Chapter 82

I woke up feeling dizzy and exhausted. It seemed to be in the water and swept away by the waves to where. I can see birds flying freely up above. The blue sky is shining aesthetically today. And the clouds, it adds up grace today. A nice look at the sky. It looks like the flawless work of a reputable artist. Works
that even if tested by time, will return and return to its natural form.
But wait ... Why do I feel like I am floating? I rolled my eyes around. Such was the shock after we hit the look of the person we were not expected to see again. I get up and turn around. Next sought the bulk of Zion.
But I see nothing, other than the vast amount of water. We are in the middle of the sea. How the hell I got here?
"Zion?" first word became the opening of my mouth.
"You don't have a fever anymore?" he asked back.
"Fever?" wrinkled my forehead.
"The other day you were still burning with fever. You can't get out of bed."
"What are you talking about?" I chuckled a bit.
I found it funny for some reason. What is a fever? I am completely fine. I still remember what happened. Zi and I talked about how the pirates chased us and how we reached the hot spot.
"Where is Zion?"
Why did he let me be with others?
"You're still sick," he troubledly shaken, "You've only been looking for that Zion for a week. You've even mistaken me."
"I'm not in pain. What the-" I felt my temperature. Automatically stunned and violently inhaled after confirming what he said. I have a fever!
I was fine yesterday. Why is it like this?
"By the way, I'm Aryel. Manong Ri's son," he introduced suddenly, "Maybe you'll forget about it again. Did it simply stick to it.
"I know. Why would I forget you?" I hugged myself. Even wearing a jacket, the extreme cold still lingered on my body.
"You always make me forget about a week together on the island."
"We're not always together. Louie- I mean, Zion. My boyfriend."
"No Zion and even more so without Louie," he returned his judgmental look to me.
"Stop pretending now. I know you're just messing with my brain. You and Zion are planning this. What are you hiding?" I craned my neck.
"Stop looking for the person who isn't there. You're not funny anymore, you know that?"
"And stop pretending you don't know," I tried to stand up, dizzy. I walked towards him, "Where is he? Where did you take Zion ?!" I grabbed him by his collar.
I can't be quiet until he tells me nothing. Why is Zion gone? And how did I end up here? That I don"t even know. I can still clearly remember what happened the past few days. I know all of those were real. Including last night. I can still feel every kiss and hold he holds. And the feels of him inside me.
What are you doing again Zi?
"Stop fooling me. Tell me where he is."
"How can I say something I don't know?"
"How did I get here?"
"I already told you. Your fever is so high that I decided to take you to the city for treatment. You have been unconscious since yesterday."
"I am completely fine yesterday."
"You haven't been well since you came to this island."
"Are you telling me I am crazy?"
I stared at him. I am really getting crazy over this situation. He is forcing me to believe another story. What for? For what reason?
"You said that yourself, not me," he teased me. It moved to the other side of the boat.
"All right if what you're saying is true. How did I get sick? What did I do in the few days I stayed here?"
"You're just in the bedroom and lying down. And in every moment, you have no other name called but Zion."
"How did we meet?"
"Outside the hut. You peeked out the window. I thought you were a thief so I was bored with you. But when I found out that you and papa were going to meet, I also let you stay."
"Louie ... How is he?"
He looked up and swallowed the sense. He seems to be saying that I'm starting to look for people he doesn't even know.
"No Louie," he said after a long silence.
"What's wrong? You don't know your cousin?"
He raised an brow. This time, he walked over to me.
"Are you playing me girl?" calmly, but with emphasis in his questioning voice.
"Do I look like I'm playing?" I matched the intensity of his gaze.
"I'm tired of listening to the people you're looking for. How long will you be like that?"
"And how long will you deny the truth?"
He suddenly closed the gap between us. With him so close, I could breathe in his natural smile. His manly smell went through me. I slightly got distracted by it. But I also quickly put it aside.
I tried to take one step backward, but he swifty grabbed me by my waist.
"Do you know what I hate most of all?"
I did not answer.
"I'm being toyed with. Who are you looking for in me? Do I look like an investigator?"
"You look like a criminal," I irritably pushed him away. But in his strength, it just didn"t matter what I did either.
"In my handsome 'to-"
"I'm going to be nice if I'm a liar?"
I don't care if I'll get him piss with my response. That's what I want. To get him angry and spill everything he knew. I will only be quiet if I already know the truth. If this act continues, I don't know what will happen to me on the next days. I might lose my sanity.
"Geline ..." he said in a baritone voice.
"We're in the middle of the sea. If I hurt you here, no one can save you."
"Then do it," I confidently answered, "If living means having to believe your lies, it is better to die."
"Do you know why you're acting like this?" he lifted my chin up, "You know it's gone, but until now you're still hoping. Just fix yourself. Put your health before other people's," he said then gently pushed me.
"How can I do that if you're also the reason why I'm like this? I'm sure this is just one of your dramas. You're driving me crazy with the thought of what's true. And what can you get in return? What benefits can you get from me ?! " I growled at him.
I am so done with this stupidity. I am so tired being played ... Can they give me time to rest first? Can't I take a breath of fresh air even for seconds?
"Zi, if you're listening. If you think this is cool, consider thinking furthermore ... Zi!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I stared at the vast ocean and couldn't help but cry, "I don't know what you're up to Love. I don't know what you're planning to do. If that's the case, can you just stop?" " I sobbed.
I could feel Aryel's strong gaze. I hope he feels at least a little conscience. And just admit the truth to me.
"How long will we be like this? How long will I chase after you? I'm just a human being too ... I might get tired if it goes down. And when I get tired, it would be the end of the entire us," I sat down weakly. My chest tightens and I can almost catch my breath. But I can't stop crying. My tears were like a broken faucet that could not stop flowing.
I was just stunned by the absence after a long cry. Aryel never spoke again. Never once tried to break the silence between us. And I want this silence to stay until then. So I can reflect more and can gain back all the energy I lost.
My body and mind went numb at everything. I just need to stop breathing and finally relax. I lay down, then closed my eyes. I'll just put the pain in my body to sleep first. Be heart. Hopefully when I wake up I"m back to reality. I hope it's all just a dream ...
"Here!" I heard Aryel shout.
I slowly opened my eyes and got up. I am still in the boat. But it doesn't seem to be the water. But the white sand on the beach and the people busy with their own work.
"Where is she?" I heard a familiar voice said.
I quickly turned to the magnitude of it. Such was the joy of seeing his face.
"Spencer!" not on my own I got up and quickly got off the boat.
"Oh, God Gee ... You made me so worried," he scanned my body. Checking if there's a wound or bruises, "I was called last night using your phone. It said you're burning with fever," he next felt my temperature, "You're still hot Geline."
"Phone?" I wonder question. Just ignored the other things he said.
I lost my phone and-
None of myself turned to Aryel. He quietly unloaded my belongings from the boat. I scanned all of it one by one, then sighed heavily.
Only luggage and important documents I remember are left with me. I lost one of my baggage, including my phone, laptop, and wallet. How complete is all my equipment? How they got it back?
Wait-Did I really lose those? Or is everything that has happened in the past few days just a hallucination?
I closed my eyes and rubbed the side of my head.
"What the fuck is going on?" I said, almost a whisper.
"Now is the truth clear to you?" and Aryel.
"Wait, who are you?" Spencer grabbed its attention, "I was talking to an old man last night. Who are you? What did you do to Geline?" he pulled me close to him in a possessive manner.
"I'm the son of the old man you talked to."
"Are you sure? Gee ..." from Aryel, Spencer's gaze shifted to me.
"It's true what he said," I was just stunned as I replied. I have nothing else to think about but the things that are inferred.
How can something so real be fake?
I still remember what Zi and I did. His meaningful looks when Louie was still pretending, conversations and sometimes we answer at times he did not want to admit his true identity, even his hold and kiss. How can all that be just hallucinations? Why is this happening to me? What is really the truth, and what is the lie?
"Gee, are you listening?"
I was pulled back in reality.
"Huh?"
"I said let's go home."
I rolled my eyes around. Aryel is gone.
"And Aryel?"
"Left."
"You fired?"
"He's supposed to go somewhere. We are literally facing him, how come you didn't hear what he said?"
I answered nothing. How is that?
"You're still sick. I'll bring you to the nearest hospital-"
"Not anymore," I interrupted him, "I can still stand up. I don't have a fever anymore. Maybe I'll get better later."
"But Gee ..." he tilted his head. He stared at me sideways.
I see he is worried about my state. He didn"t want me to get in trouble. But I was reluctant to stay in the hospital. I kinda miss home. Especially Isla and the kids in the orphanage.
For now, I'll just think of them first. I would go crazy if I continued to reminisce about what is believed to have really happened on the island with Zi, and the fact that Aryel wanted me to believe.
I think I need to take a quick break. I had to reorganize myself.
"You've been quiet before," Spencer snatches my attention.
We are currently on a trip to her condo. I will go straight there to see Ayanna.
"Huh?" my gaze shifted to him.
The whole trip, if I couldn"t sleep, I would quietly watch out the window. I used to see only green rice fields and trees. Now buildings are floating. I am finally in the city. I am too far away from the chaotic island of origin. Maybe as I try to forget the whole place, will be the start of my new. I am back to my real life. I got myself out of my so called 'Hallucinations'.
I hope that doesn't happen again. I don't want to hope again for something that won't happen.
"Whatever you've been through on that island, just forget everything," Spencer held out my hand, "Here's the real Geline, here's your real life and the people who love you. Just think of us. Possible?" pleading look he bestows on me.
Is it really time? Is this the right time for me to try to open my heart to him? He have been so consistent with his intention on me. Even though I do not ask for his presence, even though every day he is not the flesh of my heart and mind, it is him and he enthusiastically accompanies me in the battle that does not know if there is an end. Certainly our fiercest enemy is ourselves. If we keep on battling with ourselves, it is so hard to succeed.
"I saw Zion ..." my voice cracked.
"You thought you saw Zion. You thought he's with you during your stay there," he corrected, "I was told as an old man the name you often mention and you mistaken Zi for his son," he squeezed my hand and brought it to his lips, "Your health is already affected by the desire to see and be with him again. Is he always really the flesh of your brain?"
I answered nothing. Even if I stay silent, he will still know my answer.
"How are we Geline? How am I?"
That's when I lost all the words I want to say on him.
How is that? In so much searching for the person who is not there, I have forgotten the people who are there for me.
Sorry, is all I can say for now.
"Mama Gee!"
I forced a smile. Isla seems to be looking forward to my arrival now. Its smile widened as it ran towards me. I bent on my knee and spread my arms wide.
"It's time for you to come back," he tied his small arms around my neck. Then he buried his face in my chest.
"How are you? Are you a good girl here?"
"Yes," he replied quickly.
It"s only been a week, but that"s the size of the change I see in him. Somehow it also stuffed. Whiten and become even more vibrant. Spencer took good care of her. I didn"t mistake him for leaving the child. He will be a good father to his child.
"Your mom has a fever, let's just let her rest first."
"She needs medicine?" question of the unfamiliar voice from the living room.
I quickly turned my attention to it. A woman, looking classy and sophisticated is standing just beside the sofa. She is wearing maroon ankle length dress. She was folding her arms and seriously staring back at me.
She looks like-
From her, my gaze went to Spencer.
"She's Milendsy Valle ... My mom."
Mom-what ?!
I let go of Ayanna and I's embrace, then stood up. Spencer supports me. I'm still dizzy. It's hard and maybe unstable.
"Good day," I bowed a little.
She looks more of a sister, than a mother. He was too young to look at his age. It just looks two or three years older to me. She's so beautiful! That's why Spencer is so handsome. Because his mother is already beating up on beauty.
"Good day to you too hija," it sparingly smiled.
"My I know you have a lot to tell him. Only then when he's well," Spencer interrupted what his mother would have said.
"I know ..." she pouted.
"It's okay. I'm not sleepy so I can-"
"No. You need rest Geline," he cut me off.
I was the one who was blown away.
"Let's go to my room."
"How about the guest room?" I asked confused.
Why in her room?
"That's for mommy and Ayanna."
"You mean we will be sharing one room ?!" I gasped heavily.
"Silly," he pinched my nose, "In the living room I will sleep.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded.
Her mother just quietly listened to our conversation. Isla went back to watching television.
"Let's go," Spencer effortlessly picked up my belongings. It preceded the walk. I was left not knowing what to say to ma'am Milendsy.
"I'll just rest first?" awkward kong ani.
"Sige hija. Rest well ..."
I let out a faint smile and immediately turned my back on her.
"You didn't tell me about your mom," I whispered to Spencer when we finally reached his room.
"Did you ask?"
"Is that necessary? You're hiding the truth even from your family, aren't you? How did your mommy find out?"
"We accidentally bumped into each other at the orphanage. I regularly visit Gresia there. And he happened to come to give the charity fund raised by the company."
"You couldn't deny your resemblance on her."
"Exactly," he scratched his neck, "And even if I don't speak, he'll recognize and recognize me."
"Are you coming back as Spencer really?" I craned my neck.
"You know I can't. It's not possible yet."
"What if more people know about you?" I was tired of sitting on the bed.
He just shrugged. She quietly entered the walk in closet. When he came out, he was carrying a comforter and a pillow.
"In case you won't be comfortable using my pillow and comforter. Here ..." he threw them on the bed.
"It is alright."
He approached. Stop right in front of me. He jokingly ruffled my hair, then sniffed.
"You're losing weight. Aren't you being fed there on the island?"
I, on the other hand, did not answer. I don't even know what really happened. I may have really gotten really sick there. And my own body can attest to it.
"Did you just leave? Your face is shaking," I joked at him.
"Your face is shaking," he mocked. And struggled as well.
I lightly slapped him in the stomach. Then laugh.
He really knew how to lighten my spirits. He may be brutal sometimes. But little did everyone know, he is more gentle.
"Sleep now Geline. I'll prepare porridge for you. So you'll gonna have something to eat when you wake up."
"Thank you."
He waited for me to lie down on the bed and closed his eyes before leaving the room.
What if he really lasts my life? What if it's just the beginning, he's the one I should have paid attention to? What if all this time, I've been searching for a wrong person? I am with the real person who will give color to the dark life. But because of intense longing. Because of this delusion, this is me and I'm still very confused.
I rolled over the bed and stared at the ceiling.
This should be the start of my new. From now on, I'll work hard loving the people around me. And not the person who's only living in my memory.
"Good morning mom!" Isla cheerfully greeted as I walked out of her papa's room.
Now, somehow I feel better. Yesterday I slept all day. Just get up every time Spencer wakes up to eat. He also called a doctor last night. I even said I was okay. He still made sure nothing serious is going on with me.
"Good morning Isla," I went straight to her. I hugged it tightly.
"Good morning Gee," Spencer's mommy greeted with a smile. She's still here.
"Good morning," I sparingly smiled back here.
I see he is kind. Contrary to the arrogant and artistic look. Even so, I couldn"t help but feel comfortable with it. I felt like she's too superior for me. I was intimidated by his whole personality.
"Are you feeling well?"
"Yes," I answered quickly. Next he looked around.
Without Spencer.
To be continued...