The place was covered with white as he opened his eyes. He knew that he was in the hospital right now. He tried his best to move his head and there he saw Erica beside him sleeping. He wanted to touch her badly but his body is weak. Then he heard Erica’s mourn after a deep sleep.
“Oh Richard, you’re awake! How are you feeling? Are you hurt? Do I need to call the Doctor? Erica asked.
.
Richard only smiled at her and shook his head. Erica’s face was relieved. “This is an another day with Erica”, Richard thought to himself. This will be an another memory to treasure for he was being with the girl he had long loved.
Richard run with delight as he heard the maid that Erica is coming over to his house to visit him. At the garden, he saw Erica with his parents. The three was having a very serious conversation. Richard wanted to call them but something told him not to. The three doesn’t even notice him. He doesn’t want to eavesdrop but he felt there is something wrong.
“Thank you Erica for a job well done! You made my son so happy and I hope will continue to help him get better.” His father said.
“I’ve never seen my son so happy Erica and we are grateful really.” His mother said.
“Based from our agreement, you will get what we promised. The money is fully yours Erica and…-“
Richard felt a bomb exploded inside his head. He immediately run as fast as he could away from them. “Erica why did you do this to me! It’s all a charade from the very start, how could you!” Richard told to himself. He felt a sharp knife stabbing him. “I’m so dumb and stupid! I’m such an idiot! Why did I love her?!” Nobody made him cry like this even his parents, but Erica did. Richard let his tears to fall, like a sunny day that it turned out to be a rainy day.
Erica pealed him an apple. Richard watched Erica intently with all the love his eyes.
“Hey stop that! I might melt!” Erica giggled.
Richard collected all the strength he needed. He already made a decision and he must do it.
“Erica …”he called.
“Yes, are you thirsty? I’ll get you a drink”
“It’s not that Erica”, Richard looked straight unto Erica’s eyes. He gave a deep sigh and continued.
“Stop this whole thing that you are concern about me. Stop pretending that you care for me. I don’t need your pity and stop showing me that you love me. I already knew the agreement between you and my parents. Don’t worry I’m not mad at you. I understand that you need money. I heard it all Erica so please stop this nonsense.”
“Richard no! You don’t understand,” Erica cried.
“What else that I did not understand? Erica, I told you that I understand. You want money right? I’m sure my father gave you already the reward. You don’t have to be oblige to look for me!”
“Please, Richard listen to me. You don’t know anything.” Erica begged.
“I have enough Erica. Stop this will you? Get out of this room now and get hell out of my life!” Richard exclaimed. He felt the pain on his head again. The physical and emotional pain collided, he screamed in an endless agony and every thing to him turned black.
Years later, Richard miraculously survived his serious illness. He took over their family’s business and was able to reach the top three gainers in the country. He was famous in the business circle as well as helping less fortunate cancer patients. Richard has all the things a man could ever wish for but there was still an empty space inside of him and he knew that only Erica could fill it. He decided to fix things with her and maybe begin a new chapter of his life with her.
Richard hurriedly went to Erica’s place. He knocked on the door but no one answered. Then he noticed an old woman on the garden and she didn’t even saw him so he went to her.
“Good day ma’am…I’m here because I’m looking for Erica Vasquez”. Richard asked.
The old woman stared at him blankly and answered, “What is your name young man? I hope you don’t mind if I asked.”
“Oh my apologies, by the way I’m Richard Orteza.” Richard answered.
Richard stared at the old woman, “How can she be related to Erica? This is the first time I saw her. ” Richard thought.
The old woman told him to follow her until they stopped at Erica’s room. A wind suddenly touched Richard’s senses and he felt something different. As he entered the room, it was still he same place where he and Erica shared. The old woman gave him huge box and then she left. When Richard opens the box, there he saw some pictures of Erica and him and other things he gave her. As he scanned the pictures a letter fell on the floor and he get it. The letter was addressed to him and he read it.
Dearest Richard,
I’m terribly sorry for all the things I’ve caused you pain and I won’t forgive myself for that, I’m really sorry. I hope you will find in your heart to forgive me. I regretted the days I wasn’t able to tell you the truth. It was true that your parents and I had an agreement about you, that if I make you happy for the last days of your life they will pay me a hundred thousand or more so I agreed. I never expected that being with you would be the most wonderful days of my life especially the night we shared in this place. I gladly took care of you when you were at the hospital and I did everything to make you happy. Every time I saw you hurt it hurted me more to see you like that and I wished that I could share the pain you endure. Your parents saw all the things I’ve done for you and they wanted to repay me but I declined. All those things came from the bottom of my heart and I gave it because I wanted to. I know that while you reading this letter, I am not around anymore but I have with me the memories we shared together. I never love someone else because it was always you. I love you very much and thank you for loving me.
Love,
Erica
The letter reached Richard’s heart. “Is this true? Why she didn’t tell me? We have the same feelings after all! I need to find her.” Richard told himself. He immediately ran outside the room and asked the old woman where Erica is.
“Where is Erica? Please tell me I need to talk to here I’m begging you!” He cried.
Then the old woman looked at him teary eyed and walked out towards the garden and Richard followed her. At the garden he saw a little boy picking some flowers. The little boy saw them and he was heading to the old woman.
“Are you finished picking some flowers?” The old woman asked the little boy.
“Yes, I’m sure mom would love this!” The little boy said joyfully. The little boy felt Richard’s presence and look at him.
“Hello sir are you going to visit mom with us? Today is her 8th death anniversary and are you her friend?” asked the little boy.
As Richard examined the little boy’s face, it seems that he was staring at his childhood image then he felt and indescribable feeling.
“Who was your mom?” Richard curiously asked.
“My mom? Her name was Erica Vasquez.” The little boy gladly answered.
No comments:
Post a Comment