On the next day, I planned to stay in the house and share a story more to Cristel about my life. She was very interested in it. I don't want to go outside; I can't face Henry now. I need him to realize that I am very serious about what I just told him. My problem now is, how I will return this ring he gave to me?
"Through Alfredo. You give it to him, and he will return it to Henry," Cristel suggested.
"Right, but I don't want to go out. How can I give it to him?" I asked her.
"He will visit me later, after lunch."
I nodded, good thing Cristel has Alfredo, or else I have no choice but to face Henry and return this ring. I am very sure that if we meet again, I will fall into his charm again and just break what I just told him last night. His kisses will drown me again and I will forget what I need to do.
"Aliyah, are you alright? Why your face is so red? Are you having a fever?" Cristel touched my forehead.
I dodged. "No, I am alright."
"Are you sure? Then, why are you blushing? You are thinking about Henry, aren't you? It is just so sad, my hopes for both of you suddenly vanished when you told me the truth. I hope his grandson and you will meet and be happy in your time because you deserve it." She hugged me.
I am sure though that I can never find another man like Henry, he is one in a million and very impossible in my time. I can't tell Cristel that she and Alfredo will not last forever. I won't spoil on what will happen in their lives. I can't destroy Cristel's happiness with my grandpa Alfredo.
"So, what's 2020 looks like? Is it amazing?" she asked.
I sighed and smile. "There's a lot of things that happened as the years passed. If you can live longer, there's no way you cannot experience those wonderful things. But the sad part is that in my time, we are facing a very big problem that we can't find a solution to. Even though the technologies are very high, we still can't solve and find an answer to the worsening pandemic."
Her face became very sad. "That's awful. I rather die early than experience that. I know that a pandemic is very destructive."
"I still preferred to live like this. Very simple and healthy. You are very lucky to have a life like this. I cannot bring back this life anymore in my time," I said.
We talked more about my time but every time she will ask about her and Alfredo I just to another topic to avoid answering her dangerous question.
"Aliyah, Alfredo is here!"
I was laying on the bed in my room when Cristel knocked. I was staring at the ring for the very last time before I returned it to Henry.
"Goodbye, ring. I guess I will never see you again. You are belong to someone, not to me."
I stood up and make my way to the living. There, I saw Cristel and Alfredo having a sweet moment. They just stopped when they saw me. I smiled, awkwardly.
"Aliyah just want you to do something. Just a little favor," Cristel said to his boyfriend.
Alfredo nodded then looked at me. "Sure, what is it?"
I handed him the ring, now he is confused. "What do you want me to do with this ring?"
I sighed. "It is Henry's ring. I want you to return it to him."
He stared at the ring for a moment then spoke. "Oh, I knew this ring. He bought it using his whole savings, so he gave it to you. Why are you returning to him this precious gift?"
I was shocked by what he told me. Henry uses all his savings to buy that ring? I am feeling guilty right now, honestly. Suddenly, my heart is so for him again. I wanted to cry in joy and sadness at the same time.
I breathe heavily. "It was no for me. It was just a mistake that he gave me that ring. It was for someone else. And obviously, it was for Sonia."
Alfredo shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, if you say so. He will hate you more for this. He was very mad at you. For a second time, a girl broke his heart. He drowned himself to some hard liquor last night. He keeps on saying that he can't understand you, why you are always pushing him away, why you keep on showing interest but in the end, you will say the opposite, and many more like that. He keeps saying your name too. That man is madly in love, I never imagine that he will go crazy for a woman."
I closed my eyes and convinced myself. I can't be soft right now. I need to stand on my decision, I can't go the wrong way again.
"He came here last night, doesn't he?" he asked.
I nodded. "That's the time we talked and ended up everything between us."
"He was about to tell you about the news. You know, he was very worried that you can't handle a long-distance relationship," he said.
Cristel and I are the now confused people in the room. Long-distance relationship? Why Henry was worried about that?
"I am also worrying too." He looked now on Cristel.
"Why?" I asked him.
He let out a deep breath. "Yesterday afternoon, our commanding chief officer on the military camp informed us about the war that is happening now in the neighboring country, they asked for help to our country--"
Cristel cut off him. "Wait, wait! Hold on, are you trying to say that, oh my gosh!" She started tearing up.
"Yes, they want to send some military officers there but only those who want to. I don't want to be in that war. I will stay here with you, don't worry," Alfredo said.
"Thank goodness, I thought you will gonna leave me. Then, why are you worrying about having a long-distance relationship?" Cristel smacked his boyfriend's chest.
"I was just kidding. But kidding aside, Henry volunteered to go. He said it was a responsibility that he needs to do. He even called the commanding officer last night while he was drunk and told him that he was in for the mission. I cannot believe him; he is acting like a hero again." He laughed.
Why is he laughing? Henry might die in that war. This is a serious matter. Yet, I didn't react at all. I didn't show any emotion, as if I never cared. I really need to cage myself here in the mansion to avoid Henry. I must not see him.
"Tell him that he made the right decision. He's a soldier that was trained to serve and protect our country and help those who can't fight. Good thing that he is not running to his responsibility. Good luck to him, don't forget to return the ring to him. He might need that at some other time," I said then smiled at them before I turn my back and return to my room.
After I locked myself in the room, I let out the heavy feeling that I was carrying a while later.