TEARS OF LIFE AND DEATH

            The place was filled with a loud noise, dizzy disco lights and smell of liquors and cigarettes. Mariella spend her time alone drinking the scotch she ordered from the bartender. Alcoholic drinks are not her passion but it made her to forget al the things that bother her.

            Oh this is life. No rules and regulations no do’s and don’ts and no Father. No one can order me around. She thought and gave a deep sigh. Her father left for a business trip to Italy. Her father was no other than, the famous business tycoon Frederico del Mar. Owner of the largest food chain and restaurants in the country.

            She knew that everyone wanted to be at her place but deep inside her she is not happy. She missed the old life she and her parents had. When she was younger, she used to live a very simple life with her parents. But when her mother died in a car accident, everything change. The loving father she dearly loved turned out to be a cold and dominant man. Her father focused on their family business and forgets about her. Yes, her father gave her all the things a father want to give to his daughter but it did not make her happy. The things she wanted all was love and attention.

            Mariella silently drinking like a fish. She felt a little dizzy when a guy invited her to dance on the dance floor but she declined. The guy was so persistent and even grabs her arms.

            “Hey what’s wrong with you? Are you deaf? I said no! So leave me alone!” Mariella ranted. The guy wanted to answer back when a voice blurted out from Mariella’s back.

            “You better leave my girl man or else I’ll give you a blow with my fists.” The guy immediately turned back and left. Mariella turned her eyes to the voice that help her.

            Mariella felt her heart wanted to come out. She had seen several good-looking men but the guy she saw right now was different. His short curly hair complimented all the features of his face especially his eyes. Mariella can’t help but stare.

            “Ahm, Is there’s something wrong with my face?” The man asked. Mariella immediately turned back to her senses.

            “Oh I’m sorry, I’m being rude.” She said blushingly.

            “Nah, it’s ok. I saw that guy was bothering you.”

            “Yeah, I want to slap him so much but you came.” She bluffed. 

            The man laughed and it made her laughed too.

            “By the way I’m Raven.” The man introduced.

            “Mariella here and thanks for helping me.” She replied.

            Mariella found herself enjoying Raven’s presence. That night was the beginning for both of them.

            Mariella was working as a manager of one of her father’s food chain branches. She doesn’t to work under her father but as the only heir, she should familiarize herself to the circulation of the company from the lowest to the highest position her father always said. She, an obedient daughter lowly obliged to her father’s decision.

            One afternoon after work, Mariella waited for a taxi because she doesn’t want to fetch by her father’s driver and she doesn’t want to have a bodyguard because it annoys her so much. Suddenly a blue car stopped in front of her, then the driver got out from the car and it was Raven.

            “Hi Mariella! Going home?”

            “Oh Raven it’s you. Yes, I’m just waiting for a taxi.”

            “I’ll drive you home. Just show me the way.”

            “Oh don’t bother Raven. I’m used to ride on a taxi -”

            “Mariella I insist. Please let me do you a favor.” Raven said without leaving Mariella’s eyes.

            “Ok, I’ll accept your offer. Thank you Raven for your concern.”

            “You’re always welcome Mariella.” Raven’s eyes brighten.

            Everyday Raven would visit Mariella at her office. Raven would give flowers or chocolates to her and asked her out for a dinner. Mariella felt so much joy being with Raven.

            It was Saturday, Raven invited Mariella for a friendly date and Mariella agreed. They went to watch a movie, eat at a fine restaurant and went to the beach. It was already sunset and the place was mild and calm. Raven and Mariella sat together and the two can’t find enough words to say for each other. Mariella felt nervous as Raven slowly held her hands and intently looking at her. Raven touched her hair as it blown by the wind and he laid it behind her ears.

            “They’re blocking the view.” Raven said.

            “Yeah, the sun is pretty isn’t it?” Mariella replied.

            “I didn’t mean the sun I mean you…” Raven said tenderly. Mariella felt the fast beat of her heart.

            “I know this is sudden but I can’t hold on my feelings anymore. Seeing and holding you like this mean everything to me. And I want you to know that my heart beats for you. I love you Mariella…I am not asking for your answer right now and whatever your answer will be, I am ready to accept it. ” Mariella felt her tears running down to her cheeks at last she heard it.  Raven got worried as he saw Mariella’s tears.

            “Mariella, you’re crying. I don’t want to see you cry. I’m sorry I was being too rushed. I-” Raven didn’t finish the words he would say as Mariella sealed it with a kiss. The sun was the sole witness of a love starting to end.

            “Welcome home Father.” Mariella greeted her father who came from a two-week business trip.

            “How’s your work?” her father asked without looking at her.

            “It was good Father you shouldn’t have to worry.” She replied. Her Father chuckled.

            “Really Mariella? Well, I know what you are up to for these past few days. I know you are having a relationship with this particular man. Don’t be fooled Mariella. Everybody knows that you are my daughter. I kn- ”

            “I now what I am doing Father. And besides you haven’t meet Raven. He is not the kind of man you are thinking of.” Mariella defensively answered.

            “I hope so Mariella. I hope so…” Her Father reluctantly answered.

            Raven and Mariella spend the day at the beach. The two enjoyed swimming and playing together. Spending time with Raven was like heaven for Mariella. She found the happiness she is looking for in Raven’s arms.

            “Mariella…”

            “Hmm…”

            “I love you…”

            Mariella laughed. “Hey, how many times did you say that to me. Maybe time will come you’ll get tired of it.”

            “I will never ever get tired of saying those words to you Mariella because those words came from my heart.”

            “I love you more Raven”

            “I love you most. Always remember that Mariella.” Raven gave Mariella a kiss and Mariella gladly obliged.

            “Good morning Father. I came as you ordered.” Mariella said in a trained voice. She was called by her Father for an “emergency meeting”.

            “Stay away from that man Mariella! He is not good for you. He uses you to-”

            “Stop it Father! All my life, I obeyed you even if I don’t want to but you never heard me complain. All I did was to please you. Now, you’re interfering with my relationship with the one I love. Raven love me when nobody did not even you. I let you decide for my life Father, but throwing accusations against Raven is not anymore fair. Raven is a good man and I believe him. Let’s stop this conversation.”

            “Mariella… listen to me, I’m your father! I know what’s best for you!”

            “Father? You never were a father to me since Mother died; because you still blame me of her death…I never wanted that to happen. ” Mariella cried and left her Father.

            Mariella hurriedly went to the parking lot but Raven was not yet around. He used to be so early to fetch me. I wonder where he is now. Maybe he is in the middle of traffic. She thought. Her cellphone rang and it was Raven. She answered it quickly.

            “Mariella please get inside! Get back! You are in da-” the line turned out.

            “Hello Raven? Where are you?” Mariella asked. She felt nervous after what had Raven said. What does he mean? She thought. Then a dark van stopped in front of her. Two huge men ravishingly get her into the van. She screamed for help but a strange fume made her silent.

            Mariella woke up and slowly opened her eyes. The room was new to her and she remembered what had happened to her last night. Her hands and feet were tightly knot and it hurted her. She called for help and the door opened. There were men standing in front of her.

            “Good morning Ms. del Mar. I hope you slept well. I know you are confuse right now, but don’t worry we already contact your old man to get you somehow if he does follow our orders.” One man laughed that made Mariella’s ears irritated.

            “Oh well, ten million is only a centavo for Mr. del Mar. Do you mind sharing your Father’s blessings Ms. del Mar?”

            “You bastards! All of you will rot jail! My Father will surely save me from here. I’ll make sure all of you will stay behind bars, rodents!” Mariella screamed.

            “You crazy woman!”

            “Stop it Jason! Don’t lay a finger on her. We promised Mr. del Mar.”

            Mariella can’t believe what she saw.

            “Raven…what is the meaning of this? Are you one of them?” Mariella sounded confused.

            “I’m sorry Mariella for dragging you here…”

            “You…you monster! How could you do this to me?! I trusted you…” Mariella cried.

            “C’mon boys let’s give Ms. del Mar some space…” Raven said without looking at her. The four men left her in deep devastation. Mariella felt a heavy pain inside her heart.

            Mariella awoke when someone touched her face. She will never ever forget the owner of that warmth. She opened her eyes and saw Raven looking at her.

            “What are you doing here? I don’t want to see your face.” Mariella said coldly. She wanted to cry but her eyes refused to shed a tear.

            “Mariella I’m sorry. I don’t want hurt you. I tied to stop them but they’re desperate. I don’t want to abduct you- ”

            “Shut up! I will never believe you. Father’s right. I should have listened to him. I shouldn’t have loved you because this whole thing is part of your stupid script after all.”

            “No Mariella, I really do love you. Please don’t tell me that. All the things we shared together were true because it came from my heart.”

            “Liar! If there’s something bad happen to my Father I will never forgive you even your soul!”

            Raven wanted to say something but the guy named Jason came in.

            “Raven, big boss wishes to speak to you.”

            “I’m going.”

            Raven looked at Mariella sadly and immediately turned his face unreadable.

            “Don’t worry Ms. del Mar; you’ll be free once your Father is willing to give us want we want.” Raven said firmly and left with Jason. Seeing Raven like that, once more break Mariella’s heart.

            It was almost midnight, Mariella still can’t sleep. She misses her Father so much. She was afraid and regretted what she has done to her Father. Suddenly, she heard something behind the door in her room. She felt someone turned the door knob and it entered Raven.

            “Raven?” Mariella wanted to confirm.

            “Shh…be quiet. Let’s get out of here before someone will notice us.”

            Raven immediately unties her hands and feet. Mariella saw the other two men Raven was with. They were lying on the ground unconscious. Mariella examined the place she is in. It was an unmanned old building near a forest. Mariella looked at Raven. Raven tightly held her hands.

She noticed blood rushing on Raven’s arm. They seemed in the middle of the forest.

            “Raven your arm is badly wounded.”

            “Don’t bother Mariella.”

            “But it needs to be treated right away or else you’ll run out of blood. And besides, I’m tired of running let’s stop for a while please.”

             They stopped and hid behind a tree.

            “Raven remove off your jacket, we need to stop the bleeding.” Mariella ripped off her dress and cleaned Raven’s wound and she bandaged it slowly. It was a cut by a knife.

            “You killed them don’t you?” She asked.

            “I never killed someone Mariella since I met you.” Raven answered.

            “Why are you doing this Raven? Why do you-” Mariella got silent as Raven kissed her.

            “Because I love you Mariella. I don’t care what will happen to me as long as I can protect you.”

            “Raven…”

            “I don’t want to lie to you anymore. Raven is only a disguise. My real name is Gary. I am one of the members in a notorious drug and car napping syndicate and now we are into kidnapping. I never had a family. I grew up alone till I joined the group. I learned to use drugs, I learned to steal and I even learned to kill. I thought doing those things is normal but I was wrong. Your love opened my eyes. Yes, part of our plan is to make you fall with me but I was the one who fall for you. You change my life. I love you please believe that Mariella. ”

            “I believe you, I believe you Gary.” Mariella let Gary Mariella kissed her and she replied with all heart. Gary immediately covered her behind.

            “Mariella watch out!” A loud sound was heard in the entire place. Mariella saw Jason pointing his gun to them.

            “Now, where do you think you two love birds are going? So Gary you are trying to ruin our plan.” Jason laughed.

            “My. My, my, you two are indeed a lovely couple. Hmmm…which one of you I should kill first, the millionaire’s daughter? Nah too bad, Oh Gary perhaps. ”

            “Jason, spare Mariella.”

            “Spare her? Why should I? But first let me try your precious Mariella. Can I Gary

?” Jason said mischievously.

            “Over my dead body!” Gary tried to steal and grab Jason’s gun. Mariella closed her eyes and suddenly, she heard two shots of bullets all over the place. Mariella immediately opened her eyes and saw Jason fell lifeless on the ground. Gary fell holding his wound enduring the pain.

            “Gary!”

            “Leave now Mariella… before others may catch you again. ”

            “No! I won’t leave you here. Please don’t dare die on me! Please don’t leave Gary.” She cried while holding Gary’s weak body.

            “I know I’m not going to live long. I lied again…I just killed someone.” He chuckled. “You are a wonderful girl Mariella. Thanks to you I learned love for the first time. You are the most wonderful thing God has ever given to me. I thought He will never send me someone like you, I’ve been a bad guy you know, but you are still here loving me, despite everything. I’m glad I met you. I love you Mariella always remember that... ” Gary slowly closed his eyes and died.

           

            9 Months Later…

            Mariella woke up and slowly moved her body. She saw her Father beside her and looking her intently.

            “Mariella you’re awake. How are you feeling?” Her Father asked.

            “I’m alright Father. Thank you so much for your understanding. I know, I hurted you but still you accept me. ” She cried.

            “You are my daughter Mariella. I promised your Mother that I would take care of you. I’m sorry too, for I was not the Father you wish to be.” Her Father cried. They hugged each other when the hospital nurse entered. The nurse slowly lent her baby to her.

            “Isn’t he beautiful Father?”

            “Yes he is…, what would be his name Mariella?”

            “Gary. I’ll name him Gary.” Mariella cried with gladness. Seeing her baby somewhat gave her the feeling that Gary is still with them. She already shed tears of Gary’s death and now she shed tears of joy of their newborn child.