"Nikka, please talk to me," Marcus begged as he pounded on the door. "Nikka..."
He could hear her sobbing softly and a part of him just wanted to comfort her.
'This is all my fault. I shouldn't have..' he thought guiltily.
If he hadn't gone with his emotions she probably still felt secure with him.
He gave up and just sat on the couch. He shoved his hand through his hair, thinking about what happened. Nikka still obviously wasn't ready but he was overwhelmed of his feelings for her that he acted upon those desires. The way she responded to his touch made him to continue, to let her know how much he missed her...
If only she knew why.. why he needed to choose Christine over her that time. Why he struggled so much to what he needs to do over his growing feelings for her.
He tried to keep a long time promise to the woman he first ever loved, Christine. But the years they had been apart had made them strangers.
He didn't expect her to come back. He thought they moved on with their lives until she showed up and everything becomes confusing...
Reluctantly, his memory took him back to that day....
"Nikka!" he called as she went inside the elevator. He tried to stop the elevator by frantically pushing the buttons.
"Marcus!" Christine called and walked towards him. "Is she-"
"Yes, Christine. That's Nikka," he plainly said as he walked past her and went inside the apartment. She followed him inside and closed the door behind her as he went straight to the blue couch. He closed his eyes as he massaged his throbbing head. He never drank hard before but he felt like he needed it so badly last night so he could drown out the guilt feelings he had.
"Marcus," Christine said, as she sat beside him.
He looked up to her and said, "I thought you're coming tomorrow."
"Yes," she sighed. "But I want to surprise you."
He stood up and walked away from her toward the kitchen.
"You should've called me first," he said coldly, as he poured some water in a glass and took some pain reliever from one of the cabinets. He opened the bottle and took one pill, popped it in his mouth then gulped the water.
"I'm sorry, Marcus. You're right. I should have called you first... I guess I got too excited."
"Well, as you can see, your excitement didn't go too well," he pointed out. He shouldn't be mad at her but he just felt it made the situation worse by her showing up unannounced in his apartment.
"I know... I'm sorry," and she sighed. "I know it's been a long time and when I called you a few days ago, I told you that you don't need to do this. I just felt like I just needed to tell you since... since... we're friends. I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't-" then she started to stand up and walked towards the door when she almost fell but held on to the arm of the couch. He rushed to her side and quickly scooped her up. He carried her to the guest bedroom.
"You need to rest. You probably got very tired from the trip," he said as he laid her down on the bed. He straightened her dress and noticed some red spots on her legs.
Marcus sighed as he stared at them and he felt her hand on his. He sadly turned to her as he sat down beside her on the bed.
"Thank you," she said, smiling faintly. "I know it must have been hard for you to do this. I'm sorry if I-"
"No," he said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't lash out on you. So many things had happened and it was just overwhelming for me... and Nikka..."
"You love her, I can tell."
He looked away and sighed. "We had an argument last night. She come on to me and... told me how she felt... and.."
"You rejected her?" she asked and he nodded. "Oh Marcus, why? I told you it's okay not to-"
"No, Christine. I made a promise to you when we were still kids that I will be there for you as your friend no matter what happens. And I'm here. I will take care of you."
Christine held his face as he bent down to kiss her forehead.
She smiled.
"I miss you, Marcus," she said.
"I miss you, too," he replied.
"I'm sorry if I wasn't there for how many years... If I didn't tell you then... I just didn't know how to tell you... But, I wanted you to know that David was a very good husband to me.. And it was my fault.. if only-"
"No, Christine. It's his fault for leaving you especially in your state."
"What happened to us, Marcus?"
Marcus held her hand and smiled.
We grew up... we fell in love..."
Christine looked away.
"I should have waited for you.."
"No. I should have pursued you. When I left to the States, I was so focused on pursuing my dreams that I neglected you.. and I can't blame you for loving someone else."
"How can you be so kind to me after all that I've done?"
"It's not your fault. We had our memories. You're still my friend, Christine, and like I promised, I will take care of you."
"Thank you," and he kissed her hand.
"Now, rest and tomorrow we will get an earlier flight to Chicago."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "I thought we're going next week?"
"Well, I thought we could go earlier so we can fix the apartment."
"Marcus, I think you need to settle something first with Nikka," she suggested.
"You need to rest, Christine," he said in finality. "I will ask someone to get your luggage from the hotel. You're sleeping here tonight."
"But-"
"I insist," he said.
She smiled and finally closed her eyes.
Marcus placed a blanket on her, stood up and closed the door behind him.
Rrringgg...The cellphone rang
Marcus looked at who was calling.
He sighed as he answered the phone.
It was Nikka's father.
"Tito-" he started.
"We need to talk," his voice firm.
Marcus could feel the coldness in Anthony's boice and he swallowed hard.
"O-okay, Tito. Do you want me to come over?"
"No need. I'll go there. I'll meet you in an hour."
"Okay, Tito," and he heard him hung up.
After an hour, Anthony dela Cruz was sitting on the chair at the dining table across from him.
"Tito Tony, I'm sorry," he started. "I tried to stop her but-"
"Nikka gets a bit stubborn sometimes just like her mom but she was very fragile," he stated. "Tell me the truth, Marcus, did something happened between you last night?"
Marcus couldn't meet his eyes as he remembered what happened last night. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"N-Nothing happened, Tito. I kept my promise."
"Yes, but you're breaking that now, aren't you?"
He did not know what to tell him so he kept silent.
"Look, Marcus, I love my daughter very much and seeing her getting hurt like that, the father in me just wanted to fix it. I trust you but somehow I am a bit disappointed... But I want to know if you can still keep that promise for me."
He looked at him and said, "Yes, Tito. I will try."
"I don't want you to try, Marcus. I want you to keep this promise and truly do it. You are like a son to me and I know you are the only one who could truly fulfill this promise."
"Okay, Tito," he answered.
"I want you to promise me that regardless of what happens, you will take care of Nikka."
His eyebrows furrowed. This is not the first time he ever asked him to keep this promise. They had talked about this several times and yet, he still did not understand why he had to remind him again.
"I will, Tito," he assured him yet he knew he was lying because there are far more responsibilities he had to face. He knew he would disappoint him but it's better to tell him now rather than give him hope.
"But," he sighed and looked down. "I'm afraid I need to go away for awhile... I have to take care of some things for now. Someone close to me... needed me."
Anthony sighed and said, "I understand. Nikka told us you have a lady in your apartment this morning. She said her name is Christine."
He panicked, and swallowed hard, wondering what else did she tell her father.
"She was quite upset when she came home. I don't know what actually happened since she won't tell us but I'm pretty sure it is about Christine."
He blew out a breath, relieved she didn't tell them everything. He felt ashamed of himself for the harsh things he said to her.
"Marcus?" A voice called out and both of them turned towards it. Christine walked out of the bedroom towards him. Then she stood behind him in the chair. She placed her hand on his shoulder and he covered her hand with his.
"This is Christine, Tito. I will be moving to Chicago with her. She's my fianceé."
Christine tried to protest but he stopped her with just one look so she kept quiet and just smiled.
"I see...well," Anthony stood up and said, "I better get going now." And he walked towards the door as Marcus followed him.
Anthony opened the door then turned to Marcus and pat his shoulder.
"You're a good man, Marcus. I know one day you and Nikka will sort things out. I wish by then you'll be able to fulfill your promise. But for now, do what you need to do." And he looked at Christine and smiled. "Someday, Marcus. Someday.."
And he walked out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.