Chapter 124 - Regret Always Comes Late

Ajie watched her as she picked one photo after another. He couldn't help wondering why it took her so long to stare at just one photo at a time. As she picked up the last piece, big drops of tears suddenly raced down her face. In the next moment, she was already sobbing aloud.

Ajie hugged her right away to comfort her. She gave her that exact favor a while ago and it was only fair to give it back. Her wailing took so long and in every second of witnessing her through the pain, he realized just how deep was the wound against the loss of her child. No wonder why she fell into a major depressive disorder. He, himself, couldn't almost bear the pain of losing Allie, how much more in losing her own child, whose same blood ran in her own veins?

"I'm sorry, Jie. I prayed hard for so long for God to grant me a child, only to loose him when my world became so lively and colorful with their presence. These photos reminds me of him."

"How did you gather back your strength to move on?" asked Ajie who was wondering why she chose to detach from the world for so long to the extent of being forgotten by her social world.

Mrs. Lopez smiled and brushed his hair above his foreheard, her eyes were as tender as a mother who rejoiced in touching her son.

"Because I suddenly realized that while their is life, their is hope. I, then, began believing that in God's perfect way and time, He will lead me back to him."

Ajie's mind drifted quickly to his situation with Allie and began hoping as well that someday, their lives would somehow be bound again. Yet, he knew that as their was Jane in his life, their was also Hayri in hers. But if only Allie was willing to break free from him, he would also be more than ready to break free from Jane. Thinking about the stakes being too high, he could only shake his head and forever bear the guilt.

While lost in his thought, Mrs. Lopez stood up and waved her hand to excuse herself. She pointed to the direction of her bedroom and Ajie just nodded, hurrying to get back to his halted reverie.

"Son, come over. Let's eat together," she said right after she got back, the excitement in her tone reflected in her eyes.

Ajie didn't want to disappoint her and so he agreed without a second thought. The aroma of the warm and delicious food dispersed into the whole dining room and he realized it had been long since he felt a pang of hunger. Their discussion continued over the table but Mrs. Lopez never mentioned about his status with Jane, making him guiltier. Just as he was about to bring out the topic first, Mrs. Lopez's phone sounded. To his surprise, she turned on the loud speaker and that simple display of trust moved him.

"Madamme, I'm sorry I can't return tomorrow as I promised, " came the frightened voice on the other line.

Mrs. Lopez was too elated at the moment and that petty failure did not disappoint her. "It's alright."

"Really, madamme?" the voice on the other line floated in an unbelieving tone.

"Yes."

"Thank you, madamme. It's because of my son who is currently admitted.Actually, I was about to ask for your help. We are looking for a blood donor of my son's blood type."

Mrs. Lopez looked up and Ajie unintentionally met her eyes right away. He knew even without asking that she wanted to ask if he was willing to donate.

"I'd like to try madamme. What is the blood type?" he said, without asking who the caller was.

In less than an hour, Ajie was already lying on a hospital bed. A big needle was inserted into his vein and soon his blood was filling into a bag. He was compatible to be a blood donor of the caller's son.

____

A deafening round of applause and joyful shouts filled the atmosphere as Allyza, the world's largest and the most luxurious ship glided into the water. It swayed and tilted on its both sides before it steadied itself in the water, holding everyone's breath as its weight and shape molded into its new home.

Ajie, the designer and maker of the world's most graceful creation, closed his eyes at the last second before the vessel touched the water.

The momentary silence of the spectators followed by their loud gasp, heightened his own apprehensions, blending with their unspoken fear that the height and size of the vessel might not be able to keep its balance in the water.

Though his team's calculations had zero percentage on the possibility of error, he still couldn't help himself from having doubts that the vessel could float perfectly in the water. He only opened his eyes when he heard another round of applause and triumphant laughters.

At his side was Jane, her grip on his upper arm tightened as she tugged him in her joy in finally seeing the full glory of the vessel on the wide expanse of the sea. He did not realize that a camera was focused on them and the whole world was watching through a live stream. Throwing a quick and a stolen glance at his arm with her hand in it, he fidgetted. He looked up and through his peripheral vision, he scanned all the guest around. He knew that Allie would be coming over together with the Dioko's, their word of honor and pretense to the world was more important than the uncomfortable situation they would all be in. It didn't take him much effort, he saw her right away in one corner of the spectator's lane. She was so beautiful in her short, cream dress; her full expression was concealed by her big and dark glasses. Hayri's arm was over her shoulders and the sight threw a sharp thrust into his already bleeding heart.

He took a slow breath in and exhaled as slow as possible to shove away the threatening tears forming at the back of his eyes. Why does regret always come late?