was a medical student who visited Elena every weekend. As Lisa encountered him more often, she found herself drawn to his gentle nature and mild-mannered warmth. For his part, Giulio was intrigued by Lisa’s hardworking spirit and radiant smile.

One weekend, Giulio asked her, “Would you like to go out for a meal sometime?” Lisa hesitated—she was uncertain, shy—but realized she wouldn’t learn much about Italy if she kept to her routine. So she accepted.

Their dinner together was a series of little shocks and revelations for Lisa: the al dente pasta, the rich sauces, the fragrant wine. Giulio’s cheerful stories about his family helped Lisa relax.

“My grandmother’s always been so lively,” he said. “I think your devoted care has a lot to do with keeping her happy. Thank you.”

Overcome with emotion, Lisa felt a lump in her throat. The loneliness and uncertainty she’d carried since leaving home ebbed just a bit in the warmth of his gratitude.

Chapter Five: Between Two Loves

As Lisa and Giulio’s bond deepened, he started teaching her Italian and even helped her find Filipino ingredients so she could cook food from home. Little by little, Lisa opened up, sharing stories of her family and the life she’d left behind in the Philippines.

Yet despite the blossoming happiness she felt around Giulio, her thoughts constantly returned to her family. How was her mother’s health? Were her brother and sister attending school without difficulty? The guilt gnawed at her—how could she be content here while her family struggled back home?

Then came a message from the Philippines: her mother’s condition had worsened, and she had been admitted to the hospital. Lisa immediately tried to arrange leave to fly home but was told by her supervisor that the facility was understaffed, making it nearly impossible for her to take time off.

Torn between her job, her family, and her growing connection to Giulio, Lisa found herself unable to sleep at night, the weight of her choices pressing down on her.

Chapter Six: A Sudden Turn

Late one evening, Lisa stared at her phone. On the screen was a message from her younger brother:“Sis, Mom needs surgery, but we’re short on money. What should we do?”

Lisa had already sent money recently, but hospital bills and living expenses far exceeded what she could manage. With only a small sum left in her bank account, she bit her lip in frustration, wishing desperately for a solution.

The next morning, Giulio approached her, clearly concerned.“You look upset. Is something wrong?”Though hesitant, Lisa decided that if she and Giulio were to be genuine partners in each other’s lives, she needed to be honest. She told him about her mother’s declining health and her financial troubles.

Giulio sighed, then looked at her steadily.“If it would help, I have some savings. I’d be happy to lend you what I can. You can pay me back whenever you’re able.”

Tears sprang to Lisa’s eyes. She had never imagined anyone would go to such lengths for her. “I can’t let you take that burden on,” she protested. Giulio shook his head firmly.

“If you’re in trouble, I want to help. Right now, let’s just focus on your mother.”

Lisa finally broke down, sobbing. His kindness and sincerity touched her more deeply than she could express.

Chapter Seven: Decision

Thanks to Giulio’s support, Lisa’s mother was able to undergo her operation. The news from the Philippines was encouraging: her condition stabilized, and her release from the hospital looked likely. Lisa nearly collapsed with relief upon hearing it.

At the same time, however, she realized she could no longer deny her longing to be with her family.Spending time with Giulio brought her joy, but she felt torn about staying in Italy. If her mother’s health took another turn for the worse, would she be able to rush home again?

Sensing her distress, Giulio asked Lisa to meet him one evening at the town’s church square.“Lisa, I treasure every moment we spend together,” he began. “I’d love for us to stay by each other’s side. But if you need to return to your family, I won’t stop you. I want you to choose whatever will make you happiest.”

His voice was calm, eyes warm against the deepening dusk. Looking into those eyes, Lisa felt a swirl of pain and comfort at once. She took a deep breath, preparing to make her choice.

Chapter Eight: The Road of Love

A few days later, Lisa found herself at the airport in Italy once again—but this time, she was waiting for a flight back to the Philippines.

“My mother will be so relieved. I just need to stay with her for a while,”Lisa told Giulio. He pressed her hands between his, smiling.

“I understand. And I promise you, I’ll come to the Philippines. I want to see where you come from, where your heart is.”

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal. They embraced tightly, their parting filled with tender sorrow. “Goodbye,” they whispered. “Until we meet again.”

Epilogue: Rediscovery

Moist, warm air greeted Lisa as she stepped out of a taxi in front of her family’s home in the Philippines. Her mother, looking healthier, came out to welcome her. Her brother and sister ran forward, shouting, “Lisa!” From within the house, she caught the savory aroma of stew, accompanied by the comforting sound of familiar voices.

“I’m home,”she whispered, hugging her family, tears spilling down her cheeks—tears of relief and love. Being abroad had shown her just how precious her home truly was and how deeply she loved her family.

Still, a wistful ache accompanied thoughts of Giulio, waiting on the other side of the world. She knew their cross-cultural love was real, even if they now lived apart.

One day, Giulio would visit the Philippines, and she daydreamed of all the places she would show him—places dear to her heart. Envisioning that future filled her with hope.

A gentle sense of peace surrounded her as she spent time with her family again. She held in her heart two profoundly important connections: the love of her family and the love she found in a faraway land. Through tears and joy, Lisa stepped forward into a new chapter, knowing that her love story was far from over.

— End —