Loving Him

Chapter 21

"Farewell, sweetie. Just behave, alright?" Levi uttered, planting a tender kiss on her son's cheek.

"But, Mama. I want to come with you, please Mama," Lucas pleaded, attempting to be endearing.

"I apologize, sweetheart, but Mama is extremely busy and I cannot bring you along because children are not permitted there," she explained to her son, embracing him tightly.

Levi needed to attend her client's wedding reception. It was necessary for her to double-check if the bride's chosen flowers for her beach wedding were suitable. Both she and her husband, Mike, were occupied with work. Mike had numerous projects at Montenegro Industries Corp.

As much as she desired to have her son accompany her, it was simply not feasible. It would be better for him to stay under the care of his nanny for the time being. She swiftly entered her car and drove off in a rush.

Levi was in the midst of driving towards the reception venue when her cellphone suddenly rang. She glanced at her bag and attempted to reach for it. Struggling to grasp it, she used her left hand to steer the car.

Just as she was about to retrieve her bag, it accidentally slipped and fell onto the car seat. She leaned down once again to retrieve it.

After finally seizing hold of it, she promptly placed it on her lap. As she redirected her gaze back to the road, Levi let out a scream as a sizable Ten Wheeler Truck approached her. The car she was in collided with the truck.

Everything appeared to unfold in slow motion, the surroundings abruptly darkened, and an eerie silence enveloped the vicinity. The car she occupied detonated like a bomb, leaving nothing but ashes. The wheels scattered and were swiftly engulfed by a raging fire.

Meanwhile, Mike was engrossed in the paperwork on his desk. He stole a glance at the picture of him and his wife. He couldn't help but feel a longing for her, as if he were falling in love with her all over again every single day.

He could confidently declare that there was no other woman he would love besides his wife, the only woman he had ever married. She was not only the mother of his child but also the future mother of their children.

His attention was abruptly drawn away when there was a sudden knock on his door. "Come in," he commanded in an authoritative tone.

His secretary entered, her expression inscrutable. He peered at her with a furrowed brow, intrigued by her demeanor. Rising to his feet, he fixed his gaze on her intently.

"Where are the files I instructed you to edit? I need them immediately," he stated firmly.

"Sir, I'm sorry. I need to go home because my mother was taken to the hospital. Please have mercy, I can't fulfill that task right now," his secretary pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears.

Mike's heart went out to her. He let out a sigh of frustration. It seemed that just when he needed her, challenges arose. With a nod, he granted her 1-week leave and signed the necessary documents.

His secretary left with a sense of relief, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to him.

He returned to his swivel chair and instinctively rubbed his temples. Facing the papers laid out before him, he meticulously examined each one before affixing his signature.

As the CEO of Montenegro Industries, he bore the weight of all responsibilities, overseeing the overall success of the entity and making crucial top-level managerial decisions. Glancing at his wristwatch, he noted that it was already 4 PM.

With a swift motion, he stood up. However, when he opened the door, he was taken aback by the sight that greeted him—his father and siblings. His eyes searched for his mother, filled with questions. The appearance of his family members sent a wave of anxiety through him. Micah, his sister, clung to their father, tears streaming down their face.

The atmosphere around him seemed unnaturally quiet, devoid of any sound except for the sobs of his sister. Mike collected himself and turned to his father, seeking answers.

"Pa, where is Mama?" he asked directly, his mind offering a possible response, yet he chose to dismiss it. He was unwilling to accept it without hearing the truth from his own father's lips.

"Your mother..." his father began, his voice trailing off. He remained bowed, holding Micah tightly as they both wept.

"Kuya... Mama... she's in the hospital. She had a heart attack when we heard about what happened to-"

Mike didn't let his sibling finish and quickly supported them towards the garage to reach his car. He urgently inquired about the hospital and swiftly drove off. As they traveled towards the hospital, they encountered a crowd gathered in the middle of the road. Mike noticed a familiar car among them, but he disregarded it, thinking that the cars looked similar, both damaged and without wheels. He believed that one of the cars had collided with a large Ten Wheeler Truck, resulting in a crumpled side, making it unlikely for the driver to have survived. The car turned into ashes, leaving behind a skeletal frame. It would be challenging to identify the victim if an autopsy were conducted. He heard his sister's sobs intensify.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Mike immediately inquired at the front desk about his mother's room number. However, the nurse strictly informed him that only one person was allowed to enter the patient's room.

Mike's face drained of color upon learning the true extent of his mother's condition—she had suffered a cardiac arrest and was now in a coma.

He stood by her side, his tears flowing freely. He was currently dressed in a hospital gown. When he stepped out of the room, he immediately asked his father if he had contacted his wife. His father couldn't respond, his brow furrowing in concern. Just then, Lucas and their nanny, Girlie, who was Aling Marta's daughter, arrived.

"Papa!" Lucas called out to his father and hurriedly ran towards him. The young girl, Girlie, followed closely behind. As Lucas approached, Mike kissed him and lifted him up. Lucas, who is already 6 years old, showered him with kisses in return. Mike expressed his gratitude and felt a sense of relief as the weight on his chest lightened.

"Where is Ate Levi, Girlie?" he inquired curiously, addressing the nanny.

"Ate Levi said she was going to the wedding reception venue of her client at the flower shop," Girlie promptly replied.

Mike reached into his pocket, retrieved his cellphone, and dialed his wife's number. He couldn't help but utter a silent curse when he couldn't reach her. He decided to try calling Fely instead, and fortunately, her phone rang, and she answered promptly.

"Hello, sir," she greeted him on the other end.

"Is Ma'am Levi still there? She's been missing for a while," he asked.

"We've been waiting for her for quite some time now, sir. She still hasn't arrived," came the concerned response from the other line. Mike felt a pang of anxiety grip him.

"Papa, where's Mama? I miss her, Papa!" his son exclaimed. The child glanced at his grandfather and Tita Micah. Furrowing his brow, he noticed their sadness.

"Papa, is something wrong? Why are Lolo and Tita Micah crying?"

Lucas asked his father, who sadly turned to face him and explained what had happened to his grandmother. The child's once lively face suddenly turned somber.

"Can I see Lola, Papa? I want to see her," Lucas sadly requested. Mike explained that it wasn't possible yet as his grandmother was still in the process of recovery.

Lucas understood. Micah approached him, taking Lucas from his arms and holding him tightly. Micah signaled for Girlie to take care of the child for the moment.

"Can we talk, kuya?" Micah asked, releasing a deep sigh. Though taken aback by his sister's demeanor, Mike nodded in agreement. He followed Micah as they walked outside the hospital.

"What is it, Micah?" he asked, unable to comprehend the sudden surge of anxiety and fear coursing through him. He struggled to catch his breath, overwhelmed by his sister's unusual behavior.

"I know that this is incredibly difficult for you to accept, and that's why Mama was here in the hospital. Kuya, I can't bear it, but you deserve to know what happened to Ate Levi..." Micah said, turning away from his brother and breaking down in tears.

Mike furrowed his brow and forcefully turned Micah to face him.

"Tell me, Micah. What happened to her?!" he demanded, a sense of foreboding engulfing him like never before in his life.

"Kuya... Ate Levi was in an accident. The one earlier, the car that was almost completely destroyed, the one that collided with a large truck... Ate Levi was inside that car. Kuya, Ate Levi is no longer with us. The authorities are currently investigating the incident. The car she was in... it exploded..." Micah sobbed uncontrollably.

It felt like the weight of the world had crashed down on Mike in those moments. He stood there, stunned, clenching his fists tightly, and then forcefully punching the wall, causing his knuckles to nearly bleed from the repeated blows.

But the pain he felt inside was far greater than any physical sensation. His heart bled, surprising Micah.

Embracing his tearful brother, Micah offered comfort. Mike sank down, feeling as vulnerable as a child. Micah quickly retrieved tissues from his bag and gently wiped away the blood from Mike's battered hands.

The meaning of his life seemed to fade away without the woman he loved. How would he explain to his son what had happened to his mother?

Lucas was still so young, and now he was left motherless. The image of the car earlier flashed through Mike's mind, and tears streamed down his face once again.

He had witnessed the state of his wife's car as they passed by it. He closed his eyes and let out a string of expletives. Why did these things happen? First his mother, and now the woman he cherished, Levi.

He had questioned God before, wondering what he had done to deserve this. He had loved his wife and son, and he had tried to live a righteous life. Yet, why did God take his wife while allowing so many criminals to roam free? Why couldn't it have been them instead?

Micah held onto his brother tightly, hoping that his embrace would alleviate some of the burden.

Mike needed to find strength within himself. His family needed him now, and if they were all consumed by sadness, where would they find the courage if he, too, succumbed to weakness? Just as their mother had taught them, everything happens for the good of those who love God. God is the one in control, knowing all things. It was time to place their trust in Him.

"Kuya, we have God by our side, and we will get through this. Maybe not right now, but we need to remain strong. Kuya, find strength for Lucas. He needs you, and always remember that God is there to listen to the cries of our hearts," Micah said to his brother.

"But where is God? Why does He seem so unfair? Why my wife?" Mike exclaimed, seeking answers from Micah.

"I understand the pain, because it's not just you who is hurting. I, Mama, and Papa are also grieving. I lost a sister in the form of Ate Levi. But never blame God. It's a grave mistake to place blame on Him for everything. God knows the future of every person. He wouldn't burden you with a trial that you cannot bear you are capable, Kuya. Just look at your son. Lucas needs you now more than ever. He is too young to be without a mother. He needs your undivided attention and love," Micah responded with conviction.

"Damn it!" Mike cursed in frustration.

"Don't let Lucas see you like this. Stand tall and face the challenges that God has given you. You are not alone in facing difficulties and shedding tears. It is a part of life for a person to experience sorrow, joy, sadness, and melancholy," Micah bravely replied to his brother.

He wasn't sure where he found the strength, but he knew that he needed to be strong for his family. His only prayer to God was for guidance.