When The Time Is Right ✔

Chapter 1

“Mr. Pascual, do you take this Ms. Torres, to be your newly wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?” The priest asked him.

He looked at the priest then to his bride and smiled. “I do.”

The bride smiled back at him.

“Ms. Torres, do you take Mr. Pascual, to be your newly wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?” The priest asked her.

She looked at him and smiled. “I-“

“No!”

 “Hana! Hana! Wake up! You’re having a bad dream! Hana!” I felt Valeria shake me up and my eyes opened wide and I immediately stood up from my bed.

“What the hell?” I muttered as I remembered the dream in my head.

Mr. Pascual.

Ms. Torres.

“Very bad?” Valeria asked me.

I smiled and shook my head. “No. I’m fine. Just… maybe I am over sleeping.” I told her as to not make her get worried of me more.

It’s already ten in the morning and I’ve just woken up.

Yes. Because of that bad dream. It’s almost lunch time and I woke because of a bad dream. Yeah right.

She smiled back even though I know that she still doesn’t believe me. “Okay then. Get down and we’ll get you something to eat.” She told me before shutting my door closed.

I strutted to the bathroom and fixed myself before going down.

I’ve been living in Boston for five years. It was hard at first but I got by. I’ve met good friends and acquaintances.

“Hana?” Valeria called me.

I looked at her and smiled. She has been the person who is in charge in taking care of me since the moment I first stepped here. She took care of me so well and she is one of the reasons why I had adjusted quicker.

“Ah? Yes.” I smiled as I walked to the dining room and ate breakfast.

Valeria served me. “So, will you go out today and buy something before you go back to the Philippines tomorrow?” She asked.

I smiled and shook my head. “No.” I replied. “I don’t know what to buy.” I chuckled.

I asked my parents to just send me out of the country to finish my studies instead of making me marry my ex-fiancé. I couldn’t marry him. Not when I know that my best friend loves him so much.

Michelle Fajardo, my best friend – or shall I just conclude that she’s not my best friend anymore, is in a relationship with my ex-fiancé. They have been together for more than three years before we, unfortunately, got arranged into a marriage for the business. The moment she knew that I was engaged with her boyfriend, our friendship crashed down.

I, then, was in a relationship with the vocalist of, Charge, the trending band in our campus, Zian Angelo Woo. We have been together for almost two years before I got engaged and I was happy with him. He was one of the best things that happened in my whole life. Oh, I know he still is.

But…he came into the picture.

I don’t love him – not until later. In fact, I think I still have unspoken and still have kept feelings for him until now. He loved me, too. He was ready to fight for me.

But I chose to leave. If my best friend isn’t happy, then maybe, I don’t deserve to be, as well.

Valeria looked at me. “Hana,” She called me.

I looked at her and shrugged. What should I buy? I don’t have someone to give it to.

I lost my best friend.

I lost my boyfriend.

I lost my fiancé.

Hell. All in one day.

“It’s been years. Maybe they have all forgiven you?” Valeria told me.

I smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know.” I replied. “I don’t even want to come back home.” I added softly. I have grown comfortable in Boston to the point that I don’t even feel the longing for my parents.

“You can do this, Hana. You’ve been through a lot. Now’s the time to prove yourself.” She smiled at me and I nodded.

Yes. Perhaps, it’s the time to prove and redeem myself.

To Dad.

To Mom.

To all of them.

I’m not the same Hana Shaniah Tejeros.

Or maybe I still am? But I am different.

And, hell, I have to show them the new me.

**

“Did you get all you needed? Money? Passport? Ticket?” Valeria is hysterical because she still thinks I am a baby.

I laughed at her and nodded. “Yes, I have everything.” I told her as I held onto my handbag containing everything I need.

She smiled sadly at me and pulled me into a hug. “I’ll miss you Hana!” She told me.

I hugged her back. “I will miss you too, Valeria! You’ve been my mother for five years.” I replied with tears brimming in the corner of my eyes. I really don’t love goodbyes.

She chuckled. “Yes. You are the daughter I never had.” She told me as he wiped the tears that escaped from my eyes.

I smiled. “I will always be.” I sobbed as I tightened my grip on her. I will really miss her.

“Go.” She told me as she motioned at the car. “You don’t want to be late for your flight back home, do you?” She tried to sound whiny so I could smile.

I laughed weakly and gave her another hug. “I’ll visit when I have time, okay?” I assured her. “Wait for me, Valeria.”

She looked at me and nodded. “Yes. I will always be here.” She replied and waved.  I waved back before entering the car. I rolled the window down and waved at her again.

Why am I getting all emotional again?

I’m leaving Valeria and the home that I have been staying for the past five years. Sure I was attached to this place. Why wouldn’t I get emotional?

My tears are forming in the corner of my eyes again and I couldn’t do anything. I blinked and they all fell automatically. I wiped them immediately just in case the driver would see me. I don’t want anyone to see my weak side now.

I want to stay. But partially, I want to go.

I want to go home. To my real home.

And now, I am going back home.  I don’t even know if they are waiting for me. I don’t even know if there are people waiting for me.

Would Mom see me at the airport? She didn’t even see me leave five years ago.

Would Dad see me at the airport? He was the one who was itching to throw me out of the country.

I sighed. I guess the driver will see me at the airport then.

Don’t get your hopes up, Hana. If you don’t want to shatter into pieces.