Haim's Paradox

ACCOMPANIED BY DEATH

Carla’s glimpse of smiles was sparkling. Haim daydreams his mother’s divine face again, while the sky soothes his sentiments.

“I am afraid to distract you sir, but our lady Grace is calling you for breakfast,” the maid said.

“I will be there in one minute.” Haim replied.

Haim regrets his decision to accept the invitation of Grace because he was still uncomfortable with her. In the middle of their feast, it was an awkward silence that domains all along. Since Grace hates the deafening quietness, she breaks the silence and says, “So, are you still planning to leave this place?”

Haim just grinned at her, leaving her blushing and speechless again. Grace already knew that Haim ceased his plan and just let her have the second chance, so she was determined to void as soon as possible about the contract in return.

After their banquet-like meal, Haim requests Grace for a talk. They went to the garden and decided to have a chat on the huge maze. While walking, Haim started the conversation with, “Just for you know, about what happened last night…” yet Grace cuts through his words by saying, “It was nothing. We have been driven by our emotions, that is all.”

“Thank you, again.” Haim replied.

They were smiling and being grateful at each other. They became friends. They were blissfully exchanging jokes and some life experiences, until they decided to race into the center of the maze. They go into their separate ways and run through the huge hedge. They were having fun and they were shouting from the boundaries, teasing each other, and brisking gloriously until they reached their goal.

Haim gets through the center of the maze first. While waiting for Grace, he perceives the astonishing sight that the magical center of the green labyrinth had. He could see a wonderful bench under the huge white metal fences, covered with ornaments and vigorous flowers. He took a seat being fascinated by the complete garden sanctuary. His sight was captivated by the metal figures, specifically the Greek deities; Aphrodite, Hera and Eros being thorned by the cypress flowers.

Grace arrived at the magnificent core of the labyrinth, yet her eyes were enamored by the godly feature of Haim resting at the bench. Haim waved at her as he noticed her from appearing to the third entrance of the maze. Grace took a seat along with Haim. At first, they just enjoy the majestic sight of the garden, when suddenly they get into a serious conversation.

“When I overheard you arguing with your parents… Is it true that you are dying? I am sorry in advance about the insensitive question.” Haim asked.

Grace has difficulties to answer Haim’s question, so Haim said that, “It is okay if you do not want to answer it, besides, I do not want to bother you anymore.”

“No, it is fine. It does not bother me though. It is just that I was just scared about death and my response about your query, yes. My condition was terminal, and I am dying.” Grace answered.

“I am sorry.” Haim replied.

“No, you don’t need to be sorry. Maybe it is where I am destined to be. Anyways, I have lived a life and that satisfies me. My only wish is that, before I die, I want you to see smile again. I want you to be free from despair, that is why I will do everything that I could to aid you.” Grace said.

It was a day for Haim. He rests at his bedroom gazing through his windows at the night skies. He realized and learned everything about Grace and could not help himself but to pity her. Grace was so kind to Haim, so Haim planned to make the last days of Grace momentous. He prepared a bucket list for the whole week for Grace.

In the morning, Grace was surprised that Haim had prepared breakfast for her. Haim smiled at her as he welcomed her to the table.

“Why so sudden?” Grace asked.

“Just eat, I have something for you after this feast.” Haim replied. The table was full of happiness and the servants even smiling at the joyous aura of the two.

After their breakfast, they went to the hallways as Haim presented all his plan to do with Grace for the whole week. The first on the list was to bring Grace to the park where they met. They went to the Greenstone park and they were playing on the playground of the grassland like they were such kids. They also went along the swan lake where they were fascinated by the swan couples together with their cygnets. They rest on the black bench on the front of the lake, where Haim brought Grace a bewitching fresh flower. The two enjoy the view and the radiant atmosphere between them.

Afterwards they went on shopping. They both tease each other while fitting a different garment. They were playing hide and seek from the hangered apparels. Thereafter, they went to a huge restaurant for lunch. They play all along, having fun all day long and living the present like there never will be a tomorrow. That day was blissful. Haim promised Grace that it was just the first day and there were more and happier waiting for her. Grace was in confusion, yet she could not wish anything but to have a great time with him.

Haim again was eaten by his nightmares. He slept dreaming about the darkness where he was just a mere weakling and could do nothing but to let it devour him. He was anxious. Haim woke up and could not sleep anymore, so he found calmness to the bright stars he could see from his huge windows. The atmosphere of the night skies was alleviating. He suddenly smiled as he remembered all the things he did for Grace and excites himself for tomorrow.

Haim overslept at his sofa behind his windows. He was rushing because he thought that he was late for the plan he made for Grace, yet he could not see her nor her parents at the huge mansion.

Haim immediately gets dressed after what he discerned from the servants. He went to the hospital where Grace was admitted.

“Where is the room of Grace De la Cruz?” Haim asked the receptionist nurse.

“In room number 404 sir.” The nurse replied.

Haim hurried to the room which the nurse said was. He was very worried about Grace. Finally, he found Grace’s room, yet before he entered the room, he overheard the doctor saying, “Your daughter was pregnant, but we were afraid to say that it will be difficult for her to carry the baby. She needs bed rest and prohibited from doing exhausting things for the whole pregnancy, to avoid any casualties.”

Haim startled about the news that the doctor brought, so he suddenly entered the room. The De la Cruz were surprised by Haim’s presence, yet they were happy to see him. They already knew that he was the father of the unborn child in Grace. Grace’s parents came out from the room to give the two a privacy.

“I am so sorry we could not make the things you have listed and for being a heavy burden to you Haim.” Grace said.

“No, you don’t need to apologize. Your condition is what really matters, and it was our seed after all.” Haim replied.

“But, does it not bother you? Remember, you do not want to marry me?” she asked.

“I have said such a thing, yet I was still furious at that time. This moment was different. I think I have fallen in love with you Grace. I will take care of you and our baby as what just you did for me.” Haim answered.

Grace smiled at Haim. At first, she could not believe that it was happening, but she determined it was when Haim kissed her.

Haim came out from the room to let Grace take a rest and he spoke to Grace’s parents.

“I will marry you daughter.” Haim said

“But Grace already voids the contract for you Haim.” Grace’s father replied.

Haim was surprised, yet he responded saying, “I will not do it for the contract anymore. I will do it because I already love your daughter sir.”

“If that is what you really want then we are happy to hear that. We will prepare everything for the marriage, and you do not need to worry about anything. Just to let you know and if it is okay for you, your wedding will happen in the next two weeks exactly at your 18th birthday.” Grace’s father asked.

Haim agreed to the offer.

Since the wedding was not on Haim’s problem anymore, he occupied his time by taking care of Grace. That time, Haim was the one who dressed, preparing the food and reminding Grace to take her medicines. Grace was very grateful at Haim and Haim was very bright-eyed and bushy-tailed serving his soon to be wife.

Haim’s birthday came and it was also the day of his wedding. It was very special to him. The skies celebrate with them saying like, I will make it the most peaceful and blissful day for them. The sun shines bright, the birds are singing, the atmosphere is soothing, and the trees and flowers are dancing. The wedding occurred at the Greenstone park and everyone was invited. That day, Grace and Haim exchange their vows and swear to each other in front of God that they will be forever in joy and in despair, in life and in death. Everyone witnessed how they kissed as they say I do to their vows. It was love, nothing but pure love. They became a merry married couple. The night after their wedding they became one at last.

Haim woke up early to find the perfect gift for his wife. He searched the whole market and different malls just to make sure that he will bring home the most exquisite present. He was captivated by the ruby necklace from the jewelry shop. The stone was not too big, yet not too small, a perfect size that fits in the silver wires that surround the red stone. The lace was full of sparkling diamonds and he thought that it would be more lovely at Grace’s neck. He also prepared a bouquet of huge flowers, assorting the color of red, pink, and white. He was all equipped to surprise Grace with stunning presents.

He was coming home as he discerned the noise of sirens and perceived the rotating blue and red light. His car was jammed by the huge crowd and confused why so sudden. After he passed through the commotion, he came out of his car and he was stunned. He dropped the huge bouquet of flowers that scatters on his foot. The necklace that he was holding breaks as it falls. He could not see anything but darkness. He could not even hear the noise of the ruckus of the multitude of curious people around him. He wanted to cry but does know nothing anymore. He was furious. He was agonizing yet could not speak any words. He wanted to shout, but he swallowed his tongue. He could not breath normally. His heart was full of emotions that desired to burst. His nightmare became a reality. The shadow that devoured Haim on his dream, thrives to ingest him. He sweats so much, yet the night was not hot. The air was deafening and cold that hurts when it touches his skin. The moon shines with distress. The owls were crying. His night was dying.

He was on his knee as he witnessed the cops retrieving three corpses from the residence of his wife. One was his father-in-law. The second was his mother-in-law. He was stupefied as the last corpse lays its hand outside the white cloth that covers its body. It was his wife’s.