MARA'S POV
When I got out of the hospital, I immediately hailed a taxi and went straight home.
While I was on my way home, I called Yelle.
"Friend!" She said upon picking up the phone.
"Kindly send Manang Biding and baby Tanya home." I only said then I ended the call.
I had to calm down because I felt my blood rose because of that woman.
The nerve of that girl.
When I got home, Yelle and the gang arrived a few minutes later. My eyes widened when I saw Maru's parents and my parents following Yelle.
"Mom, Dad!" I called them.
"What was that, young lady?" My dad seriously said.
They were all looking at me and waiting for an answer.
"Stop calling me that Dad, I'm all grown up now. I even have a daughter." I said in a teasing tone.
"You still have time to joke about your situation now?" My dad hissed.
I felt Yelle squeeze my hand. I look in her direction, and I met her gaze. I could see the concern on her face. I also squeezed her hand and smiled at her.
"I'm sorry, Dad," I said softly.
"Care to explain what you did in the hospital?" Dad asked me in a serious tone.
I looked at him.
"You have heard what that woman had said," I answered him coldly.
"You believe her?" My dad said, a bit surprised.
I avoided my gaze from him. I did not answer him. I just kept staring at them without emotion.
"Mara, believe me, my son loves you so much. Don't believe in that girl!" Maru's mom said.
I remain quiet until her mom went to me.
"Mara, believe me, I know my son. He was the one who asked us to marry you. We did not force him to marry you." She explained.
"Even when he had a relationship with Jana, we asked him if he still wanted to continue the arranged marriage with you." Maru's dad added.
"He said, 'Of course, Dad! I will marry no other woman but Mara. And I can not let her marry anyone but me. Even if James comes back!'" Dad smiled as he remembered Maru's statement.
I felt tears forming in my eyes.
"So please, Mara, don't leave my son. He loves you so much. From then until now. My son loves you dearly." Maru's mom said and started crying.
"Princess, you have to believe mommy. Since we were still kids, I already knew that my brother likes you. Andrew used to ask things about you a lot." James said.
"He even asked me what did I do to be closed to you. He even accused me of slandering him to you. That's why you always ignore him." James said, laughing.
I also smiled at his revelation. I only knew that now.
"Princess, I am telling you the truth; my brother loves you very much," James said thoughtfully.
"Then why did he court Jana?" I asked them.
Everyone became silent. No one knew how to answer me.
"Trust me, guys, okay? Whatever my decision was, it was for me, Maru, and our daughter." I said to them.
"You are giving away Maru! How can you say that you are doing this for your family?!" James hissed.
I avoided his gaze.
"I'm sorry if you guys are disappointed with my decision. But I will not change my mind. If Maru wants to be with Jana, then I am setting him free." I said with finality.
I took my daughter from Manang Biding and went straight to my room.
After that conversation, I acted as if nothing had happened. I went back to work, and I became so busy because finally, I got the deal with HID. They allowed us to carry their equipment. It's a good thing that I could close the deal before I found out about Maru's accident.
I look at the photo of my husband. It's been a week, but Maru still hasn't woken up. I am so worried, I wanted to visit him, but Jana was always there.
I do not want to see or hear her voice. I might be sent to prison because I might kill her.
After a while, I got busy again with work when someone called my phone.
Yelle calling...
"Yes, Yelle?"
"It's about time, friend!" I dropped the call and prepared to leave the office.
Finally!
***
MARU'S POV
I feel so heavy. It seems like I was asleep for a long time.
My forehead furrowed.
What happened?
I tried to remember the last thing that happened. I was with Jana. She was crying. Then I saw a truck coming to us. I remove my seat belt try to drive the car and move it in the other direction. Then our car hit the tree.
My eyes opened, and I got up from bed. From the looks of it, I knew that I'm in the hospital. Suddenly the door opened and I saw Jana.
"Andrew! Finally, your awake!" She immediately went to me and caressed my face.
I avoided my face from her touch. She looks fine. Thank God.
"Where's my wife?" I asked her.
I was expecting that the first person that I will see was my wife. But where is she? I look at the door expecting my wife's presence. A few minutes later, I felt Jana hold my hand.
I looked her way. My eyes widen when I saw her crying.
"Jana, why are you crying?" I asked worriedly.
"I'm sorry, Maru! I'm sorry!" She sobbed.
I frowned. "For what?"
"If it's not because of me, we will not meet an accident." She said while sobbing.
I messed up her hair.
"It's okay, Jana. I understand. But where is my wife?" I was getting irritated because I haven't seen my wife.
I miss her so much. And also my baby Tanya.
"And how long have I been here?" I asked.
"One week." She answered.
My eyes widen. "Then where is my wife? If I have been here for a week, then I'm sure that my wife is already here in the Philippines?"
I saw her face start to get irritated.
"Will you please stop looking for your wife because she's already gone?!" She said, almost shouting.
I was shocked by the tone of her voice.
I glared at her.
"What do you mean by that?" I said seriously.
"Your wife is gone! She left you! Why do you think I'm here instead of her?! Because she already left you! She left with Alex! They cheated on us! They left us!" She said while she is crying so loud.
I shake my head. That's impossible! My wife will never do that!
"What are you saying?" I said, still in disbelief.
"When Mara found out that you had an accident, she felt guilty. Mara and Alex planned everything. From courting me to hurting me. They planned this because they knew that when you see me hurting, you will be there for me. That will be Mara's reason to leave you. She will accuse you of cheating and will ask for her freedom. Once you agreed to her, she will go with Alex."
I became more confused with what she had said.
"I can't understand you."
"Mara felt guilty. That's why she confessed to me everything about their plan. Because of their plan, you almost died! So to avoid making things more complicated, she just admitted everything, and she asked me to give this to you." She handed me a letter.
Dear Maru,
I'm sorry. I did my best to save our relationship. But I just can't. I don't love you. I don't want to deceive myself anymore. It's Alex that I love.
James may be my first love, but Alex will always be my last and true love. I lied when I said that I only see Alex as a friend. I don't want to disappoint our parents. I'm also thinking of our child. But I'm not happy with you, Maru.
Alex is willing to be a father to my child. I guess that's already enough. I don't want to hurt you anymore. I hope you will find someone who will love you and take care of you.
- Mara.
I crumpled that paper.
"Where did you get this?" I asked her coldly.
"F-from M-mara!" She said I could see fear in her eyes.
"Liar!" I shouted at her.
She startled. "M-maru..."
"Who made this letter? Tell me who?!!!" I shouted.
"It's Jana!"
My eyes widen when I saw my wife at the door.
"Wife!"
"Hi, there, husband." She said, then smirked.