The Wedding That Never Was

Rings 50 - Don't let me become your ghost

Rings 50 – Don't let me become your ghost

Jenny didn't go home that night. She knew her mother would ask questions so she went to Ate Clara's house. She knew Ate Clara was her sister's best friend but she knew she wouldn't ask questions or try to defend her sister.

She played with the kids and in a moment, her heart wasn't breaking that much. She smiled and laughed as if everything was alright in her world. However, when it was time for bed, and the kids slept, her mind went back to the events yesterday. And she couldn't sleep. So she stayed behind while the kids were tucked in to bed.

She sat on the counter stool and her hands were wrapped around the mug with hot milk, hoping it would soothe her. She stared blankly at the window in front of her. Her mind elsewhere.

Her mind was continuosly swirling with thoughts of her sister and Angelo. When did it happen? Why did it happen and how did it happen? She didn't know. And maybe she could have asked but she didn't want to. It hurt just knowing it but knowing the details, she knew it would hurt more.

Hindi niya kaya na isipin pa at masaktan lalo. Alam niya na kailangan niyang malaman ang lahat pero sa ngayon parang hindi pa niya kayang malaman ang lahat.

Naramdaman niyang may umupo sa tabi niya kaya napatingin siya. "Lost in your thoughts?"

Tumango siya. Alam niya na isa sa mga matalik na kaibigan ng ate si Kuya Ralphe. "Did you know?" She asked.

"Know what?"

"About Angelo?" Alam naman niya ang sagot kasi ramdam niya noon na di ayos ang pakikitungo ni Kuya Ralphe kay Angelo.

He sighed, "It started in college. His infatuation with Cass." She closed her eyes afraid to hear but knew she had to. "It grew over time and he watched her fell for someone else. He couldn't go near her and ask her out. She disliked him."

"Why?"

"Because your sister didn't like anyone associated with Anya."

But they were best friends now, Jenny thought.

"Angelo was in love with Cass. He couldn't forget her then. I don't know everything that happened in London but they had an affair. Cass was hurting and he was there."

She nodded. "Why did it end?"

"Because James threatened Cass that he'd destroy Angelo. Your sister loved him and so she let him go."

Her tears fell, "It hurts so much knowing."

"Angelo loved a ghost. All his life, he focused on his love for Cassandra. He married someone else but he was still chasing ghost."

"Do you think he still love her?"

He shook his head and smiled at her, "Angelo was too focused on thinking he loved her still but he stopped loving her a long time ago, Jenny." He assured her, "He continued to chase the ghost. He waited and he had the tendency to chase ghost and never see what has been laid out in front of him."

"Do you think he loves me?" She didn't know why she was asking. She felt he loved her before but now she didn't know.

"I think he does. I don't like Angelo. When he thinks he's in love, his actions are toxic. But with you, Jenny. When we were in your hometown, he was different."

She wanted to believe it. She really did.

"But he never told me. He never planned to tell me about his affair."

Kuya Ralphe offered a small smile, "Because he loves you. This was the first time that the woman he loved, loved him too. He couldn't lose you."

She shook her head, "That's not the kind of love I want."