To Cherish You Forever

Chapter 3

I got a call from Alden three days later. I was just so happy hearing from him. He called at night when I was eating my dinner.

“Hello Alya, how are you doing? I am sorry I didn’t get to answer nor return your calls. I was…” I immediately cut him from explaining more.

“Alden, there is no need to explain. I completely understand your situation. Mom told me that you would call when everything is fine. How are you my big brother?” My voice was almost breaking apart. I was trying very hard not to cry. I just missed my brother. I missed our childhood days.

“Alya, thank you for always thinking of me. I am lucky to have a sister like you. I feel bad though that we both got busy with our lives that we failed to maintain our relationship like before. It is entirely my fault. I left the house and then I just drifted apart from you.” His words echoed what she felt before. She felt the sincerity of every word he said.

“You don’t have to apologize for the lost time. There is still plenty of time to make up for all our losses. Anyway, how is everything with you? With your girlfriend?” I had to ask him for my peace of mind. I am not sure if he would share anything about her. It was the first time we talked on a more personal level after many years.

“I am doing way better now. Elise is doing fine as well. I contacted her parents regarding her situation. I found out that this is not her first time trying to hurt herself. I just met her a few months ago. We went out and then things got serious between us. I didn’t know about her depression until just recently.” I was listening to him the whole time. I felt sorry for my brother. I can sense that he really cares for Elise. She sounds like a sweet, fragile woman. I hope she gets better.

“When I talked to her parents, I found out the whole thing about her depression. Her emotions are really unstable right now. She keeps asking for me. Fortunately, she got better after we had a serious talk. I promised her that I will always be there for her. She is not telling me yet about the cause of her depression.” I know my brother was frustrated but he couldn’t do anything to help her. She needs to have the proper treatment.

“You just really need to be extra patient and understanding. She needs you right now. If you think this woman is worth everything to you, then stay with her. Give her your love and support.” I said seriously to him.

“Wow! Since when did you become like this? You really have grown up a lot. Now, you got me curious about you little sister.” I just rolled my eyes. He is just three minutes older than me. However, when he is in his “big brother” mode, I became a little sister to him.

“There is nothing to be curious about me. I just learned from others, you know.” I laughed at him. I know what he was trying to do. He was trying to find out if I have a special someone now. Well, I am still very much single. I have never been in a relationship. I don’t know. I haven’t met someone interesting yet.

“Anyway, if there is anything you need from me or anything you want to talk about, you know that I am always here for you no matter what. Please Alden, remember when we were kids? I hope we can be like that again. I just miss you, my brother.” I was trying to hold back my tears.

“Hey, don’t tell me you are about to cry on me again. Quit it please. You are just going to look more ugly.” We both laughed together. He used to tease me that I look more ugly if I started crying. It did work many times as I stopped crying and started chasing him. Ahh… those were the days.

Ever since that phone call, Alden and I have been regularly messaging each other. I am so glad that his girlfriend is getting better. Her parents had to put her on strict medication. They found out she stopped taking her meds so that’s why she started to have some suicidal thoughts again. I was wondering what happened to her to be in that situation. I wonder what kind of family she has or the people that surround her. At this moment, I am not sure what to feel. I have mixed feelings over their relationship. I wish he could be with someone who is easy to be with. But who am I to judge? Like I mentioned to mom before, she must be really someone special for him to get serious with her.

Saturday night came. That was our agreed celebration party with my colleagues. I was one of the last person to arrive at the restobar. We had a good dinner. We didn’t mention work. Instead we talked more about our personal lives. I got five of them working under our Digital Marketing team. I am the Digital Marketing Manager. I had a mentor who already left our team, Mr. Edwards. He got promoted to a higher position. He was really very helpful and taught me a lot on how to manage a small team. There’s Vince who is our Content Strategist. He is hardworking and quite the serious type. He is already married. Then, there is George and Dave who are our User Experience Designer. They are great at technical and designs. George is also happily married while Dave is still single. We have two ladies in the team aside from me. There’s Steph who is our Social Media Expert and Leah, our Email Marketing Specialist. Both are still single. The two women have such bubbly personality. You would never get bored with them around.

“Congratulations to all our hardwork! I am so happy to be working with such a fantastic team. Cheers to everyone!” I said while we all raised our wine glasses preparing for a toss.

“Cheers!” Everyone said in unison. It was such a great night. We were able to talk other stuff aside from work.

“So Ms. Alya, are you still single?” Asked Leah straightforwardly. I got a bit surprised but everyone shared something about their personal lives.

“Just call me Alya. We are not in the office anyway. It sounds weird to hear it somewhere else aside from the office. And to answer your question, I am still single just like you and Steph.” I smiled at them. That’s all I ever said to them.

“And?” Asked Steph. I was trying to suppress laughing at her.

“And I guess I like being single. You are free to move around and do whatever you want.” I said from the first thought that came to my head.

“I totally agree with you on that one.” Admitted Steph. She went to narrate more about her personal life with her two ex-boyfriends. I wasn’t really paying much attention to what she said especially the intimate part. They didn’t know that I never have any boyfriend and talks about intimacy made me feel uncomfortable. She said something that caught my attention though.

“My ex-boyfriend was such a heartless man. He used me as a rebound. I didn’t know that he just recently broke up with his ex. To make the story short, he used me so he could get back at his ex who left him. When I found out, I was really broken-hearted. I thought he was the one. I was a complete idiot.” Steph said with such sadness and bitterness in her voice. I couldn’t help but said something to her.

“That was a blessing in disguise for you. It is good that you found out early. Otherwise, he would keep using you against his ex. You are not the i***t, he is. He let go of someone as beautiful and kind-hearted as you.” Steph got teary-eyed while listening to me.

“Thank you for such nice words. I am over him now but the pain he inflicted in me left a deep scar.” I reached out to touch her hand and squeeze it.

“You will be fine. There is no more way down than to go up. I can see that you are a strong woman.” Came my words of comfort. I can’t imagine myself to be in a situation like hers.

We stayed longer past midnight. We decided to call it a night after a few more drinks. I got like three glasses of wine. I already felt tipsy. I know my limitations when it comes to drinking alcohol. I went home to my apartment that night tired and sleepy.

Things went better and better each day for me with my work. I got promoted after four months. I left my team with a heavy heart but I know that each one of them will be successful in their own way.

“Ms. Sherwood, I had a conflict of schedule with my meetings. My secretary wasn’t able to fix it at the last minute. I have a favor to ask from you.” It was our big boss, Mr. Nicholson. I am working now directly under him. I am the head of the entire marketing team. I have around twenty staff under my watch.

“No problem, Mr. Nicholson. What can I do to help?” He took a deep sigh and smiled at me. Mr. Nicholson is in his early sixties. He built his businesses along with some business partners. He started in the technology business and he branched out to different products and services. One of his biggest moneymakers is our marketing department. Our department is famous among big clients in the country.

“I want you to attend a three-day conference in my behalf. I really couldn’t make it. I also couldn’t cancel my attendance, but I can send someone reliable as a representative of our company. Take this opportunity, Alya to meet bigger business people. I can assure you it will be a good experience for you.” Mr. Nicholson didn’t even have to convince me further. I would love to represent our company. I could use that experience to improve my craft.

“Thank you so much for your huge trust in me, Mr. Nicholson. It will be an honor to represent our company for such an event.” I smiled widely at him. I am so grateful that in a matter of less than a year I have achieved so much in the company. They gave me great opportunities that I am forever grateful for.

“You deserve it. Your performance in the company has been superb. Your dedication and impeccable attitude has brought you to where you are right now.” Such praises coming from our big boss is really something for employees like me. Also, our company is successful due to Mr. Nicholson. I like how he handles everything. He collaborates with everyone and values everyone’s ideas. As an employee, it gives me the confidence to work better. He is strict when it comes to the quality of work and beating deadlines. As an employee and head of a marketing team, I make sure that our clients are fully satisfied from our services. Of course, maintaining trust among our clients is important to stay in the business.

Two days after, I was on board the plane. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I will get to mingle with the rich and famous in the business. I called my parents to inform them that I will be out of the country for three days or more.

“Mom, I tried calling Alden but he is out of reach. I haven’t heard from him for more than a week now. No calls nor messages from him. Is he fine, mom?” I got busier from work but I never failed to call nor drop Alden some text messages. He would respond immediately, but the last week was strange. I couldn’t reach him. My parents got a call from him once. He mentioned being somewhere and he would come to visit my parents this coming weekend. He said he had an important announcement to make. I find it odd that mom said he didn’t sound enthusiastic over their phone conversation. She said that he sounded exhausted. Whatever he is going to announce to the family this coming weekend, I hope it’s something positive.