Sacrifice of Love

Kabanata VI

Lea is on her way home when her phone rang. She reached for it and accepted the call immediately without looking who the caller is.

"Hello? Hello Jean? How are you?"

"I'm fine, Lea. How are you?"

"I'm okay. Your husband, how is he?"

"He's still looking gorgeous. Pero sa tingin ko lumaki ata ang tiyan."
she laughs from the other line.

When Lea was about to end the call, Jean says to her that she needs to listen to her.

"Listen, Lea. Listen."

"Okay."

"Everything is ready, Lea. Payag na ang asawa ko."

Lea didn't answer because she was shocked. Her heart beats fast. She steps out of the car running out of words. Jean is not finished yet. When she enters the house, she sees Gee doing something on the table.

"By the way, ipapadala ko na ang old pictures ng asawa ko. May dedication yun for you and for Gee. Ihanda mo na ang anak mo..."

"Jean, you think this is right? I also think about it and I don't think it is right."

"Lea. Just trust me, please. Okay? Bababa kaming mag-asawa from Baguio next Wednesday. Saka na natin pag-usapan ang iba pang details."

"Anyway, how is Gee?"

"She's okay. She's beside me. Guess what she's doing now? She's drawing."

"That's good. Give my love to her, 'kay?"

"I will, Jean. Thank you! Bye."

Lea hang up the call.

*****

"Marami diyan ang nagpapakamatay o
pumapatay mahawakan lang ang kanilang mga asawa." Jean's Mom lecturing her after she said about her plan.

Jean was walking back and forth in front of her Mom while listening to her homily.

"But you are different Jean. Malayo pa ang Christmas hija, don't be so generous..." her Mom continues lecturing her.

Her Mom honestly didn't know why she is doing all of these. She might call others 'crazy' but her intention is just to help her best friend. Is that really the reason?

"Or else baka ayaw mo na sa asawa mo? Are you having an affair with another man?" direct question of her Mom.

"Of course not, Ma. Not yet anyway." Jean sat down on the couch.

She already made up her mind. Even her Mom, couldn't stop her.

"Lea is not ugly, Jean. Maputi rin. Baka naghahanap ka ng sakit ng ulo ha?" her Mom raised her voice in a bit.

"I want a child so badly Ma... to anything. And besides lagi naman wala ang asawa ko sa bahay, nalulungkot ako." Jean sighs.

"Aba edi gumawa kayo ulit! What is stopping you? Kasal ka, legal... And you're both human being!" strong statement of her Mom.

She didn't answer instead she bowed her head and heaved a deep sigh.

"Pagsasabihan ko nga yang asawa mo. Tama na muna yang negosyo sa New York, Melbourne and Los Angeles. Tama na ang pagpapayaman. Dito na muna sya mag-concentrate sayo." her Mom says seriously.

Whatever her Mom says, she already finalized her decision. She will do anything for her best friend, and for her goddaughter.

"Hija, gusto ko na rin magka-apo. It's already five years, right? Sana maging okay na this time." her Mom continued.