The Love That Passed

Colleen’s POV

“Hi sister,” Ingrid said as I answered her call. She sounded happy and excited, so I think she had good news.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“You seemed happy,” I told her.

“Yes, because you’re going to be my sister-in-law from now on,” she replied. I was stunned for a moment. I never thought that this arranged marriage thing had not ended yet.

“What do you mean?” I asked her.

“Exactly what it means. Jared had agreed and already signed the papers. I am on my way to the civil registrar to register for your marriage.” she replied excitedly. Well, I didn’t think that Jared would actually agree to it and last night when he went to see me thinking I had hurt his girlfriend, I was 100% sure that he was not going to agree to this. “Hey, are you still there?” Ingrid asked.

“Yes, I just didn’t expect that he would actually agree,” I replied.

“Well he did. I think he thought about it carefully and made this decision. You know that mom didn’t want to force him either.” She said, “So tell me when you’re ready to move into your new home so I can help you pack.” she added.

“OK,” is all that I can say. She had already hung up but the phone was still in my ear. I still couldn’t believe that he would actually agree.

I started to feel uneasy thinking he only agreed because of the company. Although I told Mommy Claire’s Ingrid what I wanted, I was still unsure of the situation. I didn’t have much time left and I wanted to spend it as happily as I could be.

What if Jared just took me for granted and hurt me in any way he could? I only want to live my life to the fullest, so I didn’t want anymore drama in my life to come my way. I looked into my cell phone again and I remembered that I had to do my regular routine to keep myself healthy.

I got up and started doing my household chores. Maintaining my house clean was my way of doing my exercise. I didn’t want to be idle, so I made sure to move my body all the time and not put too much pressure on stress. Too much movement is not good for my health either. That’s why I was trying to avoid the fight with Jared’s girlfriend yesterday.

“Hello,” Dr. Gerard answered. I decided to call him and inform him about me getting married to Jared.

“I guess I am getting married.” I told him, but after a few minutes, I didn’t hear anything from him. “Dr. Gerard, are you still there?” I asked again.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I looked into something on my computer,” he replied. I think I called him at the wrong time.

“I’m sorry that I disturb you when you’re this busy.” I told him.

“No, not at all. You know that I am not that busy when it comes to you. I don’t have a patient, I mean.” He replied. “So you were saying?” He added.

“I am getting married to Jared now. I hope this will make my life memorable,” I told him. I had been open with him, he knew my pain and sorrow. How hurt I was by what had happened to my family. If there was anyone who could understand me, I think it was him.

There was a time when he offered me his help. But I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t hurt him. I didn’t want him to suffer the pain of losing someone important to him. If I didn’t commit myself to him, it would be less painful for him if I’m gone.

“Doing what you want to do will make your life memorable.” He said after I heard him sigh. “If you are happy with it, then it would be much better.” He added.

“Thank you Dr. Gerard, if there was one thing I am thankful for, it is when I met you. You make everything I carry in life as light as a feather.”, I told him, and I heard him chuckle.

“You realize that now that you’re getting married?” He asked, laughing.

“I realized it even before this. And I am always thankful for that. I just didn’t tell you,” I replied.

“Then you should treat me should I deserve that much, right?” He asked, and I agreed with him.

“You know that I have been wanting to do that. It’s just that every time I have a chance, you always insist on taking it.” I replied, laughing, and he did too.

“Alright, this time is going to be different because you’re going to get married. I will make sure to charge you with your treats.” he said.

“Copy that Doc!” I replied happily and we laughed together. Life is really beautiful and I started to hate how I needed to leave it sooner than anybody else.

With that I couldn’t help but pity myself. I wanted to live longer. Before, I always asked my creator why he had to take away the life he gave me this soon. But because I didn’t get any answers from him, I decided to stop questioning his decision.

Because of that thought, I couldn’t help but sob. “Are you alright, Colleen?” Dr. Gerard asked worriedly.

“Yes, it’s just that I can’t help but ask again,” I replied. I know he knew what I was talking about. He was the one who kept on telling me that life is precious no matter how long we spend it. He always tells me that it’s now how long you live that matters, it’s how you live.

“Are you sure about that, or you’re just trying to escape by treating me?” He asked and I laughed at him. I heard him sigh after he heard me laugh. I guess he felt relieved that I was not thinking about that past.

“Thank you for being there for me. I don’t know what I would be right now if I didn’t cross paths with you. If I never met you.” I told him.

“Finally, so the treat continues.” He replied, laughing.

“Of course, it’s the least I can do for you,” I told him.

“You don’t know how much it is for me,” he said.

“I won’t take much of your time. I know that there were a lot of patients who were looking forward to your rounds. See you at my next check up, then I will treat you.” I told him and ended the call after he said goodbye as well.

Looking at myself in the mirror, the bruises I took from Jared’s girlfriend were still there. It’s just a day, so I guess it was natural for them to stay.

Everything was clean in my house when I stopped. I liked how my house was. It was calming and relaxing though it lacked material things. I wonder how I am going to clean mine and Jared’s house. I wish it wasn’t big so it would be easier for me to clean it up.

I felt sticky, so I decided to take a bath and clean myself up. I was drying my hair when I heard my doorbell ring. I opened it up and I was stunned for a moment. I didn’t expect her to come and visit me after a long time.

“So this is where you live?” My mother asked. I was just staring at her and couldn’t move. “Are you just going to stand there?” She asked again, but I was still shocked to see her.

Seeing my mother, I think I really am dying. Why is she here though?

“This should do it.” She said afterwards. I don’t know what she was talking about, but I think it’s not good.

“What should I do?” I asked.

“Your sister will be staying here while she is studying,” she said. I wanted to scream at her, but I thought of my own health. I didn’t want to die in front of her.

“I don’t remember having a sister.” I told her and she glared at me.

“You are ungrateful, I am your mother and you can’t even do that for me?” She shouted as if I had done her wrong.

“I don’t remember having a mother either.” I told her, “Who are you again?” I asked her. That made me receive a slap from her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Cely, the old lady next door asked my mother.

“Don’t get in between us, I am her mother and she was ungrateful not to let her sister live here.” My mother yelled.

“Her mother? Colleen, I didn’t know that you had a mother.” Cely told me.

“Because she was so ungrateful that she never mentioned me to anyone,” my mother said.

“You’re still alive and have another daughter, then why would Colleen live in the street before?” Cely asked. That made my mother’s eyes widen.

“The owner of this apartment saw her on the street and offered her to live here for free. She has no right to let anyone other than her live here. She is not paying for water and electricity either, because we tenants here share that with her.” Cely informed my mother.

Although it was true that the landlady offered me to live here for free, when I found a job, I started paying for my rent as well. Cely was exaggerating things as well by telling my mother that they were the ones who were paying for my light and water.

“She will have to leave if she lets anyone else live with her,” Cely added. “I had a feeling that you are not a mother to her, so you had better leave now. You won’t get what you wanted here.”

My mother couldn’t do anything but leave. I feel so sad that she had to come and see me with that attitude. I could have let her daughter live here, but the way she told me that was really painful. I am her biological daughter and yet her husband’ s daughter was more important than me. She didn’t even say she missed me or asked how I am now.

“You’re OK now?” Cely asked. “I’m sorry if I intervened and said those words. I just don’t like the way she talked to you, she even slapped you. How dare she hurt her own daughter, who she hasn’t seen for years.” She added, and I looked at her.

“I know you have been living here for a long time and no one has ever visited you except the man from last night. I always looked after you thinking you were alone and,” She said, I was waiting for her next words, “sick.” She added.

“How?” I asked her.

“It was really obvious. That’s why I was so mad at your mother when she hurt you, even if you looked like that.” She replied. I guess I cannot hide anything from her, so I smiled at her and said,

“Thank you so much for your concern. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re most welcome dear.” She replied and she went to her own unit. I closed my door and sat on my couch. I looked around my house and I couldn’t help but feel sad. I was remembered by my mother because her husband’s daughter needs housing while she’s studying. She looked at the door to her new daughter’s home to stay while she neglected and forgot about the matter. They divorced and got their own family.

I couldn’t help the tears from falling down my face. I cried and cried until I thought there was nothing left. I had to be strong. I didn’t want to get mad with my mother anymore and I wanted to spend the rest of my days happily. That’s all I have to think about.