Accomplice Then, My Bride Now (Completed)

ATMBN 6

"Ang ganda ng place na to, Gob. Kanino to?"

"Mine—a gift for my wife."

"I am sorry."

"No need, Miss Maine. Okay na. It is what it is."

She looks at RJ, ano yon? wala pang bente kwatro oras naka move on na? Or tinatago lang ang sakit?

"You know, Gob. I can be a friend? No need to say you're fine if you're not. Kaya nga ako sumama sa'yo di ba? Para may makausap ka. Come on. I am listening."

They were in the house balcony, facing the small garden. There's a good minute of silence. She saw RJ looks at the rim of his wine glass. She gave him the time, the important thing was she was able to say that she can be a friend—and that is true. Wala siyang gustong gawin ngayon kundi ang makinig at maging kaibigan ni RJ.

She saw RJ's right hand reach his right short pocket. A crumpled paper—Rachel's letter to him after she runaway.

"Will you read this for me, Miss Maine?"

She reaches the paper from his hand and she felt that. Why is that? Anong meron sa touch ni RJ this time? Bakit may kuryente? She sighs and takes away her gaze from the man.

"Are you cold, Miss Maine? Wait here."

She saw him stood up, and went to the room and came back with a comforter.

"Here, ayokong magkasakit ka."

"Thank you, RJ." She replied and her heart went overdrive. Ang sweet at thoughtful mo RJ. I wish I could find someone like you.

"Hey, are you okay, Miss Maine? Napakunot noo ka?"

"I am fine, RJ. May naalala lang. Anyway, do you still want me to read this?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay. Here we go."

"Dearest RJ..."

"How ironic, Miss Maine—she said Dearest—was the meaning of the word—'most loved and cherish'? May most loved ba na nang-iiwan?"

She stops on her track and looks up at RJ. I am sorry, Gob...

"Go on..."

"Dearest RJ,

Please forgive me for not showing up on our supposed wedding day.

I am sorry, RJ. Someday, I will explain everything to you, all I need from you now is your understanding. Please understand.

Please don't ever think that I don't love you. I do RJ. You are one of the most amazing gifts ever the Lord has given me, and I thought so you don't deserve a half-whole Rachel.

Thank you for everything RJ. Someday someone will come and we will look back on this day with so much gratefulness in our hearts that it didn't happened.

Take care of yourself...

Love,
Rachel"

—
No one dares to speak. They let the words of Rachel sink in. She's uttering a prayer for her bestfriend wherever she may be at this moment. She hopes that she's fine and she's at peace with the choices she made.

"Thank you, Miss Maine."

"You're most welcome, Gob."

"Nope. You don't understand."