It's raining outside and the air is cooler, a perfect backdrop for watching DTBY's much-awaited episode tonight. So, this chapter is not as hurtful as the two preceding chapters, sasabay tayo sa DTBY. In fact, it's a prelude for something poignant.
Things happen for a reason. This is an overused cliche but it's true nonetheless. Something unexpected may happen, and we wonder why it needs to happen, but in the end, we see how essential that event is to our life.
I'm sure some of you have experienced a tragedy in your life that paved the way for soething better for you. It could be a failed relationship, a job lost, the passing on of a loved one, all sad things that at first may seem unexplainably sad. But the things that happen afterwards will reveal why these sad events needed to happen.
Read on to see how the separation Dei and Richard underwent actually did some good. As always, I'd appreciate hearing your insights on this chapter. Keep dry and safe tonight :)
It was the worst Christmas season ever for both Dei and Richard. To call off the search and publicity on their relationship, Richard allowed himself to be interviewed for the news, saying that his bride -to-be was already found. He requested for privacy, not wanting to elaborate too much on the details, and to allow them both to get over the trauma of what happened.
He had the wedding gifts returned, but most of their friends refused to accept the gifts back, adamant that their wedding would push through soon. He let his parents deal with the other arrangements, unmindful of the expense. For him, it was just money, he could easily earn what he lost with just a few projects.
Both his parents seemed to side with Dei about postponing the wedding. They tried to talk some sense into him, claiming he was too harsh in going ballistic over her running to Andrew at her time of need.
"Try to understand, son. She had no one here to run to. She was closer to Andrew than she was to Janelle. Your mom and I do not believe she would jeopardize your relationship by doing something stupid with him. We've seen how she dotes on you, RJ. That alone should assure you of her faithfulness."
It was rare for his dad to interfere with his relationships, this was the first time he ever spoke up about any of the women he ever got involved with.
"Dad, I know that now, I'm sorry I lost my temper. Thinking back, I know she wouldn't do anything careless. But it bothers me that she's close to him. Why did she have to go to him?"
"Son, she was already close to him when you met her. Their history precedes you. Sooner or later you will have to accept that he is her close friend. Once you're already wed to each other is when things will start to change. I am sure she'll willingly adjust if she knows it bothers you."
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January 2014
Dei spent the holidays alone in her condo unit. It was a sad, pathetic Christmas for her, and belatedly she thought of all the what-could-have-beens, the honeymoon he promised, their transfer to the new house, their first yuletide holiday together. She imagined how wonderful it could have been, if it weren't for her cold feet.
Andrew came to see her after New Year, wanting to make sure she was ok. He was alarmed at what he saw. Dei lost so much weight, and was not eating well. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying everyday, and she looked like she badly needed a shower. She was in bed most of the time, she refused to fix herself or get out of her unit.
"Dei, have you tried calling him?"
"He won't pick up, Dru. I think he's not ever taking me back."
"What are your plans?"
"I don't know. I don't know if I even have a job still. I don't want to go back to work and face all the people's questions. I don't know if He would still be willing to work with me."
"Dei, I'm going to Vietnam to spend time with Frank. But I can't leave you like this."
"Go. Don't mind me."
"Don't mind you? Fuck, you have to snap out of this. How are you going back to him looking like this?"
"Do you think we'll ever get back? He practically washed his hands off me."
"I hate to say this but whose fault was that? You made a total mess out of the situation. Oh God, don't start crying on me again."
But that's exactly what she did. Andrew saw Dei slowly losing more and more of herself. Being alone most of the time was not doing her any good. He decided to take matters into his hands.
"Get up, Dei."
"I don't want to."
"Are you getting up or do I drag you to the bathroom and give you a shower myself? I swear I will take off all your clothes and give you a shower."
He started pulling her out the bed and pulled her shirt over her head.
"You stink! When was the last time you showered?"
"Stop it! Alright, alright, I'll shower."
"Good girl. Pack some clothes, maybe two weeks' worth."
"Why?"
"I'm taking you to Vietnam with me. We're leaving in two days."
"But what if Jay comes for me and I'm not here?"
"You can call him if you want."
"Bad idea. No."
"Look Dei. Even if he comes for you, looking like that won't really help. Are you ready to be with him again? Have you resolved all the conflicts within you?"
"I guess not."
"Then you're nowhere near reconciling with him."
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February 2014
Dei was pleasantly surprised that Vietnam provided the balm to her spirit that she badly needed. Ho Chi Minh offered her a change of scenery that was not too far removed from home. The food was good and healthy, the people were friendly. At night, she liked going around Ben Thanh Market, because it reminded her so much of the Philippines.
Andrew looked so happy with his new partner Frank. They were every inch the couple in love, and Dei had to admit she envied Andrew. With regret, she now realized how silly she was to let her fears get away with her. But those fears still existed within her, and she knew she must fix herself, away from him first before she could ever go back and claim him again.
For now, she liked it here. Both Andrew and Frank were earning as models, and even she was picked twice on a go-see to appear in a TV commercial. The three of them began discussing the possibility of settling in Vietnam indefinitely. On one of their shoots, Dei had the chance to chat with a client, which led to her first consultancy account for digital marketing. They were shooting a video for posting on Facebook, and Dei could not resist giving advice.
"Linh, thanks for including me in this shoot. Are you using this for a youtube post?"
"It's for our FB page actually. We shoot a new video every quarter to post our latest designs."
"Oh. How's the campaign so far?"
"We boost the video for reach actually, so far so good, we are able to hit our KPIs for reach."
"Yes, but do you measure the impressions too? That would give you an idea if your campaign is creating impact or not."
"Hmmm.....impressions mean views, likes and shares?"
"And comments too. Do you have someone handling your comments?"
"No, I answer the comments when I can."
"Tell your agency to assign someone to handle that."
"We don't have agency we just handle it in-house. Digital marketing is new here, not many practice. You know a lot about it, you like to handle our account?"
"Me? But I don't know if I am allowed to do that."
"I fix your papers to work here. You want? I need help with my brand, I want you to handle."
And so, Dei set up her consultancy for digital marketing in Ho Chi Minh, with Frank and Andrew as her co-owners. After barely a month of operations, they were able to get five more accounts, with Linh referring clients to them. Pretty soon, Linh left her job to join them and served as their Accounts Director. She helped them find other agencies to tie up with for services they could not handle on their own, or hire people to join their team.
All this helped Dei survive the pain of losing Richard. Her end goal was still to go back to him, by the time she was mentally and emotionally strong enough to face him. She knew she had a long way to go, she was aware it was a gamble, that he might meet someone and marry while she was away but it was a chance she was willing to take. Maybe the time apart would tell if they were really meant for each other.
And then one Saturday morning, as she was having coffee in her favorite coffee shop, she suddenly felt a strange awareness, the kind she felt only when she was with Richard. She looked around, her heart hammering, her breath catching in her throat.
He was here in Vietnam, and he was looking straight at her.