You... Always & Forever (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 21

Mew Ezekiel

It's almost a year since the incident attack happened. And up until now, my husband is nowhere to find. I already buried his mom but he didn't show up even in the funeral. And I am now losing my mind on thinking where is he? Is he eating well? Sleeps comfortably?

Is he even alive?

I pour myself another glass of bourbon to calm myself down. Since the day he went missing, only Ae and my liquor collection accompany me every night.

Baby, where are you? We have solved the problem baby. Ae's father is already in jail and suffering the consequences of killing Claire and your Mom.

It's just you who is been missing a lot, please comeback nha?

I am now silently crying. The pain of missing him day by day hurts more than a physical wound. It's like I am waking up every day but deep inside, I am dead.

Ae is turning one tomorrow. We decided to give him a birthday party even though we are still grieving on the loss of my mother-in-law and my husband.

******

The birthday was full of people happily chatting here and there but here I am. Standing in the corner looking at everybody. I was just watching Ae who's been with his nanny. He is happily running around with all the kids from the village.

When it is time to sing for the celebrant, everybody gathered around Ae and sing him a happy birthday. But when he was about to blow the candle, he shut his eyes hard, clamp his hand together and silently wish before blowing his cake.

The party last until the evening and when I saw my son was about to sleep, I carry him from his nanny and bring him to his room. I used a warm towel to wash down some dirt from his arms and legs from playing the whole day. I changed his clothes and kiss him goodnight. Just when I was about to leave his room, Ansel speaks while he is sleeping.

"Please, bring my Papa back. That is my wish."

I hurriedly close the door and run to our room. When I heard his wish, I feel like my energy was drained out of me and all I want to do is just cry.

So I did.

*****

A loud sound of cellular phone wake me up from my sleep. Due to so much crying. I end up sleeping on the carpeted floor instead of our bed. I looked where was the tone coming from and I found it atop the vanity table. And it was my parents. Video calling me.

"Hello Mom."

"Son, good morning. Have you slept early last night? I was trying to reach you to greet my grandson happy birthday but it just kept on ringing. We think you are busy that's why we decided to call you today."

"I'm sorry mom. We are just busy last night and my son slept right after. But I think he is awake now. Let me just—"

"Son, are you okay?"

"Yes mom. Why do you ask?"

"Have you seen yourself to the mirror lately? You lose so much weight. And your hair is longer. You look like you let go of yourself completely."

"Mom, can we not talk about this? You called for Ae, so just keep your business with him."

"Mew, it's almost a year. You have to let him go. If he is alive like what you've been telling us, he would have returned to you and Ae already! But he didn't. So please, let your husband have peace wherever he is."

I cried, "But mom, no body of my husband was found on the scene. Even the culprit himself didn't even get a touch of him because he escaped before they killed his mom. I cannot lose hope. I need my Gulf mom. I need my husband to keep me sane!"

They look at each other with pity and my dad spoke.

"Son, we understand what you feel and we know that nothing that we say can pacify that. But you have to wake up from your dream and be in the reality. He is gone. You have to move on and focus on your son. He already lost his Papa, don't let him loose his Dada too."

That breaks me even more. I know to myself that he will not comeback.

I saw my son trying to walk my direction. If there is one thing that will be the constant reminder of my husband to me, he will be Ansel. He might not be ours biologically, but the love that my husband poured into this blessing, proves that family is not about blood.

But my parents are right. Ae needs one of his parents. And I am giving him that.

Gulf, my baby. I promise you that until my last breath, I will only love you, and only you. 

**********

AN: The end. Just kidding!