CHAPTER 41

That evening, my phone buzzed constantly with missed calls and messages from Eric, but I stubbornly ignored them. Then, a different name flashed on the screen—Melay. With a heavy sigh, I swiped to answer and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Ara, is everything okay between you and Eric? He's here, really drunk, and he's been crying for a while," she said, her voice filled with concern.

In the background, I could hear muffled sounds, likely from a drinking session. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "We fought earlier. I'm sorry, Melay. Can you please keep an eye on him for me?"

"Can you come over? We're all worried. He might do something stupid."

I squeezed my eyes shut and abruptly ended the call. Sitting on my bed, I pulled my knees to my chest and hugged them tightly. Hurting Eric was never my intention, but he got caught in the chaos of a situation spiraling out of control. I wanted to tell him the truth, but I felt too weak. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Overwhelmed by helplessness, I cried until exhaustion pulled me into sleep.

***

At seven a.m., the doorbell rang, its chimes piercing through the remnants of my restless sleep. I blinked away the dull ache behind my eyes, still heavy from a night of crying. Groggy and unsteady, I shuffled to the door, barely aware of my movements. When I opened it, Tita Cecile stood there, her presence as unexpected as it was unsettling in the early morning light.

Before I could speak, her hand struck my cheek with a sharp crack. The impact sent a jolt through me, leaving a hot, stinging pain that throbbed in rhythm with my racing heartbeat. My fingers instinctively touched the burning skin, the air thick with unspoken tension between us. Her rigid, unwavering gaze conveyed everything words couldn't.

Tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm... I'm sorry," I choked out.

"Let me in first," she said sternly.

I walked away, slumping onto the sofa while sobbing. Tita Cecile closed the door and sat beside me. Despite her earlier anger, her demeanor was calm.

"I already told you, Ara. Don't let Eric down. You know how much I care for my nephew."

I lowered my head, crying harder. The guilt toward Eric was overwhelming.

"Ara, Eric loves you very much," Tita Cecile continued. Her words cut deep, reminding me of my failures. "Last night, Derek teased him about your relationship. Eric got angry, and they nearly came to blows."

"I'm trying to distance myself from Hector," I said, wiping my face. "I want to protect Eric, but things are getting more complicated. He already knows something."

Tita Cecile wrapped her arms around me in an unexpected gesture of comfort.

"Forgive me if I failed Eric," I whispered.

"No, you don't—he could always forgive and forget," she replied gently.

"I don't know what to do now," I admitted, wiping away more tears. "I want Hector to leave with his entire family, but why do I still feel affected and hurt?"

"Why do you have to suffer in a situation where you have nothing left to return to?"

"Hector recognizes me now."

Tita Cecile waited to respond. She held me, her silence more comforting than words. The realization that Hector would completely distance himself from my life was painful and regretful.

"Hector acquired new amnesia after his brain injury," I explained, running my fingers through my hair. "He kept calling my name like he had returned to his old self. I didn't know how he recognized me, but I tried to be insensitive. I don't want things to become complicated when Maya and Eric find out, but Eric seems to feel something. He's jealous of Hector even though he doesn't know him."

"I find it hard to get angry at you, Ara. I'm not dictating your course of action. If you know within yourself where you struggle the most, you should let go of it. You're the one making your situation complicated."

Tita Cecile's words hit me hard. She was right. I had kept everything about Hector from Eric, weaving a web of secrets that only worsened things. Overwhelmed with guilt, I wrapped my arms around Tita Cecile and let out tears of bitterness. Despite everything, I was grateful for her understanding and support.

***

On Monday morning, an unexpected visitor surprised me. Maya stood alone in front of my desk. Her pale complexion, thin frame, and dark bags under her eyes spoke volumes about her stress.

"How are you, Maya?" I asked, concerned.

She sat down, her eyes revealing profound exhaustion. "I came here to tell you that we're discontinuing Hector's treatment here at your clinic," she said, her voice wavering. "Daddy Ben knows a psychologist. I hope you won't be upset, Doc Ara."

"If that's what you want, I respect your decision," I replied, trying to be supportive.

"And another reason is that Mommy is taking us to the U.S.," she added. Relief washed over me. This would end all my worries. "Maybe we'll live there for good," she said.

I nodded, choosing my words carefully. "Did you know Papa's case has been resolved?" she continued, surprising me with the news. "Daddy Ben's former classmate, who is now a lawyer, helped us. I am so happy, Doc Ara, because the problem in our family has been fixed."

"I'm happy for your family too, Maya."

Maya's gaze pierced me as if she were searching for something. "Uh, doctor," she said again. "How can you tell yourself that you love someone, truthfully?"

Her question caught me off guard. Was she struggling with her relationship with Hector? I gave her an honest and thoughtful answer, "When you can't forget that person." In my mind, I was referring to Hector. "Why did you ask, Maya?"

"Nothing serious, doctor. I was just wondering if you have a love life." She smiled, but I sensed more profound questions lurking beneath her expression.

I raised my left hand and showed the ring. "Maya, I am getting married soon."

Her smile widened, but her eyes held unspoken words. "I'm sorry, Doc Ara, for changing hospitals for my husband's check-up. This might be my last visit here. Mommy will arrange an emergency visa for the three of us."

"If you have problems submitting the documents to the chosen hospital in the U.S., just let me know. I'm willing to help."

I took a deep breath, relieved that the plan had worked out. Despite the pain, Hector's departure was necessary to keep us safe. I never wanted to disrupt Maya's family. As for Eric, I knew I owed him an apology. There was still time to return things as they were before it was too late.