Chapter 8

Chapter 8

We are two lonely people trapped in a loveless marriage where we come second to the people we love. That is why if we have a chance like this, we come first. But, shit happened. This time as long as I want to be with her, I cannot. I am afraid I can’t protect her this time.

                She was trembling.

                 “We will figure this out, okay. I’m just here. I may not be with you along the way, but I’m just a call away. I’ll be there, I promise.” I hold her hand, hoping that I could calm her. But, Maria gripped her mobile phone as if she was conveying her frustration, anger, and negative emotions through the flawed gadget.

    I let out a heavy sigh and decided to snatch her phone from her grip. She was about to protest, but I’m giving her a stop-right-there look. Immediately I swipe up and punch in her password. I see how her eyes lit with discomfort, but I give her a small smile.

    We’re still here on the sofa. Maria wanted to travel back home, but I stopped her; I rented a car when we got here yesterday. For emergency purposes, just like today. It’s raining hard, and we need a ride. I can’t just let her go like this, walk under the heavy rain with a heavy heart. I just can’t.

    When I hit the message button on her phone, I scroll past Maria’s most recent text to those before it. They’re all from Mathew, her husband. I read them in order, starting from the earliest, and anger flash through me. I feel the tension all over the room.

    ‘Where are you?’

    ‘Please, answer your phone.’

    ‘I keep on calling at the store, but they say that you are not there.’

    ‘Please tell me,’

    ‘Damn! Why woman? Why you always do this to me?’

    ‘Am I not enough for you?’

    ‘Why this time? Damn!’

    ‘Why you can’t choose me?’

    ‘I love you so much, Maria. But damn, it hurts like hell!’

    ‘You're in Cebu. You're with that asshole again! Fuck it, Maria! If I didn't see your fucking face right here, right now. I swear to God. I'm going to kill that lover of yours!'

    'Fuck you bitch!'

    'You and your so good lover are busted. I'm going to fucking kill you bitch! Can't wait to fucking see you!'

    'You're good for nothing, whore!'

    'I'll kill you!'

    My muscle clenches up in anger, and I give Maria her phone. The more that I browse, my rage is building higher than an Everest mountain. I'm eager to text him back, but Maria doesn't need more fuel to add. Everything is on fire right now, we're burning, and we need to be rational. I shook my head, and I can't believe that I read that kind of message.

    "He's a psycho." I snapped.

    "I know," Maria agreed. Then she leaned on my shoulders, and I hold her hand.

    "Daddy!" Thomas shouted in the kitchen, and Maria gently pushes me away from her.  "I'm finished. Will you give me some water, please?" Thomas added.

    "Wait for a second, baby," I shouted back before I could stand up and attend to my son. Maria holds my wrist, and her eyes were begging.

    "I need to go, Seb. I need to face him. This thing is a serious matter, and I need to face my husband’s rage." she said.

    "Give me a second. I'm waiting for the babysitter Thoma's stay here. The weather is terrible, and he can't be with us." I said. And gently pat her shoulder.

    "You don't have to do that. I'm j-just fine," even Maria's voice betrayed her.

    "I wanted you to be safe, so just let me, okay?" I give her a quick yet loving kiss on her lips. And stand up walked into the kitchen. I found my son trying to go down from his chair.

   I pat his shoulder. And as I was about to grab the glass nearby and give it to Thomas, when the doorbell rang. I looked at my son and nodded.

    "Stay here, don't do anything. You can't reach the pitcher; wait for me," I demanded.

    "Yes, daddy." He replied.

    I walked out of the kitchen; I saw Maria in the living room, and she's in her world walking back and forth. I presume she didn't even notice that someone is outside the door.

    I opened the door, and a middle-aged woman with a bright smile came into my sight. She has black curly hair with narrow eyes, a prominent nose, and she's slightly overweight but in an attractive way. And she's holding a big red umbrella.

    "Hello, Mr. Fernan. I'm Dalia, the part-time babysitter," she said with a wide smile.

    "Hi, Dalia. I'm glad that you came even it's raining hard. Come, come on in." And I opened the door widely, and she came in.

    "No worries, Mr. Fernan. It's my job,"

    "Thank you, by the way," I politely said. And I lead the way to the living room while giving her instructions on how to take good care of Thomas. I even give her Angela's number in case of emergency. I assume she has my number now. We talked already over the phone.

    "That's all," I said. I am hoping that Dalia mentally notes everything.

    "Don't worry; I'll take good care of your son, Mr. Fernan,"

    I will be glad if she will. I lead her to the kitchen, where we found Thomas holding a pitcher. My instinct kicked in. I carry the pitcher with my right hand and Thomas's hands on my left hand.

    "Oh, Thomas, what did I tell you?" I nag at him.

    "Sorry, Daddy. But I'm thirsty," he protested. I pour her glasses.

    "Dad, who is she?" Thomas said, looking at Dalia.

    "Oh, I almost forget," I said and introduced Thomas to Dalia with a big smile. "This is Dalia. She's your babysitter just for today. I need to Drive your Aunt Maria to the hotel and the airport we can't take you with us. It's raining hard." I said, and path Thomas head I looked at Dalia. "This is Thomas; please take good care of him. We will be leaving, sweetie. Be a good boy, okay?" Thomas politely nods, and I kiss him goodbye.

    I leave the two in the kitchen. I heard how Thomas bombard Dalia with questions. I grab the key and pat Maria's shoulder. She's now wearing her clothes from yesterday. I already introduced her to Dahlia, "Let's go,"

    "Yeah, let's go. I'll kiss Thomas goodbye," then she goes to the kitchen. I already hear their goodbye.

    As we hit the road with heavy raindrops, all that I could see was a thick fog. My left hand is on the steering wheel, and my right hand is holding into Maria's hand. I felt how icy cold her hand is. I squeeze it sending love wishing it would calm her down.

    "It's okay; if things got out of hand. Divorce Mathew and be with me,"

    She looks at me with a severe stare. "I believed that I didn't hear what you're saying. You can't do that to Angela. Yes, we cheated on her, but Angela still my good friend. Satan will welcome me wide, arms open when I die. I stab my friend, and it's not acceptable." Maria said with a devastating voice.

    "But, I love you. You know that, right? Yes, we made a mistake. It well hunts me forever, but you give me light when no one was around. You give me hope when I needed hope. And I'll leave Angela if things got worst to be with you," I demand.

    Her eyes glow with hope, but at the same time, I saw how she shook her head, and she sends me a disappointed look. "Yes, I did wish and hoping that you are my husband. But not like this, Seb. Not like this; we wait and see what the future hold to our destiny. I love you, but my soul was in hell already, and I'm facing one of the damage right now. And I didn't wish to face another one right now." She said with a surrender voice.

    I can't help to let go of her hand and hold the steering wheel tightly. Why can't she choose me and be with me? Why is it hard for them to pick me if my love is not enough?   

    My mind was clouded, and I didn't notice that the car behind us was trying to overtake. But I was driving fast and as the white van attempted to overtake again, but because of the heavy rain and slippery road the driver of the van, and I didn't expect the following horrible things that happened next.

    Maria sees it coming, and she was screaming. I'm trying to control the steering wheel, but I’m starting to lose hope because of the slippery road. I was driving so fast the whole thing was so quick, like a blink of an eye. Everything is in blurry until I felt the heavy force—a collision between the car and the giant tree. After that, Everything is blurry; and all that I could see was blood and glass fragments.

    I couldn't move my body. I tried to reach Maria everything was numb. I see that she's bathing with her blood. The cuts are now painted Maria's white clothes with the color red. I see the visible cut all over her shoulder and some on her face. She receives the ample amount of damage as I do.

    "N-no!" I tried to talk, but all that I could hear was the harsh sound of my voice.

    My head was spinning, and darkness was eating me. I was so tired and finally succumbed to the night.

    My eyelids are slowly shutting down.

    And I didn't know what happened next.