"Congratulations!"

"I'm so happy for you."

Javier was glad for everything but, he couldn't wait to be alone with Aquilina, now officially, his wife.

He informed his dad of his decision to leave, who readily agreed. But before he could reach his bride, he was stopped by the sight of his best friend, Francesco, approaching.

And happily towing behind him, was Rosa, Audrey, and Tarquin.

Spotting him, Javier recalled the conversation they had several weeks before.

~~~

"So you never met her again until recently?"

"No, not until recently," Tarquin replied.

His voice was now faint and he had a faraway look in his eyes. Javier had never seen him looking that vulnerable.

Tarquin had called him over to his Villa to a meal which neither of them ended up touching.

But the meal hadn't been the main reason for his call, but rather, to open up about his dark past to Javier.

Concerning how he had been tricked into using drugs by some 'so-called' friends. And how he had 'abused' another young girl who seemed to be in the same state as he was.

And eventually, he had come to love her.

Javier could not believe it.

And, why would he open up to me of all people?

Tarquin had also mentioned the pregnancy and the 'abortion', which he didn't quite believe was so anymore.

"And you asked your Father about it?"

"Yes, after what I had overheard him saying to her, I confronted him," he sighed and buried his head in his hands.

"All he told me was that not everything is what it seems. And that I'll know the truth soon," he continued.

"And, you asked the girl too?"

Javier didn't know the identity of the girl in question. But whoever it was, she seemed to have gone through a lot. He felt... sorry for her.

"I didn't ask directly... but I phrased it differently to see her reaction."

"How did she react?"

"Well, she has always been able to mask her emotions. But, I caught on that this goes deeper. There is something about it I don't know yet."

Tarquin stood from the dining hall and walked to the large window for a moment.

"You might be wondering why I'm telling you all this," he scratched the back of his head a bit, and finally turned to face Javier.

"I just don't have anyone to talk to. Everyone else seems terrified of me," he chuckled humourlessly. "But, you're... different."

Javier stood up and walked to him.

"It's okay. And if ever you need a friend, I'll be here," he patted his right shoulder.

"And another thing I didn't tell you... the child had survived..."

"What do you mean the child survived?"

"There is not much of a chance of children surviving at that age. But my son... he was a boy..." Tarquin's eyes became glassy at that moment.

"One of my father's aides told me that Aquilina had surgically removed the child before the time was due. And he had hidden the child and given him the best treatment possible..."

"Back up... the girl's name is Aquilina?" A strange emotion washed over Javier.

"Yes..." Tarquin looked at Javier curiously, before a flicker of recognition registered on his face. "Right, you probably know her. She was at your school tournament."

"Oh." Javier's face paled.

"Something wrong?" Tarquin asked with his eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"No, please continue." He quickly recomposed his features and feigned nonchalance, though his heartbeat was accelerating.

"What happened to the child?" Javier swallowed and asked the next question which weighed heavily on his heart. "Is he still alive?"

Tarquin stood from his seat and turned away for a moment before glancing back at Javier. The tears finally fell.

"My son... his name was Leo, for Leonardo," he took out his gilded handkerchief and wiped the tears off his face before continuing.

"He died a few months after receiving treatment."

Javier went still.

"But do you know the strange thing? He didn't die because he was pre-term," he further explained.

"The doctors said a dangerous chemical which might have been given to his mother could have passed on to him. That doesn't make sense if the child was wilfully aborted."

~~~

"Congrats, bro," Francesco shook his hand and half embraced him. "I'm happy for you."

"Congratulations, Javier!" The girls chorused.

Javier smiled and shook their hands.

"I hope you have a wonderful marriage life," Tarquin's deep voice resounded behind Rosa and Audrey.

He drew closer with a faint smile on his face and reached out to shake Javier's hand.

But before withdrawing, he leaned in closer to whisper into his ears.

"Hold on to her, cause others are willing to snatch her from you if you do."

He pulled away with a teasing smile. But, Javier didn't let him completely withdraw and rather leaned in to whisper.

"Don't worry, I'm not letting her go, God, being my helper."

Tarquin chuckled and tapped his shoulder as they left.

"We will meet you later!"

It was time to finally find his bride.

———————-

"Are you okay?" Javier called out from behind Aqui.

They had returned to Aqui's parents home to pack up her necessary belongings before leaving for the home Javier had purchased.

It was a surprise to Aquilina. A home located on the Tiberian hill of Galilee.

With the joy of the wedding and everything, she had forgotten that her results were to arrive that day.

She had been diagnosed with a severe case of sepsis immediately after losing her child. And Aqui knew that based on the symptoms it had worsened to the point that could lead to death.

Aqui glanced at the envelope which had probably arrived when she was away and felt her body shiver.

Javier looked over her shoulder and read the hospital name on the envelope.

"You had it checked?" She could sense the slight sorrow in his voice.

In her letter, she had also informed him of her illness and the symptoms that had been showing up.

Javier gently placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him.

"Don't worry about whatever the results might be."

"Aren't you scared you married someone who might be dying?" Her voice went out in a whisper.

"Angelito mío, I knew about the pregnancy and the child even before you told me about him."

"What?" Aqui's eyes widened in shock, her mouth agape.

He relayed the story of how he found out to her.

"And didn't you resent me all that while since you found out?"

The tears fell again. It seemed to Aqui that day was set out for her to finally release all her pent up tears. But these tears were not happy as the others had been. They were painful.

"Nunca, mi amor (never)! My love for you deepened since then."

"But how? I'm no worse than a used up Kleenex tissue. I was abused, Javier," she looked down.

He pulled her chin up despite her attempts to withdraw.

"No, you are not. I see you, and I see nothing but God's beauty. I see a restored treasure, gold refined by fire. I see broken shards turned to God's own Masterpiece. And I feel unworthy to have you."

Both crying, he embraced her and gently rubbed her back. After a moment, she pulled back and asked a question she had been longing to ask.

"Wait a moment, Javi... ¿Crees en Dios ahora? (Do you now believe in God?)," her eyes shined with child-like curiosity.

"Sí, mi ángel (Yes, my angel)," she gasped and he reached out to wipe the tears from her face.

"But, how?"

Aqui grinned widely and bounced up and down, wanting to know.

"Okay, I'll tell you. But before that," Javier's face turned sombre. "I think we should open it, Aqui. No matter what it says, I know there will be a way out if we get to know it. I know God will help us."

Aqui closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When she finally opened her eyes, she smiled faintly and nodded.

"Let's open it."

———————————————————-

Okay, I give you the permission to beat me up. This has been ready for some time now... but wasn't posted up. I'm really sorry about that.

What are your thoughts? Please let me know!

Phela ❤️