The wedding goes on as planned. It is not much of a grandeur type, and only a few chosen people are invited. A wedding is one of the best life occasions, wherein two people bind with love and swear in front of the altar. It is a promise of forever with mutual feelings between two lovebirds, but that is not his case. Luisa’s baby bump reminds him of his lifetime responsibility.
There is no turning back the clock.
Months go by with a heartsore. It has been three months since his last glimpse of her. The academe's education coordinator, Ms. Monteiro, takes control of the school while he is away. His branches are also taken care of by his trusted people. Although he is bustled with holiday and wedding planning abroad, his mind dredges up memories of her.
But he cannot rescind the fact that she paltered.
---
The hallway is bustled with students and teachers for graduation practice. Greetings welcome him as he walks through, but his eyes furtively look around the place. Both an astir Emma and Jason tend to the awardees, and a smidgen of dismay springs up. Lea is not with them. Though they remain on bad terms, a portion of his heart seeks her presence. He pulls himself together and enters his office—filled with moments subsumed under their bittersweet yesterday—as Ms. Monteiro sets a meeting this morning. In spite of the long-drawn-out distance between them, he needs to brazen out his responsibilities. Graduation day is near, so he calls for a meeting to discourse in relation to it.
"Good morning, Sir," everyone greets him in unison as he walks in.
He plasters on a smile, but something is off. Lea is still not around.
"Thank you, teachers and admin. So... uhm... are we all here now?" he asks, expectant of knowing her whereabouts. Everybody answers in the affirmative. Amidst the impelled feeling of asking about Lea, he gets a grip and leads off the meeting.
*Is she late again? Just like my first time here. Late din siya noon. Tsk.*
But all agendas are done, including the graduation venue, and Lea still does not appear. He walks back to the comfort of his office while Ms. Monteiro tails him.
"Sir, here is the list of our applicants," she hands it over to him.
"Applicants? Do we need to hire new teachers?" He runs his eyes over the list.
"Yes, Sir. Kulang po tayo ng isang teacher. Ms. Salazar filed her resignation."
He pauses, aghast at Ms. Monteiro’s statement.
"Wh-what? Bakit? Kailan pa? Lumipat ba siya ng school? Saan? Bakit hindi ko alam?!"
"S-sorry, Sir, pero kasi... sabi niyo you're occupied with the wedding planning. Last year pa po siya nag-file was effective two months ago." Ms. Monteiro knows the fact of their breakup, but she cannot blurt out the truth. Lea pleaded to keep her pregnancy from Aga.
• Flashback •
It is the first day of class for this new year.
Aga filed a leave of absence for his wedding preparation, leaving all school concerns in Ms. Monteiro’s hands. It took her days to decide, but she made up her mind for this. Her teaching license is at risk. Though she strived harder to grasp this profession, she knows choosing her offspring over it is the best choice to have.
"Tuloy ka, Ms. Salazar," Ms. Monteiro says, overseeing the changes in her.
Lea smiles sweetly upon walking into the office.
"You look great. Holiday did great on you ha," she jests.
"Thank you, Ms. Eunice. Uhm. I am here to ask for your approval."
"Tungkol saan?"
"About my resignation."
"I knew you're brokenhearted, Ms. Salazar, but please reconsider your decision. Hindi mo naman kailangang mag-resign just because you're hurt. I've been there, but look at me. Naka-move on din."
She strokes her belly. "Gustuhin ko man, Ms. Eunice, but I can't."
Ms. Monteiro gapes at her. "Oh God. Does he know?"
"No. It's for the best." She looks down, stroking her a bit apparent bump.
"I... understand, Miss. You are one of the best teachers in this academe. Your students and co-teachers will surely miss you."
"Thank you po. It disheartened me to come up with this decision, but... it's the best way out of this. I beg you for my resignation to take effect within this week, Ma'am."
"I'll see what I can do, Ms. Salazar," she gives her an assuring smile.
"And... another thing, Ma'am. Huwag niyo na lang sana ipaalam yung tungkol dito. I don't want him to know. Pamilyado na ho siya. It might just cause trouble if he knows. Ayoko ho ng gulo that's why I'm leaving." She chokes back tears.
Ms. Monteiro nods. She understands Lea’s decision. Sympathy rears in her heart; Lea is one of the best in their school. She taught students respect and tenacity despite her stern way.
But this is not all about her profession anymore. Motherhood is on top of everything now. As the education coordinator and a friend to Lea, Ms. Monteiro understands her choice.
• End of flashback •
"Where is she now? What school?" he asks, grabbing his things to hotfoot after Lea.
"Apology, Sir, but she didn't mention any. Ang alam ko lang she resigned for personal reasons." Ms. Monteiro is stunned when Aga leaves in a hurry. With heavy emotion loading his heart, he climbs into his car and drags himself to her place. He does not know what to feel as he also cannot reach Lea through a call.
Regrets flourish in him.
He pulls over and walks to her doorstep. Her car is parked. A ray of hope lights in him. Beads of sweat drop down his forehead as he heaves a sigh before knocking.
"Sino po sila?" a middle-aged woman opens the door.
He looks astounded. It is not her. "Uhm. Nandiyan ba si Lea?"
"Lea? Walang Lea dito, Sir."
"L-Leanne. Maria Leanne Salazar. Is she there?"
"Aaaah. Yung dating may-ari? Sir, wala na ho siya dito. Kami po nakabili nitong bahay pati sasakyan niya po."
Tremors settle in him; he is stunned by what he hears. "Uhm. Alam niyo po ba kung saan na siya nakatira?"
"Naku, Sir, hindi po eh. Wala naman pong sinabi."
He nods with absolute heartsick. He dredges up the memory of that night he forced her and his last glimpse of her. It was his fault. Tears drift down his face as he climbs into his car. Remorse gnaws at him, reminiscing about the glimpse of her. Her smile that brightens up his day and those treacle words they shared with grins on their faces are all gone. The spark of his ring reminds him of his knot. He should have let her go, but his heart remains to beat her name.
"Sir, I've searched the entire city and asked random people about her whereabouts, but I couldn't track her down."
He hired a private investigator to search for her. Although it is an unsound intent, he wants to see her. He longs to hear her voice again. Months go by at a brisking pace, but he perceives that missing piece in him. Emma and Jason affirm they do not know where Lea is, but he knows it is a lie. The two are her closest friends. Of all people to know her whereabouts, it is both of them.
But she must have prompted them to disavow.
He gestures for the investigator to leave. She has been running back and forth through his mind, tirelessly popping up in his dreams, and he remains unaware of her place. It is making him nuts. Luisa discerns his disorientation, and she is derailed to see her husband in such a way. Aga comes home often inebriated and groggy. He becomes surly and aloof toward her. It becomes crystal clear to her that Lea still owns his heart.
YOU ARE READING
'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)
Storie d'amoreI was alone thinking I was just fine I wasn't looking for anyone to be mine I thought love was just a fabrication A train that wouldn't stop at my station Home, alone, that was my consignment Solitary confinement So when we met I was skirting around...
