174 Goodbye, Anthon!

Romantic dinner buffet was held by the beach. White - clad tables were spread throughout the pristine - white sands, dimly - lit by scented candles beside the floral centerpieces. Jim and Jia took one table for themselves while Anthon took one for him and Giselle. Kuya Nap, Mr. Wayne and Casey joined, as well, in another table to enjoy the sea breeze and the serene atmosphere in that splendid haven.

Good food, emotion - stirring serenade and a romantic environment were a perfect blend to fire up love and courtship. As the night go deeper and the songs more stirring, almost all the couples in every tables locked themselves into cuddling while kissing and petting.This did not exempt the newly - weds who were spending out their honeymoon with the family.

"Sweetheart, are you happy? "Jim asked Jia as he locked her into his arms.

"I'm the happiest, Jim. Who would ever think that we could get married with the blessings of your family? I thought I would be dealing with their unacceptance all throughout our married life." Jia tearfully said.

"I'm worried about Anthon. I'm praying that he would be able to move on sooner. "

Jia suddenly felt nervous. It meant that he understood Anthon's sneaky glances, hurt expressions and romantic encounters with her.

"You're not angry and blaming me? "

She asked while shaking inside. She was glad that the dim lightings concealed her complete reaction.

"Dear, I always understand that it is not also easy for you." He said as he hugged her tighter.

Jia suddenly lost her control in holding back her emotion. Tears instantly flooded her eyes. With quivering voice, she confronted

him.

"Jim, can you not be too good? Scold me if you must, quarrel me if I'd go overboard. You're goodness is too much more than I can take. I'm dying with guilt. I feel like a gangster in a military domain. " She scolded him softly.

"Because I love you, Jia. You're my everything, my happiness, my all...

I do not want to lose you. "

"My goodness! You won't and never would. As long as I live. " With this, her shoulders trembled as she sobbed.

Then, a member of the band addressed the crowd. " Is there anybody here who would like to dedicate a song to the most important person in his or her life? "

Jia stood up and walked to the front. She picked up the microphone and whispered to the one who called out for volunteers.

Then, before the music played on, she spoke into the microphone.

"This song is for the man I truly

love..."

Then, as the intro played on, she lifted her lovely voice into the air. It was as cold and chilly as the evening sea breeze, penetrating deeply into the innermost part of the crowd's hearts.

To the man I truly love...

While Jim knew that the song was dedicated for him, Anthon felt that somehow, he was the man she truly loved.

If only he was not coward enough... If only he firmly refused to his brother's request...If only he was not too late...

He leaned into the table and fixed his gaze at her, feeling every moment and understanding every line.

Jia also knew, that no matter how she denied it, deep inside there was still a cry for Anthon. But, with all of her strength and power, she must suppress it for the man who unconditionally gave his life for her... 'til death do them part...

She gave her all into the song, leashing out her emotions into each note...Her triumph and loss, her love and pain...her struggles to overcome.... all blendid into her voice that left everyone stopped breathing until she hummed the last word that was taken away by the wind...

Moments of silence became heavy and then followed by a defeaning round of applause.

___

At four in the morning, Jia woke up from a deep sleep in the arms of Jim. It was her usual waking hours for her morning work out. She woke Jim up, urging him to take a walk with her by the shore.

"Sweetheart, I'm still sleepy. Ten minutes more. "

But his ten minutes became thirty.

"Sweetheart, my legs are still powerless. " He complained sleepily.

Jia laughed. He had been worn out by his strenous fight with her in their bed. It was their first honeymoon night and he made it sure she wouldn't forget.

She kissed him in his forehead and went out alone.

The surroundings was still dark and quiet. There was no movement around. Mesmerized by the tranquil beauty of the gift of nature, she walked back towards that bamboo gazeebo by the shore. She sat down by the pillar of the hut and fixed her gaze towards the still waters. Tiny rolling waves came by and splashed loudly against the rocks.

The deafening silence and the cool breeze made her recall that night she was with Anthon at the resort.

" I did love you, Jia, even when we were still in high school.. I did love you when...."

Then, her thoughts went back to those times Anthon taunted him.

"Should I always be like this? Always on a borrowed time? "

"Ton, are you still going on with the plan? "

"I'm going to miss you, pretty girl. By the time daddy will come back after three years, you will be ready to swim by then... "

Jia was sure that there was a plan she did not know about. Was Anthon leaving? And it would be long?

A feeling of loneliness crept up into her heart. That same feeling when she knew Anthon was getting married with Giselle. That same feeling when she ran away...That same feeling when she met him again but could not turn back..

Knowing that she was alone, she wailed out loudly until all her tears were shed, thinking that only the waves were her witnesses and that the deep sea would swallow up her lamenting voice. Once and for all, she thought, she would cry for him. Once and for all, she would break her heart for him. May the skies and the darkness be her eyes and ears for those were all blind and deaf to even understand the gnawing pain in her heart.

Then, she swam into the sea with all her speed and strength, stroking back and forth, up and down, diving into the depths without rest to strip out all her pain and grief.

Little did she know, that there was a pair of eyes watching her..whose heart went shattered by the shrill cry of her loneliness.... as she once again whispered.... "Goodbye, Anthon. "