"He is very sick now and could be gone anytime… He had been suffering from HIV since months ago. This bag was accumulated in his early months while he was not diagnosed yet" Ivy conveyed solemnly as Hazel thought she would not care but she stumbled into Ray's arms as he helped her to put down the bag of rice to the ground before comforting her.
"Let me know your decision soon and I will make the necessary arrangements," Ivy said before leaving the couple in the glass house.
Ivy wiped her tears away before heading inside the house to fuss with the kids' lunch but a familiar voice called for Ivy at the entrance of her door. Ivy knew it was her pregnant best friend coming for her company. She quickly led Sandra to the kitchen, giving the couple some space.
"I'm here… I will support whatever you decide to do." Ray comforted as Hazel laughed at herself mockingly.
"I told myself I would never shed any tears for that man but here I am… I am so weak… So useless…" She blamed herself which hurts Ray.
"No, you're not. You're being very brave. Having compassion is being courageous. You went through so much to know that to live a better life is to leave the past behind and keep moving on. And you… You are doing that very well." Ray praised as Hazel sobbed in his arms.
"Should we go see him one last visit?" Ray asked as she could not answer that question though she knew her time was slipping away.
16th week of 3rd year:
Jonathan was finally heading to school. He skipped the pre-school and had lots of fun but to encourage Joseph to study, we decided to send Joseph to preschool instead. Joseph would be alone when Jon headed to school after all.
Here's where they both are beginning to ask lots of questions about living a life. I know every parent was more interested in their basic developments but I seem to be thrilled by their thinking exposure.
Perhaps Jon went through quite a bit of hardship that he became very considerate but he still had this little child-like self with me especially when he gets his occasional nightmares. Little Jo loves Hazel very much. There's no doubt about that till sometimes Hazel could not handle his little mischiefs.
We all decided to put them in Manes' school where it's a small town. Lesser bullies and more genuine friendships we hope. Perhaps when they are older, only then we will shift them to Landsfield.
And Sandra is pregnant and has shifted back to stay with Auntie Soh till delivery! Can't wait for the boys' playmate to be born! I'm very happy for them and Auntie Soh was grateful for Hazel to be taking over grandma's noodle store soon.
However, I know somehow they still expect me to return to lead the huge empire which the more I think about it I no longer want to. Marcel, Real, Chiang, Jin, and even Nick… Who needs Ivy?
They are the future empire leaders. I hope when the time comes, they will accept my decision with an open mind.
Fortunately, things are on the bright side in my welfare home. Hazel's father passed on in time for her to forgive him but we all know she would never forget. It was hard for her to be able to forgive him on his deathbed.
There are times I couldn't help but find it unfair. After all that he had done to her, even if he was forgiven, would he deserve his punishment in the other world? Cause I know I still am unable to forgive Charles… Will I ever be able to? If I don't wouldn't I be punishing him to linger around in guilt? Isn't that the best lesson for him but who am I to do that, Jere? Sigh…
Melody was finally graduating from high school leaving Ryu to be the only one still in his last year of high school. When she saw her offer in Shizoo City on videography and photography course being accepted, she sat dumbfounded for a moment.
Her mind knew she was supposed to be happy but she could not bring herself to smile. Soon, tears welled as she forcefully wiped them away but to no avail. All she could think of was not wanting to be away from Ryu. She even regretted applying for the course back then.
Ryu was getting so worried when Melody did not reply to his text messages for the past few hours that he began to call her up. It was unusual for Melody to be slow in responding on her cellphone unless she was asleep but it was just past dinner time. He wanted to make his way to Landsfield instantly but Ivy caught him.
"Where are you heading to so late?" Ivy asked randomly while munching on some chips with Jonathan on the couch in the living room, laughing at some cartoons at their grandma's house.
"Landsfield…" Ryu said in a hurry before opening the entrance door while Ivy rushed up to him.
"Why? What's going on?" She quickly asked noticing his abnormal behavior.
"I cannot reach Melody…" He mumbled while fumbling to even wear his shoes.
"Hey stop... She must have an explanation. Wait let me call her…" Ivy rushed back in to take her phone while Ray and Hazel stepped out of the bedroom after dressing Joseph who was running up to Jonathan.
"What's wrong?" Ray asked noticing the tense look on Ryu's face as he heard the dialer on loudspeaker.
"He couldn't reach Melody." Ivy quickly updated as Ivy dialed Melody's mother's number instead after making a wait sign with her hand to Ryu who began to be impatient.
"Hello, Ms. Ophal?" The voice of Mrs. Jenny sent relief to Ivy and Ryu for a moment.
"Auntie Jenny! Do you know where Melody is? I have something to ask her but she hasn't picked up." Ivy updated.
"Oh, that girl went home hours ago. I am about to close the shop. Let me head home and get her to call you back alright?" Ryu was devastated.
"Alright, Auntie. Thank you so much!" Ivy was about to hang up and reach out to Ryu to stay when Melody's mother continued the conversation.
"Ms. Ophal, I want to thank you so much all this while for you and your family's help. I am so glad Melody had gotten the offer to Shizoo City's video and photography course. If your family doesn't mind, we would like to treat all of you to a meal when you're free…" Melody's mother invited as Ryu instantly fell on the ground from his squat making Ray quickly go up to console him while Ivy wrapped up the conversation.
The siblings struggled to comfort Ryu who was speechless for a moment and stunned but he began to weep when the reality seeped in.
Ivy sighed. "Just when will you grow boy? This is not the end of the world."
"She wants to break up with me… Is that why she didn't pick up?" Ryu mumbled to himself as Ray and Ivy sighed even more.
"Listen to me…" Ivy brought Ryu's gaze to hers. "Whether she is or not, you both have made a pledge to stick together since that incident, so why don't you work it out? Will you die not seeing her for a while? It doesn't mean you're not going to talk to her. What are we in? The dinosaur age where the house gets rammed by a T-Rex?" Jonathan and Joseph began to imitate dinosaur roars in the background while Hazel was trying to hush them to no avail.
"Shizoo is two hours away from here Ryu. Weekends are busy for you so she can come and see you. Work out a schedule and visit her there or go on a trip. Convince her. Give her the security she yearns for…" Ivy was half scolding cause she felt unfair. She was enduring something harder than this couple and she envied them very much.
Ray held her shoulders knowing her predicaments and trying to help her control her anger as she sighed. "But of course, if you want to go to see her now, I am not stopping you but I think you need to wipe that face first…" Ivy concluded.
"I think your sister is right this time. I can drive you there now after all it's just an hour away from Manes." Ray offered as Ryu instantly stood and nodded.
Ivy sighed watching both brothers leave as Hazel went up to her and gently patted her shoulders. "Cheer up… Some day you will see the light at the end of the tunnel…" Hazel comforted as Ivy forced a smile before continuing to watch cartoons with the boys while thinking of Jeremy.
By the time Ray drove over to Melody's family restaurant, it was closed and Ryu did not want to alarm Aunty Jenny. He had a feeling Melody must have wanted some time alone to cry and he knew exactly where she would be so he let Ray wait in the car.
True enough he found her by a hidden corner of the park with puffy eyes, where they always had a date when he was around. His old self would have rushed up to her and asked her what happened but instead, he calmly walked up to her and sat by her side before pulling her into his arms. She was so surprised to find him by his side.
"What are you doing here so late? You have to get to school and training tomorrow… There's a big match in two days…" He quickly helped to dry her face with tissues from his pocket.
"And you? What are you doing here sweetie?" He asked gently while caressing her face before she plunged into his hug and sobbed. Seeing how calm he was drove her guilt higher.
"Sweetie, it's good news… Don't cry…" He tried sounding cheerful as she shook her head.
"I don't want to be away from you… Ever since that time, I promised to stay by your side. I don't want to be apart…" She clung to him even more.
"I don't want to but guess what? I can always come see you and we can always call each other. Shizoo is only 2 hours away from Manes alright. Nowhere is far… We could also have a date on a car ride…" Ryu coaxed but it was not convincing as she was still sobbing in his arms.
"Let's announce our relationship publicly?" He suggested as she blinked in surprise and shook her head. Their relationship had been successfully undercovered all thanks to the loyalty of his fan club members but they had never made it clear if they were really dating to any outsiders. They tend to be seen working closely but they are never affectionate in front of outsiders openly
"We should. We must. Before you leave…" He insisted as he kissed her.
"That way no one can spread rumors and I will protect you whenever anyone harasses you." He assured her when they broke away.
"More like I will defend you…" She mumbled with a pout as he chuckled and kissed her again before posting a sweet picture of them back then on a date as his new post to ask for his fans' blessings.
"There… I promised you before, forever. So, this is eventually going to happen. And silly girl, this is a very good chance! Head there do well and graduate to come back to opportunities everywhere. Besides, you will do well from the experience you had." He praised her as she finally smiled and hugged him.
"You need to take care too alright?" She reminded him as he nodded.
"When are you leaving?" He asked as she pouted. "This weekend…" Her voice was cracking as he continued to hold her in his arms.
"I will send you and stay awhile. I can always be like Ivy catching up on online classes too…" He chuckled trying to liven up the mood while continuing to coax her.
"How did you come here?" Melody asked again and Ryu remembered he left his brother in the car.
"Ray… he drove here with me…" Ryu said absentmindedly.
"Oh no, it's so late to head back… why don't you both stay over with us?" Melody suggested as Ryu shook his head. "Head home first... Auntie will be worried… We will drive back. I will see you tomorrow night alright?" He coaxed but Melody smiled mischievously.
"What is it?" He asked looking at her cute gesture.
"I want to stay in Manes with you tonight…" She mumbled and hid her face in his chest, half embarrassed as Ryu was smitten.
"Alright, let me tell Auntie first…" Melody kissed his cheek as they walked back to her family's house where Aunty Jenny gladly agreed to let her spend time with the Ophals and even packed extra food for the brothers to bring over to Manes knowing so many of them were in the house.
8th month of 3rd year-
It's been a while since I wrote to you, Jere. Sorry, studies are really taking up my time these days. I have been studying in Manes and mostly staying over Jason's old place since the boys had shifted here for studies instead.
Besides, Sandra is already in her second trimester. She was nearing her third trimester and Auntie Soh was worried that she would be depressed if left alone too long. So, I took advantage of the situation and accompanied her too on behalf of Andrew who is doing well working for Phyllis. Auntie Soh must be so happy to have another helper in the shop since she hasn't allowed Sandra to leave her sight ever since her complications in the first trimester.
Sandra was also practicing parenting while taking care of the boys. Andrew would occasionally be back on weekends to see her and practice along.
Well, you told me to date someone before, isn't it? Since you're not coming out, I will give it a try then. Well, I shall decide if I want to tell you what happened or not. Maybe this would be the last letter. Or maybe not…
We will see ~