CHAPTER 10


“Hey wake up!” a voice called.

I opened my eyes and saw Ann. 

“What is it?” I asked. “Let’s celebrate your victory.” 

She said. “But we did it last night.” I said.

“But let’s do it again. Please. Let’s go to church together 

then to the mall.” She said pouting. 

“Okay okay fine.” I said as I stood up. 

“Okay. I will wait for you outside.” She said.

I did my thing and after which, I went out

my room and headed to the living room. I saw 

her there waiting for me. “I guess it’s my time to 

tell her what I feel for her.” I said to myself. 

“Let’s go?” she asked. “Okay.” I said. We headed to

the church. When the mass ended, we went to

the mall and had our breakfast at a coffee shop. 

“So, what’s up with the mood swing last night.”

I started. “What mood swing?” she asked.

“Nothing .” I said. “Oh wait, just don’t wait for me to go home tonight.”

She said. “Why?” I asked in confusion. 

“I’ll be out with my friends.” She said. “Am I not invited?” 

I asked. “Well, I don’t think so; it is all girls night out.” 

She said. “Since when did you learn to hang out at night?” I

asked. “I don’t have to learn it. I’m awesome remember?”

she said. We both laughed at what she said.

After eating, we roam around the mall and decided

to watch a movie. When we were inside the movie house, 

people were screaming. We were watching a horror 

movie by the way. I could feel Ann’s nervous of the movie.

When people started screaming, I placed my arms 

around her and hugged her to cover her eyes. The movie 

ended and we were still in the same position. 

“We shouldn’t watch that movie. It isn’t worth it.” I said. 

“Hmph!” was all she said as we went out the movie house.

We drove home after watching a movie. When we were home,

she received a phone call. “Okay, I’ll just change.” 

Was all I heard. “I have to change.” She said. 

“Okay.” I said. I went in my room and thought of an

idea on how to propose. When I came out of my room, 

the maid told me that she was already out. Time passed

by so fast and it was already 12 in the midnight. 

Ann’s still wasn’t there. I’ve waited for her but I fell 

asleep afterwards. The next day came.

I jumped up my bed and headed to her room. 

I knocked but no one answered and so I went in though. 

I saw no one in her room. I checked on the living 

room but she wasn’t there. I called up her phone 

but she didn’t answer. Then I heard a car 

engine stop in front of the gate. I looked from the window and saw Ann.

“Where have you been? Why didn’t you answer my call?” 

I asked. “I’m sorry.” Was all she said and went to her room. 

It was already lunch time when I went in her room. 

“Do you have a problem?” I asked. 

“Yeah, lack of sleep.” She said. “Okay.” 

I said and left her room. At night, she finally

went out of her room. We had our dinner

together but it was so quiet. After eating,

she headed to her room right away. 

Days passed by and still the situation is the same. 

It was a Saturday when we were having a

family dinner with my family and with hers.

During our lunch together, the maid came in 

and handed an envelope to Ann’s father.

When he opened it, we could see his shocked faced. 

He looked at Ann madly. 

“What’s wrong with you?” he yelled as he threw 

the pictures which came from the envelop. 

Ann didn’t reply. Her mother held one of 

the pictures and cried. With my curiosity, I took 

one picture and looked at it. It was Ann with a guy going in

a hotel. Suddenly, she acted like she was going 

to throw up. She ran to the kitchen leaving everyone 

shocked. Her dad followed her in the kitchen and scolded her. 

I followed as well. When I was already there, her

dad slapped her which made her fall.

“I’m pregnant dad!” she said. “What the hell!” her 

dad yelled. I was dumfounded with what she said. 

Her dad was about to hit her again but I came in and 

stopped him. “My daughter isn’t good for you. The marriage is off.”

her dad said to me. “And you! You’re a big disgrace to our family.

From now on, you are not my daughter. I disown you!”

he said as he walked out. I helped Ann stand up. “He’s just mad.” 

I said to make things lighter. “I told you we’ll be out of this wedding thing.” 

She said which made me shock. “What do you mean?” 

I asked in confusion but she just smiled.

She ran away with her tears falling from her eyes.

I tried to follow her but she already took a cab. 

When I returned to where are parents was, I 

could see their disappointment. After the commotion, 

I went home to look for Ann. I found a note on the table which say, 

“I’m happy for you now. You don’t have to 

pretend that you love me anymore. I’ll be out of your life now.” 

“What?” I asked in disbelief. I took my car and drove around to 

look for her but I wasn’t able to see her. 

It’s been a month already, I was still looking for her

but still I wasn’t able to find her. I was in the club 

having my drink while thinking of what to do when someone

patted me. “Ivan?” I said. 

“I think you should know the truth.” He said. 

“What truth? What do you mean?” I asked.

“Remember the picture that someone sent to Ann’s?” he asked. 

“How’d you know about that?” I asked. “Because Ann

told me her plan. It was part of her plan.” He said. 

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Everything that happened was a big lie James.” He said.

“What?” was all I was able to say. 

“She told me that Devon was your 

first serious girlfriend and now she’s back, 

she wouldn’t want to be the one who would

stop you and Devon 

for loving each other.” he said. 

“I love Devon, but it was before. And now, Ann’s the one I love.” I said.

“But she thought you still love Devon

that is why she asked me to create a party 

and after which she’ll act that she was drunk and

someone would take a picture of us two coming in

a hotel. She did it to cancel your wedding.

She knew all of this would happen.” He said. 

“Why does she have to do this to herself?” I

asked him with tears falling from my eyes. 

“Because she loves you so much.” He said. 

“I know where she is.” He said. After our talk,

I drove to the place he told me where she was.

When I arrived there, I saw kids around playing. 

“Ann?” I called. She looked back with

teary eyed. I went closer to her and hugged her.

“Why did you do that?” I asked still hugging her.

“How are you now? It’s been a month.” 

She said trying to change the topic. 

“My life has been a mess after you left.” I

said. I could feel that she was already crying.

“Why would that happen? You’re now with Devon right?” 

she asked. “I loved her before. But I love you now.” I said.

“What?” she asked. “I said I love you.” 

I said louder and the kids around us were already staring at us. 

I broke the hug and kissed her. “I’m sorry.” She said.

“Let’s go home.” I said. “I can’t” she said. “But why?” I asked.

“I’m not your fiancé anymore and besides I can’t go back home.” 

she said. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything to your parents.” 

I said. She smiled at me and patted me. 

“I think I should just stay here.” She said as she turned away from me. 

“Ann.” I called. Suddenly, she just collapsed from where she was. 

“Ann! Ann!!” I called but she didn’t respond. 

I brought her to the hospital. I called her parents and

told them what happened. When they arrived, her mom and dad 

cried hard. “I never thought it would be back.”

Her mom said. “What do you mean?” I asked. 

“She had leukemia when you were still young. 

We left the country to seek medical help. She 

recovered there and the doctor told us that she

could possibly live a normal life from now on.

But I think he was wrong.” Her mom said. 

I was shocked of what I have heard. I 

feel so defeated and weak. “Why her?” I

asked myself. I went to the chapel and 

prayed. “Why her? Can you just give it to

me and let me suffer?” I asked the Lord. I 

cried and cried until I was satisfied. I

went back to the ICU and saw our families there

praying for her recovery. Suddenly, her

heartbeat dropped to zero which causes a

loud sound and made everyone of us panicked. 

The doctors and nurses came in to sustain her life

but her heartbeat went to zero. All of us cried. 

I wanted to get in and do whatever it takes to

wake her up but I can’t all I could do was cry and pray.

The doctor declared her time of death. I struggled 

to take my father’s hands off from me. When I was 

able to escape from him, I went in the ICU and shook 

her body, but there was no response. All I did that 

time was to cry. We had a funeral service for her

and our friends and school mates came to pay

their respects. Her body then was cremated 

and was scattered on the beach.



It was thirty years ago when it happened. 

I am sitting here in the shorelines. 

The seawater is touching my feet softly as 

if it is caressing me. I opened my eyes once again 

and gave out a sigh. I am back to reality once again.

I never thought that someone could change my life forever. 

People never thought that I can be where I am right now.

But I always thank that person who changed me 

for being the instrument of the change in my life and from

time to time, I reminisced those times we were together. 

“Father!” a voice called. “Father, you still have a mass this afternoon.”

He said. “Okay. I’m coming.” I said as I stood up.

From the bad boy image of Robert James Reid,

I am now a respected priest of our place. 

Everyone who knew me didn’t expect this

track I’m in to right now. I am thankful for everything. 

I am thankful of where I am right now. Thirty years ago, 

I never thought that someone could change my life forever.

I could still remember everything that happened. 

That year could possibly be the happiest and the most tragic 

year of my life. Now I believe that love isn’t just for a short time. 

It happens for a life time, it happens Forever.