Chapter 13: Promise

'Just as I would have thought. You would be here.", a man behind Divina had spoken. 'Marco…", Divina was not surprised, she rather sounded sad. It's as if she was really expecting him to see her there but somehow felt sad when her eyes met his. This man already belongs to another woman now., Divina sadly thought. It has been a few days already since her absences, she always contemplates and reflects whether she is still doing the right thing while being under this tree near the school. She loves teaching but she couldn't cry in front of the students… she couldn't stop her tears, how will be she able to teach in her current situation? 'I had been looking for you all over the place. I had been going to and fro your boarding home, asking for you but they just told me you're not there… and I see because you were just here all along.", Marco sounded anxious. 'I heard from Maria about what happened to you. Do you love him that much, Divina? Enough for you to sulk and be depressed in here? Just because of him?", Marco sounded angrier now but it was clear that he was also worried for her. Divina couldn't bring herself to say that he was mistaken and she just let him be, thinking that she was crying for Alfredo, not knowing that the main reason for her sadness was him all along. 'You wouldn't understand me, Marco.", Divina said, doing her best to be brave. 'Why? Why wouldn't I? There's no man who would be willing to understand you except… me.", Marco sounded so caring and it felt like Divina's heart is about to melt just by his tone. She wasn't able to endure it and she eventually let her tears fully take over her emotion. Marco felt a sharp pang in his chest when he saw Divina crying. 'Why are you such a crybaby? Why do you waste your tears for that man?", Marco said, feeling difficult to say each word. Divina remained silent even though she wanted to tell Marco that she was not crying for Alfredo but for him and their bond which she had wasted just because she thought that she was still in love with Alfredo. 'Can't I also have a space in your heart, Divina?", Marco sounded as if he was begging and let out a deep sigh. Divina was surprised at what she has just heard and eventually had the strength to face him. 'Divina… right from the start, I never saw you as a mere friend only… but I did try.", Marco admitted. 'But we promised…", Divina tried to interrupt as she remembers Marco, making her promise not to give her 'yes" if ever he starts to court her. 'That was the wall I made to prevent myself to fall more deeply than I already had. I made you promise with the intention of taking care of you because it is against our school rules of being in a relationship with a fellow teacher there.", Marco explained. Divina remained silent as she was still in shock. Marco used her silence as his opportunity to talk again. 'But Divina, when I first saw you at that cafe while I was playing the piano and you… were outside, I fell in love with you already. I always hang out there to play hoping to see you everyday… until you became a teacher in our school. I was aware that we couldn't be together, I tried to be snobby, I tried to ignore you, avoid you but… I love you too much. Too much that I couldn't even stop myself.", Marco confessed. Divina still couldn't say anything. 'I wanted to make you feel how much I am so in love with you but I want to be faithful with my obligation as a headteacher too. That's why I made the story about Beloved. The truth is, I am the youngest child, Divina… I never had a younger sister which we called Beloved. I did it because but doing so… I can call you that word, hoping to let you feel how much I cherish you. I really do love you, Divina even though I am fully aware you couldn't return my feelings because there's only enough space for Alfredo in your heart.", Marco was in tears as he tell those words to Divina. It was hard for him to admit how broken his heart is right now. Divina was just even more shocked with what she has learned. Marco loves me? Is this real? The man I love loves me too?!, Divina thought in disbelief and she couldn't hide how happy she is right now. 'The reason for my tears is not Alfredo, Marco…", Divina cried but now smiling happily. Marco stared at Divina, still looking heartbroken. 'I was sad because I thought I had lost you…", Divina added, Marco became confused about what Divina was trying to imply. 'The real reason for my sadness is because of what Marta had told me that day… that you are with a very beautiful and elegant woman. She told me that she was your lover.", Divina was feeling embarrassed as she admitted the main reason for her tears. Marco was surprised to hear her words. 'Was she talking about Mrs. Smith, Divina? She is the school owner's wife. She is the only woman that I had recently met. I also remembered Marta asking me about her a few days ago. She was mistaken because she had just seen her from afar and didn't notice that she was already old.", Marco smiled. Divina felt happy with Marco's explanation. 'Divina, does this mean…", Marco was nervous but couldn't hide his happy smile too. Divina blushed and it only made Marco even happier. 'I love you, Divina… there's no reason for you to be jealous. You are the only woman I love, had love, and will love forever.", Marco honestly said with all his sincerity. 'I love you too, Marco.", Divina admitted with all honesty. Her answer made Marco's heart jump in happiness. 'Is it true, my beloved? Is it really true that you love me too? I can't believe this… if this is a dream, I wish not to wake up anymore!", Marco exclaimed happily and rushed to hug Divina tightly. Divina hugged him back. It fits perfectly right to be with each other. 'Marco, forgive me for hurting your feelings… I was blinded by my commitment to Alfredo and I couldn't see clearly my true feelings for you. I really love you, Marco. I really do.", Divina sincerely said as they are still embracing each other. 'Your words now, my love is enough to erase all the pain I had endured in the past. O love you so much, Divina. I promise to love only you… forever.", Marco said emotionally as he looks directly at Divina's eyes. They stared at each other, their eyes seems to talk, they know they long for each other. Without a word, Marco's face gets nearer and neared towards Divina… and in a blink of an eye, he touches her lips with his as they both close their eyes in pure bliss and contentment. Under that old tree near the school, Divina and Marco shared their first kiss together along with their faithful commitment to be with each other forever.