Forever Yours

TakingMyselfBack

Rosa

I woke up at five in the morning.

Getting ready to leave for the airport. I had no reason to stay in this city anymore. My husband and best friend made sure of that. So I was going to take my mother up on her advice.

She thought it would be good if I visit home for a bit.

Ravenhill was a small town sat at the edge of a mountain up north, all warm and quiet, just what I needed. Somewhere I could lay low till I get back on my feet. The drive was long and quiet.

And by noon, I was back in my small town. And as usual, it was raining heavily. Up ahead, I could see my mother waving towards my direction. I was home indeed.

Drove upward towards her, trying to avoid any familiar eyes.

As we reached our front porch finally. All the way up, my mother was going on and on about how she warned me not to marry David.

But the truth was that she was right. They all were.

"Don't worry, my dear. You will certainly find that someone for you."

"I doubt that," I whispered quietly.

I looked up at my home, still the same, not even a single change after all this time.

My mum walked me inside. And I walked up the stairs to the room that was once mine with nothing but sadness.

I felt defeated.

But I won't allow them to see me destroyed. That was one promise I made myself.

Waking up at the sound of the alarm, it was six in the morning, and I woke up with a different kind of determination, one that included taking myself back.

And that was what I intend to do.

Ravenhill didn't have much to offer, career-wise, other than teaching and owning your own business.

And for as long as I could remember, I wanted to own my own bakery, but David always thought I would do better in the city and with the job he would get for me.

I saw this as an opportunity to finally pursue what I had always wanted.

I set out looking for a stall for lease. That was when I saw him.

Julian.

That was not possible. He died in war when we were eighteen. So... how was he...

Before I could even speak, he was in front of me, staring down at me with those same eyes and that same glint he would have when we were back in high school.

"It's been a while, Rosy."

His voice sounded smooth and deep.

"Indeed it has," I responded. "I thought you died during your navy tour."

"I thought I would. But the only thing that kept me alive was seeing your face again."

I took in a deep breath. It was silly to see how he still affected me, like he did before.

"Why didn't you look for me?"

"Why was I told you were dead? And even attended your funeral?"

"It was nice seeing you again, Rosy. Please take care."

And just like that, he vanished. Not even a glance as he walked away.

It made me wonder what could have been so bad that he had to fake his own death.

And why didn't my mother say anything?

As I walked around the small town, my eyes still couldn't believe what they saw.

Julian Cruz.

I walked by an alley, a memory of the both of us sneaking about during curfew so we could spend the night together watching the stars came to mind.

Bringing a gentle smile to my face.

I had one of my best memories with him.

As I stepped inside a little space. Not more than a room, I knew this was it.

David never really allowed me anything of my own, only when he saw fit.

And I was so in love that I couldn't even see past his control and selfishness.

And now this was my new chapter.

"Mum... Mum!" I shouted as I entered the house.

Still couldn't get the fact that Julian was alive.

"In here, honey."

"Mum, why didn't you tell me Julian was alive?"

"Oh, I see you too have met."

"Don't avoid the question, Mum."

"Well, for starters, it wasn't my secret to tell. And moreover, I believed you would run into each other sooner or later. So why ruin the surprise?"

Her reasons made no sense. But that was not the issue right now.

"Mum, how did he survive?" And why was he being so strange?

"That, my dear, is how he behaves ever since he came back from the dead. Like someone who had seen something he probably shouldn't."

He still looked great. And he still had that glint in his eyes, like he did when we were younger.

I could feel my mother's eyes on me with that big smile on her face.

"Mum... No. He and I can't and would never happen again."

"Never say never, my dear. Even more now that you have finally rid yourself of that idiot."I shaked my head jokingly.

So that aside.

"Guess what, Mum."

"You know me. Guessing games isn't really my thing. So you better tell me."

"Yes... Don't remind me."

"Well, I got myself a little space and I intend to start my baking business as soon as possible."

My mother's screams were all I heard, before being enfolded in her arms.

"I knew the moment you leave that man everything would be fine again. And see, it's isn't up to two weeks and already...."

"Yeah."

And it was only the beginning.

All seems too good to be true.

That night, I couldn't sleep. Julian was on my mind.

Why did he leave me after all our plans In high school? If Julian had never left, what would my life have been like?

Would it be any different?

All these questions were what my heart wondered the moment I saw him.

As I laid there on my bed.

Two things were left unanswered.

I wondered if David was happy or happier without me.

And most importantly, why my heart flipped the moment I saw Julian.

Could it be I still love him, even after all these years?

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