Marrying Him, Marrying Her

17

The tiny cottage stood out because it's design is very much different from the others she saw a long the way and it's location a bit far from from the rest. It can only be seen from their house. She remembered what her lawyer told her - this was where her parents met and their love bloomed. She did not know when she started crying. 

Her dad never talked about this place. Growing up, she never came here. In her distant memory, she remembered that every year, her dad would leave her for few nights to their trusted neighbor. Whenever she asks where he is going, he always tells her that he will pay his visit. 

Connecting everything, it became clearer. She understand now. Tears kept rolling down her cheeks. She was crying for her parents, for their love, and for all that has been. She was shaking when she felt strong arms hug her from behind. 

He saw her stilled. Following her gaze, she was looking at the tiny cottage separated from the rest. Her face registered confusion, then tears started to roll down her cheeks, then her shoulders started shaking as she cried harder. He could hold it anymore, he hugged her. He just hugged her as she cried her heart out. 

 She turned around and saw her husband he met his gaze with questions in her eyes.

He led her to a seat nearby and started to talk.

"When I saw this place, i fell in love with it. It was breath taking. I knew it was what I was looking for. I asked around and that's where I met Atty. Jose, learned about the deal, made a deal with you, and married you. You remember I sent invitations in every occasion, ground breaking, anniversary, Christmas... anyway, you are here now."

"Initially, I did not see the cottage. It was only when we did the survey that I saw it. It's locks were rusty, an evidence that it might not have been opened for a long time. When we had it opened, the inside was surprisingly okay. In a cabinet, I was awed with what I saw inside. They were drawings of house designs, sketches of a woman, and letters. Would you like to see them?"

She drew a deep breath after hearing everything from him. "Yes, please.. can we go down there now?"

He stood and lead her to his car.

He continued while driving "The only way to the cottage is from our house. I felt it was a special place thus when we did the planning, I kept it away from the other cottages. It can only be seen from our place."

She looked at him and said thank you with a grateful smile.

Reaching the cottage filled her with emotions... it was like coming home. She was expecting a crumbling old cottage but what she saw was a renovated and well-maintained old cottage. She turned to her husband beside her and couldn't help herself anymore. 

"You did this, right? Oh, thank you so much!" she said and hugged him tight. He hugged her back as he gently rubs her back. "Well, we have to see what is inside," he said.

They continued walking towards the cottage. He unlocked the door and opened it. Once she stepped inside, she felt different - different in a good way. She felt warm and at home. She looked around the humble cottage and felt happy for her parents. 

her husband opened a cabinet and showed him some files. In it were house designs. They were his dads! She knew his dad was good in drawing but she did not know his dad designed houses and sketches portraits! The sketches of her mom brought back her tears. Not wanting to stain the sketches, she immediately wiped her tears and dried her hands. 

She looked so much like her mom. She ran a finger on the sketch and thought no wonder his dad never married anyone again despite all the women swooning over him. He loved her mom so much. She continued to flip at the sketch pad an saw a portrait every year. It ended the year they immigrated. 

She was about to close the sketch book when she noticed something is in the last page. As she open it, she saw a letter of his dad to her mom. As she was reading it, she was trying so hard not to cry. After reading, she held the book close to her heart and closed her eyes. What her parents had was pure love. Feeling happy for her parents, she smiled.