Chapter 20: Forgotten Promise

It was the last day that Divina had ever seen her beloved Marco. Days passed and years have gone by so fast because of her hope to see and be with him again after three years. During those times, Divina was forced to live with her mother because of unexpected circumstances and also because her mother hadn't gotten over her older brother's death. Her mother keeps on blaming herself because she wasn't able to see Ricardo's value when he was still alive. Ricardo was the breadwinner and her mother's primary support in providing for their needs. And now that Ricardo's gone, their mother couldn't move on that's why Divina needs to act as her mother's emotional support even though she has been constantly receiving hurtful words from her mother, she endures it all because of her difficult situation she is currently in. Even though she knows that Marco is unallowed to contact her for three years, deep inside, she is still hoping to receive a letter or telegram from him. And despite all this tedious waiting, she remains faithful to the man she loves and continues to hope that one day she will receive news from her lover again. Year 1976… It has been four years since Marco left. The promise that her lover made to see her again in three years had never come to fruition… she never heard anything from him after all these years. After a year of delay in their promise, Divina decided to seek Mr. Smith and ask him about Marco's whereabouts. The city where she had taught before had become chaotic because of the protesters and activists everywhere, it is very dangerous to travel there now but she needs clarifications about Marco. "It's you, Ms. Aljuego... nice to see you.", Mr. Smith greeted her when she entered his office. Divina looked around. The prestige of the school where she once had taught is now gone. It has just been four years but it looks so different now. 'How are you Ms. Aljuego?", Mr. Smith interrupted Divina as she loses her focus with the huge difference of the school now from its former glory. 'Mr. Smith… I won't take your time for too long. I just want to know how's Marco? He told me about the condition of his disciplinary action you gave him three years ago… but it's already his fourth year now.", Divina said without any pretensions. She heard Mr. Smith let out a deep sigh. "That guy really loves to teach.", Mr. Smith eventually commented. Divina couldn't understand what he wanted to say. 'You can already see our situation now, Ms. Aljuego. We are no longer in our glorious days. Look around, we have no students anymore because of the chaos. And our branch at the border, it's been torn in between the war. The school is no longer working there, Ms. Aljuego... for two years already. But Marco... refused to leave that place. The latest news I heard from him was 8 months ago already and I was told that he is still there at the border.", Mr. Smith honestly said. Divina couldn't believe it. She and Marco had a promise… and he broke it! What is Mr. Smith saying? Marco refused to leave the place? Is he refusing to go back to me?!, Divina thought, wanting to cry. She wanted to get to where Marco is, find him, and ask him in person why? "I know you want to go there, Ms. Aljuego but I tell.. that place is really dangerous. You can't just go there because it is where the rebels had camped. You need permission from the government to go there.", Mr. Smith said as if he read her mind. Divina can't hold back her tears and she eventually cried. 'You mean… I'll never see Marco again?", Divina emotionally cried. She has been holding back her tears for all these years ever since her elder brother died… and now, her tears fell like rain. All these years she wasn't able to cry because she gets her strength from the pair of eyes who looks upon her and would constantly convince herself of her and Marco's memories as well as their promise to each other. But now, all of these had vanished into thin air. 'I'm sorry Ms. Aljuego.", is what Mr. Smith could only say. Divina couldn't stop sobbing as she leave the place. The chaos outside the school didn't even ease the pain she is feeling right now. She could hear loud yells from the protestors. Everything is deranged and confusing. Her mind is chaotic too and the people around her as the same as her mind… chaos. Divina ignored the people around her and she thoughtlessly walked on the sidewalk in a daze, not noticing that people around her had begun running already. She heard screams and cries but she turned a deaf ear on them. 'TEAR GAS!", one yelled but Divina ignored it. She is not herself and she just couldn't believe why this happened to her and Marco… all they did was just to love each other. 'DIVINA!", a man in uniform yelled her name and he pulled Divina away from the turmoil. Divina was both shocked and scared as the policeman might end up arresting her for mistaking her as one of the protesters but due to the natural strength of a man, she was easily pulled around. She doesn't care anymore. 'It's me.", the policeman said but Divina just stared at her. As the man noticed that she wasn't able to recognize him, he took off his police cap so she could see him clearly. Divina was surprised to finally recognize him. 'A-Alfredo!", Divina said and seem to be in disbelief. Her thin and fair-skinned former lover had become well-built and tanned now. 'I had become a police now.", Alfredo smiled at Divina. It was evident from his happy face that he hasn't harbored any ill feelings towards her even though she had rejected his love four years ago. Divina gave him a soft smile. 'How are you? Marco too, how is he?", he asked excitedly, it was obvious that he was really happy to see her. But Divina wasn't able to answer yet when Alfredo began to talk again. 'By the way, why are you in the middle of this chaos? If I wasn't able to see you there, you might end up getting hurt---', Alfredo stopped talking when he suddenly Divina's tears. He heard her sobbed, he wondered and felt sad to see his former lover acting this way. 'Have I said something wrong? I apologize, Divina… it's just that I am really glad to see you again.", Alfredo said and hesitantly tapped Divina's back to comfort her. He was worrying that she might misunderstand his actions. Divina just shook her head. 'No… it's just… what you have said reminded me of him. It has been a long time since Marco and I had cut off our communication. We were separated by the school owner because my mother was so against of him. She told him about our relationship knowing it was against our school rules. He accepted the consequence of his action and he was supposed to undergo a three-year disciplinary action but… he was torn and trapped at the border when the war happened there and now, Marco doesn't want to go back to me anymore. I don't know why. I don't know what to do anymore.", Divina cried. 'Do you want to see him?", Alfred asked as he looks at Divina with worry. Divina nodded continuously without any hesitation. 'But he is at the border, a dangerous place to be in now. I heard it is where the rebels had camped… even if I wanted to go there, it's impossible.", Divina cried. Alfredo looked at her and he felt sad to see his former lover crying so desperately. 'I-I think… I could help you, Divina. If you want I could ask permission and security escort from our head. However, if you would stay there for a whole day, I won't be able to ensure your safety. We mustn't stay there for too long, at most we could only be there before the sun sets. It's too risky for an ambush if it gets dark.", Alfredo said. 'We? You'll come with me? Is it really, Alfredo? You'll help me meet Marco?", Divina almost couldn't believe it. Alfredo smiled, it made him at ease to see Divina hopeful. 'Of course Divina… I wouldn't let you go there alone. It is just right for me to protect you there. I am a policeman after all.", Alfredo laughed but Divina didn't, instead her tears began to fall again as she held Alfredo's palms in her hands. 'Thank you, Alfredo. Thank you so much! I will never ever forget your kindness toward me… to us.", Divina sincerely thanked Alfredo as she continues to cry in joy.