II

***

“CONGRATULATIONS to the newlywed...for the second time!” Everyone at the reception laughed. "Let us cheer for Mr. and Mrs. Trinidad!” They raised their wine glasses together as if giving a blessing to the newlywed.

Today's the second wedding of her co-writer and friend, Lyra. Well, this is a surprise wedding for Lyra that her husband organized. And, of course, with their help! It was like a renewal of their vow. It's also a celebration of Lyra's victory in beating cancer.

Everyone was surprised when Lyra suddenly screamed because her husband lifted her. On the stage, Sir Jhezz was visible with so much joy. Then he ran to the microphone and gave everyone a piece of happy news.

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Lord! We're pregnant!” He is beyond cloud 9. Happiness was visible on his face. And with the good news, the guests once again congratulated them.

The satisfaction, contentment, happiness, and love are visible on the couple’s faces. She's also happy for them, after all these years and all the struggles they've been through. This is excellent news and a gift for the couple!

Will his reaction be the same? She asked herself.

She couldn't help but have a bitter taste in her mouth. She knows what it is called. She wanted to scold herself for feeling that way. But she just smiled and let herself be swallowed with sadness.

She thought she was already numb to this kind of situation, but her heart still ached.

In the middle of the happy crowd, she made her way to the bar counter. Infinity ordered 2 shots of Tequila. She should celebrate on behalf of her friend! She is trying to convince herself while drowning in alcohol.

But in reality, she is drowning. Memories. In that way, she hoped her heart might get numb, even just a little bit.

She's on her 6th shot when someone speaks beside her.

"You're drowning yourself in alcohol not because you are celebrating. You are mourning. Care to tell me why?”

She’s ready to bring hell on, whoever, even if he is the Poncios Pilate, who tried to stop her from drinking and interfered with her decisions in life

“What the—“ The alcohol left her system when she saw who was the one who tried to stop her.

"Why? Mesmerized by my charm?” Then he smiled at her. Showing his million-dollar smile.

She still couldn't speak.

"H-Hey miss! Do I have dirt on my face?” He is wondering why she’s still not moving and just staring.

That’s when she woke up from her mini-daydreaming, and her eyes are now blurry because of her own tears. She simply looks down and wipes her tears, before composing herself to face him once again.

"N-Nothing." She turned her gaze to somewhere else. Her gaze doesn’t leave the shot glass, but Infinity could feel the stare the man is giving her.

Minutes feel like hours. The man she doesn’t know is still looking at her. When someone is sitting on her other side left, he is the one who replaces the seat.

She is still looking at her 7th shot of tequila. Infinity is trying to create a pattern on the tequila just to avoid the gaze this man is giving her.

"You're not here to celebrate," he said with so much finality. He is also accusing her based on his tone.

"How did you know?" She unconsciously answered. Their eyes met, and she couldn’t help but be mesmerized by his brown eyes. Those beautiful eyes are bringing her into a different dimension.

"You're drinking too much." He answered confidently. "Now tell me, are you one of Jhezz's past relationships?”

The shock was an understatement when she heard what he said. Infinity looks at him as if he has another head. Moments later, she burst out laughing. That caught the attention of some of the guests.

“Me and Sir Jhezz?” Her voice is full of amusement.

He shrugged his shoulders before answering. "You're drowning yourself in alcohol not because you are celebrating. But because you're sad. You are in pain."

The guy stopped speaking for a moment when the bartender placed his order. As someone who suddenly appeared, what he said were the words she had been longing to hear for a long time. Someone observant enough to see her pain. Now, she finds it hard to keep her tears from falling.

"I don't want you to feel scared or feel weird about me especially since we just met, but… the moment I saw you, sad and drinking alone. There is something inside me that is also sad for you." He sighed. It seems that he is having a hard time explaining his feelings.

"I felt something inside me that I can't explain the moment I saw you."

She wanted to cry from the pain she was feeling inside. It has been years. She has been tired and hurt for more than years. If she can just control what she should feel, she will stop the pain right away.

It’s difficult. It's very difficult.

"Forget it!" He said as if he was disgusted with himself.

His ears are red.

She suddenly laughed at his act. He's like a little boy caught in an awkward situation.

Some of the guests are already looking at them weirdly. Even the person next to her seemed to be confused by what they were talking about. One moment they are laughing, and seconds later they are seriously talking. People around them may think they are going crazy.

"Miss, are you okay? Are you drunk already?" He asked again.

It took her a couple of exhales to compose herself before answering him.

"S-Sorry, I don't want to offend you but...but I remember someone who looks like you. He is so dear to me. There's no second in my life that I didn't miss him. And I just never thought these things would happen.”

He frowned at what she said.

"Where is he?" He curiously asks.

She swallowed another tear that was about to fall. Save enough courage to tell him a story she longed to bury and forget.

"He…He's dead."

His face suddenly changed.

"I-I'm sorry."

"It was almost 5 years ago. I could still feel the pain.” She exhaled. “But I can manage."

He didn’t move. He just looks at her, but his thoughts are somewhere.

"What's wrong?" She asked to get his attention, and then he looked at her with those weary eyes.

"I don't know, but when I heard your story my chest got heavier." He looked at her intently. "Tell me, have we met before?"

She breaks their eye contact.

"N-No. We just met here."

His gaze still stays on her. It seems that he doesn’t believe her.

"Why? Do I have dirt on my face?" She asked her without taking her eyes off him.

"N-Nothing." Then he looked back at the drink he ordered. He is not speaking, he is in deep thoughts, and those thoughts are swallowing him whole.

She's about to stand and leave when he suddenly speaks.

"W-What's your name?" He asks without looking at her.

She couldn’t stop giggling at the thought that a mature man was in front of her, wearing a dashing and expensive maroon coat and tie, and yet he was shy by just asking her name.

She extended her hand in front of him before answering.

"My name's Infinity Ramos. I'm Lrya's co-writer at The Journal."

He reached out his hand and shook her hands. A huge voltage of electricity went through her body the moment their hands met. And she bet the man in front of her also felt the electricity.

"Paolo Santos, I'm one of the groom’s friends. It's so nice to meet you, Infinity. You have such a unique name."

She just smiled at him while their hands were still connected. She wanted to stay long, but she stopped herself. She doesn't want to do things she will definitely regret later.

"It was also nice knowing you, Paolo."

***

SHE can't help but feel happy and light that night and the days after.

His co-workers at The Journal also noticed the change. Some of the time she is also smiling alone. Pipay and Robin had already talked to her and said that it was creepy to see her smiling alone.

Pipay even called her crazy, but she just ignored it.

She's happy. She is so happy that she feels no one could ruin her mood. In fact, she couldn't even write again because he felt so happy.

Some of the writers are conditioning themselves before writing certain scenes. What will happen next in Tears in Heaven is the turning point of the story. It is a heavy scene and needs emotions she can’t fantom now that she is feeling light and great.

But after 3 days, she is back to her usual self.

She was busy roaming on some things in her drawer at home when she saw something. It's a ring. It is a simple band, an inexpensive ring from a boutique in a mall. It is actually cheap-looking.

But the physical appearance of the ring has nothing to do with what it symbolizes. The ring symbolizes their eternal love and promises to be together. To be specific, it was their wedding ring. 

That's when she realized something. Reality slaps her so hard that it reminds her of the things she can't change.