Chapter 144 - Once and For All

After a while of chatting after their lunch, the whole place became crowded.

"I want to try their coffee here, " said Mrs. Lopez, who craved for something different after a sumptous meal.

"Do you know that in the 19th century, Vietnam has become the second-largest coffee supplier in the world?" replied Mr. Lopez, his eyes beaming with pride.

"I've heard their highlands are turned to coffee farms, " added Mr. Dioko, whose eyes were on the muted TV screen featuring the coffee culture of the country.

A pretty waitress approached their table when she overheard them talking about coffee. With a wide smile, she said, "On the opposite wing facing the garden, we have a coffee shop there."

Before one of them could reply, she added, "Let me lead the way, ma'am and sir."

The group stood up and followed her. In the next few minutes, they were already picking up their choice of ice milk coffee for the women, brewed tea for the men, milk tea for Adrian and Allie and a glass of juice for Chloe.

While hooked up in their different topics, Mr. Dioko received a call and he walked up to a corner far from them to answer it. When he was back a few minutes after, he looked at Mary and Sam with gloom in his eyes.

"It's time. We must end their misery once and for all."

Mary and Sam looked at each other and nodded.

"She'll understand." He patted Sam's shoulders with an encouraging look.

Sam was the reason why they kept the secret. He was afraid Allie would not understand. He was scared she would lose her respect for her mom. And the list went on with his apprehensions.

"Alright, for her own peace of mind."

"I'm glad you realized, " Mary said, referring to the emotional struggles Allie and Ajie must have borne.

"They need time to fully understand one's worth. Only when we lose something important, would we know it's value." Needless to ask, Sam was not happy in Ajie's hasty decision in destroying their marriage. He wanted him to learn that marriage should be a lifetime decision.

Mr.& Mrs. Lopez stared at them, wondering what they were talking about. It seemed something was bothering them and it felt strange. Gerald Dioko was only linked to them through Hayri and the span of time they knew each other was not enough to make them look like they already knew each other a long time.

"Dioko boy, is there a problem?" Mr. Lopez was no longer able to hold back his curiosity.

"Not really. It is just that a bomb would be dropped today," Mr. Dioko chuckled out, heightening everyone's curiousity.

"This is a war-torn country and the people might be scared in hearing about a bomb," Ajie commented and Mr. Dioko laughed his heart out at his off-topic comment.

Ajie shook his head as he was both amused and confused about why he was laughing.

"Adrian, sorry. You'll soon know what I mean," Mr. Dioko waved a hand to express his apology.

"Can't wait," was Ajie's only reply. He stood up and brought Allie out to a small terrace looking out on a garden.

There were rows of peach blossoms, apricot flowers as wells as plum and ebony  in a well-crafted landscape,  giving the garden a romantic ambiance.

"So beautiful, " Allie exclaimed as she ran her eyes through the landscapes.

"I could make one for you."

"We don't have these flowers at home," Allie objected.

"We can make inquiries on how to make them grow. Remember, Nanay has  green thumbs."

She nodded while feasting once more over the myriad of lovely and colorful blooms. "Really beautiful."

"As beautiful as you, " a voice from behind cut through their exchanges of ideas.

Before Allie could turn towards the one speaking, two arms wrapped her from behind in a tight embrace.

"Hayri!" she exclaimed, his voice and his hug was so familiar to her.

"Yes, dear, " he answered as he untangled her from his arms.

"Why are you here?" her eyes narrowed in surprise, never expecting she'd see him at that moment.

"Can't I miss you? Or is the boat so small for me and Adrian?" he laughed, but a shiver ran through her spine.

Humiliated and gripped with jealousy again as he saw how intimate they became and how Hayri made an effort to surprise her here, Ajie turned to walk away. The sight was too much for him to bear. He knew he had nothing against him now except for the child in Allie's womb. His hope started to crumble as his heart was searing in pain. He was losing her again.

"Adrian, where are you going?" Hayri called out, glints of amusement spread in his eyes.

Ajie turned and glanced up at him and then to Allie, whose face was also turning pale at the tension building up around them.

"I'm going to the bathroom, " he lied, "please excuse me." 

"Stop!" Hayri's authoritative voice made him pause but it did not stop his face from turning red as drops of tears gathered in the corner of his eyes.

Allie was already shaking in discomfort and grasping her reaction, Hayri got afraid. The rising tension within them might affect the baby.

"I need to talk to you both, once and for all. Shall we go back to the table with the rest for a discussion?" 

To Allie's surprise, Hayri's eyes were begging. She knew Hayri was not someone to be trampled upon and that he was a man of persistence who would always fight for his right. She could now hear the loud thumping of her heartbeats, banging loudly against her chest. Her sympathy went out to Ajie and she could feel his gnawing pain. She couldn't understand, she had already set her mind to keep her commitment to Hayri but why was she hurting so much already?

Looking at Ajie now, she was almost tempted to run and comfort him. Tell him that it was still him whom her heart desired. But sad to say, she was already bound by her commitment to Hayri. Looking at him in obvious pain now, her thoughts went back to how s a  yielded up to him a few hours ago. To how she returned his kisses, how she responded with equal hunger and passion to his touch and how she held herself from self-restraints. Perhaps, that was her last gift for him, the giving of her heart and soul. That should be a memory enough for them to live by and reminisce before she would forever walk in the aisle with Hayri. 

Think about it all, a sudden pang of pain, hatred, and anger burst out from her. It was all his fault that both of them had to suffer!

She was already in the brink of tears when Hayri placed his arm and led her back to where their family was waiting, with Ajie following behind.

add author's thought