Louis' Pov:
"The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later."
After Xela and I met at the restaurant, we never met and talked again. She doesn't answer my calls or even my messages. I want to explain to her. I know I was wrong, but I want her to know my side.
"What are you doing? Are you calling her again? Why? You're going to get back at her?" asked Lydia.
"No..."
"I knew it. That's her, isn't she? The woman we saw at the restaurant last time, she's the one at the bookshop?" She raised a brow. "I thought you chose me? You said you don't love her anymore."
"Yes. You're the one I chose--"
"But why even if I'm the one next to you, you're still looking for her? She's still the one you're calling," She started sobbing. "Did you really fall out of love with her? Or maybe, you just chose me because I'm already going to die? Because I have cancer. Is that so, Louis?"
"Lydia, no," I defended. "Yes, I fell out of love with her. But that doesn't mean I don't care about her anymore. We had a relationship, and it ended badly, so I'm like this."
"Are you saying that it's my fault why you broke up?"
"No. No, Lydia. It's not like that."
"But that's how I feel. I feel like you just feel sorry for me. Or maybe you're just waiting for me to die so you can be with that woman."
"Lydia!" I got up from my seat. "I'm having a hard time too. Don't make the situation more complicated."
"I'm right. You don't really love me anymore."
"I love you, Lydia."
"Prove it. End your communication with that woman. Let's go home to Simoo."
I was just looking at her.
Why can't you answer? You can't do it?"
"Lydia ..."
She smirked. "Just say it, Louis. Just tell me if you don't want me anymore, so I wouldn't continue the surgery because my life is meaningless if you can't be with me--"
"Lydia, stop!" I could no longer hold back, and I shouted at her. "I'm also confused by what's happening. Yes, I don't love Xela anymore. But I feel guilty for what I did to her. I hurt her, Lydia. She loved me completely, but I didn't reciprocate. Is it wrong for me to feel like this now?"
She did not answer. Instead, she just held onto her chest.
"Lydia?"
She seems to be having difficulty breathing. I immediately approached her, but she suddenly collapsed.
"Lydia!"
---
*slap*
We are now outside the hospital room where I took Lydia after she fainted. In front of me was her mother, who was furious with me.
"What did you do? Why did my daughter collapse?"
"Mom, let me explain--"
"How would you explain this?" She said in a high tone. "Before, you begged me to allow your relationship with my daughter. I didn't agree then because you knew in yourself that you were not suitable for her. You don't have a nice house and an expensive car, unlike those who court my daughter. But now, I'm the one begging you to get back together with my daughter. You know how much Lydia loves you, Louis. You were still in your first year of college, she's already fighting for you. She rebelled when I separated you, which might be the reason why she got colon cancer."
"She is very angry with me, and she doesn't want to live anymore. But when I said that I finally agree with your relationship, she was given hope. My request is just simple. Help her heal. Convince her to have surgery. How difficult is that? Yet back then, you are doing everything to prove to me that you are worthy of her. Don't you love Lydia anymore?" She asked.
"I still love her."
"In that case, stay by her side. Forget about that writer."
I looked at her.
"I know you have a relationship with Nadia's daughter. That's one of the reasons why I didn't agree to publish her novel. But if you want, I will publish all the novels she will do, as long as you just love my daughter again. "
"You don't have to do that. I'll stay by Lydia's side no matter what happens."
---
I am here in the hospital room where Lydia is now lying. To this day, she is still unconscious. I held her hand. "Get well, Lydia. I promise when you wake up, we'll be back to Simoo." I kissed her forehead before I left.
Before I go back to Simoo, I want Xela and me to end well. She has been a good girlfriend of mine for the past three years. She always cared for and understood me. I didn't intentionally cheat and hurt her. Maybe we're just not really the ones for each other.
I went to the precinct and saw the policeman who had been with Xela before.
---
"What are you doing here?" asked the police officer.
"Do you know where Xela is now? I want to talk to her."
"She doesn't want to talk to you," He said and was about to leave.
"I know you know where she is. Please tell me where I can find her."
He looked at me. "And why would I?"
"I want to talk to her."
"Didn't you hear what I have said? She doesn't want to talk to you," He repeated.
"Tell her I will wait for her at the restaurant. I want to meet her before I go back to Simoo."
"What can't you understand in the sentence, 'she doesn't want to talk to you?"
"Wait. Officer, I think you are already crossing the line. I don't know who you are in Aixela's life but--"
"I'm her boyfriend."
I was stunned at what he said.
"I was courting her for months, and now that you two broke up, we finally have the chance to be together. So I think you have nothing to talk about anymore. If that is all, you may leave now. I still have many things to do."
---
I'm here now across from Lydia's hotel room. We are back here in Simoo and have set the day of her surgery. She is now resting in the bedroom, so I left her to be able to work again. I was walking down the hallway of the hotel when suddenly someone slapped me. When I looked at who it was, I saw Denise.
"You're so shameless," She smirked. "I warned you before. I said, don't hurt Xela. I kept blind because I know how much she loves you, but I was wrong that I didn't speak."
"You know how much Xela loves you. She gave and did everything for you. What right do you have to cheat on her?" She yelled.
"I didn't mean to, Denise. Let me explain--"
"What else can you explain? If you can fool her, you won't fool me. I saw you. You were with another woman on your anniversary. Peak season? Peak season, my foot."
"Yes, I admit. I cheated on Xela. But I didn't want that either. Things happened too fast. I loved your sister. But--"
"Stop it. I don't want to hear your lies anymore. And please, leave Xela alone. By the time you mess with my sister again, you won't just get a slap from me. Remember that." She pushed me with all her might and walked away.