A Love Beyond Recall

Chapter 9: Brokenhearted

The cold wind in the airplane didn't match the warmth Avery felt in her chest. The death of her mother was a big blow to her, a pain she didn't fully understand yet. As she looked at the passing clouds through the airplane window, she remembered all the memories with her Nanay. The funny stories, the advice, the hugs - all suddenly came rushing back to her. She finally understood that, like Zack, she was now an orphan.

Upon arriving in their province in Negros, she was welcomed by her Aunt Maring. Her aunt's embrace provided her with some comfort, but the pain remained. The house was filled with people, relatives, and friends offering their condolences. The funeral was a sad occasion, but it also provided an opportunity for the family to come together and pay tribute to her late mother.

Amidst everything that was happening, Avery couldn't get Zack out of her mind. She didn't know how to reach out to him. The events between them and Nanay Maria's concern left her in doubt. She thought that maybe her timing of contacting him was wrong, maybe she would only make him worry more. The young lady stayed in their province for two weeks.

One evening, as she sat on the veranda of their house, her Aunt Maring approached her.

"Avery, aren't you going back to Manila?" her aunt asked, the only sibling of her Nanay.

"I will go back, Aunt, Nanay is not here anymore, I need to stand on my own feet," a sad response while leaning on her aunt's shoulder.

"Hija, your Nanay loved you so much, you are the only one she has, she prepared you for a world where she won't be with you anymore. She wanted you to be strong, to be brave, so dear, strengthen your courage," she said, handing over a letter from her mother.

Alone, Avery read the letter from her Nanay.

Dear Avery,

I know that by the time you read this letter, I am no longer in this world. I'm sorry, my child, for hiding my illness from you, I didn't want to weaken your resolve and decide to just go home. Even if I couldn't give you a complete family, I hope you have been happy to have me with you. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, my princess, you are the best thing that ever happened in my life, My child, always remember that. There is not a day or night that I don't dream of being with you, of embracing you whenever I suffer. My hiding my serious illness from you is my way of not shattering your dreams, I hope you can forgive me. If I could live again in this world, I still wish to be your mother. You bring joy and strength to me. I love you so much, my child. Goodbye.

Nanay

Avery's heart felt like it was breaking after reading the letter from her mother.

"Nanay, you're so unfair, I love you so much too, I will never disappoint you. My life will be beautiful, I promise."

Avery decided to return to Manila. During her stay in the province, she wasn't called or checked on by the young man. This made Avery wonder what was happening between them.

When she arrived at the Mansion, the whole house was quiet. Nanay Maria was not in the kitchen, nor could she be found in the entire mansion. She decided to go up to the young man's room.

She knocked.

"Yes??" The woman opened the door. Candice!!! What was she doing in Zack's room?

"I'm a helper here, ma'am," Avery replied, trembling, wondering why she was in the young man's room. She remained calm, not showing any signs of the doubt she felt.

"Who is that, Honey?" Zack's voice was heard from inside the room.

"Your maid," she replied, raising her eyebrows while looking at the young woman.

"Who????" Zack's surprised question.

"I dunno know, what's your name???" Candice firmly asked.

"Umm, Avery Martinez," she replied, trying to remain calm.

"She said, Avery Martinez," Candice said firmly.

Zack approached the door and saw Avery. Their eyes met.

"So, you're the maid who disappeared a few weeks ago?" There was a hint of accusation in his voice. Avery couldn't understand what was happening.

Avery felt like Zack was beating her up with the way he treated her. She didn't expect him to bring a woman while she wasn't in the Mansion. There was a strange pang in her chest. But she chose to strengthen her courage and face the young man.

"Something happened in the province, that's why I went home. I'm sorry Sir," she replied.

If only Zack knew how heavy the past few days had been for her, she thought that when she got home to the Mansion, she would have someone with her, someone who cared and waited for her, but why is it like this? Her chest felt tighter, why did her heart ache - only he heard her cries.

Zack smiled at what he heard from Avery. "Next time, please inform your employer before leaving, as a sign of respect. Do

you understand?" His voice was calm and firm.

"Yes, sir," Avery replied firmly, her head held high, restraining the tears that wanted to escape, feeling the pain in her heart.

"Okay, you may leave," the young man said firmly, then quickly closed the door to his room.

Tears streamed down Avery's cheeks as she listened to the laughter and chatter from inside the room. Slowly, she made her way back to her room, her vision blurred by the tears that were falling quickly, the pain felt like her heart was being crushed.

Avery couldn't fully understand her boyfriend, what was happening and how his treatment towards her suddenly changed, why everything seemed to be painful.

As she walked, Avery heard the whispers of the household staff. They were looking at her with judgment.

"Avery," Dana called out to her from the garden, sweeping the leaves scattered on the grass.

"What?" She approached Dana slightly.

"Condolences by the way."

"Thank you," she replied shortly.

"Do you know?" Dana started.

"What?" She furrowed her brow.

"Sir Zack has amnesia," Dana whispered.

"What? What do you mean?" she asked, confused by the maid's words.

"Oh dear, Sir had an accident while driving, that's why he forgot about you," Dana chuckled.

"What do you mean, Dana?" she asked boldly.

"Oh Avery, don't deny it, everyone knows about the relationship between you and Sir Zack," Dana raised her eyebrows.

Avery ignored the maid's scrutiny. She thought about her boyfriend's situation. She realized why his treatment towards her changed so suddenly, because he couldn't remember her.

Avery couldn't sit still. One morning, she decided to go upstairs to talk to the young man.

She knocked!

"Come in."

She heard his response.

She opened the door and saw the young man sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Sir Zack, do you need anything?" she asked softly.

"I'm fine?" was his blunt reply.

"Perhaps you have some orders, Sir," she persisted, hoping he would remember her. She approached him and held his hand.

"Don't you... know me, sir?" her voice trembled.

Zack furrowed his brow, surprised by the maid's gesture.

He was slightly confused, and suddenly a headache hit him.