CHAPTER 45

Mommy Gloria told me everything, and I couldn't believe it. They didn't go to the U.S. Instead, they bought a row house unit in Parañaque and settled there.

"I'm sorry, Ara," Mommy Gloria said with a hint of sadness.

"Mom, it's okay with me. But why did you do it?" I asked.

"Maya suggested that," Daddy Ben interjected, surprising me. "And because of the chaos at the hospital, we followed her wishes."

"Ara, she already knew about your past with Hector," Mommy Gloria said. My heart pounded, and I felt a cold sweat on my forehead. "Once, during her confinement, she heard us conversing. A picture fell from the photo album, and she saw it. That's how she found out everything."

I took a deep breath, my chest tightening. Mommy Gloria held my left hand. "Did you know she let Hector go? She accepted everything after learning about you two." I furrowed my brow, even more confused.

"Where is Maya now, Mom?" I asked. It took her a long time to answer. She and Daddy Ben exchanged looks before she turned back to me.

"She passed away last week."

I covered my mouth, stifling a gasp. My mind raced back to the last time I saw Maya, her fragile frame and the forced smile. Now, everything is clear to me.

"The day Ben and Hector met, the doctor who examined Maya talked to us," Mommy Gloria explained. I glanced in Hector's direction, now understanding who he called the one who left him. "He said she had stage four ovarian cancer. When Maya learned about you two, she asked us to move her to a different hospital. As everything became chaotic, the last time we saw each other was on the day we had an appointment. We seized the opportunity to distance ourselves completely. Since it aligned with your wishes, we followed Maya's lead. We were shocked when she said she was giving up and didn't want to undergo treatment anymore. She requested that we not go to the U.S. She said she was happy to spend her last moment with Hector and our grandson."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. The weight of Maya's suffering pressed down on me.

"And because of Hector's sporadic memory..." Daddy Ben added. I looked at him. He had his arm around Hector, who was staring into space. "What happened deeply hurt both him and our grandson, Marco."

Hector suddenly seemed to snap back to reality. "M—Marco? He's my son, right?" The three of us exchanged glances. That was a good sign. Hector still recognized some things. Marco was the only part of him that remained integral to his memory.

"Yes, Hector, he's your son," Daddy Ben said tearfully. He shook his head and hugged him.

"Now I know what happened to him," I said. Mommy Gloria and Daddy Ben turned to me.

"Is there something wrong with him again, Ara?" Mommy Gloria inquired, and her voice started to tremble with fear.

"He has dissociative amnesia now," I replied. Mommy Gloria covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. "The intense emotions he felt after Maya's death triggered traumatic stress. Now, all his memories are gone. He doesn't recognize any of you, not even me. He has completely lost his sense of identity."

"Ara, don't talk to us like that," Daddy Ben interrupted.

"Dad, ask him who he is. He won't be able to answer. I've asked him a hundred times. I thought he might have psychosis, but thankfully he doesn't."

Mommy Gloria burst into tears. She approached Hector and hugged him tightly. Hector kept tapping his head, a confused expression on his face.

His awareness was present, but he couldn't identify who we were with him. He knew someone was crying, but he had no idea who it was. He ended up in Greenhills because of a "dissociative fugue." Now, I'm more worried about his condition.

I almost want to blame myself. Why did I end Hector's treatment under my care? I should have monitored his condition even after the commotion in the hospital a few months ago.

"Mom, Dad, never leave Hector alone. Hector is highly susceptible to suicidal thoughts, particularly when he experiences self-doubt," I said. My voice trembled, a knot forming in my stomach.

"Maya's funeral was in Parañaque," Mommy Gloria said. She stood up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "If you want, you can come with us."

I looked at Hector, and now it seemed like I was swallowing everything I had said before—the plan to keep him away. Now, a new thought has formed in my mind. I need to always be by his side. His life is at stake. I turned back to Mommy Gloria, bit my lip with bitterness, and nodded my head.

***

On Monday morning, we arrived at a large funeral home in Parañaque. The air was heavy with the scent of flowers, and the soft hum of distant conversations filled the room. We went straight to Maya's coffin. When I took a peek, I saw her peaceful face.

A sharp pain pierced my heart when I saw her one last time. I wished I could apologize to her, but it was already too late. Why did she refuse treatment? She had made many sacrifices for her family, only to leave them in the end.

I turned my eyes to Hector, who was barely moving. He was staring at Maya with an unwavering gaze. He could feel someone had left him, but he didn't know who, which made me sad.

The three of us left Hector in front of Maya's coffin. I went to an extended bench on the left side of the chapel. There was hardly anyone inside, so the place felt spacious. I took my Android phone out of my white tote and checked it. It was full of text messages and missed calls from Eric. I took a deep breath and decided to turn it off.

Mommy Gloria sat beside me and said softly, "Will my son get better?"

"Yes, Mom, he can recover. There are many types of treatments, and I can help you again. For now, we need to always be by his side."

Mommy Gloria took a deep breath and looked at Hector. She looked back at me. "I have something to give you, dear. Let's step outside."

I followed her, looking puzzled. We ended up in a quiet corner of the building.

"Maya wanted you to have this," she said. I was surprised when she handed me a small envelope. I took it from her without question. "Don't worry, I didn't look inside or read it."

She patted me on the shoulder and then left me alone. I opened the envelope and couldn't believe that Maya had written me a letter. I began to read it.

Dear Clara,

I've finally found the courage to write this letter, even though I know it's too late and we'll never meet again. While in the hospital, I learned about your past with Marco. It hurt to hear, but I understood why you became so close to him, me, and our son. Mommy Gloria told me everything—your story and how life has turned you around. Please forgive me for any bitterness I felt. I was jealous when Marco kept mentioning you after his surgery. But now, I see the bigger picture.

You probably don't know this, but I chose not to undergo treatment. I was tired. My life has been entire of struggles, and when I learned I had cancer, I felt a strange sense of relief. I've wanted to escape this life for a long time. My mother died of cancer, too, so it didn't surprise me when I got it. The realization was painful, but I knew it was time to let go. When Marco reunited with his parents, I felt a deep peace. My worries will finally end when I leave them, especially after understanding what you two share.

Clara, I've entrusted my family to Mommy Gloria and Daddy Ben. I hope I can also trust them with you. Please stay by my two Marcos' sides. Help my husband heal and take care of them. I let him go because I believe you're meant to be together. Please promise me that you'll be there for them. I'll find peace knowing they're in good hands.

Thank you for your kindness.

I noticed that my tears had started to fall on the paper I was reading. I raised my head towards the sky.

I envy Maya because she loves Hector without hesitation. This is what love should be. It's not just about setting someone free; it's about being sure of yourself when you sacrifice everything for someone you love. When Maya entrusted Hector to me, she had no doubts.

And now, should I be happy because Hector is free? What about Eric's and our wedding? Why does everything seem even more complicated?

I am torn between two men who hold significant roles in my life. I am figuring out what to do next. But in the end, I still nodded as if I understood Maya's letter.

"I promise, Maya."

It's better to follow what my heart truly feels.