CHAPTER 48

The doorbell kept ringing at my unit's door. I knew it was Tita Cecile. If she slapped me again, it would be okay; this would be my last interaction with their family. I would tell her the truth, and even if she didn't believe it, I would respect that. Days I had passed as I stayed locked in my unit. I didn't even go to work. I had even neglected Hector despite my promise to continue his treatment.

Finally, I stood at the door, took a deep breath, grabbed the doorknob, and opened it.

"Ma! Ate?" I exclaimed as I opened the door. My mother and sister Mia stood before me, with Tita Cecile behind them. My throat tightened, and a sob broke free before I could hold it back. The moment I saw them, my legs gave way, and I threw my arms around them, my body shaking with the force of emotions I could no longer contain.

"You know, Ara, I should be upset," Tita Cecile said. "But I've grown fond of you. That's why I searched for your family and brought them here. They're who you need right now."

I looked at her, sobbing. "Thank you, Tita. I'm sorry."

I could not believe that Tita Cecile had thought of this while I kept my burdens to myself. Am I that too selfish?

"All right, I have to go now. I'll leave you all here," Tita Cecile said as she walked away.

Thank you, Tita Cecile, for understanding. I pray that Eric finds someone who truly deserves him.

We entered the unit, and I helped them with a travel bag. As soon as we were inside, Mama's eyes narrowed, and she put her hands on her hips. I could see the worry etched on her face, but all I felt was how much I had missed her.

"Ara! Something terrible is happening to you here, and you didn't even tell us," she said.

I hugged Mama again, not wanting to let go. "I'm sorry, Ma... I didn't want you to worry."

"Is it true? That Hector is alive?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma." I hugged her tighter. "Eric and I are no longer together; there won't be a wedding anymore."

Mia patted my arm. "Ara, we want to see him."

"He won't recognize you, Ate—he has amnesia." I let go of the hug and wiped my tears. I glanced at them, and they looked stunned by my revelations. Mama even covered her mouth. "Do you remember the accident? He survived, but he lost all his memories of me. Now his situation is even worse because he has multiple amnesias."

I moved away from them, sat on the sofa, and bowed my head, staring at the floor. "He has a family. He has a son. His wife was buried last week because she died of cancer."

Mama sat beside me and put her arm around my left shoulder. "Ara, we had no idea things were so hard for you here. I'm so sorry we didn't check in on you sooner."

I admitted that everything was my fault. "Don't worry, Mama. Look at me. I'm still alive," I said.

"So, no wedding, and you're returning to Hector?" Mia interrupted.

I looked at her. "Yes, Ate. I promised to take care of him. It was his wife's last wish when she learned about our past."

My shoulders sagged as the words left my mouth, and I let out a long, shaky breath. It was as if the tension coiled tightly in my muscles finally unraveled, leaving me feeling lighter, almost dizzy with the sudden release. I realized then that the ache in my heart would only ease if I were with Hector again, as though his presence alone could soothe the years of unresolved sorrow. I knew I had to return to him.

"Can you accept his child?" Mama asked. "And his amnesia... he doesn't recognize you?"

"Mama, I love Hector so much."

That answer was enough. I would be happy to be with Hector again, even if he couldn't give me anything in return. Mama nodded silently, understanding how much I loved him.

"I'm the one helping with his treatment now," I said, still wiping away my tears. "I accept his child; that's not what matters. What matters is that we're together again. After all these years, it's still us."

***

The next day, we went to their house in Parañaque. It was an emotional reunion, with two families brought together by fate. Mama and Ate Mia were speechless when they saw Hector again. He was no longer the playful and humorous person they once knew.

They stayed in my unit for two weeks, which helped a lot. Gradually, I began to recover from my breakup with Eric. I returned to work and resumed Hector's treatment. I resume meditation and let go of the mistakes from my heart and mind. And the next day, I was ready to start a new chapter in my life again.

***

"Dr. Ara, someone wants to consult with you," Rachel said one morning, scratching her head.

"Did we have any appointments scheduled today?"

"No, but he said it was urgent."

My forehead creased. "All right, let that person in. Have him sit on the sofa." I was busy tidying up my things on the desk, so I didn't inquire further.

I heard the door open and close. I tied my long hair into a ponytail and stood up, surprised by who I saw. The guy was sitting on the sofa, staring at me as tension overwhelmed me.

"Why, Eric?" I asked, slowly approaching him.

He looked exhausted and weary. His eyes were hollow, and it was evident he hadn't shaved.

"I'm here for advice," he said lifelessly, his gaze piercing me.

"Do you think it's necessary?" I replied. I sighed and stayed a few meters away from him. "Is that really why you came?"

"Help me forget the woman who broke my heart."

I took my comfy chair and sat in front of him. "Eric, I have a purpose, and you know why, don't you?"

"That purpose?" he smirked. "You turned my life upside down. I hope you feel some regret for what you did, or maybe you're just too insensitive to care."

His words were hurtful, but I admitted my shortcomings. Yes, I was selfish. Yes, I was wrong. Eric, you are free to say disparaging remarks about me. Still, there's no assurance that we will ever be together again.

"Eric, if you need to be angry, go ahead," I said as the warm tears started to stream down my face. "I don't think we would ever be happy together. I loved someone before, and I can't leave him again."

He bent his head toward the floor, clenching his fists. A glistening drop of tears fell on his face. A sudden fear gripped me, the kind that tightened my chest, but I knew I had to explain everything to him fully. And I would only stop once he understood.

"I don't want to feel guilty by forcing myself to be happy with you. I realize that now. I don't want to make a fool out of you or play with your feelings. I'm not that kind of girl; I can't pretend to love you while my heart longs for someone else—the one I love. I don't want to deceive myself, and I don't want to deceive you either."

"Enough!" he burst out, raising his left hand. My explanation needed to be more.

But I kept talking, even though I knew it hurt him. "You'll learn to forget me," I said, pointing at myself. "I don't deserve the kind of love you have; I'm not right for your heart. You're such a kind person, and you deserve someone who can give you as much love and kindness as you give. I'm not that person. My love for him is stronger than my love for you, and you know that."

Eric's chest heaved with each sob, the sound raw and unrestrained, filling the room with grief so palpable it seemed to echo off the walls. He buried his face in his hands, his whole body shaking as he let out the pain he had been holding back. A cold sweat broke out on my skin, and my heart raced wildly in my chest as if trying to escape. The thought of what he might do next sent a chill down my spine, and my hands trembled with the fear I couldn't suppress. But as I watched him cry, the vulnerability in his tears stirred a deep compassion in me, and suddenly, he stopped.

"I guess this is the last time we'll see each other," he said, wiping away his tears and looking at me. "I let you go."

And then I was the one who broke down into tears, but with each sob, the tightness in my chest began to loosen, as if the weight I'd been carrying was finally starting to lift. Eric didn't lash out or seek revenge as I had feared he might. Instead, his quiet acceptance left me both relieved and heartbroken. He stood up and walked away. I heard the door close, and the room was silent again. I covered my face with my hands and cried and cried. These tears needed to wash away the guilt from my heart, and after everything, I believed I would feel better again.

"I'm sorry, Eric," I whispered to myself.

He was such an ideal man. I had to accept the situation I had unintentionally put him in. Now that he has completely set me free, I can slowly pick up the shattered pieces of myself. And now, I am genuinely ready to return to Hector.