Special Chapter: Caleb Loves (continuation)
Cher also wrote about Maki.
She's stating there how Maki is a good friend. How sweet he is and funny. How perfect their family is because Mr. Murray is so nice. How she wishes to have a charm like Maki so that people will like her too.
Because of her diary, I don't have to be envious or jealous about Maki being the most popular guy in the school. I'm not envious of his smooth shiny black hair, white skin, and blue eyes.
They say that Maki has overthrown me from being the campus heartthrob. A lot of girls have a crush on him. Well, I just shrugged it off. I didn't know that I was once a reigning heartthrob at all. Or was there a thing like that?
What I'm jealous of about him is he has the courage to speak his feelings, how he ended up with Cher and they have an adorable daughter.
I hate him because he said he loves Cher but his actions say otherwise.
He cheated on her so many times and was forgiven over and over.
He never gave Cher her ATM card. His finances were hidden from her. Instead, his other woman benefited from his income when Cher struggles with finances because she's supporting her stepbrother, Owen.
I got all information from Owen. I'm glad I was able to meet him. Were it not for him, I wouldn't know Cher's struggles.
Maki is the most selfish man I know. He had Cher all his life, he chose his other woman over Cher and when he got dumped, he will take her and Leily back. I rebuild the family he tore apart and want to tear it again. What a greedy man he is!
The day I saw him lying next to Cher, I felt betrayed. I worked hard for almost two weeks straight, an hour nap is enough for the day just to give Cher the wedding proposal she dreams off.
I can't stand to see Maki's presence. I need to cool down so I stayed away somewhere serene. If she lets Maki stay in her house, it's fine with me.
Maybe it's time to settle everything between them, they have unfinished business to resolve or to close. I know Cher had a hard time right now. It's hard to throw away all their past. They have a daughter that connects them. I will not hinder them if she chose Maki.
Imani is my spy, a human CCTV, a secret agent something like that.
She reports to me what's happening inside Cher's house. She even records what they are talking about. I never heard Cher speaks only Maki. All I can hear from her is her sob.
Maki is pleading for a second chance. How he promises to change for the better, you know, the typical womanizer who just caught multiple times yet still doing his bad habits.
But I can feel from his voice that he is sincere and genuine. Of course, he knows that he ran out of chance. Cher could never forgive her anymore.
That's when I heard Cher speaks. She told him how she hates her, how she misses me, and wants to see me.
Imani said Cher is like a living emo zombie. She's always on her desk looking at the cherry blossom tree through her window pane, playing the song 'Mad World' repeatedly. She's pitiful and eerie, Imani said.
‌
I remember the last words of Cher, 'man up for me'. It pains me a lot when Cher is crying. I don't know why I am doing it to her and myself.
I think Maki had enough, he had wasted his chance, as Cher has said, when would I man up for her?
I know it's the right time to fight for Cher. I know that I am the only man who would and could give her every need and want of a woman and a wife.
So, I came back on the 18th of April. She was standing on the Sakura Tree, gently tracing the engraved 'CC'. She's probably reminiscing the memories happened here in the garden and the silent witness is this tree.
I held her hand and I started her making her to slip. Good thing the tree was behind her.
I could not control this feeling anymore bottled up for many months. I miss her so much.
That's the time I proposed to her.
We didn't know that Maki is watching us.
That's how he must prepare for a wedding proposal. It's ten years in the making. .
He wished us all the best, asking Cher for a sincere apology for all the pain he caused. There's one thing that he asked of us, don't change Leily's last name. Maybe he's entrusting Leily too in my care.
Maki has been blessed with an adorable daughter. I thank him too for Leily. Because of Leily, I was able to feel what it feels like to be a father.
It's been two years since Cher and I have been trying to have a baby but to no avail.
Something's wrong with me I guess.
Somewhat inside my body is off. I'm experiencing a sudden severe headache.
As time goes by, it's getting worst. I don't want to see Cher how I'm suffering from this pain so, I try to shake it off with pain relievers, have conversations with her, and play with Leily.
I teach my sweet pumpkin how to write sometimes since I'm a teacher by profession. We also have an art class because we both love to draw and paint.
But there are times that I can't do what I wanted and needed to do because it's hurting like hell again. My vision is getting more blurry and my nape is hurting too. Maybe I have hypertension.
I don't want to go to the doctor, I might have bad news. Maybe it's overfatigued.
That's why I decided to travel around the world with Cher and Leily to somehow take a break from the stresses of the corporate world.
We went to France to see the Eiffel Tower. I don't care how expensive the trip was. Seeing Cher and Leily are treasures money can't buy.
Since we were in France, we also went to a lavender farm. It's beautiful. Most especially, when Leily and Cher sat down on the ground full of lavenders.
We also went to Finland, though I've been there several times. There, we witnessed the Northern Lights while camping in a famous camping hotel.
We also went to Korea, though I always give her a piggyback ride but doing it in Korea is special, she said. I don't know why she thinks that but for me it feels the same, it feels heavy.
Two years is not enough to travel the world and make precious memories with Cher and Leily. And of course, we still have to work to sustain our travel expenses.
So, when we went back to Japan to celebrate Christmas, New Year, and my birthday, it was so intimate.
Imani took her vacation leave so only Cher, Leily, and I were on the house.
Only pansit (stir-fried noodles) was on our table and a simple cake was baked by Cher.
I remember, when we were young, it is what Mama is preparing for my birthday.
So, I request Cher to cook it.
Tomorrow is my birthday but it's been a tradition that we celebrate it on December 31st.
After the annual display of fireworks, everything came back to its place. Everything seems so silent.
Before we sleep I remember the poem that was made for Cher.
"Wife," I said while holding her hand when we were lying on the bed.
"I wrote a poem just for you."
I always love making poems and reciting them for her. We have the same passion for writing.
And this would be the last poem I'll be reciting for her:
[I'm Forever Be With Thee
In your life comes so many uncertainties,
You don't know what tomorrow may be.
Whether a day to live in or night to die in.
You're unsure if there's laughter or a cryin'.
But one thing is for sure, I love you so.
And my heart wants you to know,
That I'm here, forever be with you,
To comfort you and to love you through.
Though the night is dark and it seems
Light didn't shine when it should have been.
I'm your Caleb and forever I will be.
I love you throughout eternity.
But if the time comes that my life on earth ceased,
Don't worry my beloved, be at peace.
For my heart's love is not just for a fleeting breath.
It will go with you though I've no heartbeat left.
My Wife, I love you, so, I'm holding your hand.
I'll hold it till we come to the Land Beyond.
And before we reach the prize of eternity,
Please, stay loving me.]
thank you for supporting. sorry--for lame writing.