When I went downstairs, I was supposed to ask an apology to Joseph's parents and to inform them that I would go back to my boardinghouse but something different happened. Mrs. Honor pretended that nothing bad happened that night. Instead, she told me that we would go to the beach on the following day to celebrate Kenneth's success. Kenneth received many awards when she graduated Elementary on the previous day. Most especially, she graduated as valedictorian.
The morning of the following day, we went to the beach. We brought lots of food and drink. We ate and drank while we were talking funnily and seriously. On the other hand, we swam to the fullest extent and we played volleyball, scrabble, chess etc. In short, we really had much fun that day.
Five hours later, Mrs. Honor told us, " Eugene, Josephine, Joel and I will go ahead because we still have important things to do at home. So, Lota, Kenneth and Joseph please remain here. You have to watch over Joel's kids. Three hours later, Joel will pick you up..okay?". Because we still wanted to swim and play in the beach so we nodded.
When they left, we continued swimming. Although we watched over the small kids but we still had fun. While Kenneth and the kids were playing ball games, Joseph and I spent time with each other. We talked seriously about what happened on the previous night. He asked apology for what his parents did unto me. Moreover, he assured me that he would protect me. Lastly, we talked about the wedding.
Three hours later, Joel came to pick us up. As we arrived home, I went directly to the bathroom; afterward, I went to my room. Surprisingly, my room...
Last Sunday I bought R&B, Reggae, Disco and Pop CD's. While I was in the video store, I came to think of buying an instrumental CD in that it's good to be played in the early morning.
Furthermore, I wanted to have a CD of my favorite instrumental piece. I have liked that piece since I was young. However, I forgot its title. So, it took time for me to choose the right instrumental CD to buy.
Finally, I've decided to buy the one which contained 150 songs. Then, I played it as I arrived home. I was hoping that I could hear my favorite piece. I really enjoyed listening to it. I prepared food for my dinner while I was listening to it.
Luckily, my favorite piece of instrumental music was being played. I wasn't able to control myself. I jumped for joy as I heard it. I immediately ran to the living room to look at the DVD player. Then, I looked at the number of the song that was being played. Afterward, I got the CD on the table to search for the title. At last, I knew it.It's Ballad Pour Adeline.
As I arrived home, I've heard Joseph shouting his mom. Seconds later, he opened the main door; then, he slammed it before he left with his bike. I was scared when I saw his angry face in that it was my first time to see him that way.
I knew it was not the right time for me to know what had happened, especially that I saw Mrs. Honor sitting silently in one of the chairs in the study table, so I decided to go upstairs to change clothes. The house was very quiet. I didn't see anyone in the living room, except Mrs. Honor.
It was never in my mind the thought that I was the reason of their quarrel until I went inside my room. I found a letter on my bed. It was from Joseph. In his letter he said,
" Luv dear,
You don't have to keep distance from me anymore. I've accidentally seen and read your letter for my parents this late afternoon. Now, I know the reason why you aren't talking to me anymore. It's all because of my parents.
I feel bad against my parents for many reasons, particularly in trying to meddle our relationship, in talking to you without my permission and in touching my property [the notebook]. I'm old enough to be interfered in my personal decisions. They're trying to touch my private life and I hate it.
I'm sorry for what my parents did unto you. Don't worry, I can assure you that it will not happen again. I will never allow anyone from this house to hinder us and the decisions that I'm making in my life.
Don't worry about them. Meanwhile, I want you to focus your attention on our coming wedding and on your studies as well.
I love you very much..you know that..
luv u so, Joseph"
My heart pounded fast after I read the letter. I felt guilty. I blamed myself for what happened. If only I didn't write a letter to Joseph's parents, they would not quarrel. I regretted for the wrong deed that I did. Thus, I decided to quit from my relationship with Joseph and to go back in my boardinghouse.
After I made my decision, I went downstairs to ask an apology to Mrs. Honor and Mr. Eugene and to inform them that I would go back to my boardinghouse. However, something different happened when...
Everyone in the house was so quiet when Joseph arrived. Mrs. Honor made a hot chocolate quietly. Mr. Eugene read the newspaper dumbly. Joel and his family stayed in their room noiselessly. And, I watered the flowers in the yard silently.
Joseph stayed in the yard after he changed clothes. I was not allowed to talk to him anymore so, I pretended that I didn't see him. I kept on watering the flowers as if no one was watching. At times, I would glance at him secretly to see if he looked at me. Then, I would laugh voicelessly when I caught him looking at me.
I continued on keeping distance from Joseph. I stayed away every time he attempted to go near me. I didn't write in the notebook anymore. And, I would not study in the study table downstairs once he was there. On the other hand, Joseph was not stupid so he noticed that I kept distance from him.
One afternoon while everyone was taking a nap, he went inside my room. Though I was busy preparing visual aids for my report, I still noticed his presence. We had already been in the relationship for many months so I knew every detail about him particularly his scent and the perfume he was using. Although I missed him a lot, I ignored his presence since it was the right thing to do.
Joseph remained standing at my back for some minutes. My heart started to melt. I felt pity on him so I smiled at him and instructed him to sit beside me. Without delay, he asked my why I ignored him. Of course, I denied his accusation since I was not allowed to tell him the reason why. I knew he suspected that I was not telling the truth but he nodded.
Furthermore, Joseph asked me if the papers for the wedding were ready. So, I gave him the papers for him to see. I stared at him as he inspected happily each paper. I wanted to tell him that the wedding might not be pushed through but I didn't have the nerve to tell him.
When Joseph left, I stopped making visual aids. Instead, I thought of him and the coming wedding. I wanted to be married by him despite the reminders I got from his parents. Yet, I doubted the wedding to come true. I have sensed that something bad would happen prior to the wedding day.
After a deep thinking, I decided to write a letter to Joseph's parents.
" Dear Ma'am and Sir,
I'm really sorry for not telling you about the relationship that I have with your son. It is not our intention to keep our relationship secret forever. It's just that we believe it is the right thing to do in the interim.
I want you to know that I'm determined enough to finish my degree. So, don't worry about me and my relationship with your son. Joseph and I know our limits as far as our relationship is concerned. I can assure you that we will not go beyond the limits.
On the other hand, thanks for reminding me about the wedding. Don't worry I'll think about it many times before I make my final decision. I know I have already agreed to Joseph about it, but I'm sure he's willing to understand if ever I say NO to it.
Anyway, I don't think I can continue ignoring Joseph's presence when I'm here. This task is really hard for me since we live in the same house. So, I have decided to quit from working here. Next week, I'll go back to my boardinghouse.
I'm hoping for your kind consideration.
Respectfully yours, Lota"
Right after I wrote the letter, Joseph's parents as well as Joel left for school. Then, I saw Joseph in the garage fixing his mountain bike. So, I immediately went downstairs to see if the master's bedroom was opened. Luckily, it was opened so I entered and put the letter on the side table.
In the evening, I went to school for my evening classes. While I was attending my last class, my heart pounded very fast. I was restless yet I ignored it. Then, I went home right after the class.
As I was about to enter the gate, I heard Joseph talking angrily towards his mother. I was frightened so I stood still outside the gate. Seconds later, I saw Joseph opening...
Today is a terrible day. I'm not feeling well. I've been having cough, cold and headache since last weekend.
It was my day off yesterday. I wanted to buy groceries but I was very tired to get up. So, I decided not to go out; I stayed in bed the whole day instead.
I don't feel like working today. Yet, I need to work so I'm here in the office. I'm sitting in front of my computer coughing and sneezing.
Our relationship went on smoothly while waiting for the scheduled date of the secret wedding. Yet, it was beyond our grasp that everyone in the family has already discovered our secret relationship until one morning while Joseph was cycling Mr & Mrs. Eugene called me for a meeting.
I was clueless on what the meeting was all about until Mrs. Honor showed me the notebook. " Alas! We're caught.", I uttered silently. Then, she stared at me and said, " Why didn't you tell me that you're having a special relationship with Joseph? We go to school together everyday but you never tell me anything. Lot, you know that I and my family like you, but why did you keep your relationship secret?".
I was speechless. I couldn't answer Mrs. Honor's questions. I felt I was in the hot seat. I wanted to ask help from Joseph, but he wasn't there. I held back my tears and I remained silent.Then, Mrs. Honor continued speaking," We will not stop both of you from loving each other. In fact, I'm happy because Agnes will no longer force herself to Joseph. But, I feel bad to the fact that you're planning to get married next week yet you have never told us about your relationship. Why do you have to have a secret marriage? Why didn't you tell us about your plans?
I remained quiet because I was deafen with the many questions that Mrs. Honor asked me. I didn't know what to answer first and how to begin answering. Anyway, Mr. Eugene interrupted, " Lota it's alright with us if you get married but I'm worried about you. You're just 18. You're still very young to enter marriage life. Are you sure you really love our son? Are you sure you'll not be having regrets in the future? Joseph is too old for you. You're smart and you have many ambitions in life. Don't you think getting married early may hinder your ambitions? Well, we'll not stop both of you from entering into marriage BUT we want you to think many times first before you do it. It's easy to get married but it isn't easy to get out from it. So, please think, think and think first. "
Mrs. Honor nodded and said, " Eugene is right. Lota. Think first before you decide to get married. This is for your own good. Do you understand?". Confused, I replied, " Yes. Thanks for the reminders. You're right. I really have to think many times. Anyway, I'm really sorry. We were wrong in keeping our relationship secret.".
" It's okay. But, we'll no longer allow both of you to study together in the study table and to eat together. And, I don't want to see you talking to Joseph anymore.", Mrs. Honor said. " What? Why?, I asked. " I'm afraid something will happen if you stay close to each other. What if you get pregnant? Are you ready to become a mother?",she replied. With eyes wide open I said, "pregnant? mother? of course, not. I'm not yet ready for it.".
" So, it's a deal. Don't think bad against us because we're just doing this for your own sake. I know Joseph will get mad at us if he knows that we talk about your wedding; so, don't tell him, okay?", she added. I had no other choice thus I said, "YES".
In the evening, I went home and celebrated birthday with my family. My mother prepared some delicious foods for us to eat together. Then, the night ended with a smile on my face.
Our relationship remained secret as the time went on. As usual, the notebook was our primary means of communicating each other. At times, we went to different places if we had something important to talk to.
Furthermore, I still lived with them. Kenneth and I kept on enjoying our friendship. Every day, I helped do the household chores. On the other hand, I kept my good performance at school. And, I continued contributing articles to the local newspaper and to the school gazette.
Six months later, we spent Valentine's day together. Joseph gave me lots of love notes with many hearts and cupids. Also, we gave presents to each other. In short, we celebrated the occasion happily.
As the expected date of our secret wedding was near, our happiness continued. We prepared everything that was needed in the wedding, particularly the papers, before the month of March. After the preparation, we excitedly waited for the wedding day.
Joseph was already sitting on the bench when I arrived at the mini forest. He smiled and waved as I came near to him. Then, he thanked me for granting his request - to meet him. Later on, he asked me if I had plans for that day. Of course, I answered NO because I didn't have any plans for that day.
" But, today is your 18th birthday. Don't you want to celebrate it?", Joseph asked. " Celebrate? Hmmnn, NO but I'll go home this evening. My mother is preparing some foods. And, why are you asking?"I replied. " Because I want you to celebrate your birthday with me. Wear this helmet. Let's ride. Let's have fun.", he said.
I have liked riding the motorbike since I was young; so, I wore the helmet immediately and we went cycling to the remote areas. We really had fun. We laughed a lot. And, I forgot all the problems and the bad feelings I felt.
After an hour of riding the motorbike, we stopped and we sat under the tree. We talked about the problems that we had been through, e.g, the issue about Agnes, Linda and the fetus. He assured me that he would never keep secrets from me again. And, he would remain faithful to me.
Furthermore, we talked about the secret wedding. He was determined enough to marry me. On the other hand, I was interested on it; because I loved him. Besides, it would not hinder my studies in that it was a secret wedding. Nobody would know that we got married, except of course the lawyer and the two of us.
However, I disagreed him for the wedding schedule that he proposed. He wanted the secret wedding to be done on the following week. I was not ready yet at that time. So, we had agreed to have it in March, the following year. We still had to wait for half a year since that month was August.
Afterward, we rode the bike again for a few hours before we went home. Then, I was surprised as I entered my room because I saw presents from Joseph. I had never thought that he remembered my birthday.
When I came home after class, I saw the notebook on my study stable with a CD on it. For me to know the purpose of the CD, I opened the notebook and read the message.
" luv dear,
Please stay here. I don't know what to do and what to feel if I can't see you as I wake up in the morning. Please don't leave me. Don't think of the consequences because nothing bad will happen between us. You know that I love you very much. I care for you a lot and I respect you. So, I will never do anything that will harm you or hinder your plans.
With regard to my family, don't worry about that. My parents and siblings like you, especially my niece, Kenneth. Yes, I know we keep our relationship secret but I'm sure they'll understand us by the time we reveal the truth.
I want to marry you. Please say YES to my proposal. Don't worry, I'll still allow you to go to school and finish your studies. If you're not ready yet, we can have a SECRET WEDDING. What matters most is we officially and legally own each other. Please..please..please marry me.
Before I forget, I bought this CD of David Pomeranz for you because I want you to listen to the song, "Born For You" everyday. Why? Because I believe that I was born for YOU.
luv u so, Joseph
P.S. Let's meet at the mini forest tomorrow.
I found myself smiling after I read the letter. I knew he was romantic but I have never thought that he would do such thing as buying a CD just for him to express his feelings towards me. On the other hand, I got a little interest in the secret wedding. But, I avoided myself from thinking about it because I was afraid I would be tempted in saying YES to it.
The following day, I went to the mini forest to meet Joseph.
