To Have and To Hold (complete)

Chapter 26

The tropical storm that the weather bureau had christened ‘Juaning’ continued to pummel the poor island the whole afternoon. Dozens of coconut trees had been uprooted, broken in two, or sent kissing the ground by the violent lashing of the high winds. Everyone in the battered school building knew that there would be nothing but devastation to greet them after. They were just thankful that the feared storm surge did not take place. At least, their meager properties would still be there when they returned. All they could do now was pray that would all be able to come out of this destruction alive and well.

Still, not one of them could be praying as hard as Louisa and Maring at that moment. Without meaning to, the two women now shared a most primal bond between them – they were both agonizing over the fate of the men in their lives, still out there in the midst of the raging storm; struggling for their very survival, bravely wrestling against nature’s wrath. As Maring strove to be strong in front of her two, young children by telling them stories that would occupy their minds, Louisa sat alone at the furthest corner of the gym, gingerly holding on to the satphone that Gabriel had left her. Somehow, she obtained a sense of security from its bulk and rather hefty weight; so unlike the ultra-sleek iPhone stashed inside her jeans’ pocket, virtually useless now that most cell towers had been toppled by the vicious winds, a harsh reminder that man’s most brilliant inventions would never really stand up against Mother Nature.

Leaning her tired body against the cool, concrete wall behind her, Louisa closed her eyes and willed her mind onto other, more pleasant thoughts but nothing came to the fore. She had never been good at waiting, (patience not being one of her many virtues) and the precarious situation that they were in right now just added to her unease. Gabriel had promised to call her on the satphone, keeping the line open in order for her to monitor their progress. However, the cool, inanimate object on her lap had as yet to show any sign of life. And as the minutes turned into more than an hour, Louisa’s apprehension multiplied as well. Stretching her quickly numbing limbs she caught sight of the gentle twinkle of the engagement ring that Gabriel had given her just a few nights ago. The sweet memory of that night came flooding back to her.

Don Fernando had just announced his retirement and Gabriel’s taking over the Montoya empire. Glasses were being raised to toast the two Montoya men when Gabriel came up the gazebo steps and whispered something into his father’s ear, to which the older man just nodded and smiled. Thereafter, Gabriel took center stage and gestured to the band behind him. A couple of violins started playing to the tune of ‘A Thousand Years’ (Louisa’s favorite song) while liveried waiters came out scattering petals on the lawn as they slowly approached her, creating a pathway of with multi-colored rose petals before her. She knew that their engagement would be announced at the end of the party, but what was happening now was more than what she had expected. When she looked up, she saw Gabriel descending the gazebo steps, walking towards her, a huge bouquet of yellow, white, pink, red, and blue roses cradled in his right arm, his left hand holding a cordless microphone close to his lips. It was only then that she realized that the smooth baritone accompanying the band belonged to him. She didn’t even know that he could sing!

Before she could recover from her shock, Gabriel was already standing in front of her, looking down at her with those eyes that never failed to turn her legs to jelly. She did not even remember taking the bouquet from Gabriel but she found herself cradling it close to her heart, her eyes blurring from unshed tears. She knew Gabriel was speaking but the words did not register in her flustered brain, all sound drowned out by the thunderous beating of a thousand congo drums inside her chest.

Then, Gabriel was on his knees, holding up a gorgeous topaz and diamond ring to her. She vaguely heard him say “Will you be my wife?” but she wasn’t sure if he was really talking to her or if she was just imagining it. Nevertheless, she must’ve nodded or something for Gabriel was soon slipping that magnificent jewel on her left hand’s fourth finger. The crowd exploded into cheers and deafening applause when she was swept into Gabriel’s arms, his lips claiming hers in a gentle yet heart-stopping kiss.

Her reverie was abruptly broken when a body came flopping down beside her, its shoulder annoyingly persistent in nudging her back to reality. She did not have to look to know that it was her best friend, Matthew.

“So, Princess! How are you holding up? Is that ring too much or what? Must’ve cost an arm and a leg and perhaps a few teeth as well,” Matthew said teasingly.

“Matt, you really have impeccable timing, don’t you?”

“I do, don’t I? I could tell by that dreamy look on your face that you’re reliving that night again. Just could not resist pulling you down from cloud nine.”

“You’re such a pain, you know?” Louisa retorted, playfully punching Matthew’s arm.

“Ouch! And you’re such a bully, I wonder how Gabriel would feel after a few nights with you. I bet he’d come screaming bloody murder before your honeymoon was over.”

Louisa blushed at the mention of the word ‘honeymoon’, her thoughts turning into less than decent matters. Matthew laughed at her reaction so loudly that several eyes were suddenly on them, dismayed by their misplaced gaiety.

“Will you please tone down, Matt! You’re scandalizing the villagers,” Louisa reprimanded a now contrite Matthew.

“Sorry, okay? I just couldn’t bear seeing you brooding here by your lonesome, worried sick about Gabriel,” Matthew said, patting Louisa’s hand.

“Thanks, Matt. It’s kinda funny, isn’t it? Here I am fretting over a man I swore to forget just a month ago.”

“Hilarious, actually. But not so surprising.”

“How so?” Louisa asked, turning slightly to smirk at her friend.

“Well, I, for one, knew for a fact that you’ve loved Gabriel all your life and it’s only natural to let all that out in the open now that you two had obviously reached some sort of mutual understanding,” Matthew said, looking askance at her.

“What do you mean?” Louisa asked, not really sure what Matthew was driving at.

“Well, the proposal was really romantic and all, stuff for TV dramas, but was it real or just for show? I seem to recall that you once told me that Gabriel was only marrying you to pacify his father...or has that all changed as well?” Matthew asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Louisa could not help but smile at her friend’s subtle prying. She’d forgotten that she did not tell Matthew what had really happened when she and Gabriel went missing the morning of the party. It just felt like it was too private a thing to reveal even to her closest, childhood friend.

“It’s changed a bit,” she replied, flashing an enigmatic smile.

“Aha! I knew it! Something did happen between the two of you that morning! One moment you were like a polecat snarling at Gabriel, the next you were fluttering your thick, lovely lashes at him, smiling that special smile that you give only to him,” Matthew exclaimed.

“What do you mean by that? What ‘special smile’ are you talking about?”

“Well, you know, that smile that makes you look like a lovestruck puppy. You should see yourself – eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed like cherries, tongue lolling out…” Matthew did not get to finish what he was about to say after Louisa started pounding on his arm, her poorly suppressed laughter coming out in gasps and snorts.

“I do not! You’re so mean!” Louisa cried as she slumped back against the wall, arms folded tightly against her chest.

“I’m sorry, Louie. Stop pouting already, okay? But, honestly, I’m really happy for you. And I do pray that Gabriel will soon realize just how lucky he is to have you,” Matthew said, pulling Louisa into a tight hug.

“Thanks, Matt. I also wish the same for you.”

“What? That Gabriel will also realize how lucky he is to have me? Ouch!” Matthew cried as Louisa pinched his sides.

“I meant that you would also find someone who’ll make you happy, too.”

“Well, I’m in no rush. That’ll come in its own good time, I’m sure. It’s really hard to find someone as perfect as you nowadays, you know.”

“Yeah, right! I bet you can’t wait to get rid of me.”

“Come to think of it, when was Gabriel planning to take you off of our hands? Tell him to hurry, okay? Before I started sprouting gray hairs with my constant worrying about you.”

Louisa was about to retort in her usual bantering manner when they were both distracted by the commotion coming from the stairwell.

A group of thoroughly drenched men was trudging up the steps, two of them shivering violently and shouting Maring’s name. Louisa and Matthew immediately jumped to their feet and ran towards the two men who were being helped by the two teens that Miguel had earlier taken with him. Louisa sighed in relief when she recognized them to be the two missing fishermen.

When Lando and his father were safely delivered to the welcoming arms of Maring and their children, the two youths immediately left and ran back down the stairs. Louisa and Matthew swiftly followed suit. They were halfway down the stairs when they were met by a wet and bedraggled Miguel, his face pale and grim. The cold fingers of dread clawed at Louisa’s heart when she saw Miguel’s expression.

“Louisa, there’s been an accident. Can you please prepare some bandages, beddings, and whatever medicine you still have there?” Miguel said as he gripped Louisa’s ice-cold hands, his voice unsteady and barely above a whisper.

“What happened, Miguel? Where’s Gabriel?” Louisa asked, her panicked voice cracking at the effort of keeping her nerves steady.

Just as Louisa was about to push her way past Miguel, the two teens came into view, half-carrying, half-dragging Gabriel’s tall form between them, his face drawn and pale, his eyes shut tightly in obvious pain. It was only then that Louisa saw the large red blots on Gabriel’s shirt and torn pant legs.

“Gabriel! Oh, my God! WHAT HAPPENED?” Louisa screeched as she rushed towards them.

Gabriel’s eyes flew open, eagerly searching for her. His face brightened a little as he smiled upon seeing her lovely face looking up at him. The deep concern he saw in her eyes made him want to assure her. He let go of the two young men holding him up and struggled to walk on his own towards Louisa, the pain in his chest and legs magnified a hundredfold with every step he took. Upon reaching her, he quickly grasped Louisa’s outstretched hands and placed them against his clammy cheeks.

“Louisa! Don’t worry about me, dearest. I’m fine,” he managed to say before he finally gave in to oblivion and crumpled at Louisa’s feet.