Chapter 40: The Confrontations

I went to the entrance even though I was in the entourage of the ceremony, where he instantly left to go to his car. I was still following him, got into my car, and followed him through Garhood Road to the vacant space near the road. He halted at a far distance that I stopped and was ever ready for his action. I observed the surroundings and viewed him go outside his car and face me. I went outside of my car too, stood erect wearing my sunglasses, and wait for him. He walked towards me.

"Marco this is between the two of us."

"I know and what do you want?"

"Don't ever follow Danielle anymore."

"Danielle's mine and we have two children."

"I know that from her."

"Where are my children?"

"I'm not in a position to tell you that..."

"Then who do you think?"

"Danielle, we're getting married this coming week."

"And why are you telling me this? That I'll stop getting my children...no Roger you're such a fool! Tell her to give my children back and I'll stop bothering her!"

"I'll do that Marco....I'll help you about this matter so that you cannot disturb her again. Deal....?"

"Yes, deal."

"Who did the kidnapping in Sharjah-Ajman road?" I asked Roger with a little gesture of my fingers.

"I don't know about it."

"Who do you think?"

"I don't know Marco."

"You're invited to our wedding."

"Danielle knows about this invitation?"

"No."

"Then, give me your mobile number..."

He gave me his business card and left and I speeded up my car going back to the church. It's nearly finished when I arrived, and I walked slowly down the aisle going to the bench near Ayah.

The wedding was successful and we went to the reception in Sheraton Hotel, Deira side. I was sitting at the presidential table where I can view the guests and the entrance. I noticed Danielle went inside and was seated at the reception table alone. My focus was on her all the time that I forgot Ayah and my guests. She's looking intently for the newlywed, Ayah Isabel, Mike, and me. I can sense her purpose, to destruct us, I thought. I saw Ayah was busy chatting with Lina and Mike.

At the entrance, I saw Roger Ferrer trying to find Danielle. He saw her at the table drinking her drinks. He grabbed Danielle's hand and the glass falls to the floor. She got nervous to slap Roger on his face, and the guard suddenly held them going outside the reception hall. I saw Ayah staring at Danielle but was still surprised by her reaction. She looked at me at the presidential table where our eyes met.

The guilty feeling that I felt at that moment made me forsake the rigors of my highest ambition, to reach what I wanted in life. The more I succumbed to erasing the heartaches inside of me, the more guilty I was when I glanced at Ayah Isabel.

I drove my car around the city for five long hours not knowing that I have been heading to Abu Dhabi, going to Al Mubarraz. Seven hours of driving along the long and winding road, made my heart lighten its course. I remember the Judas Cave that I visited at once to gain control of my being before I lost my sanity. It's Judas, the apostle of Jesus Christ....Did you know that there's a mystery behind Judas Cave?

Judas Cave's named after Judas Iscariot (one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ). After accepting the bribe of thirty gold coins and running away, to cover his betrayal from his master, he holed up in this cavern.

It's located in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The natives called it "Jabal Garra" which means a village of mountains. They said, that there's a mystery that lies in this cave. The home-born believed that whoever heard the sighing of Judas and the clanking of gold coins inside the cave will betray somebody dearest to his/her heart.

When I was on the road to visit the cave, I noticed that the desert was like ripples of sand drifting in the wilderness of tranquility. As I came nearer the place, I was joyful by the scene. I discovered that "Jabal Garra" - means Green Mountain composed of small mountains forming into one huge structure surrounded by barren dunes. It's like a sculptor's unfinished clay structure!

At the foot of the structure; is a mini-park with benches and tables made of ancient clay, a beautiful garden with fountains, different varieties of multicolored enchanting flowers, and four sculptured staircases leading to the mountain top. Also, I noted a huge wooden gate and a long-drawn-out of the dates' plantation. I entered the gate and to my surprise, I saw a winding path with mounds of peculiar sizes on both sides and lovely flowers with varying colors planted at the base of each earthwork. I walked slowly towards the cave entrance.

As I stepped inside, the temperature altered from warm to cool, and the light from brightness to shadiness. At first, I accustomed my vision to the surrounding. I spotted various light bulbs hanging in each niche making the place dimmer. I produced a flashlight to guide me inside the pothole. It was the first time that I entered a cave in my whole life. The interior was like a maze with lots of paths to choose from. I gathered all my courage to sustain my escapade. My curiosity deepened as I led the way not knowing which course to tread. So, I determined to turn right because that's the nearest direction that I could lead inside right away. As I moved on, the inlay of the cave becomes wider and I saw extraordinary contours of rocks and boulders hugging a piece together. It's truly magnificent! I felt glad and lonely at the same time. I cannot fathom the serenity of the place.

The mystery that shrouded this cave baffled me. Why did Judas Iscariot accept the bribe and conceal it here? Was it because of thirty pieces of gold coins? Or, to scrutinize his guilt? In fact, according to the Bible, he ended his life on account of self-condemnation? Besides, why did the residents preserve the place? Maybe because of its beauty?... Usefulness?... Or simply a landmark?

As I wandered around the hidden cave, I had a feeling to reveal more and satisfy my "objet de vertu". After three hours of sightseeing, I had a last look at the spot. And, suddenly, I heard the whisper of Judas, telling me to spread the goodness to mankind! At first, I hesitated to acknowledge him because Judas was a bad person according to the Bible, but his message to me was a good one. And then, I didn't realize, that I was answering back saying, "I will, Sire I will, I will cast the good news to humanity." At that moment, my tears began to fall continuously, crying, cleansing my mind, heart, and soul. And I grasped it while slowly walking through the slit of the cave.

I left the place with a heart, that spiritual knowledge, and purity in my existence can never equal all the material things in this world.

I traveled alone from Mubarraz to Dubai City with a lightened heart, but nearing Dubai the reality came rushing to me; inside and out. I invited Edward's family to stay behind, and have a get-together party to erase the tension that I felt about Ayah Isabel. My instinct told me that she had something to say about me. I eluded my emotion to interact with them and talk with Ayah. I sat beside her while holding her hand. They were happily exchanging stories about the beauty of Dubai but my heart was shrouded with a guilty conscience.

Ayah asked me to accompany her to the comfort room. She walked ahead of me towards the comfort room when Danielle and Roger approached Ayah. I hastily came nearer to them.

"So, you're here in Dubai huh?," Danielle said to Ayah.

"Danielle please stop this nonsense!" Roger pulled Danielle's arm.

"Leave me alone! I want to talk to this woman!" she shouted at him.

I grabbed Ayah's arm and put her inside my car while Danielle and Roger followed us. I faced them and slapped Danielle's face Roger pulled her away, and the two of them slumped on the parking lot pavement. Ayah went outside the car calling me to stop, which I did while Danielle was shouting at us held by Roger. They got inside their car and left.

I drove the car with an uneasy feeling that I went to the seaside near Hyatt Hotel. I halted the car's engine while looking at the waves in the seawall.

"What's happening Marco, can you tell me the truth?"

"She's behaving that way ever since, isn't it?"

"Yes I knew that, but here in Dubai....are you with that woman all along?"

"Ayah don't misunderstand me. I have to do what I think is right, isn't it?"

"What I'm asking is, you're still with her until now?"

"No, Ayah....she approached me about our lost son before, in exchange ...to tell you the truth, before we separated in Bacolod City, she got pregnant with our first son....and....and another girl was born..."

Ayah Isabel cried in disbelief, open the car door, and ran to the edge of the seawall. She poured her heartaches into the ocean while I followed her.

"Ayah...Ayah Isabel...." I held her arm to face me and I knew I'm guilty of my conscience for the truth that hurts her. For a long time, I never had the courage to tell her our relationship that ended with hatred.

"I love you Ayah, not Danielle...she's ruining our lives...don't get involved with this matter not because I lied, but with my way of getting things that benefit us. I knew I'd wrong with you.....but please forgive me Ayah....this is me..."

I embraced her tightly and my heart was bleeding seeing her crying. I love this woman, I knew deep down my soul, "Ayah please....understand me...."

"Ever since I understood all of you Marco, but you kept your relationship with her...until here in Dubai....and where are the children?"

"I don't know....she's keeping away from me...."

"That's why you're after her all along to get the children?"

"Yes, that's the truth Ayah...can't keep them away...I love them too...."

"Take me home Marco..."

I took Ayah home and she distanced herself by staying inside her room. I called up Edward and his family to ask for forgiveness for the mess I had made. Edward understood my situation so he offered to talk to Ayah. I accepted his offer and he promised that they will come in the evening time. Lina and Mike too assured me to help with this matter.

I thanked them for their offer but deep inside of me, I cursed myself for whatever sin I had caused. The secret within my life started to show towards my loved ones. It's my own karma that really connected with my life because it's mine.

Edward and Vivian came to my flat and comforted me. Mike and Lina joined us, and we talked over while drinking liquors.

"Edward, sorry, it's your honeymoon tonight," I said to them felt sorry.

"We talked about it, and it's fine with Vivian; we're doing it every day..." Edward jokingly answered trying to change the subject.

"I'm happy for both of you...Edward, you found your love at last."

"Yes, Marco but in your situation right now, I understand you and Ayah as well. I suggest Lina and Vivian can do the talking..."

"Yes Marco," Vivian said.

"We'll try our best Marc," Lina said.

The two women left us and went directly to Ayah's room. We resumed our conversation hoping that it can relieve what I was going through.

"Marco it's better this way that you told her about it, and the earlier the better than keeping it for a long time." Mike said.

"You know Mike, I tried keeping it secret for her but I'm sure that she'll forgive me in the long run," I said.

"You see, Ayah reacted differently now as if she's falling apart."

"Yes Mike, I'm deeply worried about her."

We drank for the whole night that I passed out and when I woke up the next morning, I directly went to Ayah's room, and knocked, but nobody's answering.

"Mike...Mike...!" I called Mike Luna instantly.

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