Unwithered Love

Chapter 22: Tears Are Language

Eunice would fetch us at the terminal. I called her up when I told her about my decision of leaving Diovi. She knew every struggles that I had through the years. She told me she'd always give her support whatever happens. I was always grateful to her. Eventhough she has already her own family, she always makes sure that I am okay and her niece.

It was already late in the afternoon when we arrived at the city terminal. I saw Eunice excitedly  waving her hand as we disembarked from a  very tiring travel. She embraced me and kissed Princess. Her voice quivered when she said, "Mom would be surprised to see you."

Mom was in her garden when we arrived in the house. We were at the gate when she saw us. She dropped quickly the dripping hose and ran to us.

I hugged her and saw her teary eyed when she saw my daughter. Princess kissed her grandmother. Mom embraced tightly my girl.

At the dinning table, mom scolded my sister for not telling her about our arrival.She did not cook anything yet, so mom just heat the left over food. After eating I told her about my decision. Eunice grabbed her niece to her room so mom and I could talk. Mom held my hand and said with a smile on her face,

"How's Princess taking this?"

"I could not hide anything from her, I tried, I just could not lie to her anymore. Every time she goes home from school, she would ask if I cried. I could not think of other excuses. When I told her about leaving her dad, she simply said it would be fine with her if that would make me stop crying."

I smiled remembering that innocence look of my princess when she said she'll miss her friends and classmates. She cheered up when I told her that she could always chat with her friends in facebook.

It felt so good feeling at home again. I still missed the presence of my dad. I imagined him telling me, I knew this will happen..I had warned you already.

From thence on I was able to work in a school ministry as a teacher aide. A high school friend recommended me to her employer. I took that as a blessing from God, though I did not expect that I would enjoy my work. It was never my dream of becoming a teacher. Oh, I knew someone who wanted to become a teacher. That was Michael. Why did I think of him? Let me erase that thought.

Diovi once in awhile would call by the phone just to talk to her daughter. For me that was fine, though financially he never gave any share. I did not expect anything from him. I never expect, maybe because I expected too much from nothing. I just hope he would get to his senses and fix his life for his own benefit. I already put an end to what we had except for one thing: he is still the father of Princess.

Eunice encouraged me to go back to college. Since I was in the teaching ministry I took Elementary Education. After 3 years of hard work, with the support of my sister and my mother, I finished the course. God was really good. Added to that He gave another bonus. I did not expect that He would bless me more when I took the Teacher's Board Exam. I passed the exam. I was rejoicing and praising God.

We were having a thanksgiving dinner at that time in the house, when a visitor knocked on our door. Eunice opened the door and was surprised, she could not believe her eyes, her bestfriend Chelsea was at the door. Upon hearing the familiar voice, I went out also to greet Chelsea. For sixteen years we haven't seen each other, though we seldom liked our pictures in facebook.

Chelsea worked as a nurse in Calgary, Canada. His husband was also a nurse, half Canadian, half Filipino. She just came to visit her family especially her sick mother. Eunice was really surprised and very delighted. I remembered the good old days when we were in college. Eunice and Chelsea were inseparable. It was a wonderful reunion. They had this endless chat, a mixed up of happy and sad stories. I was just listening to them. Chelsea looked at me and asked,

"I did all the talking, now how are you, Jelly?"

I smiled when she addressed me that name. I grinned at her and said,

"Life is full of surprises. I am good. Single again, I have a princess..that makes me a queen."

Eunice and Chelsea giggled. Then Chelsea asked, "What happened to the king?"

Eunice answered for me, "He was drowned when he sipped the soup in a saucer."

We all laughed.

Chelsea got her bag and gave us some goodies from abroad.

With her was a tablet. She showed us some photos of her son when she dedicated him at their church.
We were looking at it and admiring her cute baby boy, then excitedly Chelsea swiped it quikly and showed us a photo of her family with some of her friends. I was not really looking at it, but my focus was on her baby and her husband. Chelsea with her croaky voice, pointing at the picture, she looked at me and asked,

"Hey, Jelly! You did not recognize this one?"

I looked at it but my sister grabbed the tablet and she stared at it and blurted, "It's Michael."

Eunice showed it to me and said again, "It's Michael. Look, Jelly."
I looked at it. Yes, it's him.
I did not say a word.

Chelsea looked at me and said,
"He's very close to our church pastor. I was surprised also to see him. We didn't talk much since I was busy with my other guests. What I heard, he resides in Alberta. That's almost 3 hours travel by land from Calgary. He got a boy and a girl."

I don't know why I was quiet, but the topic was diverted to the younger sister of Chelsea. I was seemingly listening. But I was distracted. I wanted to look at the picture again and ask if it was his wife beside him. But I did not.

Chelsea left because it was late already. She promised to see us again before she goes back to America.

In the kitchen I was washing the dishes when Eunice came over my shoulder and asked,

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, did you check on Princess?"I asked trying to avoid what she meant.

"She's asleep in mom's room. Mom told me not to wake her up."

I continued with the dishes. Eunice stood beside the sink and looked at me,

"Do you wanna talk? I know you're not okay."

I did not answer her. But Eunice was still beside me waiting for me to speak.

"He looked good. He probably has a wonderful life in Canada."

I smiled at my sister. I wiped my hands and went to mom's room to check on Princess. When I went inside the room, the light was already turned off. I looked at my princess, peacefully sleeping with a cuddled pillow. I went to my room and locked the door. On my bed, I sat quietly, and then tears rolled down my cheek. I wiped my tears.

For sixteen years I did not hear anything from him. I was deeply hurt when he did not reply to my letter. I told myself not to cry anymore for him. That's why I closed my heart and opened it for Diovi. I could not deny that when I saw his picture, my heart leaped with joy. I was happy because I saw him looking good. He must have a good life. He is happy without me in his life. I should be happy then for him. I should not cry anymore for him.

I lay on my bed and closed my eyes, allowing the tears to fall in my pillow. Hoping the pain would be gone when I wake up in the morning.

"Lord, You understand every tear that falls down from my eye. Thank you, Jesus."