Post by Lanie on Jun 6, 2005 18:48:54 GMT -5
Chapter 4
He follows the man with his car. Fifteen minutes later, he arrives at his destination. He walks into his house and Michael follows him. The man turns around, and he looks pretty surprised to see Michael following him here. He signals to Michael asking him what does he want. Then, a woman in her sixties comes out. Michael figures that it’s his wife.
Michael: Sorry to bother you, but I have a few questions to ask.
Older lady: Who are you looking for and what do you want from my husband?
Michael: I happened to see your husband taking care of this place on top of the mountain this morning, and I just would like to know why he is taking care of it.
Older lady: He is hired to take care of it. I am really sorry I can’t disclose to you any information other than that.
Michael: How long has he been doing this for?
Older lady: Oh, probably about 20 or so years now. He’s been doing this kind of work for over 30 years already.
Michael: Wow, he’s been taking care of that place for that long?
Older lady: This is a pretty hidden place, not a lot of people know about this. May I ask how you know about it and how is this concerning you?
Michael: You see, this place was and still is very special to me. Long time ago, I discovered this place and came there very often. I took care of it and planted the lilies there. I also shared this place with a person that I cared for the most. Unfortunately, I have not been there for past 20 years.
Older lady: Oh I see.
Michael: Can you please tell me who hires you husband to do this? It would mean a lot to me because I am very grateful to whoever it is that keeps this place perfect the way it was. I just want to thank this person either in person or through phone call.
Older lady: I am really sorry, I made a deal, more like a promise to this person. My words are law. I can’t break them.
Michael is getting very nervous and anxious by the moment, not knowing how to get more information from this lady. He is surprised that there is a person out there who actually cares for his special with Barbara, and has been maintaining for the past 20 years. Who can this person be and where does this person live? Michael is thinking to himself with all of these questions. He is not leaving her house until he gets more information.
Michael begging the lady with a trembling voice: Please mam, can you at least let me know where this person live and if it’s a female or male?
Older lady: Wow you are really persistent aren’t you?
Michael: Please, I won’t go until you answer me these questions. I understand you cannot tell me the name, but I don’t think it’s breaking a promise if you tell me those 2 things right?
Seeing Michael with such persistence, the older lady feels touched, yields in a little bit.
Older lady: Ok, but you promise that you will not bother my husband after I tell you. Let him do his job.
Michael: Yes, I promise.
Older lady: She doesn’t live here in HK.
Michael, thinking in his mind: Oh my God, it’s a woman. Who is she? How does she know this place?
Michael to the lady: Mam, have you ever met her?
Older lady: Yes, a few times during the past 15 years. The times that I met her was usually at that place.
Michael: How does she look? Is she tall or short? What is her nationality? How is she like?
Older lady: You’re asking too much here mister. I really don’t feel that great telling you these information. If she ever finds out that I am talking to someone about her, she will be very upset.
Michael: But please, they are so important to me. I have no harm intentions. Please trust me.
The lady can tell that Michael is a decent, trustworthy guy. Somehow she feels sorry for him and she can see the questions and the pain in his eyes. She is softened by his pleading.
Older lady: Alright, she’s very petite. I can’t tell you how she really looks like because she had a scarf covering the lower half of her face the times that I saw her. I could only see her eyes.
Michael with his heart beating fast: Please tell me her eyes. Are they big and bright?
Older lady: How do you know?
Michael can’t believe what he’s finding out. Is this a dream or reality? She’s still alive? She’s not dead? How is this possible? Is this a clue to a beginning to what was supposed to be an ending 20 years ago? How could that be? He is very confused, but extremely excited and shaken to find out more. Whatever it is, it’s more than he ever expected in his lifetime. It’s got to be her! But how can it be? What about her funeral? Wasn’t it her in the coffin? What is going on here? I have to calm down myself here, telling himself.
Michael, taking a deep breath, and continues to ask: The person that I love the most has the most beautiful eyes.
Older lady: Are you trying to tell me that this is her? She’s Chinese and speaks Cantonese. I don’t know where she was from, but I do know what country she lives in now.
Michael excitedly asks: England? Is her name Barbara Yung? Is it Mei Ling?
Older lady: No mister. It’s South Africa, and those are not her name. And of course I can’t tell you her name.
Michael: South Africa? Does she say why she wants to have this place maintained?
Older lady: She says that this place is the most wonderful place to her in her heart. She has such sadness in her eyes when she looks around the place. She wants this place to remain like how she envisions it and visits it once every couple of years.
Michael: Once every couple of years? So she’s alive! And she’s been here in HK too!
Michael immediately kneels down on his knees in front of the lady and starts to beg her. His tears begin to shed as he is telling her the love story between him and Barbara from beginning.
Twenty minutes later, the two are sobbing with tears. The lady is so touched by Michael’s love and devotion for Barbara that she can’t help but to cry together with him. She walks into her room and comes out few minutes later with a piece of paper. She has written down the address for Michael.
Old lady: I know what I am doing is against her wish, but I can’t stand seeing 2 wonderful people who love each other so dearly are being separated by the cruelties in this world.
Michael, holding the lady’s hands: Thank you so much. I am very grateful that you give me my life back. I never thought that I can have this chance again or even a dash of hope. The worst part is that I never had any closure. But now, I will.
Old lady: I wish you all the best son. Please find out the truth so that you can have some closure in your life.
Michael runs to his car and drives home. He has called the airline to order a ticket to South Africa.
Chapter 5
His prayers are answered. He will have that chance of strolling down the fields with Barbara? Can this be possible? He has been singing this these phrases everyday and now they can become a reality instead of being just lyrics in a song.
He quickly packs up his clothes and writes a short note for Jaime. Jaime? Suddenly he remembers that he is married to Jaime with 2 kids. Well, he has to follow his heart and find out the truth. He will explain to them later. He quickly leaves the house and asks Tim to drop him off at the airport.
Michael is nervous and excited during the entire flight. He cannot sleep, drink, or eat. His mind has just one thing: Barbara is alive. He still loves her and even more after so many years. Jaime could not take away his pain, his love and devotion for Barbara. It is the one and only kind of love.
The plane finally lands. He rushes quickly out of the airport. He calls for a taxi as fast as he could. He gives the taxi driver the address and asks him to take him there.
The small town is about 15 minutes outside of Cape Town. The road is windy and leads up the top of the mountain. Michael can see the stunning view of the aqua green water of the ocean as the car makes it way up. The taxi driver drops Michael at the address. Where Michael is at, there is paranomic view of the ocean. He can’t believe how beautiful this place its. Michael looks over his right, there is a charming little cottage with a garden in the front with white picket fences.
Taxi driver: There it is Mister.
Michael: Thank you.
The taxi driver wishes Michael wishes him luck and takes off.
The garden has only one type of flower, purple lilies. In the middle of the garden is a big tree that gives plenty of shades of the little purple lilies. There is a wooden bench right next to the trunk of the tree looking out. The bench is very much like the one that they sat on and shared so many moments together. Next to the bench on the ground is a pair of frogs. Oh my god, it has to be Barbara, as Michael thinks to himself. Michael is getting very nervous inside knowing that Barbara is still alive and just within his reach.
Michael rings the bell at the fence. He rings again. After 3 minutes later, he realizes that she is not at home. He opens the gate and walks into the garden. He decides to sit on the bench to wait for her. He is listening to the chirpings of the birds and enjoying the scenery of the place and the garden. Butterflies are flying over the lilies. Michael thinks to himself that this is the place where he could definitely spend the rest of his life. He rests against the tree underneath the shade and closes his eyes to reminisce on their wonderful memories together.
Three hours later, Michael is woken up by the sound of a car pulling up to the house. He immediately gets up and stands behind the tree. The car door is slammed, and he can hear the footsteps getting closer. His heart is beating like crazy. The lady walks to the porch and takes out her keys to open her door. He can see her back with long, beautiful, silky black hair with a petite figure. Although he hasn’t seen her face yet, but he knows it has to be her. Michael is so nervous he drops his bag. The lady is startled by the sound and turns around with her astonishing big eyes.
Yes, it’s those big shining eyes. She is as beautiful as ever. She still looks as young as the last time he saw her. She does not change at all, but only more stunning and captivating. Michael runs over and holds her tightly and starts to cry.
Michael: Mei Ling, I can’t believe it’s you. You’re alive, you’re not dead.
Barbara, trying to push Michael out: I am sorry I don’t know you.
Michael: Please Mei Ling, I know it’s you. Why are you doing this? How can you not know me?
Barbara, pushing Michael away: Please don’t call me Mei Ling. It’s not my name, and please don’t touch me.
Michael: I don’t know the reason why you’re still alive, but all it matters to me now is that you’re here for real in front of me and I am not going to let you go.
Barbara: Who do you think you are to me when I am not Mei Ling.
Michael: You can’t lie to me Mei Ling, look at this garden. Look at the purple lilies, the bench, and the frogs. You’re lying to me and they can’t. I know who’s been taking care of our favorite spot for the past 15 years. It’s you, so you can’t lie to me.
Barbara, shocks to hear this, starts shedding tears and covers her face with her hands and runs inside the house. She tries to close the door right behind her. Michael quickly pushes in with his body. They both are struggling with the door as she refuses to let him in. She finally loses her strength and Michael is able to push himself in.
Barbara, with tears running down her cheeks: Please leave. I don’t want you here.
Michael, grabbing her shoulders: No, I am not. I want to find out the truth. Even if the truth hurts me, but it’s worth it because you’re here alive and that’s all it matters to me. It can’t be hurtful as much to what I had experienced for the past 20 years.
Michael, still holding on to her shoulders: Please Barbara, tell me the truth. Tell me the story. I am not going to leave anywhere until I know everything.
Barbara, walking into her small but cozy living room, towards the sofa: Please have a seat.
Michael sits down.
Barbara: What would you like to drink? Tea or coffee?
Michael: Tea is fine.
Barbara walks into her kitchen to prepare tea for Michael. As Barbara is in the kitchen, Michael takes the opportunity to look around her living room. Right in front of the sofa on the wall is a big framed picture of Barbara and Michael together dressed in their CLH costumes holding each other. It is the same picture that was on thousands of magazines 20 years ago that sent shockwaves thoughout HK. Michael is very surprised to see this but very happy inside because he knows that Barbara still loves him.
As he looks around the living room, he starts to see more pictures of both of them and of him alone. And there are more framed pictures of him in recent times. More so, there is one of him in the outfit from The Academy. Michael gets more emotional by the minute as he starts to see how he fits in her present life. There is a big album on the coffee table. He opens it up. Page after page are pictures and articles about him since the 80’s up to the present. They include his wedding pictures, he and his first baby and Jaime, he and his family, Michael’s poses for the optical business, articles of Michael’s successes with his business, Michael returning to show business, Michael’s interviews, so on and so on. Every single article about Michael is in that album.
Michael is astonished as he flips through the pages. He cannot believe what he is seeing. He now knows that Barbara loves him all of this time, but she chooses to be away from him for a reason. He starts to feel so bad and guilty inside that Barbara has been loving him all this him but only sees him through articles and pictures. And yet she has to see him getting married to someone else. He quickly closes it and put it back on the coffee table before she comes out.
Chapter 6
Barbara walks out from the kitchen, and she knows that he has been looking around. She hands him the tea and speak softly, “My name now is Carol.” Barbara sits down next to Michael. He wants to put his arm over her shoulder, but she moves a little bit further away from him. He tells himself to control his emotion so that he wouldn’t scare her or unintentionally push her away.
Barbara continues: I am a high school teacher at a school in this town, and I teach drama. You may wonder why I am not dead and who it was in the coffin, but be patient as I will tell you the rest of my story since I last accepted your proposal on top of the mountain.
That day was the happiest day in my life. I couldn’t believe that I will be spending the rest of my life with you. I loved you more than anything. At last, I was going to have a fairytale ending. Several days after, my life was forever changed. One incident after the other took my life for the worst turn.
*Flashback*
Knocks knocks. Barbara opens the door. To Barbara’s surprise, it’s Jaime.
Barbara: Hi Jaime. Please come in.
Jaime in tears, walks into Barbara’s apartment: Barbara, I need to talk to you.
Barbara: Calm down. Have a seat.
Jaime, sobbing with tears, kneels down in front Barbara: Barbara, I can’t live without Michael. I need him. Please don’t take him away from me.
Barbara: But you told him that you’re ok with us together and that you both are friends.
Jaime: I lied. I can’t be his friend. Do you know how much I love him? We were so happy together before you showed up. Why do couldn’t you be happy with Kent so that I can still be with Michael? Michael is the only important person to me and you want to take him away from me?
Barbara tries to pull Jaime up but Jaime is resistant.
Barbara: Jaime, please don’t do this. You cannot force love if it’s not there. If you’re not in his life, then he will love me. I know this for sure. No one loves him as much as I do.
Barbara: I am sorry, Michael and I love each other and we will get married. I don’t want to give up the love of my life. I hope you understand this too.
Jaime: If you don’t have Michael, you still will have so many pursuers. You have so many guys who are willing to do anything to be with you. You can choose whomever you want.
Barbara: But I don’t love them.
Jaime: Please think this over. You don’t have to give me an answer right now. You know that I love Michael and that I would do anything for him. I will give him a happy family because I am willing to give up my career to be with him. Can you Barbara? Can you give up your career?
Barbara: I don’t want to answer your question because Michael will still love me no matter what I choose to do.
Jaime: Barbara, my family can help Michael. We can help him to be a successful business man and he will never have to suffer in his life.
Barbara: Please leave, I don’t want to hear this anymore.
Jaime gets up: Please think over Barbara.
*Ends Flashback*
Michael is very shocked to hear this about Jaime. He thought that Jaime was really happy for him and Barbara to be together.
Barbara: That was just the beginning. Do you remember that we went to see a fortune teller?
Michael: Yes, and she said that you wouldn’t live past the age of 34. I refused to believe that until you actually left.
Barbara: After we left her place, she called me and asked me to come back myself. There were certain things that she didn’t feel comfortable talking in front of you. So I came back there that night by myself.
*Flashback*
Oracle: Please take a seat. I am about to tell you something that’s very troublesome but I just want to tell you by yourself.
Barbara: Yes, I know I am not going to live past 34. Is this it or is there more? What can be worse than this?
Oracle with a concerning look on her face: It’s not you who’s not going to live past 34. It’s your fiancée Michael.
Barbara: What? How can this be?
Oracle: I didn’t want him to be worried and that’s why I put it on you and explain it to you now.
Barbara: Oh my god, I rather let it be me if it’s true. Please tell me if this is true.
Oracle: This is what I see. According to both of your profiles, he will die before 34 if you both are to be with each other.
Barbara, begins sobbing: I don’t want to see this happen to him.
Oracle: You can take your chance if you want, but this is what I see in the future if you two decide to be together. You don’t have to take my words. Maybe your fate will change as time goes on, but nothing is a guarantee.
Barbara: I understand. I rather be safe than to be sorry. I am willing to do anything so that Michael will have a good long life. I don’t want to take any chance when it comes to death. I rather be away from him forever than to see him die so early.
*Ends Flashback*
He follows the man with his car. Fifteen minutes later, he arrives at his destination. He walks into his house and Michael follows him. The man turns around, and he looks pretty surprised to see Michael following him here. He signals to Michael asking him what does he want. Then, a woman in her sixties comes out. Michael figures that it’s his wife.
Michael: Sorry to bother you, but I have a few questions to ask.
Older lady: Who are you looking for and what do you want from my husband?
Michael: I happened to see your husband taking care of this place on top of the mountain this morning, and I just would like to know why he is taking care of it.
Older lady: He is hired to take care of it. I am really sorry I can’t disclose to you any information other than that.
Michael: How long has he been doing this for?
Older lady: Oh, probably about 20 or so years now. He’s been doing this kind of work for over 30 years already.
Michael: Wow, he’s been taking care of that place for that long?
Older lady: This is a pretty hidden place, not a lot of people know about this. May I ask how you know about it and how is this concerning you?
Michael: You see, this place was and still is very special to me. Long time ago, I discovered this place and came there very often. I took care of it and planted the lilies there. I also shared this place with a person that I cared for the most. Unfortunately, I have not been there for past 20 years.
Older lady: Oh I see.
Michael: Can you please tell me who hires you husband to do this? It would mean a lot to me because I am very grateful to whoever it is that keeps this place perfect the way it was. I just want to thank this person either in person or through phone call.
Older lady: I am really sorry, I made a deal, more like a promise to this person. My words are law. I can’t break them.
Michael is getting very nervous and anxious by the moment, not knowing how to get more information from this lady. He is surprised that there is a person out there who actually cares for his special with Barbara, and has been maintaining for the past 20 years. Who can this person be and where does this person live? Michael is thinking to himself with all of these questions. He is not leaving her house until he gets more information.
Michael begging the lady with a trembling voice: Please mam, can you at least let me know where this person live and if it’s a female or male?
Older lady: Wow you are really persistent aren’t you?
Michael: Please, I won’t go until you answer me these questions. I understand you cannot tell me the name, but I don’t think it’s breaking a promise if you tell me those 2 things right?
Seeing Michael with such persistence, the older lady feels touched, yields in a little bit.
Older lady: Ok, but you promise that you will not bother my husband after I tell you. Let him do his job.
Michael: Yes, I promise.
Older lady: She doesn’t live here in HK.
Michael, thinking in his mind: Oh my God, it’s a woman. Who is she? How does she know this place?
Michael to the lady: Mam, have you ever met her?
Older lady: Yes, a few times during the past 15 years. The times that I met her was usually at that place.
Michael: How does she look? Is she tall or short? What is her nationality? How is she like?
Older lady: You’re asking too much here mister. I really don’t feel that great telling you these information. If she ever finds out that I am talking to someone about her, she will be very upset.
Michael: But please, they are so important to me. I have no harm intentions. Please trust me.
The lady can tell that Michael is a decent, trustworthy guy. Somehow she feels sorry for him and she can see the questions and the pain in his eyes. She is softened by his pleading.
Older lady: Alright, she’s very petite. I can’t tell you how she really looks like because she had a scarf covering the lower half of her face the times that I saw her. I could only see her eyes.
Michael with his heart beating fast: Please tell me her eyes. Are they big and bright?
Older lady: How do you know?
Michael can’t believe what he’s finding out. Is this a dream or reality? She’s still alive? She’s not dead? How is this possible? Is this a clue to a beginning to what was supposed to be an ending 20 years ago? How could that be? He is very confused, but extremely excited and shaken to find out more. Whatever it is, it’s more than he ever expected in his lifetime. It’s got to be her! But how can it be? What about her funeral? Wasn’t it her in the coffin? What is going on here? I have to calm down myself here, telling himself.
Michael, taking a deep breath, and continues to ask: The person that I love the most has the most beautiful eyes.
Older lady: Are you trying to tell me that this is her? She’s Chinese and speaks Cantonese. I don’t know where she was from, but I do know what country she lives in now.
Michael excitedly asks: England? Is her name Barbara Yung? Is it Mei Ling?
Older lady: No mister. It’s South Africa, and those are not her name. And of course I can’t tell you her name.
Michael: South Africa? Does she say why she wants to have this place maintained?
Older lady: She says that this place is the most wonderful place to her in her heart. She has such sadness in her eyes when she looks around the place. She wants this place to remain like how she envisions it and visits it once every couple of years.
Michael: Once every couple of years? So she’s alive! And she’s been here in HK too!
Michael immediately kneels down on his knees in front of the lady and starts to beg her. His tears begin to shed as he is telling her the love story between him and Barbara from beginning.
Twenty minutes later, the two are sobbing with tears. The lady is so touched by Michael’s love and devotion for Barbara that she can’t help but to cry together with him. She walks into her room and comes out few minutes later with a piece of paper. She has written down the address for Michael.
Old lady: I know what I am doing is against her wish, but I can’t stand seeing 2 wonderful people who love each other so dearly are being separated by the cruelties in this world.
Michael, holding the lady’s hands: Thank you so much. I am very grateful that you give me my life back. I never thought that I can have this chance again or even a dash of hope. The worst part is that I never had any closure. But now, I will.
Old lady: I wish you all the best son. Please find out the truth so that you can have some closure in your life.
Michael runs to his car and drives home. He has called the airline to order a ticket to South Africa.
Chapter 5
His prayers are answered. He will have that chance of strolling down the fields with Barbara? Can this be possible? He has been singing this these phrases everyday and now they can become a reality instead of being just lyrics in a song.
He quickly packs up his clothes and writes a short note for Jaime. Jaime? Suddenly he remembers that he is married to Jaime with 2 kids. Well, he has to follow his heart and find out the truth. He will explain to them later. He quickly leaves the house and asks Tim to drop him off at the airport.
Michael is nervous and excited during the entire flight. He cannot sleep, drink, or eat. His mind has just one thing: Barbara is alive. He still loves her and even more after so many years. Jaime could not take away his pain, his love and devotion for Barbara. It is the one and only kind of love.
The plane finally lands. He rushes quickly out of the airport. He calls for a taxi as fast as he could. He gives the taxi driver the address and asks him to take him there.
The small town is about 15 minutes outside of Cape Town. The road is windy and leads up the top of the mountain. Michael can see the stunning view of the aqua green water of the ocean as the car makes it way up. The taxi driver drops Michael at the address. Where Michael is at, there is paranomic view of the ocean. He can’t believe how beautiful this place its. Michael looks over his right, there is a charming little cottage with a garden in the front with white picket fences.
Taxi driver: There it is Mister.
Michael: Thank you.
The taxi driver wishes Michael wishes him luck and takes off.
The garden has only one type of flower, purple lilies. In the middle of the garden is a big tree that gives plenty of shades of the little purple lilies. There is a wooden bench right next to the trunk of the tree looking out. The bench is very much like the one that they sat on and shared so many moments together. Next to the bench on the ground is a pair of frogs. Oh my god, it has to be Barbara, as Michael thinks to himself. Michael is getting very nervous inside knowing that Barbara is still alive and just within his reach.
Michael rings the bell at the fence. He rings again. After 3 minutes later, he realizes that she is not at home. He opens the gate and walks into the garden. He decides to sit on the bench to wait for her. He is listening to the chirpings of the birds and enjoying the scenery of the place and the garden. Butterflies are flying over the lilies. Michael thinks to himself that this is the place where he could definitely spend the rest of his life. He rests against the tree underneath the shade and closes his eyes to reminisce on their wonderful memories together.
Three hours later, Michael is woken up by the sound of a car pulling up to the house. He immediately gets up and stands behind the tree. The car door is slammed, and he can hear the footsteps getting closer. His heart is beating like crazy. The lady walks to the porch and takes out her keys to open her door. He can see her back with long, beautiful, silky black hair with a petite figure. Although he hasn’t seen her face yet, but he knows it has to be her. Michael is so nervous he drops his bag. The lady is startled by the sound and turns around with her astonishing big eyes.
Yes, it’s those big shining eyes. She is as beautiful as ever. She still looks as young as the last time he saw her. She does not change at all, but only more stunning and captivating. Michael runs over and holds her tightly and starts to cry.
Michael: Mei Ling, I can’t believe it’s you. You’re alive, you’re not dead.
Barbara, trying to push Michael out: I am sorry I don’t know you.
Michael: Please Mei Ling, I know it’s you. Why are you doing this? How can you not know me?
Barbara, pushing Michael away: Please don’t call me Mei Ling. It’s not my name, and please don’t touch me.
Michael: I don’t know the reason why you’re still alive, but all it matters to me now is that you’re here for real in front of me and I am not going to let you go.
Barbara: Who do you think you are to me when I am not Mei Ling.
Michael: You can’t lie to me Mei Ling, look at this garden. Look at the purple lilies, the bench, and the frogs. You’re lying to me and they can’t. I know who’s been taking care of our favorite spot for the past 15 years. It’s you, so you can’t lie to me.
Barbara, shocks to hear this, starts shedding tears and covers her face with her hands and runs inside the house. She tries to close the door right behind her. Michael quickly pushes in with his body. They both are struggling with the door as she refuses to let him in. She finally loses her strength and Michael is able to push himself in.
Barbara, with tears running down her cheeks: Please leave. I don’t want you here.
Michael, grabbing her shoulders: No, I am not. I want to find out the truth. Even if the truth hurts me, but it’s worth it because you’re here alive and that’s all it matters to me. It can’t be hurtful as much to what I had experienced for the past 20 years.
Michael, still holding on to her shoulders: Please Barbara, tell me the truth. Tell me the story. I am not going to leave anywhere until I know everything.
Barbara, walking into her small but cozy living room, towards the sofa: Please have a seat.
Michael sits down.
Barbara: What would you like to drink? Tea or coffee?
Michael: Tea is fine.
Barbara walks into her kitchen to prepare tea for Michael. As Barbara is in the kitchen, Michael takes the opportunity to look around her living room. Right in front of the sofa on the wall is a big framed picture of Barbara and Michael together dressed in their CLH costumes holding each other. It is the same picture that was on thousands of magazines 20 years ago that sent shockwaves thoughout HK. Michael is very surprised to see this but very happy inside because he knows that Barbara still loves him.
As he looks around the living room, he starts to see more pictures of both of them and of him alone. And there are more framed pictures of him in recent times. More so, there is one of him in the outfit from The Academy. Michael gets more emotional by the minute as he starts to see how he fits in her present life. There is a big album on the coffee table. He opens it up. Page after page are pictures and articles about him since the 80’s up to the present. They include his wedding pictures, he and his first baby and Jaime, he and his family, Michael’s poses for the optical business, articles of Michael’s successes with his business, Michael returning to show business, Michael’s interviews, so on and so on. Every single article about Michael is in that album.
Michael is astonished as he flips through the pages. He cannot believe what he is seeing. He now knows that Barbara loves him all of this time, but she chooses to be away from him for a reason. He starts to feel so bad and guilty inside that Barbara has been loving him all this him but only sees him through articles and pictures. And yet she has to see him getting married to someone else. He quickly closes it and put it back on the coffee table before she comes out.
Chapter 6
Barbara walks out from the kitchen, and she knows that he has been looking around. She hands him the tea and speak softly, “My name now is Carol.” Barbara sits down next to Michael. He wants to put his arm over her shoulder, but she moves a little bit further away from him. He tells himself to control his emotion so that he wouldn’t scare her or unintentionally push her away.
Barbara continues: I am a high school teacher at a school in this town, and I teach drama. You may wonder why I am not dead and who it was in the coffin, but be patient as I will tell you the rest of my story since I last accepted your proposal on top of the mountain.
That day was the happiest day in my life. I couldn’t believe that I will be spending the rest of my life with you. I loved you more than anything. At last, I was going to have a fairytale ending. Several days after, my life was forever changed. One incident after the other took my life for the worst turn.
*Flashback*
Knocks knocks. Barbara opens the door. To Barbara’s surprise, it’s Jaime.
Barbara: Hi Jaime. Please come in.
Jaime in tears, walks into Barbara’s apartment: Barbara, I need to talk to you.
Barbara: Calm down. Have a seat.
Jaime, sobbing with tears, kneels down in front Barbara: Barbara, I can’t live without Michael. I need him. Please don’t take him away from me.
Barbara: But you told him that you’re ok with us together and that you both are friends.
Jaime: I lied. I can’t be his friend. Do you know how much I love him? We were so happy together before you showed up. Why do couldn’t you be happy with Kent so that I can still be with Michael? Michael is the only important person to me and you want to take him away from me?
Barbara tries to pull Jaime up but Jaime is resistant.
Barbara: Jaime, please don’t do this. You cannot force love if it’s not there. If you’re not in his life, then he will love me. I know this for sure. No one loves him as much as I do.
Barbara: I am sorry, Michael and I love each other and we will get married. I don’t want to give up the love of my life. I hope you understand this too.
Jaime: If you don’t have Michael, you still will have so many pursuers. You have so many guys who are willing to do anything to be with you. You can choose whomever you want.
Barbara: But I don’t love them.
Jaime: Please think this over. You don’t have to give me an answer right now. You know that I love Michael and that I would do anything for him. I will give him a happy family because I am willing to give up my career to be with him. Can you Barbara? Can you give up your career?
Barbara: I don’t want to answer your question because Michael will still love me no matter what I choose to do.
Jaime: Barbara, my family can help Michael. We can help him to be a successful business man and he will never have to suffer in his life.
Barbara: Please leave, I don’t want to hear this anymore.
Jaime gets up: Please think over Barbara.
*Ends Flashback*
Michael is very shocked to hear this about Jaime. He thought that Jaime was really happy for him and Barbara to be together.
Barbara: That was just the beginning. Do you remember that we went to see a fortune teller?
Michael: Yes, and she said that you wouldn’t live past the age of 34. I refused to believe that until you actually left.
Barbara: After we left her place, she called me and asked me to come back myself. There were certain things that she didn’t feel comfortable talking in front of you. So I came back there that night by myself.
*Flashback*
Oracle: Please take a seat. I am about to tell you something that’s very troublesome but I just want to tell you by yourself.
Barbara: Yes, I know I am not going to live past 34. Is this it or is there more? What can be worse than this?
Oracle with a concerning look on her face: It’s not you who’s not going to live past 34. It’s your fiancée Michael.
Barbara: What? How can this be?
Oracle: I didn’t want him to be worried and that’s why I put it on you and explain it to you now.
Barbara: Oh my god, I rather let it be me if it’s true. Please tell me if this is true.
Oracle: This is what I see. According to both of your profiles, he will die before 34 if you both are to be with each other.
Barbara, begins sobbing: I don’t want to see this happen to him.
Oracle: You can take your chance if you want, but this is what I see in the future if you two decide to be together. You don’t have to take my words. Maybe your fate will change as time goes on, but nothing is a guarantee.
Barbara: I understand. I rather be safe than to be sorry. I am willing to do anything so that Michael will have a good long life. I don’t want to take any chance when it comes to death. I rather be away from him forever than to see him die so early.
*Ends Flashback*