Chapter 2: The Pressure of Love
The living room was warm with the soft glow of the floor lamp, the city outside bathed in the golden haze of streetlights. Linda and Mathilda sat cross-legged on the couch, wrapped in a soft, oversized blanket, each with a mug of cocoa steaming between their hands. There was something about the quiet hum of the evening that made hearts feel heavier, thoughts louder, and memories more vivid.
"Do you ever think about the past?" Mathilda asked suddenly, staring into her mug as if the dark liquid could answer all her questions.
Linda raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "The past? You mean… relationships?"
Mathilda nodded, a small, wistful smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah. I mean… we've both had our fair share of heartbreaks, haven't we?"
Linda sighed, a mix of amusement and resignation in her eyes. "Fair share is putting it lightly." She leaned back, letting herself sink into the cushions. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm the common denominator. Maybe I pick the wrong ones, or maybe…" She paused, biting her lower lip. "…maybe the timing's always off."
Mathilda nudged her playfully with her elbow. "Girl, don't start blaming yourself. That's a trap we all fall into."
Linda gave a small, ironic smile. "I know. But think about it… Chris, remember him? The one with the dimple that made my heart skip a beat? Thought he was perfect, charming, attentive. I actually believed he liked me for me. Then poof—ghosted. Just like that. No explanation, no goodbye."
Mathilda winced. "Oh, I remember. You cried for days over him."
Linda chuckled softly, a bitter edge in the laughter. "I did. And it wasn't just about losing him. It was about realizing that maybe I wasn't enough, or maybe love was… just complicated."
Mathilda's expression softened. "I get it. I really do. You know, I had my own heartbreaks too. Remember Daniel? He was sweet, funny, seemed so genuine. We spent months talking, texting, FaceTiming. I thought we had something special. And then… he left town for that so-called 'soul-searching trip.' Never called me back for weeks. I mean, who does that?"
Linda shook her head slowly. "It's the worst feeling, thinking someone cares and then realizing… maybe they never really did."
Mathilda's eyes glistened as she stared into her mug. "I thought love was supposed to feel right, not like a constant rollercoaster. You know?"
Linda nodded, reaching out to squeeze Mathilda's hand. "Yeah… I get it. I feel it too. It's like, every time I let someone in, I'm scared they'll just walk away. And maybe that fear keeps me from truly… trying."
Mathilda tilted her head, studying her friend. "Do you ever think about Valentine's Day?"
Linda blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Valentine's? All the time." She sighed, her voice quieter now. "I mean… every year it's the same. Couples everywhere, hearts, flowers, chocolates. And me? Sitting on my couch, hoping someone will notice me. Hoping someone will… want me."
Mathilda laughed softly, but there was a shadow in her smile. "Girl, I feel you. I've spent so many Valentine's alone, or on awkward dates that went nowhere. But this year… I don't want it to be like that. I don't want to joke about being single anymore. I want something real. Someone who makes my heart race, someone who cares enough to stay."
Linda's chest tightened. "Exactly. That's what I mean. I've tried to convince myself I'm fine alone, that love isn't important, that I don't need anyone. But deep down… I want it. And I want it now. Not someday. Not maybe. Now."
Mathilda nodded, her hand still resting over Linda's. "Then maybe… this Valentine's Day is our chance. To really try. To put ourselves out there."
Linda's eyes lit up. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Mathilda said confidently. "We've spent years being cautious, being scared, and letting life pass us by. But this year… no more. We're going after it. Love. Real love. Before Valentine's."
The room fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment, broken only by the soft clinking of mugs against the coffee table. Both women stared into the steaming cocoa, lost in their own thoughts, remembering past crushes, heartbreaks, and missed opportunities.
"Do you remember Malik?" Linda asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "From college? He was sweet, smart, always made me laugh. I liked him, maybe more than I should have. But he ended up with someone else."
Mathilda groaned. "Oh, don't remind me. I had a thing for him too. He had that smile that could melt your heart." She shook her head. "And here we are, years later, still single, still hoping. What is it with men, huh?"
Linda chuckled. "I don't know. Maybe we're too picky."
Mathilda laughed loudly. "Too picky? We're realistic! We don't want just anyone. We want someone who fits us, who sees us, who actually… cares."
Linda nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "And that's what makes it hard. Because most of the time, people just don't see you. They see what they want, what's convenient, or what looks good on paper. But love… real love… that's rare. And worth waiting for."
Mathilda's eyes softened, her voice quieter now. "I used to think love was easy, like in the movies. You know… instant connection, grand gestures, happily ever after. But now I realize… it's messy. It's complicated. It hurts sometimes. But maybe, just maybe, it's worth the risk."
Linda reached for Mathilda's hand again, squeezing it tightly. "It is. And we'll take the risk together. No more waiting for fate to decide. We're in charge this time. We're going to find love before Valentine's Day, even if it means putting ourselves out there, being vulnerable, or making mistakes."
Mathilda grinned, a spark of excitement lighting her face. "Deal. Let's make a pact. No backing down. No excuses. We're going to try everything, do everything, and leave nothing to chance."
Linda smiled, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "Deal. This year, Valentine's Day won't catch us single. Not us. Not after everything we've been through."
They leaned back into the couch, the weight of their confessions lifted, replaced by a sense of hope and determination. For the first time in a long time, both felt that maybe, just maybe, love wasn't as far away as it seemed.
Hours passed as they talked, sharing stories about past crushes, failed dates, and the ridiculousness of modern dating. Mathilda recounted awkward encounters with online matches, blind dates that ended in disaster, and the occasional funny moments that made her laugh despite the disappointment. Linda shared her experiences too—the quiet heartbreaks, fleeting flings, and moments of loneliness she often hid behind a confident exterior.
By the time they finally set their mugs down, both felt lighter, as if unburdening themselves had opened a door to possibility. They knew Valentine's Day was approaching fast, and with it, the pressure to find love—but for the first time, they felt ready.
Love wasn't just a dream anymore. It was a mission. And they were ready to chase it—together.