"Book my flight as soon as possible."
Allie almost jumped out for joy the moment she read his reply. Finally, she would see him again. To introduce herself on the social media app would be a lot easier but it was something she was too afraid of. Afraid that a time would come when one of Hayri's men will pressure him or threat him to confess. Just as how his men tortured their neighbors in Kamelyo during their series of interrogations. One of her relatives even died during the series of torture. He was not able to endure the beatings after failed interrogations and the depth of his injuries caused a massive bleeding of his major organs. God forbid, she couldn't allow that to happen. As a child who grew up in the bloody fields of Kamelyo, whose cries of the victims and afflicted were mostly left unheard, one careless act from her would cause her family those untold miseries.
However, she could not allow her marriage to dissolve over to Jane. She must do something to save it. If this decision of revealing herself would pose a great threat to Ajie, at least, she could first explain her side. She could personally tell him the full details of her reasons why she ran away. To see him would be her first act of bravery and forgiveness for all the lies he had done for her.
She thought of ways to meet Ajie where she would be spared from Hayri's suspicions. She planned to set it at Rough Seas but Hayri had the habit of walking into the' office unannounced. The personnel knew him already and they treated him as one of the VIP's of the company. His coming in and out of the premises was not questioned or guarded. He was very protective of her and would always free his time to personally drive her to any of her meetings and appointments.
Due to her excitement, she was not able to sleep well and so she went to the kitchen early to prepare their breakfast and lunch. To prepare their lunch ahead in the morning and heating it during lunchtime would save her time and energy during lunchbreak. Hayri treasured their mealtimes as their most precious moments together. He would always refuse meetings over lunch or dinner because that was one of the ways he showed how he valued her.
"Good morning, princess. " Hayri's voice from behind her startled her. She was even more startled when he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"You startled me. " She complained as she gently tried to break free from him.
"Time for our meditation. " Allie smiled as he mentioned it. Hayri was already used to the practice and had incorporated it wholeheartedly to his morning routines.
"Ah, yes. I'll just have to finish this. You go ahead. "
"No, I'll wait. "
"You... " She gritted her molars at his stubborness and came forward to pinch his nose. But Hayri was quicker than her. He quickly encircled one arm around her while the other supported her head. He then bent down and sealed her lips with the kiss he had always longed to do for the whole five years. Caught offguard, she lost her balance and fell backward but Hayri steadied her and continued kissing her even deeper. He only released her when he sense that she was already struggling to catch her breath.
"Hayri...you're such a cheater. " She exclaimed angrily as she glared at him.
"That's the best cheating I ever made which I would never regret. "
Allie turned her back on him as she went back to the oven to turn it off. She then glanced up at Hayri who was waiting for her by the door.
"Let's go. "She said, deciding to ignore his last statement. Hayri then clawed an arm around her waist as she walked past him and guided her towards the living room.
A quote from an anonymous author was the food for thought in that morning's reading.
"When you forgive, you in no way change the past, but you sure do change the future..."
Allie looked up to Hayri after reading the whole article. "Hayri, how is your heart these days? Have you learned to forgive already? "
Hayri smiled weakly as he pondered on it. "You know how much I tried, Zheen. During the last five years where you helped me with my struggles to let go of the anger, I believe I already have. Dad is doing well and is happy about it. But what I can't promise is my reaction if I would finally see her. "
"What happen to your search and interrogation operation? " She took a deep breath in an unconscious effort to conceal her reaction.
"Sadly, all records were burnt down and the schools and universities were the company offered the scholarship program, were not able to single out a certain "Allyza" who came out from Kamelyo. "
Allie's heartbeats pounded hardly against her chest as she listened intently on him. She wondered how her scholastic records were deleted as well as her PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) details. Perhaps, Dino had worked out hardly to keep her hidden, including the pulling out of all her records. She wondered how these people worked well in keeping someone' s confidentiality, only to be disclosed tactlessly by Director General Alfonso himself.
"As I have always reminded you, Hayri, never let your anger and revenge destroy your future. You just have to call a wrongdoing by it's right name and know it's consequences. "
Hayri nodded silently, held out her hand and kissed it. "I want to take you to daddy after our graduation. I wan't to let you see how that forgiveness you instilled in my mind for five years affected me. "
Allie also nodded. It's now about time to free herself and face her fears. She just realized she was already tired of running away. It had already caused a great damage to herself and her family. Perhaps, Chloe's speech delay could be attributed to her insecurities of having no mother to send her to school. Perhaps, she was envying all those children who had mothers to kiss them goodbye after sending them to the classroom. Or, mothers to stretch their arms wide to hug them during their class dismissal... The problem must really be that big since Ajie was willing to jump into a loveless marriage just because of their daughter. And because of running away, she would soon be losing a husband and a daughter. Most especially because, as Ajie told her, Jane would now introduce herself as her daughter's mom.
She threw herself at Hayri and hugged him emotionally. " Thanks for everything, Hayri. Please don't hate me in the future. "