Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 57 - I’m Sorry

Do you know what's the good thing about love? It comes unexpectedly. And it's inevitable, no one can't ever dodge it even how hard you tried to avoid love. Regardless of what happened in the past; like you were shattered, passion was something you hated, even if you experience the excruciating pain because of the unrequited affection, fate will still drawback the love you tried to bury before.

It was something I hated seven years ago. To the point that I swore that I'll not let anyone open my heart again, nor love someone but that was absurd promises I made to myself.

It's not like I need love... Or it's not like I won't survive without it, it's just appeared to me that perhaps, it was something that humans can't avoid. I understand that not all people were capable of loving, others tried their hardest to soften their hearts to love again, but it just can't.

I think it has something to do with the person that loves you. Through their actions, the hatred on your heart slowly fades away, and gradually, it was replaced and refilled with love you attempted to kill before.

It was beautiful... Like how love killed the pain, and sometimes, it's the opposite.

Some may find it amazing how pain slowly kills love... As for me, it was love that killed the pain.

"You're planning to get married again?!" Mom was too excited when we announced the good news.

"Yes," I giggled. "I said yes already, 'Mmy. I have no reason to said no."

"That's so good to hear, dear," she replied. "I actually never thought that your marriage will work."

"Why?" My voice was filled with curiosity.

It has been a week since the ringless proposal. Alec and I stayed in his unit, and we frequently visited his parents just like now. In one week, I only came to our house once, that was when my parents were not around and were out for business.

And now, I wanted to slap myself for slipping. I accidentally told her that Alec and I were thinking of getting married again. Although we literally have no clear plans when but it won't take that long. I'm kind of feeling eager to wear a wedding dress, this time, I'd surely choose what I desire to wear.

Unlike before...

"Well, you two were in love with another person before. You two have chosen to break the rules for them, and I thought it was love that no one can ever break but then, the wedding happened. I came across the thought that maybe, sooner or later, one of you will file a divorce. But it has been seven years and you're still here, strong and now, love is overflowing between you two."

"Mommy..."

A genuine smile formed on her lips. We're currently in the kitchen and trying to cook lunch. While Alec and his father were taking their time watching their favorite sport together. And now, it felt good to talk about this with his mother...

I wasn't able to partake in our wedding before. They have planned everything for us... Neither I and Alec has chosen to cooperate with what I thought, was a ridiculous wedding. And now that we're planning to finally be wed again, this time, for real and with feelings, I never thought that it would be this great to talk about it with someone.

"Lia..." She sighed deeply. "I honestly hated seeing my son stuck in a forced marriage. But then, I have seen how his face lits up whenever he talks about you, the way his eyes sparkled in happiness was enough for me to trust him with you," she paused. "As frankly, I never saw him that happy before, Lia. Even with his previous relationship, he was never been that happy... The smile on his face tells me that he's in love and content with his life..."

My heart fell into depths. And now I wonder how my eyes look whenever I stare at him, or even at the mention of his name.

"My son loves you so much," she uttered. "And I can see that you're starting to return the feeling, and I hope it was not because of pity."

I quickly shook my head. Is that how they see it? That I just stayed because I knew he was in love with me and it would break his heart if I leave, so that was why I chose to stay? And that it was all pity that I stayed with him until this day?

Her words offended me.

"I love him," I said with conviction. "I didn't stay because I pitied him, but for the mere fact that he's my husband, and that he's Alec... The one I started to love, 'Mmy. I love your son, and my feelings were genuine."

For some reason, her eyes moistened. I don't know if it was because of the onions she was cutting, or due to something else. Nonetheless, I continued to talk as I washed the vegetables in running water.

"Alec is nice and a wise man, 'Mmy. He was too perfect and I'm even embarrassed because I'm so flawed... Yet despite my past, he accepted me, your family accepted me and I'm really grateful for you didn't judge me. But I did not love him because of pity, I did not let my heartbeat for him for you accepted me, but because I love him. With no reason, I just learned to slowly love him."

It was true. I am in love with Alecio. The sense of pity never really crossed my mind until now. I don't when my love grows for him but it just did, unexpectedly. And I'm genuinely happy with him, and most importantly, I have moved on already.

From Simeon... From our love that didn't work out. I even casually forgetting him. Like my heart and mind just did and it was something I'm relieved for.

"I love Alec... So much," I whispered.

The day passed like usual. We ate together, talk about some random stuff, and the table was filled with waves of laughter. It was a happy day, indeed. Like it really never fails to make me smile just being with them, as I felt like I really belong to them.

"I'm excited to have a grandchild, you two! Please make one after your marriage or even tonight, Alec. I'm not getting any younger, huh. Don't let me die first before giving me a grandchild."

Every one of us groans in disapproval. Even dad reacted because of what she said.

"Don't talk like that, Natasha. Not nice..."

"What? It's not possible, honey..."

The whole dining room was filled with silence. No one has dared to talk again, and seriously, I was sweating... I'm kind of under pressure... But then, Alec was there to assured me.

"Alright, please take care, darling..." reminded Mom as we decided to leave.

"Thank you, mommy..." I expressed, hugging her tight before pulling away.

"I'm not pressuring you, Lia..." she whispered. "Of course, take your time, okay? No one's pressuring you."

I nodded and smiled at her. "Thank you..."

My eyes landed behind her when I saw Alec, walking in our direction. He has a smug smile on his face while staring at me and I rolled my eyes.

"How's your dad?" asked Mom when he was near. "Still sulking?"

"I think it's better if you talk to him, Ma. He's not even talking to me," he replied.

"Okay..." She sighed. "Can you two wait? I'll just go upstairs."

"It's fine, 'Mmy..."

Mom left us in the living room. He sat down beside me, grab my hands before he leaned his head to my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Alec hummed. "I am... I don't know why but I'm kinda feeling nervous."

"Relax, baby..." I squeezed his hands. "Do you need water or something?"

Shaking his head, he closed his eyes. "I love you, Lia..."

"I love you, too," I smiled. "You know that, right?"

"Yup... Of course, I knew that."

We both fell in silent. But then, it was just a moment when we heard a cry upstairs. He quickly stood up and ran towards there, as I kept to match his wide steps and when we got inside his parents room, his mom was constantly checking and shaking his unresponsive husband who was lying on the bed.

With my hands shaking, I managed to pick my phone and called an ambulance.

“Dad! Dad!” Even Alec went to wake up his father but still, no response.

“Alec, your father... He’s not responding!” Mom panicked. “Lessandro! Lessandro! Wake up! This is not a good joke!”

We have tried to perform an open heart massage but still, nothing...

It took less than ten minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Mom went with them, while I calmed myself to drive us to the hospital as Alec was in shocked, too.

“Baby...”

I don’t know what to say. Should I tell him that everything’s gonna be alright? That his father is okay? When we both witnessed the situation, he was not responding... And when I check his pulse, I felt nothing and I knew he knows it.

“Baby...” I called again, holding his hand tight. “We’re getting there, Alec. Please, be strong, okay?”

Life was full of unexpected.

I never let go of his hand even when we arrived. We saw mom walking back and forth, crying in front of the emergency room.

“Mom...” I called, hesitant to let go of Alec’s hand, but then, I did to hug her.

“It’s my fault...”

Shaking my head, a tear left my eye. “No, no... Don’t blame yourself, Mommy. It’s no one’s fault, okay?”

I don’t know how long we waited. But when the door open, the doctor immediately shook his head upon seeing us.

“I’m sorry...” Was his words...