Untold Romance (COMPLETED)

15: Settled by faith

"Daddy! I'm home!" She waved her hands to him. Syn ran to her father as soon as she found him. Her eyes blurred with tears, her heart tightened "My Synthia's home." he wrapped his arms around her.

"How's Philippines?" Her heart tightened even more as she was trying to refrain what had happened to her in the Philippines into words, she held back her tears. She cannot show any wounded part of her to her father---not now. 

"Really Good, daddy. Glad you asked" but guess who's really good at lying?  Her father could see the agony behind her smile but he knew she didn't want him to ask about it now.

"You came alone? Where's your man?" He asked. She looked back and smiled at her father, "He'll be here tomorrow, Daddy"

"Tomorrow's the wedding, Synthia Rey"

"I know, he had a very important event last night. He wasn't able to come with me on my way here"

"Tomorrow, we'll just go and pick him up. That excludes you, Synthia." he said. She couldn't believe what she just heard. She wanted to protest but soon she realized her father needed to talk to his future son-in-law. She's Feliciano and Evictorialle Fortrera's only child after all.

"Don't scare him away, alright? He might change his mind, dad. I might not get married" she said and laughed; so did her dad.

"Do I know this man?"

"You guys are best friends. He's the best, I assure you" she said, assuring her dad with a tight grip on his hand.

"My best friend? Oh it's---"

"Shhh, don't try to guess. You'll ruin my surprise"

"I thought he's married" her father said. She didn't answer to conceal her emotions. She might cry if she tries to utter any word.

- - -

It was already 10 am in the morning. The whole family went to a famous flower garden which they owned. Everybody was busy upon accommodating a few guests they invited.

Their only princess is getting married, but there were only 36-56 people invited. Every detail showed how luxurious their life is even though the whole thing was just planned last night.

"Bride, please enter" Syn walked on the aisle. Both her parents beside her. She looked at both of them smiled at her, her mom almost in tears seeing her daughter get married before she dies. That's all she wished for.

"Synthia, darling, do you remember what you used to tell mommy about getting married?" Her mom asked, Syn asked her what. "You used to say you're not gonna get married until you meet somebody who'll make you feel like jumping off a cliff or will make you do things you thought you couldn't do. It took you a long time to find him but I'm glad you did. I'm glad that I'm able to watch you grow and get married today. Mommy loves you, my Synthia. Thank you for granting mommy's wish" her mom kissed her forehead. She failed to keep her tears.

Her groom was waiting for her patiently in front of them. His father was about to give her hand when he stopped and looked at both of them "Love your future children the way we loved you two and more. We're always here for you" he handed her daughter to the man who'll be with her for the rest of her life.

"Sorry, alam mo naman sila... Iyakin" Syn joked and held his hand. He chuckled and looked at her, "Ganon naman talaga lahat ng mga magulang lalo na't ikakasal ang nag-iisang anak nila"

"Thank you for accepting this, Rio." she said; quiet shy of what she had done to him. He smiled and kissed her forehead. It was tender, it was gentle and it was the most purest love she received but was also the purest love that she can not give back.

"All for you. Shall we?"

She wasn't expecting this to happen---nobody did. But what can she do? Everything was settled by faith.

- - -

Everybody went to their house for the reception. And after that, everybody went home by 11 pm.  Though it was late but it was fun. Rio, since then, was already part of their family. Everybody knew him and so did he.

"Syn, can I talk to you for a little bit?" her mom asked, turning pale by the second. "Sure Mom. Let's talk inside, you look tired"

"Today was such a tiring day but it was lovely---It was special" her mom said, making her way to Syn's bed. Synthia followed her with her stare.

"Rio? Where is he?" Her mom asked.

"Downstairs, talking with Dad. Mas close na sila ngayon" she joked. Her mom chuckled and leaned on her bed, yawning.

"Are you happy?"

"I am, mom. I'm happy to be home" she said, looking outside her window. "How about being married?"

Syn nodded.

"You don't look like you're happy. I can't see the love spark in your eyes" her mom said. Syn immediately looked at her mom "You don't see it mom. You feel it. I am happy, okay?" She said and laughed.

"Why didn't you invite Cyrus and Alyana over? They missed the fun" her mom said. She tried to answer her mom's question but there were no words coming out of her mouth.

"Mom, I'm sorry" but she could only find those words. She hugged her mom and kneeled before her.

"I fell inlove with Cyrus. I was in a relationship with him, I was so close to losing my sanity because of him. Mom, I'm sorry. I am a disgrace to this family" she cried. Hearing her daughter's pain also hurts her as a mother. But it wasn't Syn's fault. Though it pained Evictorialle to see her princess cry, she did not show Syn how it was affecting her.

She caressed Syn's cheek "It's not your faul, love. You just fell inlove; falling inlove isn't a mistake. Maybe it was bound to happen. Maybe he's just not the right one for you"

Syn shook her head in disagreement, "But I don't deserve Rio. I don't want him. I don't love him. What should I do mom? Now that we're already married?"

"Open up your heart for other people. I'm sorry you had to get married, I didn't know what happened. Darling, I'm so sorry." her mom cried as well, she couldn't stop the tears. Seeing Syn troubled with what she did for her mother, could make you want to cry too.

They walked to her mother's room and tucked her to bed.

"Don't leave yet, please?" her mom pleaded, she meant leaving for Philippines. Her heart almost crushed upon hearing her mom, "I won't. Tulog ka na, mommy" she said.

"I will"

"Bumangon ka bukas ha? Unang araw kong maging misis, tuturuan mo pa ako" Syn said, fearing her mom's death.

Her mom smiled. "You have a heart like your father's. Thank you for today, Synthia. Goodnight, I love you" her mom closed her eyes and sighed.

"Goodnight, mom. I love you too"  Syn hugged her mom and made sure she's comfortable.

She went out and turned the light off. Synthia went to her room to wait for Rio. She was hoping to receive good news as soon as her door would open but she did not.

"Your mom's already sleeping?" Her father asked. She nodded and immediately stood up; her dad rushed to their room.

And it came to her.

"Mom, wait!" She cried and went to their room as well. Rio hugged her tight, not wanting Syn to go near her mom to wake her up because he knows Syn will only disappoint her self.

"Rio, my mom---" she said and looked at Rio. She was prying from his grip, moving against his direction so she could get close to her mom. "---No, dad! Don't leave the room yet. She's just sleeping dad---what are you doing?!" Synthia protested as her father turned off the light and left the room. Syn felt like she was the eight year old girl; who'd cry everytime her mom would leave for a business trip. Will she be the eight year old version of herself? Will she still wait for her mom to go back home? Or will she let go of the sudden loss?

Her father stopped infront of her and said, "She's sleeping, Synthia. She's sleeping forever."

But forever is a long time. Does that mean she'll have to endure this pain for a long time too? Does that mean she'll have to carry the pain for as long as she lives?