The Unwanted Choice | ✔️

Chapter 13

CHAPTER XIII

G A I D S E N

In life, we cannot force things to be in the places where we want it to be. Our life is planned by Him, not by someone or anyone. There are times wherein you have to choose between things, on what to keep and what to lose. The pain on losing someone you love is like being stabbed in the heart for a million times, even if you only bond with each other in a short amount of time. The time you spent with a person wouldn't be the basis on how much you love him or her, no matter how long or short it is.

My mind keeps on reminiscing the memories I have with her way back then. The sky has been so clear today, no signs of raining, just as bright as the special day of my life right now. I stepped on the gas and drove my car faster to reach my destination. Finally, I arrived at a white building institution, which is behind a park. I stretched out my neck and tried to look for a parking space. The hospital seems to have a wide parking area for the patients and visitors. When I finally found one, I directly parked my car. After unbuckling my seatbelt, I poked the rosy cheeks of the child seating beside me. His   forehead knotted as he started to get annoyed as I wake him up.

"Charly Gaidsen!"

"What? Are we here already?" my little peanut asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, son. Today's Friday, your mother has an early out. Aren't you excited? Today's your special day!" I told him excitedly.

"I am, dad. And please, stop acting like a girl. It's                 embarrassing. HA HA!" I just ignored what he said and laughed with him.

"Come on, Charly. We have to fetch your mom. She's probably waiting for us now." I said as I went outside the car. "Alright, dad."

We half run the distance between the car and the entrance of the institution. My wife should be in the waiting area by this time. "Let's hurry up, son." I told him as we finally went inside.

My son hurriedly looked sideways and tries to find where his   mother can be. Time flies so fast, my son just turned to five. It's been seven years since we lost her, my first love. It was never an easy ride. I had to do adjustments without Charlotte. But I was so grateful that I always have Rebecca by my side. She was really patient until I started to move on and to keep going with my life.

"Hey dad! Mom's there!" my son snapped me out and pointed on where my beautiful wife is. When she saw us, she walked closer and gave us a hug. "Hi honey! Hello baby!"

"Mommy! I missed you!" he lovingly said. "I did great in school today." A proud little boy, I see. Oh well, he's just like me.

"Wow! Very good! You'll have your reward when we get home,  alright? But first, we have to visit someone." and she looks at me. How lucky can I still get? I have my greatest possessions right before my eyes.

Together, we went outside the hospital towards our parked car. I turned on the engines and started to drive off to our next destination, Charlotte's haven. Charly was born on Charlotte's second death anniversary that's why we named our son after her. She will always be a part of us, a big one. Rebecca never forgets the things I gave value of. Starting when I tried to give us a try, I can see that she is a one kind of woman. Charlotte's right, the best for me was about to come, and that is Rebecca. She might come unexpectedly, in a not so right time, but it came out that she was destined for me.

"Daddy! We're here! We're!" Charly has always been the energizer of the family. He never failed to make us smile. "Hello, tita-mom! It's my birthday again. We missed you. How are you?" and he started talking to Charlotte like she's with us. He has always been like that.

"Who would ever thought?"

"Oh my, Rebecca! Don't startle me like that. You're giving your husband a mini heart attack. Goodness!"

"HA HA! Oh please, Brian. What were you thinking? You're spacing out." She asked me calmly. I reached for her waist and pulled her closer to me. I still miss her scent even if we're always together. Addictive.

"Nothing. Just thinking about you, me and Charly. I just hope Charlotte's with us right now. She had always been a good friend and companion to us."

"Brian, you know that she's always here with us. She'll be our Charly's guardian angel. She loves us, you know." She said and chuckled. Such a beauty, my love. Her every gesture just affects me every time. Her smile, her wacky, whenever she scolds me and Charly. I just can't get enough with my wife.

"I love you..." I said out of nowhere.

"I love you too, Brian. Always remember that, you and Charly." She said with her eyes twinkling as if they were stars. "You were one of the greatest blessings that I have ever received. I'll never get tired of you, Brian. Thank you for loving me back. Thank you for being my other half."

"Don't thank me, Rebecca. We should thank Charlotte for giving us the chance to give each other try, to love and cherish each other. And now, we have our own little Charly." I kissed her forehead and started to sway her.

"Daddy! Daddy! Me! Me!" Charly raised his hands as if telling me to lift him up. "Alright little peanut."

"I love you, Rebecca. I love you, Charly." My eyes betrayed me, tears are about to flow down when I felt Charly wiping it slowly. "Daddy, don't cry. We love you too." What have I done to be this lucky? Despite my wrong decisions, I'm truly blessed. And I'm contented with what I have. I looked up to the sky and closed my eyes.

The wind blows through my face. The place's ambiance and mood bring comfort to what I'm feeling. Finally, the peace.

Charlotte, wherever you may be, I hope you're happy looking down upon me. Thank you for making me realize things. Thank you for   being there for me when you were still here. May you guide me and family to live in harmony. By the way, I named Charly after you! You deserve every good thing in this world. You're just too good that God had picked you first to come back to Him. Every moment we had, I cherished every bit of it. You'll never be forgotten.

Maybe in another life, things will be different. But in this life, I have loved my unwanted choice. I love Rebecca Martins.