Way Back Into Love

Chapter 8

Estelle looked at the man who carried her towards God knows where. "Are you fine?" Luke asked Estelle who was still staring into his face, "for now, I am but I'm sure that the pain will visit tomorrow..." Estelle said while Luke finally spared Estelle's face a glance before staring back at the road, "...if you're worried then don't be, I'm used to it," Estelle said, unbothered while the person who just heard her turned quiet, not even uttering a single word.

"Ahhh, come on, speak up...this is making me awkward here, I'm talking while you're not!" Estelle exclaimed making the man stop in his tracks and look at her, worry was written all over his face. "I don't need to talk to you...I'll talk to you later because looking at your face will make me have the urge to kill someone," Luke's voice dropped and caressed Estelle's face with his right hand while the other is supporting her. Estelle who was worried for some reason spoke to Luke, "Look, as I have said, there's no need for you to worry... these wounds and bruises are super light compared to back when I was a child," Estelle shrugged thinking that she had succeeded into coaxing Luke.

"That's the point! You're not fine, your childhood was not fine...it was inhumane for your parents to treat you like that!" Luke shouted making Estelle bow her head, not because of the embarrassment but because of the realization that hit her, "heh, my childhood was unpleasant to you who grew up with loving parents...right? But what choice did I have? Did I have the right to choose my parents when I was just a fetus huh? Tell me! If people like you found my childhood that low then why did no one help me? When I desperately cried for their help but no one...not even a single would come into our door and presented to f*cking rescue me from my abusive parents!" Estelle shouted back and this sudden confession made Luke quiet and let her down.

"Did you know that when I was a child, I desperately prayed that someone would rescue me from that sh*tty abode and when no one came, I tried to f*cking kill myself, and I was just 7 at that time!" tears were now starting to roll at Estelle's eyes. Luke who just realized how much of a deep wound he had opened looked at Estelle with pity. "I tasted happiness when I was able to leave that house, that was the first time I experienced it!" Estelle who finally had it decided to close the topic, "forget it, you wouldn't able to relate with me since you grew into a good family with loving parents and would provide you whatever you need."

"Estelle, I wasn't trying to-" Luke was about to apologize but Estelle had enough, "Fine, you had the best...then it would be of no use that you'll hang out with this abused kid...right?" Estelle let out a question but she answered it herself, "right..." she answered and then left Luke who was still standing at his position where he dropped Estelle from his arms.

"Ah, f*ck this life really," she cursed and went on her way when she noticed the maid from the Garcia residence running towards her, with something on her hands. Estelle stopped in her tracks and decided to wait for the old lady who was now catching her breath as she ran towards Estelle and her pace slowly became slow. Tired of waiting in a distance, Estelle decided to walk to her.

"What is it?" Estelle asked in a polite tone since the old maid had never done something to her that made her despise her. Instead, back in the old times where Alice would often bully and abuse Estelle, the maid was always there to help the girl who struggled with her madam's absurd and often harsh requests. And because of this help that Estelle received, she became friends with the maid but they no longer had any interactions when Estelle and Calyx seldom visits the Garcia residence.

"A-Ah, Estelle, this is..." she handed the white envelope that she was holding earlier and gave it to Estelle. Estelle was curious as to what the letter contained so she was about to open it when the maid talked, "please open it later when you visit Calyx..." the maid said with her head down low. Estelle looked at the maid with her expressionless eyes and asked, "you know where Calyx is buried?" with her demanding tone and this made the maid shuddered in fear but still nodded, unable to squeak out a word.

"Where? Tell me," Estelle demanded and the maid immediately replied, "at the nearest cemetery here," she said and Estelle who was doubting threatened the maid, "if this piece of information of yours not true then mind the consequences," she said but the maid finally had the courage and looked at Estelle straight to the eye, "why would I lie to you miss?" she asked and Estelle was now unable to answer.

"I did not do anything to harm you, instead, I helped you from the Madam's grasps and you doubt this piece of information that I gave to you? I'm anything but a liar miss," she said and Estelle apologized, "I'm sorry, this day made me..."

"...hmm, I understand you...you even cut your hair which you grew for Calyx," she said as she reminisced the memory where she heard Estelle and Calyx talking.

"Estelle, your hair is so beautiful..." Calyx complimented Estelle. They were both in the garden and the maid accidentally heard but continued to eavesdrop because of her curiosity on how deep the love between the two really is.

"Thank you Calyx," Estelle beamed happily as she touched her hair that was complimented by Calyx.

"Why don't you grow it out Telle?"

"Should I?" Estelle asked in a playful tone and this made Calyx laugh while nodding, "you should because you would totally look like a goddess that had descended from the heavens."

"If you say so, then when would I cut it?" Estelle asked and they both taught about it for a bit which amused the maid watching from afar, she could tell how Estelle loved Calyx.

"Ah! I have an idea," both of them said at the same time, "you first," they said it together, again.

"Alright," Estelle said as she positioned herself properly, "I would cut it if ever the both of us ae separated," she said and Calyx's eyes went wide, "then would that mean that you'll be the next rapunzel?" Calyx said jokingly and Estelle just looked at him with loving eyes.

"Maybe I will...since my love for you will not run out," Estelle said as she stole a peck in Calyx's cheek.

"I remember but it was really urgent because if I didn't do that then I would be bald right now," Estelle seriously said and this made the maid laugh, "true...the madam's grip cannot be taken easily," the maid followed and laughed but Estelle didn't because she realized something, "did she do that to you too?" she asked with pure worry in her voice. In response, the maid nodded, "yes, at first we thought that she was a good one but as time went by she abused us, even in the tiniest mistake we made she would slap us and if we wanted to tell the neighbours about her real behaviour, she would then threaten to not let us out and deduct our salary. Since we are in need of money, we would just let her have her way with us and endure it, just for the money so that we can feed it on our families," the maid confessed.

"I thought she only did that to me because of how she hates me for being with her son but how dare she involves you all with this...this is just unacceptable!" Estelle exclaimed and was about to go back to the Garcia's residence to start up another fight but the maid stopped her, "Miss, you can't...it would be dangerous for you to go there," the maid said while holding her arm. "But," Estelle was trying to protest but the maid please her not to since it's the best for them all.

"I promise you that I'll come back and give justice to you all, and thank you for giving this to me," Estelle thanked the maid as she put her anger aside and was about to walk when the maid shouted, "Miss! Calyx gave that to me the day before his death...and I would appreciate if you'll read it in front of him!" the maid said then left.

As Estell made her way to the cemetery that the maid told her, she kept staring at the white envelope. There was nothing special on the outside but what she's looking forward to reading is the contents inside it. So she fasten her pace and before she knew it, she arrived at the cemetery with beads of sweat present on her forehead. She then made her way to the guardhouse and asked, "Good day, where is the tombstone of Calyx Garcia located?" Estelle asked the guard politely and in return, the guard guided her to where the tombstone was located and as she took each step, she could hear her heartbeat getting louder with every step she takes.

"Here we are miss," the guard pointed to the tombstone of Calyx and when Estelle saw it, she smiled and thanked the guard for showing her the way. She went there and sat on the ground, "hi Calyx...I'm sorry it took me that late to find you. I even caused trouble back at your residence...hehe, I fought with your mom, I was really looking forward to that fight since I wanted to do that from the point where she abused and bullied me while you're not present. Once again, I really apologize for taking so long to visit you, I was trying to follow you. I went and jumped into the bridge hoping that it would take my life and give me a chance to see you once again. I almost reached my goal there but someone decided to intervene and saved me, stopping me from following you..." Estelle sniffed as she told the events in her life for the past few days, "...but don't worry, after reading this letter you left for me, I will follow you into the light, for real this time since that person is not here right now. He would not be able to follow me since I left him hanging at that place. I told him a part of my past Calyx but unlike you, he did not take it well...ah you were really the one for me but too bad, you left me," Estelle wiped the tears escaping from her eyes and grabbed the white envelope that was now on the ground.

"I'm really sorry for what I did...I'm really sorry for blaming myself as the reason why you died, I'm really sorry Calyx," Estelle cried and her hands trembling upon opening the letter, She got the papers out and silently read it.

Dear Estelle,

By the time you read this, I'm probably not by your side right now. I know that this is sudden but I hope that you'll not be depressed about my death and not follow me after reading this, I will never forgive you if I see you in the afterlife today. I made this letter short so that you can take your time reading it. Estelle Mariano, ever since the first time I met you, I was captivated by your beauty and from that moment it gave me the urge to make you mine and treasure you forever. Time passed by, you became mine thanks to my efforts. To tell the truth, it was not that easy to gain your trust but I was thankful that you opened your heart and shared your past with me...I was really grateful because of that, no lies present in this statement only pure truth.

In the past few years we've been together, I felt pure bliss as if an angel, not a Goddess fell from heaven and chose me to be her life partner, I really felt honoured that you chose me Telle. But now that I'm not there, by your side...I really hope that you'll try your best to be happy and choose a man that is better than me alright? But knowing your tastes and high standards then you'll eventually find your second Mr. Right. I wish that you'll be happy after you read this letter and please don't forget me but remember me as the man who tried his best to be with you but failed in the end. I remember our promise about your beautiful hair...after reading this letter, you can cut and style it the way you want. I'm sorry for suggesting this kind of idea to you.

Just to let you know Telle that I don't blame you for my death...I know that my mother will blame you but don't let her get inside your mind. Oh, and I'm really sorry when I didn't believe your words when you said that my mother abused you, I was really disappointed in myself at that time and after knowing that, I tried my best to visit my mother alone and not drag you there since I'm sure that she'll abuse you once again.

Please remember Telle that you're the only one inside my heart until now and forever will be. I hope that I'll meet you in my next life Estelle Mariano and I would definitely marry you in that lifetime. And I wish that you'll finally live your life after reading this letter. Please be happy.

I met the right person but at the wrong time,

I will love you always,

Calyx Garcia

After reading the note, Estelle cried in pain as she let it all out once again. She face the tombstone and talked to it as if it was alive, "why did you do this? Why are you so selfish?! Why did you leave me behind? You should've taken me with you! You know that I can't survive alone!"

"Why are you so selfish Calyx?" she shouted and cried into her heart's content and when she felt that her strength left her, she stood up and took a glance at Calyx's tombstone, "fine, if you want me to be live my life then I'll fulfil your wish. I'll find my second Mr. Right but remember your promise that you'll have to marry me in our next lifetime," she said and left Calyx's tombstone with the letter above it.

Estelle left the cemetery with puffy eyes and made her way back to her and Calyx's shared apartment. It wasn't big but it was enough for two people to live inside it. She went inside and plopped herself into her bed and closed her eyes, forcing herself to not think about anything and just sleep but a knock brought her back. She sluggishly forced herself to wake up from the bed to open the door and when she opened it, it was a person that she was not expecting to see.