The Cheater's Story [Completed]

VIII

              Many years has passed after Henry's family left the country. I can say everything went back to normal. The cafe is still a fused business and I am the only one to manage it and I get the 75% of its income as what Henry's mother wants.

Without Henry is still hard for me. But I'm okay now. I focused myself in many things like discovering more techniques on baking cakes and cupcakes.

A year ago, I went to France, to unwind. I guess it is effective. I become better than ever. Although the pain is still here but it doesn't hurt me like before. I will never forget Henry. He's my first love. He taught me how to love and how to be strong. Because of him I will never know how to move on. He introduced me to pain. I am still thankful that I met him.

That is love. No matter how much you love that person if you are not meant for each other, it will not last forever.

Unknown caller is calling...

I'm hesitant at first but I still answered. Maybe it is urgent.

[Hello, Thank you for answering Selene.]

"Uhh? Who's this?"

[This is Henry's mom Selene.]

"Oh, tita. How are you?"

[I'm fine. Oh we are here in the Philippines. Can I talk to you?]

"Really tita? Oh sure tita. When?"

[When are you free?]

"I'm always free, tita. Tomorrow?"

[Sure. I'll just going to your house. 10 am.]

"Okay tita! See you tomorrow." I said and she dropped the call.

I suddenly thought about Henry. How was he? Is he doing fine? Or maybe he will come tomorrow with his mom. I'm glad to tell him that I already forgiven him. I hope he will com with his mom tomorrow.

I saw a black moth. Somewhat I felt something wrong.

"Ma'am? Okay ka lang po ba?" Ate Rosita asked me.

"I'm okay ate Rosita. Sumakit lang po bigla yung ulo ko." yeah maybe because I'm tired.

"Naku ma'am magpahinga na muna po kayo ako na po bahala rito. Eto po gamot, kukuha lang po ako ng tubig." I did not try to resist because my head really hurts now.

"Thank you ate Rosita. Pakidala nalang po sa office ko." I headed to my office. She nodded as a response.

Not a second passed ate Rosita gave me medicine and the water. I thanked her and I lay down on the couch.

As I closed my eyes, I drifted to sleep.

Someone is waking me up. I opened my eyes and I saw Henry's face.

He's smiling.

"Hey, Selene! How are you?" He said.

"I'm fine. You?" I said to him happily.

"That's good to know. I'm fine too."

"Oh that is good too." Something inside me wants to hug him.

"Uhh, Selene. Have you forgiven me? I'm really sorry for what I did to you." I smiled at him and said

"I had already forgiven you, Henry. I'm the one who must ask for forgiveness to you. I left you. I hurt you too."

"It's nothing Selene, you have the right to leave me. I cheated on you. I still love you Selene." I was speechless. I still love him too.

"I love you too, Henry."

"But it's too late Selene." he said makes me confused.

"Why? Henry? Are you already married? Or you already have someone in your heart?" He shook his head as an answer to all of my questions.

"I will alway love you, Selene." he said.

I can't understand him. He's fading away. Why? What the heck is happening?

"Ma'am, gising na po. Magsasara na po tayo."

I woke up. It's a dream. What the heck is that dream all about?

"Oh, ate Rosita. Sorry po for the inconvenience."

"Naku ma'am, wala po iyon." I smiled at her and she smiled back.

I fixed my things and I'm ready to go.

I bid goodbye to ate Rosita and I headed to the parking lot. I drove back home. I suddenly remembered the dream I had. Do I missed Henry?

I shrugged all of my thoughts. Maybe I'm just tired.

When I got home, I immediately headed to my room. I'm just exhausted for the day I had today.

Morning came. I woke up early because I'm excited to see tita again. I'm excited to see Henry too. I really hope that he will come with his mom.

I'm disappointed when Tita come alone. I wonder where is Henry.

"Hi tita, I missed you!" I hugged her and she hugged me back too.

"I missed you too iha." She said

"First of all, Henry wants me to give you this." she continued and he gave me an envelope which I assume a letter from Henry.

I excitedly opened his letter.

Selene,

How are you today? I hope you are in a good condition. First of all, I'm disappointed in you. I told you to trust me. What happened is not what you think really. The girl you found with me that day drugged me at Frank's bachelorette's party. I will never make you cry, but looks like I just did. I'm so sorry. I am really sorry. I hope you already forgiven me. God knows how much I love you. Yes you hurt me too, but you are already forgiven. I'm really sad when you cancelled our wedding. But don't worry I'm hoping that you are happy. I only wished for you happiness.

I have a disease. I have HIV. I got that disease on the girl who drugged me and seduced me. I regret that I come to Frank's party. If I did not, maybe you are my wife now. That's why we decided to migrate to states. God knows I don't want to leave you but I need to get treatment here. Wait for me to get better then I will see you there in Philippines. Maybe that's why it's good that you left me. You do not deserved me. You do not deserve someone like me who have HIV. You deserve someone else better than me....

I love you Selene. I really do. I hope you are happy now. Don't worry I am happy.

,Henry

I love you too Henry.

"Where is Henry tita? I want to see him now."

"Iha..." Tita became sad when I mentioned Henry's name. My forehead creased as a confusion.

"Henry's dead. He decided to stopped getting treatments." Tita cried.

A tear fell from my eyes. So that dream is our last meeting?

Henry, hanggang kailan mo ba akong sasaktan?

Hanggang kailan mo ba ako papaiyakin?

Ang sakit sakit, sobra.