It’s half past 7 a.m. Kristen sat on a grass field; facing down a gravestone. She caressed the embossed letters and brought out a basket of flowers. “It’s been two years. I can’t believe you left me so early”. Dried leaves sticked on her white flowy dress. She touched her womb; the baby bump is now obvious. “The day you left made me feel so much emotion. Months after that, I saw the one I was going to spend my life with. We already have a tiny one inside my tummy” she said; tears falling down to her cheeks.
The sun shines brightly and the winds are blowing fine in the cemetery. The environment is quiet that the chirping of the birds is heard loudly. She spent half an hour to that place while telling stories about her life journey. Years have passed yet she still feels what she felt when the person she is talking to passed away.
A basket of flowers was placed in the gravestone’s area. He sat down beside Kristen; tugging her close to him to give comfort. “What took you so long?” Kristen asked. He looked at him, “You can’t exhaust yourself so I did our preparations alone” he said while caressing his future wife’s back.
Yes, Silas is alive. They are both staring at the same gravestone for two years now.
FLASHBACK
“Your mom can’t say this to you directly because it will pain you. I’m sorry but the one you loved lost to the battle”. The assistant doctor bowed and left her in a bland look.
She ran as fast as she could. She saw Sam – Silas’ sister tearing outside a room. She opened that room and found a lifeless body covered with a white cloth. The doll she gave to her is lying around the bedside table. “J-ji An” she weakly called her but there are no responses left for her. She sat down in despair. Her hands are trembling while hearing Ji An’s mother’s sobs.
“I’m sorry I became selfish. Had I known, maybe I became fair with giving my attention” she said to her friend. Moments came and Frances arrived. “Her lungs already failed. She knows that. She always said that she wants you and Silas to be together and also, to have a perfect wedding just like in the movies”. Kristen had enough crying; what she felt is emptiness. She met Ji An six years ago – when she was a newborn. “We spent six birthdays with Ji An. Those six birthdays meant a lot to her. The whole hospital mourns for her passing” Frances said. Kristen continuously thought she became selfish and unfair. She thought that because of his obsession with Silas, she forgot her friend. “If I only have one chance left, I want her to live happily just like how little kids do” she said and breathed heavily.
Kristen was informed about Silas and out of nowhere, she saw herself standing outside Silas’ isolation room. She’s nervous because the moment she will step in, the love that Silas promised will now be granted. She knocked and she was welcomed with great smiles from Clarina’s face.
The room was cozy. There were no tubes to be seen and only a single IV drip is present. For the first time in a while, she saw Silas. Body covered with bandages and stares into her only. She went closer and closer while her tears are rolling down again. She can’t believe she’s seeing him again. Alive and smiling in front of her. “I guess your prayers are heard. I think my mission now is to keep my promise” he said, chuckling. She is still speechless. Her hands roamed on Silas’ chest with bandages. “Does it look bad on me?” Silas asked. “No, I’m proud that you’ve conquered your fight. These battle scars will always be beautiful in my sight” she answered.
She quickly hugged Silas. As tight as she could. “You could squeeze out my insides, you know” he complained but he hugged her back eventually. The excitement stopped when Kristen’s shoulder fell and she started bawling her eyes out again. “Aren’t you happy?” he asked. “I am. But how can I say this? Ji An…” she initiated. “What about her? I just saw her this morning and she wished me good luck” Silas replied with appreciation in his eyes. Kristen continuously sobbed. “Ji An… she j-just left us” she said in between her sobs. Silas’ hug loosened. He made her face him, “What do you mean?” he asked. “Ji An’s lungs failed. She lost her battle” she answered. Silas sighed and brought back Kristen in her arms. “I’m sure she’s in a good place now. She has nothing to endure anymore” he said and started comforting her more.

Every month, the two always finds time to visit Ji An in her resting place. Just like the old times, they always tell stories to their late friend. “I still believe Ji An is my angel” Silas said with a smile. He’s better now and their present is clearer than ever. Three months after Ji An passed, Silas asked Kristen to be his girlfriend right on the spot where Ji An is. “Your dream became true, Ji An. Me and Kristen are already together” Silas said with a smile on his face. In that relationship, they had the most lustrous moment of their lives which made Kristen pregnant.
“You’re what?!” Silas unbelievably asked. Kristen replied, “I said… I’m pregnant. I’m sure this one’s yours”. Silas’ jaw dropped. Kristen is only twenty years old and is still on her pre-med course while he, on the other hand, is almost twenty-two and on his third year in aviation. “Seems like it’s not a good news for you” Kristen frowned and left him. Silas grabbed her and pulled her close to him. “It’s not that I hate it. I can afford everything we need. But at least can we get married?” he asked.
“So, how are you going to propose to the mother of your soon kid?” she asked. He looked around. There’s no ring in that space. He saw the bracelet he wears on his wrist. He unbuckled it and wore it to Kristen’s wrist. “I know this one’s weird but I promise to change this into a beautiful ring you deserve” he said. Kristen stared at it and smiled. “I love this. I remember that this one is found by Ji An. Because of this bracelet, we met” she uttered.
END OF FLASHBACK
Kristen is sneaky. She browsed through Silas’ old journal and found something that is life-changing. The mansion they built is a witness of their love and their living in status. She dialed the contact in the middle of the page.
“Is this Miss Stella Zhou?” she asked the other line. “Speaking” Stella simply answered. “I want to arrange an appointment. Maybe earlier this week if you’re available?” Kristen asked. The two women who were loved by Silas met in a VIP place without Silas’ knowledge.
Kristen sat down. She’s wearing a maternity dress while Stella is wearing a semi-fashioned dress and a designer bag. Kristen started the conversation, “I want to reserve for a wedding dress specified for my growing tummy” she said in a casual tone. Kristen smiled, “I will gladly take you as my client, Miss Kristen Constanto”.
Stella showed her the exclusive designs. After that, Kristen uttered her second motive with Stella. “Well, I am here for another objective” she said that made Stella curious. “What is it?” she asked quickly. Kristen pulled out her wallet and showed Stella a small picture – it was her and Stella in the church. “This was me and my ex. Where did you get this?” she asked. Kristen pointed Silas in the picture. “Former Bro. Silas Tiueco is my fiancé” she humbly replied. Stella wowed in disbelief; she who’s heart still belongs to Silas. She already moved on but when she saw the old memory, the pain went back as if it just happened yesterday.
“Uhm… y-you see, Silas and I broke ties ages ago” she said. Hysterically talking and assuming that Kristen is mad at her. Kristen got nervous; she is being misunderstood by Stella. “Oh no, I meant no harm! I just want to say that I want you and Silas to have a proper closure before we get wedded” Kristen explained. Stella blew a loud breath, “You startled me. But aren’t you afraid that old flames will light for the second time around?” she asked. “I’m not. If he will, then I’ll kill him. I’m confident that he won’t do that. We have a little one inside me. Just cooperate with me and everything will go smoothly” Kristen said.
They spared months to prepare their marriage. They reserved for a church; and the church they chose is the one where Silas attended. They went inside and started walking in the center to the altar. “I know this place is memorable to you. I know this church taught you a lot that’s why you shone and took my heart away with your learnings” Kristen said while her hands are in Silas’ arm.
“This place answered every question I had in mind. I can’t believe we’ll have our wedding here” he replied. “I know everything’s alright now but you left something” Kristen said. Before Silas could reply, she saw Stella behind Kristen. “You forgot her. I know you showed her what you are showing me. This time, have a more concrete conversation” Kristen said and left the two.