I need to say goodbye to him, right? I don't want to act bitter. I am better. I am Aliyah Arandia, I am a noble nurse, a fighter of diseases, I can face him.
I keep saying that to myself for the nth time this day. I am going crazy. After hearing the news about him going on a military mission, I am kind of guilty of what I did to him. But after hearing news about him again, that he and Sonia are now in a romantic relationship, I am pissed! Don't get me wrong, I really want that to happen. But it looks like, he made Sonia a rebound. He was hurt yesterday because of me, yet now, he is dating a new girl that fast. I sighed, okay, whatever.
"Papa is okay now, Aliyah. No more threats, thank you so much," Cristel whispered.
"I am so sorry if you have to experience that. I promised that it will never happen again." We make a pinky promise.
"What are you doing?" Alfredo looked at us with a confused face.
"Making a pink promise." Cristel showed him our pinky fingers that were still clasped together.
"A pinky what?" He is more confused.
"Forget it," her girlfriend said then laughed.
We are now at the open field area where the event is happening right now. An honorary party for the mighty soldiers who chose to be part of the military mission. Henry is one of them, so Sonia is here too. She is like a proud girlfriend clapped elegantly when the master of a ceremony called Henry's name. I just clapped with no sound; I don't want to look like a bitter mistress here.
"I am very shocked too when Alfredo said that Sonia agrees to be Henry's girl immediately. You just rejected him last, last night. That was uncomfortable for me," Cristel whispered.
"Just let them be, they are for each other. If they get married soon, I can go back to my time in no time. That happening is a blessing in disguise for the three of us. I don't care if they get married this day, it is a lot better." I sighed.
Cristel grinned. "Really? You are not hurting even just a little pinch on the heart?"
I shook my head. "I am not, I readied myself for that. I am expecting it to happen. So, it will not hurt me anymore."
Cristel, I know, was not convinced. She knows me very well; I don't have to say a word for her to understand me. The party went well, I keep on praying the whole time that I won't encounter or talk to Henry and Sonia. But he is the best friend of my grandpa so it impossible for them to go near to us.
I let out a deep breath to ready myself. I can face them; I can even talk to them. I am not bitter for their relationship; I am really happy for them. This what I want, this what I planned. And now, I can't really understand myself. Something is really wrong with me.
"Hello, people." Sonia smiled at all of us.
I smiled too, but fake. I ignored Henry. I didn't look at him the whole time. That was my promise to Sonia that I will do everything to avoid him. My breathing though is very irregular. I can't even eat properly. Sonia keeps on talking and talking about their one-day relationship with Henry, it annoys me so bad. Can I just mute her into my system? She's bragging too much of nothing.
While Henry is very quiet beside her. I still didn't look at him. My eyes are on the food, but my mind is thinking of him looking at me intently. My body wants to shake but I have to stop it.
"I am happy for the both of you. So, when is the wedding?" Cristel asked, I secretly pinched her leg. She just giggled.
"Isn't it too early of that? We still want to experience being in a relationship without tying yet the knot. But we will talk about that very soon," Sonia answered excitedly.
Go! Get married! I want to be me again! I miss going to work!
"Why not now?" I asked the looked at her.
She glanced at me. "Why?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "We don't know what will happen to your man on that war. At least, if happen that your man didn't survive, you are married to each other. We don't know if after the wedding you can make a baby. He will leave with a legacy." I smiled then came back to my food.
I kicked Cristel's foot to signaled her to agree with me. She got it then awkwardly smiled. "Yes, that's a good idea. The accident happened unexpectedly so as death."
I nodded. "True, sometimes we have to rush things to make great things."
After a few minutes of more talking, the new couple left. Finally, I can't breathe properly. I can't believe that I survived that disaster.
"Henry was glaring at you the whole time. He didn't smile the whole time they are here. He is still not moved on to you." Cristel chuckled.
I already expect that, although I expected him to be proud of his new girlfriend. Obviously, he is not happy with his relationship. It was so obvious that their relationship is just for a show. No love at all.
After the party that ended around three in the afternoon, I decided to walk around the open field. Cristel said that she will just call me if we about to leave. I found a little swing that was attached to a very big tree, it was hard to find it because of the bushes surrounding it.
I sat on the swing, I don't want to play with it because it looks old, the rope, I think, is about to break.
"It just looks old, but you can totally play with it."
I almost jumped when I heard that deep baritone voice. I knew who it was. Without looking at him, I stood up and started to walk away from him.
"Aliyah." He held my wrist before I can get out of the bushes.
I still didn't look at him. I don't want to look him in the eyes. They are soft.
"Are you mad at me because I am now in a relationship with Sonia? That what you wanted, right?" He made me faced him. My eyes are on the ground, my body is facing him. He is still holding my wrist.
"I am not mad; I am happy for you. And as for respect to Sonia, I should not talk to you anymore." My breathing became irregular.
He pulled me closer to him. His hands are now on my waist. I tried to remove it but I failed.
"Aliyah, are you not worried for me?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Why would I be? You decide it for yourself, it means you can do it. I am not worried at all."
He pulled me more too close to his body. I pushed him but it didn't work.
"Henry, you are now in a relationship with someone. You should not do this." I pushed him.
"Then do my one last favor," he demanded.
I look at his face now. His eyes are full of different emotions, and hurt is very evident.
"What is it then? After I do it, you will forget me," I said.
He nodded. "Can you say 'I love you' to me for the first and last time? Can you do that? This the last I will be holding you this close. Please, say it." He is almost crying.
My heart right now is like getting stung by a million bees. It hurts so bad.
"I-I love you, Henry. I really do," I said, wholeheartedly.
He smiled but not a happy smile. He kissed me; I didn't push him.