PAGES OF MY LIFE

Part 24: Past

Lai couldn't sleep after her conversation with Thandar. The thoughts swirling in her mind refused to settle, and by morning, she knew what she had to do. She needed to talk to Elisa, Evan's mother. Without hesitation, she booked a flight to Bangkok.

After five long hours of searching, Lai finally found Elisa.

"Hi, Tita! How are you?" Lai greeted her warmly, embracing her tightly.

"I'm fine, dear," Elisa replied, surprised to see Lai in Bangkok. "Are you on vacation here? I never expected to run into you."

"No, Tita," Lai smiled, "I'm actually here to talk to you." She paused and then asked, "By the way, where's Tito Dinoy? Evan mentioned he was with you."

"He's in our room, handling some business matters. You know how he is—never leaves anything unfinished." Elisa chuckled, and Lai joined in the laughter.

After chatting for a while about their hobbies and catching up, Lai finally gathered the courage to bring up the real reason for her visit. Elisa sensed that Lai wasn't here just for casual conversation.

"Lai, you're a good friend of my son," Elisa said gently. "If there's something on your mind, feel free to talk about it. I know you're here for a reason."

"Can I be honest, Tita?" Lai asked, her tone suddenly serious.

"Of course," Elisa replied, her smile fading as she braced herself for what Lai was about to say.

"Please, don't be too hard on Evan and Thandar," Lai began, her voice steady but full of emotion. "We both know where their hearts truly belong."

Elisa's face tightened, her eyes narrowing in confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about, Lai? They broke up years ago, and we've all moved on from that painful past."

Lai remained composed. "I'm saying, Tita, Evan has someone new in his life now, and I'm sure you're happy about it."

"Of course, I am," Elisa said, her voice rising defensively. "I saw it on the news, and I was overjoyed when I heard about it." She sipped her coffee, trying to hide the tension in her voice.

"I'm sure you were," Lai said softly. "But I saw you that day, Tita. You and Thandar—I was there."

Elisa's eyes widened in shock, the memory of that day rushing back.

Five years ago...

"Tita... I'm so sorry. Is Evan okay?" Thandar's voice trembled as tears streamed down her face.

"Okay? You're asking me if my son is okay?" Elisa's voice was sharp, her eyes blazing with anger. "Thandar, you made my son like this! I used to love you, but you broke his heart. You don't deserve him!"

"I'm sorry, Tita... I really am," Thandar cried, falling to her knees. "Please, let me see him. I made a mistake leaving him. I thought my dreams were more important, but I was wrong. I love him, Tita. I can't live without him."

"Don't visit him again!" Elisa's voice was cold and unforgiving. "Don't go to the hospital, don't come back into his life! Leave the country, Thandar. I'm begging you."

"Tita, I was confused... I didn't know what to do. I was scared, but I'm here now, begging for your forgiveness. Please, let me apologize to Evan. I regret leaving him every day."

But Elisa's heart was hardened. "No. You deserve to suffer for what you've done. Leave him alone." With that, she walked away, leaving Thandar in tears.

Present day...

"If only you had given Thandar a chance that day, you would still see your son with the purest smile," Lai said, her voice filled with a quiet intensity. "I didn't say anything back then because I thought staying silent was the best choice, but I realize now that it was wrong. This whole situation is wrong."

Elisa's eyes were filled with regret, but she tried to mask it. "It was my punishment for her. She deserved it."

"No, Tita," Lai countered, her voice unwavering. "Evan would have been okay these past five years if only you had learned to forgive one mistake. Thandar was overwhelmed with burdens, including her family's financial problems. She let Evan go because she thought she might be a burden to him. But Tita, Thandar regretted that decision every single day. That's why she came back! But you didn't give them a chance."

Lai took a deep breath before delivering the final blow. "I know I shouldn't say this, but you need to hear it. Evan will always love Thandar. He might fall for someone else, but it will never be the same as how he loves her. Thandar is his first love, and when you return to the Philippines, you'll see it in Evan's eyes—whether he's truly happy or not. Tita, stop being the villain in their story. Let them be happy."

Elisa sat in silence, the weight of Lai's words sinking in. She realized that perhaps, in her effort to protect her son, she had only caused him more pain. And maybe, just maybe, it wasn't too late to make things right.