A Love That Mended Her Soul

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Louane always believed love could be her lead story—the narrative shaping every chapter of her life. Born a hopeless romantic, she dreamed of a partner who would support her through life’s chaos, even in life’s small struggles, like opening a stubborn pickle jar. At 20 years old, she viewed the world through a romantic lens, finding beauty in Toronto’s hidden cafés or quiet parks. As a journalism student, she imagined her own love story unfolding like the protagonists in her favourite rom-coms: busy reporters falling in love amidst deadlines. When she swiped right on Tinder and met Gustavo, a Mexican man with a warm smile, she couldn’t help but wonder if this could be her modern-day love story—her chance to meet her prince charming.

But her ex-boyfriend Fernando had shattered that dream. His cutting words and controlling nature diminished her once-vibrant spirit to something small and unrecognizable. On the way to her first date since their breakup, she wrestled with a harsh memory, hearing his voice whisper, “You’re too much to handle, Louane. Too dramatic, too needy, too much to love.” Despite her doubts, Louane stepped into the taqueria, her heart racing. As she took her first few steps inside, her breath caught—Te Encontré by El Vega played softly in the background. It had once been her song with Fernando, its lyrics a tender declaration of meeting a love meant to last. The memories hit her like a wave. A single tear slipped down her cheek before she quickly composed herself. Gustavo greeted her with a warm double-cheek kiss—a Latin American custom she instantly recognized from Fernando’s Peruvian roots. The gesture carried an unsettling familiarity, like a whisper from her past, tugging at memories she was trying to leave behind. Sensing the shift in her demeanour, Gustavo didn’t let the moment linger. Instead, he effortlessly redirected the conversation, bringing up her cats—a thoughtful detail he’d remembered from her Tinder profile.

Louane stumbled through her response, attempting Spanish with her three years of classes, fearing her French accent might invite the same harsh ridicule she had endured before.

“Yo tengo dos gatos,” she said hesitantly. (I have two cats.) Mango, el travieso (Mango, the troublemaker), y Jasmine, una gata reservada, como yo (and Jasmine, a reserved cat, like me).

Instead of mocking her attempts, as Fernando often did, Gustavo was so proud. After all, he had brought her to a vibrant Mexican restaurant to share his culture. Happy at her attempt, he replied in broken English,

“Ah, I am like Mango—a troublemaker!”

His warmth dissolved her nerves. For the first time in years, Louane felt silly instead of self-conscious. She laughed freely, no longer weighed down by the anxiety of saying the wrong thing. As the evening continued, Gustavo surprised her with small gestures Fernando had never offered. He insisted on paying for their meal, walked her home to keep her safe, and even gave her his jacket to keep her warm. She thought gentlemen didn’t exist anymore like they did in the movies, but his jacket warmed her body and heart up. Louane felt something she hadn’t in years: cared for. Louane smiled for the first time in weeks, though part of her still wondered if she could fully let her guard down.

The next day, Louane spilled the tea about the date to her friends over brunch, her face glowing with a smile they hadn’t seen in months. That night, as they celebrated at Joe’s bar, Louane’s drinks conflicted with her medication for her bladder condition. Dizzy and nauseous, she ended up in the emergency room. She drunkenly texted Gustavo, laughing about the situation, but to her surprise, he showed up with soup in hand, worried about her. 

“What a change,” she thought, comparing Gustavo’s kindness to Fernando’s dismissive indifference. Fernando never came to see her during her many hospital visits, often choosing video games over her. Yet Gustavo rushed to her side without hesitation, showing her what genuine care seemed like.

A few days later, recovering at home, Louane realized she’d emotionally moved on from Fernando but wiped her tears away from the lingering hurt Fernando, a man she once saw as her soulmate, had left behind in his mistreatment. Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, and she found Gustavo standing there, looking with concern, softening his expression.

  “I’ve been thinking about my ex,” she admitted hesitantly, expecting judgment or jealousy.

Instead, Gustavo smiled gently.

  “I’ve been there too. Relationships can hurt a lot. But if you could love the wrong person so much, imagínate cuánto amor puedes dar a la persona correcta.” (Imagine how much love you can give the right person.)

His words comforted Louane, making her feel seen and understood.

That evening, they walked hand in hand to Riverdale Park to watch the sunset. He even set the scene as a picnic date, he brought a blanket, a basket filled with champagne, cheese and meat, fruits, and dessert – not forgetting her sweet tooth. This one date was more romantic than her previous 10-month relationship with Fernando. As the sky turned shades of pink and orange, Louane felt a peace she hadn’t known in years. When Gustavo kissed her under the vibrant hues, she sensed herself finally letting go of the pain. For the first time, Fernando didn’t cross her mind—only the healing warmth of this moment. Their happiness, though profound, was bittersweet. Louane was preparing to leave for a five-month exchange program in Spain, and starting a long-distance relationship felt unrealistic. Louane reflected on what Gustavo had given her as she packed her bags. From the language exchange to their shared relationship pains, Gustavo healed a heart he didn’t break and reminded her that she was not too much to love. Her ability to feel so deeply—once seen as a flaw—had become her greatest strength. Like in El Vega’s Te Encontré, she met someone who helped her learn a love made to last: self-love. Gustavo had shown her she was worthy of love and capable of giving it again.

End note: I wrote this piece for my English Creative Writing class in the first semester of my third year of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University. This is a fiction/short story. It is inspired by true events but with name changes and a few fictional additions. Hope you enjoy the read! 🙂