"I'll use the toilet."
After waiting for a minute, I slowly opened my eyes. I got up from the sofa and approached Ivan, assisting him as he got out of bed and guiding him to the toilet.I waited for him outside because it seemed like he was still uncomfortable with my presence."Are you finished?" I asked from outside."Yeah," he replied, prompting me to open the door.Once he was back in bed, I returned to the sofa, lying down. As I glanced in his direction, our eyes met once more. He was gazing at me."How did we end up getting married?" he inquired. He seemed quite puzzled, as he had been asking this question repeatedly since waking up.I believed it was better for him to hear the truth from me rather than from Maureen. During their relationship, I had witnessed her rude behavior and often overheard her questioning why I would live with Ivan's family, wondering if I had no other relatives. She mentioned that she was uncomfortable with my presence and didn't trust me.Well, the feeling is mutual because I don't trust her either. She seemed like a mean girl pretending to be an angel. But Ivan loves her, so he couldn't see that."You came home that night drunk. Instead of leaving you to sleep on the cold floor, I took you to your room.""Did you take advantage of my drunkenness?" he asked with judgment in his tone.I took a deep breath. "I don't know if I took advantage of the situation. All I know is that you were the one who kissed me first... When we woke up the next morning, your parents immediately instructed us to marry."Ivan let out a heavy sigh. I was expecting hurtful things he might say, but he remained silent and closed his eyes.I thought he had fallen asleep because he stayed that way for a few minutes, but then he opened his eyes again."I love Maureen. I know it's unfair to you, but that's just how I feel.""I know."I smiled with a tinge of sadness and thought to myself, Don't worry, because, after a month, when your body fully recovers, I will leave so that you can freely love each other.The next morning, Ivan remained silent. Even during breakfast, he barely spoke, and his responses to his parents were concise and could be counted on my hands. It appeared as if he had a heavy burden or problem on his mind.After giving Ivan his medicine, I bid farewell to my mother-in-law, saying, "I'm leaving now, Mom."Turning to Ivan, I asked, "Ivan, I'm leaving. Is there a specific food you'd like to eat this afternoon? I'll cook something for you.""I want Maureen's kare-kare," he replied, casting a somber atmosphere over the room.Ivan's father gently reprimanded him, mumbling, "Ivan."I couldn't help but express a bitter smile. As tears welled up in my eyes, I turned away, choosing to remain silent. I walked straight to the waiting car, my emotions weighing heavily on my heart.Tears streamed down my face, and I paid no attention to the thoughts of the driver taking me home. The pain was just too much to bear. There was a time when my husband was distant, making me feel like I had no place in his life. Now, he's clearly showing that Maureen still holds a higher place in his heart, even though I'm his wife.As I prepared my breakfast and took a sip of my coffee, my mother-in-law arrived."Dear, I'm sorry." I hugged her tightly, releasing all the pain I was holding inside through my tears. I confided all my grievances in her."I don't believe my dream of being loved by my husband will ever come true.""Don't give up just yet. Don't lose heart, dear. No other woman deserves my son except you."I knew she was saying this just to lift my spirits.She's Ivan's mother, but she has no control over her son's feelings and couldn't compel him to love me. Ivan would simply blame us for ruining his life and argue that one year of suffering with me was more than enough."I will still be Ivan's wife, but only for one more month. Once he recovers, I will leave him willingly."My mother-in-law sobbed. She said a lot to bolster my resolve and urged me not to give up on her son, but I had already made my decision, and it was final.After hearing Maureen's and Ivan's conversation last night, I realized that my dream of being loved by Ivan is now a distant prospect, replacing Maureen in his heart. That won't happen anymore. So, I'm letting go of the hope I've clung to since we got married.My mother-in-law promptly returned to the hospital. I took a quick shower before lying down on the bed.I messaged my boss to inform him about extending my vacation. However, I omitted the part about the possibility of not returning, as I intend to leave after a month. If Ivan's recovery had progressed more quickly, I might have left sooner.I set my phone aside and tried to get some rest, even if it was just for a few hours. Just as I felt sleep beginning to envelop me, a call came in."How's your husband, who is still pining for his ex?" my friend asked in a teasing manner, causing me to roll my eyes."There he goes. He's got amnesia, but he still holds a torch for his ex," I replied.Rachelle laughed, earning yet another eye roll from me."Your life is quite a rollercoaster, girl.""I'm aware, no need to remind me," I replied with a sigh."Did I interrupt you? I hope not. I just wanted to tell you that my fiancé bought an island.""Wow! You're truly living the high life."She laughed again. "Not exactly. I thought of letting you know if you ever needed a place to go and find work. I understand that your marriage might not last long.""Thanks, Rachelle.""Alright, I'll be waiting for your call. And please, as long as you still have some love left for yourself, consider leaving your husband."I carefully trimmed Ivan's fingernails on his hands and feet. I'm pleased that even though he's not entirely comfortable with me, he allowed me to do it. He remained quiet, only occasionally stealing glances in my direction. "There we go, all finished," I said with a smile. It's his third day in the hospital, and he may be discharged tomorrow. He gazed at me unwaveringly, prompting me to divert my eyes. "Um, are you hungry?" I inquired. He responded by shaking his head. "Do you want me to peel some fruit for you?" I asked, and he nodded slowly as if speech was a challenge for him. I peeled an apple and an orange, placing them in a bowl on the bedside table for him. As I went back to the sofa to organize some mess, he called for my attention. "Aren't you going to feed me?" he asked, furrowing his brow. "Your hands are improving, aren't they?" I replied. "It still hurts!" he complained. I wasn't certain if he was being truthful, but despite that, I approached him. To
Despite what transpired last night, I continued to care for Ivan. I provided him with a meal and assisted him with dressing. The doctor has given the green signal for him to go home, so we're just waiting for his bills to be settled. I was seated on the sofa, Ivan occupied the edge of the bed while his sibling stood near the door, seemingly trying to gauge our emotions. I couldn't help but notice the tension in Ivan, yet I refrained from making eye contact with him throughout. "Let's go," my mother-in-law declared, clutching the receipt and a few prescriptions for Ivan's take-home medications. A nurse with a wheelchair awaited behind her. "You should head home and rest there." I remained silent, anticipating Ivan's complaint, but all he offered in response was a deep sigh. With help, he was settled into the wheelchair and went out the door ahead, propelled by his sibling. My mother-in-law gave me an assuring smile. She embraced me and guided me outside while I remained silent. I
"Is it delicious?" I inquired of Ivan, even though it was evident from his reaction that he was enjoying the meal I had prepared. He responded with a smile and a nod, taking another bite and grinning once more. His eagerness to eat was unmistakable, bringing a sweet smile to my lips."Why aren't you eating?" he asked."You go ahead and eat first because I'm not hungry yet," I replied. It was only six in the afternoon, and he needed to take his medication, so I helped him with his meal."Are you on a diet?" This man had many questions."Not particularly," I responded."You're quite slender.""What do you mean, slender? I'm sexy, you know," I retorted with a pout, suppressing a sigh. I was tempted to mention Maureen's slim figure, but I decided against it as I didn't want to bring up his mistress's name.He pouted. "Am I not sexy?" I raised an eyebrow. He simply smiled. Ah, whatever! "One last thing," I told him. The 'baby bull' had completed the meal I had cooked and prepared for h
While waiting for Ivan to finish his shower, I prepared his clothes for him. I also freshened up the bed sheets and pillowcases. They weren't soiled, but Ivan is very particular about his belongings, even before his amnesia sets in. He insists on having his towels and bedding laundered daily, and he's even more particular about these matters than the average woman. I was the one changing them, but the laundrywoman took care of washing them. As the bathroom door swung open, I couldn't help but steal a quick glance in his direction. However, the sight of him clad only in a towel prompted me to discreetly avert my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't make use of the bathrobe hanging in the bathroom.I discreetly cleared my throat, feeling a dryness in my throat, and then slowly approached him, keeping my gaze fixed firmly on the floor. I guided him towards the couch, where I had thoughtfully laid out his clothes. While he should have been capable of dressing himself, his dis
I refrained from returning to our room for the time being. Instead, I spent some time in the garden and came back once I was certain that Ivan was asleep. With each passing day, the burden I carry grows heavier and heavier. Honestly, I'm causing harm to myself with my actions. Rachelle was right; I truly became a self-sacrificing individual in matters of love. However, all of this is temporary. Soon, I'll be leaving this house. I'll be leaving Ivan. And eventually, everything will become a part of the past, memories to look back on and laugh about. For now, Ivan needs me, so I'll stay to take care of him. I'm still his wife until I leave, and he said he's going to file for an annulment. My gaze ascended, fixing upon the star-studded heavens above, where the moon shone resplendently, its silvery roundness casting a luminous glow."How are you up there in heaven, Mom and Dad?" I reminisced about the time when my grandfather departed from this world during my tender years. My mothe
I woke up later than usual, finding that Ivan had already left our bed. It had been nearly dawn when I drifted off to sleep, and I hadn't noticed him getting up.After a refreshing shower, I left our room with a smile gracing my lips, but it quickly faded upon seeing the scene before me. Maureen was here! She and Ivan were sitting together on the couch. It was already past nine, so my in-laws had left, and Ivan's siblings had also gone to work. I watched the two of them for a moment; Ivan was smiling, and Maureen was talking non-stop. Whenever they laughed, Maureen would hug him, and Ivan would put his arm around her. Once again, I was seized by a sudden, profound ache in my chest. I had hoped to become emotionally numb, yet it appeared impossible. The pain was still very real. Uncertainty gripped me, unsure whether to make my way to the kitchen and feign ignorance or retreat to the room and wait for Maureen to leave. Why does this woman persist in constricting my world? It's not
Seeing Maureen, I walked directly, without glancing back, leaving the house in annoyance since I was supposed to have breakfast in the garden. Upon spotting a taxi, I quickly hailed it, clutching my phone containing my ATM card, and directed the taxi driver to make a brief detour to the nearest ATM for cash. I headed to the church, fervently praying and wrestling with the tears I had bottled up. Eventually, I let my emotions flow, relieved that only a handful of people were entering the church, sparing me the discomfort of shedding tears before the Lord. By noon, I resolved to leave the church, lighting a candle on the side to pray for my parents before my departure.Afterward, I made my way to the mall, where I enjoyed a meal and watched a movie. As the clock approached five in the afternoon, I decided to head back home, assuming that Maureen had likely left the house.On the way back, I pondered whether I should stay or break the commitment I had made to remain for a month,
I remained in the living room while the doctor examined Ivan. Inside, his parents were with him, while his siblings stood by the door. It had been twenty minutes since the doctor entered the room, and I hoped Ivan's condition would improve. Perhaps he was shocked, which caused his headache. I stood up as the doctor emerged with my in-laws. "Take him to the hospital for a thorough check-up tomorrow," the doctor advised Ivan's parents. Dr. Cheng nodded at me before leaving the house. "Mom, how is Ivan?" I inquired. My mother-in-law smiled. "He's doing better now and is looking for you. Go inside your room." "H-Hasn't his memory returned yet?" Mom shook her head. "He just had a headache. I told him not to pressure himself to remember. Myla..." She held my hands and said, "I know you're going through a tough time, but..." Her eyes pleaded as she looked at me. "Can you stay a little while longer? Please, dear, just until he recovers as you promised before." I looked away and could