Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Death

People always say that regret is always at the end. And I think it's true. Because most of the time, we only see the value of a person when they are gone.

My chest feels so heavy. My heart hurts so much. I have been crying non-stop here in the hospital lobby, trying to process the bad news the doctor told me.

I cried. I can't help but blame myself for realizing too late the value of things.

Why is destiny so cruel to me? Why is life so cruel to me? This is so unfair!

Why did he leave me so early? I haven't even asked for his forgiveness yet, but he already left this world.

"I'm here for you, Gulf," Hughie tried to comfort me.

It made me cry even more. He sat beside me outside the ICU.

"Hughie, why? Why did he have to leave us so early? Why did he have to die early? I haven't asked for forgiveness yet." My tears continued to stream down my face.

He hugged me so I cried on his shoulders.

"Shhh. I'm just here for you. You should be strong. Everything will be alright."

"It hurts so much. He died without even forgiving me for the things I did. I will have to carry this burden for the rest of my life. It's so unfair!" My voice broke.

He patted my back and hugged me tighter. I continued to cry. With a very heavy heart, I tried to stop crying. I broke away from the hug and wiped my tears away.

Hughie tried to give me a bottle of water but I did not accept it. I am so lost right now. I feel nothing but pain and regret.

I stood up and went to my crying mother.

"Mom, I'm sorry." I couldn't help myself but cry again. I went to my mother, Mama Ester. No matter how much I convince myself to be strong for my mother, I couldn't do it. For I am also devastated for my father's death.

His death was not sudden. Mild called me yesterday and told me that Papa Leon is looking for me. That he's dying because of his long fought battle against cancer that I only knew about yesterday. I am a terrible son and I have no one else to blame but myself.

With my desire to stay away from Mew, I ignored the fact that I still have a family here in the Philippines.

When Mild called me yesterday, Hughie and I immediately flew here. The flight was 18 hours long that is why it was too late when we got here.

I tried to hug my mother but she pushed me away.

"How dare you! After three years, you'll show up here after abandoning us! Only now that your father is dead!" she shouted angrily at me. Her voice broke as she spoke.

"I'm sorry Ma. I was selfish. I thought it was the right thing to do." I tried to console her even if I was also crying.

I have not been vocal about my father but he was a good man. At first he did not want my wedding with Mew because he wanted me to marry for love. But when I told him that it was Mew I love, he immediately gave his blessing.

He was a successful businessman. Hardworking and loved us so much. But with bad luck and a few wrong decisions, our company almost went bankrupt years ago. That is why I had to marry Mew. Papa always spoiled me. But I know how disappointed he was when I ran away to Spain. And I know that he had a grudge towards me when he died.

I am very sorry, Pa.

It's been a day since Mew faked drowning in the pool in our condo. Yes. The bastard was faking it!

When I tried to give him air through his mouth for the second time, he started kissing me. That was when I realized that he was faking it.

When I found out about it, I immediately moved away from him.

He chuckled as he watched me ugly-cried.

"Bastard!"

I gave him soft punches before leaving him lying by the poolside. He tried to come after me but I ran fast and went to our unit.

He really is just playing with me!

I must admit that I was nervous to death that he really did drown and die! Damn him! I even cried because of fear and worry.

He really thinks this is all just a joke to me! That I enjoyed what he did! He's just trying to ruin my relationship with Hughie and he's becoming successful in doing it.

But why did I really feel afraid? I'm not sure. Maybe it would've hunt me forever that he died because I wouldn't listen to him? Maybe that's it.

I was almost willing to listen to him but now that I know that he was just faking it, I changed my mind. It made me even angrier.

He just proved that it will be pointless if I listen to him.

Mew arrived at the hospital alone and approached us.

He tried to hug me but I stopped him. Hughie stood beside me.

I'm surprised that he arrived here immediately even if he was also in Spain. I don't know how he found out that I am here in Philippines.

Mild is also here. He's just silently watching us. He is usually funny and noisy. But because of the heavy atmosphere, he chose to be silent.

Because I denied Mew of the hug, he went to hug my mother instead.

"I'm very sorry for your loss, Ma," Mew said.

I am also surpised that he still calls my mother 'mama' after all those years. I also found out that Mew's family still pushed through with the merging even after I ran away.

"Thank you, hijo," my mother as she continued to cry.

She was able to accept his son in law's hug but she couldn't give it to her son who needs it the most.

My mother used to love me. But I think that my running away made her so angry to the point that even if I'm already here, grieving by her side for her husband's death, she still can't comfort me and set aside whatever hate she has against me.

My heart felt heavier.

She gave Hughie a look of hate.

Mom, you can be angry with me. I will accept it. But please don't be angry with Hughie. He hasn't done anything wrong. His intention is pure. And that is to take care of me. Don't be unfair to him.

---

I had to stay here in the Philippines for the next nine days for the wake and burial. I have contacted Kuya Dominic to inform the companies whom I will work for to move the schedules for this personal reason.

Hughie and I stayed in a hotel room here in Manila. My mother refused to let us stay at our old house. Mew asked me to stay with him at the house where we were supposed to live together after the honeymoon but I refused the offer.

As if we would stay with him? Why would I? The last thing I want right now is to be with him after he played with my feelings at the pool.

Mew is giving me so much inconvenience. I don't want him to follow me again when I return to Spain. That is why I have decided that after the burial, I will start processing our annulment papers.

I'm actually relieved that he did not try to bother me during the 9-day wake. He's only been watching me from afar everytime he was there. I guess he wanted to give me some privacy as I mourn and grieve for my father's death.

It's already the day of my father's burial but my mother still wouldn't talk to me. That is why it was only Hughie comforting me at the cemetery.

I can see how Mew want so bad to come near me but I wouldn't let him. I'm tired of playing his games. Because in the end, I will just be hurt again.

I cried silently as I watched my father's grave. The ceremony is already done and people who attended are starting to leave.

My heart is still filled with regret and self-hate.

Mew's parents were here. I don't feel ashamed of my decisions in life especially leaving Mew. I did it for my own good. And it was Mew's fault. So I have nothing to be ashamed of to his parents.

If there is any regret in my heart, it is because of my decision to forget my family. How I lost and abandoned my father and how my mother hates me right now. Aside from that, nothing else.

I am proud with my decision of leaving Mew three years ago. I did it for myself. I did it for my mental health. And for my growth too. I invested so much of my love without knowing that my investment will not even receive interest. I looked stupid because it was as if I invested in a company I knew was already bankrupt and had no more chance of recovering. Still, I proceeded with investing to the point that I invested my company that is why at the end, I was left with nothing.

It was wrong of me.

Mew's parents approached me and gave their condolences. Hughie is not far from me, allowing me to have privacy as I talk with our family friends.

Mew is with my mother.

"My condolences, hijo." It was Mew's mother. The last time I saw them was during our wedding. She has aged a little but you can still see the sophistication on her face and outfit. I am certain that Mew got the trait of being appealing to the people from her.

"Thank you."

"My condolences, hijo," Mew's dad said.

I just nodded. Mew got his stance and body built from his father. They also have almost the same facial features.

"I don't want to meddle with your relationship with my son, but I just want to let you know that we are not angry with your decision. We'll just let Mew fix everything for you both," Mew's mother spoke gently.

Not that it mattered to me, but it was as if a heavy stone was lifted out of my chest. All these time, I thought they'd hate me for leaving their son. But I was wrong.

"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to us. We'd be willing to help you. You're still our son-in-law after all," she continued. It somehow left me in awe because I was not expecting her to say that.

I just nodded as a response. Mew's father patted my shoulder gently. And after that, they both left.

I can't take it anymore if I won't still get to talk to my mother even on this day. The least we can do is to be there for each other. But it seems so hard for her. Is it so hard to set aside this misunderstanding even just for today?

I approached her and Mew. Mew immediately left to give us some privacy.

"Ma, I'm sorry." My lips began to tremble.

Her nose was noticeably red, a sign that she's been crying. Same as me.

"I'm sorry for being selfish. I'm sorry for leaving you and papa."

I am so hurt right now. I lost my father. And my mother no longer treats me as a son.

But I was shocked when she hugged me tightly.

"I'm so sorry too, Gulf," she cried on my chest. "I'm sorry that I failed to be a good mother. I should have understood how you felt when you left. Mew already explained to me everything so now I understand."

It made me cry harder.

"Thank you, Ma. I am so sorry. I promise that I'll be a good son from now on."

It felt like another stone was taken out of my chest.

My reconnection with my mother was a great relief.

I was about to leave with Hughie when Mew approached me.

"I'm sorry, Gulf."

"Thank you." I walked past him. He held my wrist which made me stop.

"Can we talk now? Please?" he pleaded.

"No we can't. And we never will," I spoke with an angry tone.

I tried to remove his hand but his grip was tight.

"Please don't leave me with no choice, Gulf. I'm really desperate here."

"Will you stop it already?! Stop bothering me! I am still grieving for my father's loss! Don't be insensitive!" I couldn't stop myself from shouting.

Hughie started to walk towards us so I tried to remove Mew's hands for the second time. He let me go this time.

"You left me with no choice, Gulf," Mew said sadly.

What is he talking about? What did he mean that I left him with no choice?

I was with Hughie in one car as we travelled to my old house where a simple meal was prepared for everyone who attended the burial.

There is still sadness in my heart because of my father's passing. But at least my mother and I have reconciled. Truly, mother's are capable of forgiving their children, no matter how grave their mistakes are.

Aside from sadness, my quick encounter with Mew made me a little angry. I still haven't forgotten about how he tricked me in the pool and how he hurt me in the past.

Enough, Mew.

Hughie is driving the old pick-up I used to drive when I was still in college. I was comfortably seated in the passenger's seat. Hughie is holding my hand. Once in a while, he would bring it to his lips to kiss it. I find it sweet.

Hughie had no choice but to forgive me. The moment I arrived at our unit was the same time Mild called me and informed me about my father. He had no choice but to support me and come with me to the Philippines, knowing that it would be difficult for me. He set aside his anger.

I would always be thankful to him. Because without him, I wouldn't know what to do.

We were almost at the subdivision where our house is located when three white vans appeared before us and blocked our way. Hughie had to stop the car.

Ten men wearing black masks and armed with baseball bats came out of the vans.

"What the fuck?" Hughie cussed.

My heart raced with what's about to happen. What the hell is this?

They walked towards our car and stopped when they were close enough.

"Please don't fight back so no one will get hurt. We only want Mr. Gibson," the leader of the masked men spoke. I couldn't see their faces.

"Fucking bastards! Lay a hand on Gulf and I will kill you!" Hughie threatened as he went out of the car. "Stay in here Gulf."

No, Hughie! The fuck!

Four men approached him.

He tried to fight them off one by one but he was clearly outnumbered. He was able to bring two men down but one man hit him in the head with the bat. He fell down in an instance.

I gasped and rushed outside to help him.

I punched the man who hit him.

"Fuck you!" I screamed.

I felt a hard object hit the back of my head before I fell to the floor. But I tried to get back up. Still I failed as I started to lose consciousness. Then everything went black.

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Did anyone get tricked at the first part of this chapter and really thought it was Mew who died? Let me know 😂

Next chapter is everyone's most awaited part! See you next update! And thank you to everyone who followed me ❤