ARLENE MARIELLA's POV
"The moment Stewart introduced Ciara to us. I was so mad inside me, he had you that time, I knew you both didn't break. I was so shocked seeing him with another girl, I wanted to slap him so hard for doing those shits, but all that I did was to accept the girl, and pretend that everything is alright. You, Stewart, and her were still young. You are already matured by the time Stewart got in a car accident. You gave in, even though it hurts you a lot inside. I felt your pain, coz I felt it too." she looked at me, with teary eyes.
"My ex-boyfriend got into an accident when we were in high school too. He forgot me, I suffered more than you are. I'm always telling him how much I love him, and how happy our memories are. He didn't have a new girl during his treatment at that time, he let me do all the things I wanted to do. I thought everything was going back to normal, but after all my sacrifices, he chose to push me away. He said, he doesn't love me, he doesn't care about all the things I was doing for him," she looked up, and wiped her tears.
"I let go of him. I gave him what he wanted. I don't care about what I wasted. I only waited for him. Waited for him to come back to me, and say that he loves me, he misses how much I cared for him. But, I expected too much. My expectations didn't happen. One day, my friend told me that he was about to get married to someone else. And that, someone, is your mother, Arlene." She looked at me again, and smiled. Oh my God. Papa... "Yes, hija. It was your father who I loved the most back then."
But, how?
"I almost died, when I tried to commit suicide. Jonas came into my life, he let me realize things. Things that I didn't notice who had more worth than what I was doing. He took care of me, he loved me thoroughly, the love I have for Laurent, was poured into Jonas. My love for him was more than I loved Laurent. And, our relationship became strong. He married me, and we have two sons. And, we're living happily."
"How did you get through all of that, Auntie? I mean, I know how hard it is to move on."
"I forget all of our memories, even though all of them were so happy. I focused on Jonas. I made myself happy first before loving him."
"Then, are you happy to get all of those?"
"I am because I'm choosing the right path for me. If I didn't choose between him and Jonas, I'll be stuck in sadness. I can go crazy while accepting everything."
"Why did you choose me, Auntie, over Ciara?"
"I know what true love is, Arlene. We can't see it, because we can feel it. You are the right person for my son, I envy how talented and strong you are. You already experienced a lot of things that's why you're matured. You're such a baby sometimes, but you are a baby who's strong enough to handle big things ahead of you. You don't deserve all the pain, son. Those who hurt you deserve it." She caressed my head. I felt love, she cares for me like a mother. That wouldn't change.
Everything won't change.
"You love my son huh?" she teased.
"Yes, Auntie."
I love him, more than everything...
"Look! This one's the best, right?" Auntie pointed to the picture where Stewart looked so sad while holding a cup of ice cream in his hand. His cheeks and lips were full of chocolate ice cream. His teary eyes, chubby cheeks, and pouted lips look cuter on him. It suits him.
I want to keep it!
"Yes, Auntie." and smiled.
"Oh! Here's another—" she stopped when we heard Uncle Jonas' voice. "Oh, hey, honey!"
"I bought juices for both of you!" he gladly said. He walked near our place and put the tray on the table. "What is that?" he was referring to the pictures on the table in front of us right now.
"Pictures of your son," Aunt answered.
"Oh.. aren't you gonna keep one on there? And, put it in your wallet?" he teasingly looked at me.
I badly want to do that.
"No, uncle. It's okay if I'm seeing it like this."
"Are you sure?" he poked me.
"Yes, please. I'm super duper sure." I raised my right hand to prove what I'm saying '
"Okay," he chuckled. "Here, drink these refreshments." He handed us one glass of orange juice.
"Thanks, honey." aunt.
"Thank you, uncle." I smiled again.
"You're both welcome! I'll get in there! Just, call me if you need something!" he ran through the house.
"He cares for the people around him," she said while looking at the same place where Uncle Jonas was standing lately. "He's a naughty guy, with a soft sweetheart."
"He deserves all the love I gave, and I will always give to him."
"Yep, he deserved it."
"He wasn't the man that I dreamed about, but God gave me the opposite of it. God let me love a man who deserves to be loved."
"Some people were falling in love with a person who's opposite of their ideal's. And, you, Auntie, is one of them."
"Yep, and I don't have regrets."
I wish I didn't have any regrets in life too.
My phone vibrated, I immediately took it from my bag.
It was mama.
Mom:
Son, can you help me with my things? I missed you, let's bond today.
My heart melted. I always wished this would happen, but, right now? I didn't.
"Is that your mom?" Auntie Fina asked.
I nodded slowly. "Yes please."
"I think you need to go home, let's go inside, we'll call Sterian to bring you home." She stood up and wrapped the towel around her waist.
I nodded and followed her. When we reached the living room, we saw Sterian in front of the window, talking to someone on the phone. We couldn't hear what he was saying '.
"Fuck these people." he's mad.
"Son," Auntie called.
"Oh, yes, mom?" he walked near us and kissed his mom's cheek.
"Arlene is going home. Can you bring her home? For me?"
"Sure, mom. Anything for my wonderful, beautiful mother." he winked playfully
"Great! So, goodbye for now, hija. I hope you'll visit us soon. I'm gonna miss you!" She hugged me like there's no tomorrow.
"I'm gonna miss you too, Auntie. I'll come back, I'm not promising, but I am gonna prove it. Take care of your health, Auntie. The same with Uncle, you both need to attend on my wedding day! Goodbye!" I waved my hand at her as I walked away.