Kamiah and Acwell went home happy. It was only a dinner but both of them were smiling. They did not talk about what they argued about last night to prevent it from happening again. Instead, they were like how normal happy families having a nice dinner.
They lie beside hugging each other as they sleep that night. And in a few minutes, both are sound asleep. Kamiah woke up around 02:30 AM to feed Kai and went back to sleep right away. However, she started dreaming. Her dream takes her back to almost three years ago. It was when Acwell was about to leave for Dubai.
Kamiah was fighting back tears as she was watching Acwell checking in his luggage at the airline counter. This is it, he is leaving. He will go to Dubai for a new and better job. She is happy for him as it was a great opportunity. But she was sad that she will be left behind. It will be the first time that they will be separated at such a long distance. She is scared because she doesn’t know what to expect. But she is just putting her trust in God and Acwell that everything will be alright.
He has to go now. It is still 2 hours before his flight but he must go early because of the long queue at the immigration. He doesn’t want to miss his flight because he got stuck there. He had bid goodbye to his mother, who has been crying since they left home. Now, he has to bid goodbye to her.
“Don't cry. I will call you every day, “Acwell said.
“Do not forget,” Kamiah replied.
“I won't,” Acwell said.
He kissed her. Then off he went.
The travel time via plane from Manila to Dubai is almost 9 hours. She won’t hear from him for that long or even more because he still has to cross immigration and travel to his company-provided accommodation. But Acwell called her as soon as he got out of the plane and reached the baggage carousel. She jumped for joy at hearing his voice and cried when the call ended.
For the succeeding days, Acwell would call her three times a week. She would suggest calling her via Facebook, Skype, or WhatsApp but Acwell prefers to make an international call. They would talk about how Acwell is still having a hard time adjusting to the country’s culture, the company he is working with, and the diverse employees. Kamiah would always comfort him and boost his confidence that he will perform well. But before the month ends, Acwell did not call her at all.
Two weeks passed, Kamiah still has not heard from Acwell. In the middle of the month, she finally receives a message from him apologizing for not calling. He had been busy with work. He wants to be focused on working because it scared him not to pass his 6-month probation. Kamiah sad, but replied that she understood. She tried to call that same day, but he did not answer.
Weeks turn to months of not hearing from Acwell. Kamiah would try to call, but he won’t answer all the time. She would send him messages on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp sometimes angry messages out of frustration, but he will only read them. He won’t reply. Kamiah would cry a lot at night. But no matter how angry or sad she is, she will be the one to say sorry. And still, Acwell would not reply.
It’s her birthday and her phone rang. It’s Acwell.
“Happy birthday, love!” he said. Kamiah cried.
“Why are you crying?” he asked. She is still crying.
“It is your birthday. You should celebrate,” he said.
“Who will not cry? It’s been months since you won’t call or reply to my messages. I don’t even know if I still have a boyfriend. Or should I just proclaim it myself that I don’t,” she said.
“I know. I am sorry. It has been tough during the first 6 months. I have been busy learning and adjusting to everything. I don’t feel good that I have to do that to you. I was just trying to survive here. It has even been lonely that you and my mom are not here with me.”
“I am trying to understand Acwell but it's confusing and disappointing.”
“I know. I will change it starting from now. I have passed my probation and somehow I can now adjust. I could call you often starting from now."
“I hope so.”
“I promise. Now, tell me what have you done today?”
They talked until the call got disconnected. Acwell just sent her a message that he no longer has enough balance to call.
Since then, Acwell was consistent for two weeks of calling her thrice a week. But after that, he is back to no-call again. This leads to Kamiah looking and applying for job vacancies in Dubai. Lucky for her, she got accepted in one hotel as a Reservation Agent cum receptionist. She sent Acwell a message telling him the good news. She was happy as they will be together and they will sort all the problems of a long-distance relationship. She even sends him a copy of her flight, which would be after a month. Acwell replied, congratulating her and telling her he is looking forward to seeing her.
She arrived happy and excited. It was more than a year since she had seen Acwell. They've met in a restaurant to have dinner. But Acwell was not so happy that day. When she asked why he said he was tired from work. He did a 12-hour shift and after that; he went straight to see her. It saddened Kamiah for a reason she could not understand. But they planned to see each other during their off days.
Not even a week after her arrival, her world collapse. She received a message in Facebook Messenger from a girl named Fiona. Fiona asked her to stay away from Acwell because they are together. And he is planning to marry her. Kamiah called Acwell several times to demand an explanation. When he answered, he said that it was just a one-week fling. But Fiona can’t let him go. Kamiah and Acwell fought that night which leads to their break-up and no talking for months.
“Kamiah, Kamiah, wake up! You are dreaming and crying,” Acwell said while shaking Kamiah.
Kamiah woke up with tears in her eyes.
“What were you dreaming?” he asked.
“Fiona,” she said in a low and sad voice.
He hugged her and said, “It’s okay. It’s just a dream. It’s done now. I am here with you.”