Just A Stranger

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

WHEN a lot of people expect you to be someone and you turned out to be the opposite of what they had imagined, they call you disappointment. At the age of 21, Eura Vegaz married a man whose age was almost seven years older than her—and the people around her didn’t expect that. 

They never expected that, even Eura didn’t expect that her path will be like that. Everybody was so disappointed in her. Despite that, Eura went on doing what she taught what’s good for her. 

She’s at the top of their class. People around her—including her family, friends, neighbors, and close acquaintances—expected her to finish her college degree before marrying. But then, Eura fell in love with Engineer Hunter Villuz. 

She stopped during her third-year college, she’s taking Civil Engineering during that time, when she married Hunter, her boyfriend. And now, they’re happily married for four years.

“Hey, baby!” Hunter hugged his wife from the back and planted soft kisses on her neck. 

“Hon, I’m cooking. S-Stop it, alright?” she said then chuckled a little.

Hunter pouted his lips. “It’s been a while since we go out? Our anniversary will come soon. What do you think, hon?” He continued kissing Eura’s neck that made her quiver.

“H-How can I answer you clearly . . . w-while you’re doing that. Y-You’re making me crazy!” Hunter laughed at her and put both his hands up in the air, surrendering.

“Aight, ma’am!” he teased her.

“Hunter!”

“Calm down, baby hon. I am just teasing you, alright? I really like seeing your facing turning into tomatoes. I easily got turned on—” Hunter was cut-off by Eura when she slightly pinched the left side of his tummy and she looked at him with her eyes wide open, giving him a warning. “Don’t be too serious, hon. Haha! I am just kidding, okay? I just want to see your cute reaction.”

Eura shook her head and continue cooking the chicken soup for their dinner. It’s actually a miracle that her husband came home early. He’s always busy taking care of their construction company, Hunter’s family business. 

“So, uhm . . . what do you think? Dinner date this Saturday? For our anniversary?” Hunter sweetly asked and gave a kiss on Eura’s cheeks.

“I love that! What about an out of town?” 

“Yeah. I’ll book a trip. Honestly, the atmosphere in the company is getting hotter and toxic. I want to have fresh air and of course . . . with my beautiful wife.” Eura can feel the exhaustion of his husband these past few weeks. And she thinks that it’s really a great idea to go somewhere that is far away from his husband’s family company. “Besides, it’s been a year since the last time I took a leave. Maybe it would be great to have some and spend it with you.”

Eura caressed her husband’s cheeks. “Thank you so much, hon.”

“Hmm?”

“For taking care of me and for all your efforts. I couldn’t ask for more, hon. I love you so much.” A tear formed on the side of her eyes. Eura can’t explain the too much happiness she’s feeling right now. She’s so lucky that heaven gave her someone like her husband. “I am sorry that I can’t still give you a child . . .”

“Come on, hon! It’s okay. Don’t mind that . . . ”

“But—”

“No more buts, hon. I am the one who should’ve to be thankful to you. You complete me and I couldn’t ask for more,” he said and wrapped his arms around her hips. He softly caressed her hair, playing some strands of it using his fingers. 

The sweet gesture of his husband made her knees felt weak. She loves his touch. Oh, heaven knows how much Eura loved her husband. She couldn’t imagine her life without him. She doesn’t want a life without him. She can’t bear it, she can’t survive. 

“So, shall we eat?” he asked with a small smile on his lips.

“Yep. I hope you’ll like it . . .”

“I love everything about you, hon. Even your burnt rice—”

“Hey! You—!” 

Eura’s face reddened because of embarrassment. She can still remember that during their first year as a couple, Eura doesn’t know how to cook. So, she ended up burning the food or messing up the ingredients. But still, her husband became patient with her. Eura was also lucky that Hunter knew how to cook. He also encouraged her to improve her cooking skills and helped her if he’s not busy. That day, she promised to do her best to serve him tasty food. 

Hunter gently pulled her arms to the table. He dragged the chair and gave her a sign to sit down. She sat on the chair, confused. “Sit down. I’ll serve my beautiful wife.” 

She watched her husband serve her food. It was like a dream. She never believed in fairytales and love stories but her husband gave her butterflies that even fairytales and love stories couldn’t give to her. To have Hunter in her life, she knew she won the lottery ticket in this lifetime.

“I’m so in love with you, Hunter . . .” she whispered while her palm placed on her chest, feeling the fast heartbeats. 

That night after they had their dinner, they spend time with each other. Their lips met, their bodies intertwined. Angels started to sing, the heaven’s gate opened for the both of them. They couldn’t get enough of each other. They only shut their eyes when the both of them got tired when their bodies were the ones who gave up.

Eura knew that this is the life she wanted. How she wished that everything will remain that way. They didn’t care for everything, they’re satisfied with each other. 

She looked at her husband’s aristocratic face. He husband was soundly sleeping beside her. She traced his Roman nose using her fingers, down to his this cherry lips. Her husband has alluring gray eyes, she can’t resist, his thick eyebrows and long eyelashes added more charisma to his face.

“Damn, I’m so lucky . . .” she whispered and laughed softly. She learned to give him a peck on his lips. “So handsome . . .”

After that, she covered her naked body using the thick white sheets and embraced her husband’s warm body. She put her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat as her lullaby. Then after that, her eyes fell.

The next morning, Eura woke up with an empty bed beside her. She instantly stood up and noticed that she’s now wearing a plain grass green v-neck shirt and a boxer. She can hear noises, a woman's voice to be exact blabbering something. Yet, she can’t hear the words clearly. She slowly walked to the door and peeked on the small opening of the door.

“So, you’re taking a break with your wife? Where do you plan to go? But seriously son, I didn’t like the idea of you taking a break during this company situation. Did your wife encouraged you to take a break—” Hunter cut off her mother.

“No, mama. It’s my decision. I want to spend time with my wife. In fact, it’s my first time taking a leave this year,” Hunter told her mother. Hyra, Hunter’s mother, gave him a smug face and rolled her eyes.

“I bet your wife really convinced you. You just don’t want to admit it,” Hyra blurted and crossed her arms.

Hunted shook his head and tapped his forehead, frustrated. He sighed deeply as he answered his mother’s assumption. “Ma, this has nothing to do with my wife. Take her out from these things. I am doing this because I love her so much.”

Hyra rolled her eyes. “I feel like I want to puke,” she whispered but Hunter heard it.

“Ma!”

“Whatever, Hunter. Just come back immediately. You know that your older brothers and sister can handle the company, but they still need you,” she uttered and held her son’s hand. “You’re a great asset to our company.”

“Thanks, ma. But you know that my top priority is my wife.”

“Your wife, again? It’s always about your wife.” She sarcastically laughed.

“Of course, ma. She’s my better half. My decision is also her decision. I am just lucky that she is supportive and understanding.”

“But you still have a bad taste on women.”

“Nah. My wife is the best.”

Hunter knew that her mother disliked her wife. Even before they got married, her mother threw a lot of shades at her wife. She even planned to break them up, but she failed. It’s also one of the reasons why their marriage was rushed. 

On the other side, Eura’s shoulder fell. She was about to cry but she tried to compose herself. She tried to stop her tears because she knew that it’ll not help her. 

Hunter’s mother, her mother-in-law, mistreated her a lot of time, she invalidates her feelings and opinions. It broke her heart because she’s expecting that they will accept her. But until now, Hunter’s family didn’t like her. She doesn’t know what’s wrong with her for them to dislike her and treat her like s**t. Even the older brothers and sister of her husband doesn’t like her. 

Maybe because she didn’t come from a wealthy family. Her mother is a simple housewife with a sideline of being a sewer. Her father is a jeepney driver, one of the Philippines’ land transportation. While his husband came from an elite family who owned subdivisions and other businesses. 

“If you’ll just give her a chance. If you just at least spend time knowing her, you’ll love her too.” She heard her husband saying those words to her mother. He doesn’t give up encouraging her to give her wife a chance.

“Not interested to your social climber wife—”

“Ma! You’re getting disrespectful.”

Hyra was caught off guard. She can’t find a word to answer her son. So, she chose to turn her back. “No matter what will you say, I don’t like her. Your words can’t change how I perceived her. Sorry, son but I can’t like your wife. Never.”

Hearing those words, Eura’s heart shattered. She doesn’t want anything but acceptance from her mother-in-law. She just wanted to bond with her but she guesses. . . it’s impossible.

“I’ll leave now, son.”

“Alright.”

She got back on their bed and pretend that she’s asleep. She was unwell during the whole day. Her mother-in-law’s words affected her so much. The feeling was like your mother condemning you or your friends telling others that they don’t have friends like you. That is what Eura felt.

Eura felt that the side of the bed moved, someone sat or lay beside her. She knew that it was her husband. It’s already 7 p.m. yet she didn’t bother to get out of the room.

“Hon, are you sure your okay?” Hunter worriedly asked. 

“I’m just a little dizzy, hon. It’s just a headache,” she excused. But it was kinda true but it’s not only her head that’s aching right now but also her heart.

“Hon, it is not ‘just’ a headache. I’ll contact our personal doctor—”

“Hon, don’t bother anymore. I am fine, I just need rest.” She sat on the bed and face him. She caressed his face.

“Sure?”

“Yep. In fact, I feel better now that you’re near.”

A small smile formed on his lips. “Really?”

“Really.”

He cleared his throat and spoke. “Uh, honey. I already booked a trip. Do you want to continue our trip?”

“Of course.”

She knew that her mother-in-law will have a say about their trip, well . . . she always have a say. But, she doesn’t want to ruin their vacation. She wants it, her husband wants it. She can’t see anything wrong with it. 

“I booked a trip to a province named El Paraiso. It was located nearby Davao City. The place was like a paradise. I want to take you there, hon,” he uttered. He took to put his phone in his pocket. Then he showed him the photos of the place. “It’s lovely, right?”

“It is.”

“I’ll make sure that our vacation will be memorable.”

“Thanks, honey.”

“Everything for you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait.”

She couldn’t ask for more. She’s indeed a lucky woman. She’ll make memories with her husband, and she can’t wait. She’s happy that she’ll spend time with him. 

When the morning came, she couldn’t explain how excited she is today. Last night, they already packed their things up. The couple couldn’t wait to visit El Paraiso.

Right now, they’re putting their baggage inside the back of Hunter’s black Ford car. Eura wore a simple pink spaghetti strapped dress with a flower design. She went inside the car after assuring that all their stuff is complete.

“Are you ready, hon?” Her husband asked.

She sat beside the driver’s seat. She buckled up her seatbelt. Then, she looked at him and smiled. “I am always ready, hon.”

They listened to music while her husband is driving. She smiled as she jammed with the music and watched the scenery outside. 

“Are you happy, hon?” he asked.

“Always.” She smiled and leaned to kiss his cheeks. “Focus on the road,” she reminded him.

“Aye aye, ma'am!”

She chuckled, then she continues watching the scenery outside their car. 

She’s contented right now. Everything feels peaceful and a dream come true. But sometimes, not all stay permanently.

“Hon, what’s the matter?” she asked Hunter when she witnessed how nearly they bump another car in front of them. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, hon . . .”

“Be careful—Oh my goodness! Hunter!”

Their car bumped into a ten-wheeler truck. Eura and Hunter were unconscious. The medical team arrived and sent them to the hospital and also the driver of the truck.

Two days had passed before Eura gained consciousness. When she opened her eyes, the lights of the white room welcomed her. The first thing she thought of was her husband.

“Eura, finally! Thank God you’re now awake!” It was her mother’s voice. She didn’t expect that she’ll be the first one she will see. 

“Mommy?”

“Are you fine?” she asked worriedly. 

The last time she checked, her mother and her other family members were disappointed her, because she chose to marry Hunter. They wanted her to pursue college, but she failed. That made a gap between her and her family. It was a surprise to see her beside her, anxious and looked terribly worried to her.

“Where’s my husband?” Eura asked. She doesn’t know why but the moment she asked that question, a tear escaped from her eyes. 

“Eura . . .”

“I said, where is he?” She raised her voice and started to panicked. 

“He’s fine—”

Her mother didn’t finish her words when a loud sound of the opening of the door grabbed their attention. A woman in her late 50’s entered. Wearing a long-sleeved black dress. She realized that it was her mother-in-law.

“Mama, where is Hunter—?”

“You b***h!” 

Her mouth was left open when her mother-in-law’s palm landed on her cheeks, giving her a painful slap. She can still feel her palm on her cheeks. 

“Hyra!” her mother shouted.

“You’re the reason for my son’s death. You are a b***h a pest in his life! How I wish that you’re the one who died and not my son!” she yelled at her. Her chest went upside and down, catching air to breathe. 

It felt like heaven and earth met, and crashed on her face. It was a painful blew. It was more painful than her mother-in-law’s slap to her. When she realized that . . . the man she loved is dead. She lost him.  

“Don’t you dare get near to my son's corpse, ever!” Hyra shouted. 

After a week, she got out of the hospital. Her husband got cremated and when she appealed to get the rights for her husband’s ashes, she won. She thought it will settle everything between her and her husband’s family, suddenly, it made them loather her to the core. 

She came back to their house and cried over and over again as she embraced the jar of his husband’s ashes. 

“H-Hunter, I miss you so much . . .”

She couldn’t stop crying. It became her routine, it wasn’t healthy. She lost a lot of weight, she was occupied. In short, she doesn’t know what to do with her life and how to ease the pain she was suffering.

She doesn’t know what will happen to her now that she’s alone—she’s now a f****d up widow! She’s confused about her path, now that her husband left her alone. He’s her strength, he loves her all her heart. She made him her sky, and her most precious person. Now that he is gone, how can she continue her miserable life?

She staggered while trying to go down to their house’s living room, with a half-empty bottle in her hands. She cursed a thousand times this day, hoping that it’ll ease the pain she’s feeling right now.

When she successfully moved into the living room, she saw the displayed photo of her husband, their photo together. She took it and started to cry and hugged the picture frame. Her body fell on the cold tiles of the living room.

“Why did you leave me, Hunter?! P-Please honey . . . I can’t live without you," she cried. 

She’s lost. She knew that she’s freaking lost. She doesn’t know what to do. She drank to forget the pain, but it’s still useless. She still can’t forget him.

She used her phone as a distraction, she scrolls, and scrolls. She tried putting up a small business with her mother to divert her attention. Her mother and she tried to patch up things between her and her family. They became her support while she’s still mourning. She tried her best to move on, it’s just . . . she’s not yet ready to move on.

Who would’ve thought that it’s been two years since she lost her husband?

Yes, f*****g two years!

“Eura, why don’t you take a vacation for now? It will relax your mind. Find a place that will give you peace,” her mother told her. Her family was her support throughout her heartbreaking journey as a widow. 

“I’ll try, ma.”

“Good. I hope you the best. I just want you to feel happiness again.” She smiled at her and gave her a warm hug. “We are always here for you.”

When night arrived, Eura found pictures of a place named Nervaez on her f*******: timeline. A tear fell on her eyes, again . . . it reminded her and Hunter’s supposed to be trip. At first, she tried to ignore it. But then, she got curious about the place. She wanted to try going to that place.

That night, she booked a flight. Then, in the morning, without any concrete plan, she packed her stuff and use her new car. She drove her car to the port. She rode a ferry to go to the small province, so she can bring her car with her.

It took almost seven hours to reach the place. When she arrived the fresh air and the green land. She drove her car to roam the province.

The whole place was shouting peace and this was what she always wanted. Far from the city lights, and away from the noises. Only green lands that calm her and the cold breeze embracing her skin. 

She stopped her car and went out. The cold air made her hair fly. Then, an old carved wooden signage welcomes her.

“Welcome to El Paraiso, province of Nervaez.”

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