Chapter 17: Revealed

It has been a few days already since Marco had gone to the Aljuego's and haven't returned up to now. 'The nerve of that man. We are almost of the same age! Divina should see him like an older brother!", Divina's older brother, Menandro commented as he drinks with his friends Nicandro and Pedro outside their house. 'What else could we do? He's the man that our youngest sibling loves.", Divina's second brother, Ricardo defended when he heard them as he arrived home from his work. 'Love? That's nonsense! Father loved our mother too but his love never did anything good to us when he died. I was forced to stop schooling to help mother. And you, look at you, you even grew up gay!", Menandro mocked his younger brother for being gay. Ricardo shuts his mouth. This is what they always do, whenever they aren't able to answer them, they'll just attack them of his personality. People like him, gays and lesbians aren't totally accepted by the society. People stare at them with mockery, as if they are with a loathsome disease. He is hurt by these people's words, but it is more painful when mockery comes from his loved ones' mouths. He couldn't do anything just because this is how people tell how to perceive them. It's not even their fault but there's nothing he could do about how the society perceives them. To avoid an argument, Ricardo decided to comfort his grieving sister. 'Divina?", Ricardo's gentle voice echoed as he entered Divina's room. Divina shook her head, she refuses to be comforted, she even refused to eat these past few days. She has gotten weak, but it seems like her mother and older brother Menandro don't take her protest seriously. Only Ricardo was worried for her, but even to him, Divina is still aloof. 'Older Brother Ricardo… please let me be. I want to be alone. Let me gather my thoughts.", Divina said in a very weak voice, in between her sobs. Ricardo ignored her plea and had gone over to her instead. He sat down beside her and rubbed her back. This made Divina cry even harder. 'Divina, my little sister… eat now. I am worried about you. Don't worry, I'll help you and Marco. The truth is, I had met him in secret earlier. He is always waiting for you outside. Actually, he is still there even now.", Ricardo said, almost a whisper. Divina's widened in surprise. 'Is it true, older brother? M-Marco is outside?", Divina couldn't believe it but she had become more cheerful now. 'Yes. There's no reason for me to lie. He had been waiting for a few days already. And then you are acting this way… it would make you ugly.", Ricardo joked. Divina smiled and hugged her older brother. 'Thank you older brother! Thank you!", Divina cried but now it was because of joy. Ricardo hugged his younger sister too. 'Okay, okay… let's stop with all this drama. I'll bring you some food, be sure to eat okay so then I'll tell you more of what Marco and I had talked about. Promise, you'll be healthy from now on.", Ricardo smiled at his sister. 'Yes, older brother. Thank you.", Divina smiled happily. 'Let's move quickly so that you will be able to meet Marco.", Ricardo smiled before leaving her sister to get some food. After Divina had eaten her food, she hurriedly dolled up to seek permission from their mother and allow her to come along with her older brother Ricardo. 'Why is Divina coming with you?", their mother frowned, looking at them suspiciously. 'Mother, Don Julian had specifically asked to see Divina at the party held near this town. I agreed of course. Who would have the nerve to refuse the wealthy Don Julian?", Ricardo explained while Divina was nervously waiting for their mother's reply. 'Is it true?", their mother seems to be somewhat convinced. Ricardo nodded. 'Why would I lie, mother? I have no reason to lie.", Ricardo answered. Their mother stared at Ricardo first then at Divina. 'Okay, I believe you since you have never lied to me… I'll allow Divina to come with you. And you, Divina. Dress up properly, you are going to Don Julian's party so make yourself pretty. You should get his attention, he might give you some jewels or money.", their mother and grumpily ordered Divina what to do. 'But mother---', Divina tried to complain but was stopped when her older brother gently elbowed her. 'Yes mother, I'll take care of it.", Ricardo happily said. 'Okay, okay. Go ahead and don't delay. Don't make Don Julian wait for too long.", their mother said and the siblings had obeyed happily. Divina and Ricardo happily went outside the house. Divina was thankful that she has a compassionate older brother who is willing to understand and support her love with Marco. 'Okay Marco, I'll my sister unto you. Please take care of her and make sure not to get caught.", Ricardo smiled at the couple. Divina and Marco hugged each other happily. 'Yes, Ricardo. I love Divina very much. I love her and I am going to take care of her. Thank you.", Marco couldn't help but smile. He missed Divina so much and he couldn't contain his happiness to see his beloved. 'Older brother, thank you.", Divina sincerely thanked her brother and went on to hug Ricardo before separating ways. From that moment on, Divina and Marco would secretly meet each other from time to time. Marco would travel to Divina's hometown every week to see her and be with her even for just a day. They've got a secret meeting place, there was a woodland nearby and under the biggest mango tree, they would find peace as they lock inside in each other's arms. It was Ricardo who told them of this place because it is where he would also secretly meet up with his lover too… before they broke up. Ricardo had entrusted his secret place to his sister. He feels happy to see his little sister happy too with the man she loves. A happy ending seems so impossible for people like Ricardo at that time and it somehow eases his sadness to see his little sister ends up with her own happy ending instead. Every time Marco and Divina would secretly meet, they use Ricardo as their excuse, he became a vital person for their love story to bloom. 'Marco, can't you just take me away from here? Until when will we meet each other secretly? Until when do we need to hide?", Divina sadly asked Marco. 'Do you really want to be with me forever, Divina? Because if you'll ask me, I'm sure I'll say yes because you are the only woman I want to be with my whole life. I just don't want you to end up regretting your decision to be with me.", Marco answered in a sad tone too. 'I want to be with you, Marco.", Divina answered, she has never been so sure in her life, she is sure that she would be willing to travel to the ends of the Earth just to be with Marco. 'It sounds sweet to hear it from your lips, beloved. I also want to take you away to elope but… you are a woman worthy to be honored. I don't want to ruin your reputation. You should be respected by everyone and I don't want people to think of you badly.", Marco sincerely said as he kisses her hand. 'Thank you for your good intentions towards me, my love. I am also worried if am I tainting your reputation as headteacher of our school because of the scene I had with old madam Cruz. How much more will I affect you if ever news will reach our school that you had eloped with me?", Divina sadly said as she leans her head on his shoulder. 'Nevertheless, I don't care what people say about me. I only care about you, beloved.", Marco answered with all his honesty. 'Me too Marco, me too.", Divina softly replied as she continues to lean on his chest.  Slowly, Marco kissed Divina on her lips and stared at her intently. 'I want to be with you forever, my beloved. If you entrust yourself to me, I promise to take care of you…. Marry you and honor you in front of everyone.", Marco whispered as he gazes at her with full of love. 'I trust you, my beloved.", Divina answered with all her heart. They shared an emotional and passionate kiss… and at that night, under the big and old Mango tree, the star-crossed lovers had become one. 'Thank you Divina for your trust… for giving all of yourself to me. I promise to love you forever and now that we had become one already, we will be together as a married couple from now on. I am so happy, beloved. I love you so much!", Marco emotionally proclaimed as he stares lovingly at his beloved. Divina nodded and smiled, though it was obvious on her face that she is still feeling pain from what she and Marco did just now. 'Let's meet here tomorrow, beloved. I will take you with me now.", Marco said. This made Divina smile even wider as she hugs him happily and dearly. 'WHERE IS DIVINA?!", Divina's mother yelled at Ricardo, just then he realized that it was already late and his younger sister hadn't arrived home yet. 'She stayed at Don Ipeng's mansion---', Ricardo was interrupted with his explanation with a hard slap coming from his mother. 'I just came from Don Ipeng's mansion because Divina had forgotten to wear this necklace that your late father had given her… but I was humiliated! When I got there, I kept looking for her… and realized she wasn't really there! And there was never a party held there in the first place!", Divina's mother angrily yelled. Ricardo was in a panic. He looked at the necklace, he was the one keeping it and had decided not to let Divina wear it today… and now, for this reason, they were caught. Because of his carelessness, their mother found out. 'M-mother, let me explain…", Ricardo said, confused as well. He doesn't know what to say to cover up for Divina and Marco. 'When did you learn to lie to me, Ricardo! When?! Where is your sister! Tell me the truth!!!", Divina's mother shouted angrily and threw Divina's necklace on Ricardo's chest.