FALLEN PROMISE

CHAPTER 7 “LUCAS”

Those days passed quickly for Victoria. That day was special for her because it marked the anniversary of her relationship with Nestor.

Just like before.

Nestor left early for a fishing expedition, while Victoria immersed herself in household chores, including shopping for the special dinner she planned for later.

"Hey, Victoria, you look beautiful today!"

As usual, Victoria quickly blushed at the compliment from her friend Sinang.

"Are you earlier than usual?" Dolor asked her, smiling sweetly, much like Sinang.

"Yeah. And also, we didn't see you here yesterday. Maybe Nestor didn't leave; that's why?" Sinang teased her, causing her face to turn even redder.

Victoria shook her head in succession and hesitantly opened her mouth to answer her friends' consecutive questions.

"No, he left yesterday. The truth is, I didn't come here because I accompanied Carmela to their place. She wasn't feeling well," she said, her voice carrying a hint of sadness that she couldn't hide.

Victoria couldn't help but notice the exchanged glances between Dolor and Sinang. A few moments of silence passed between the three of them before Dolor broke it.

"You know, Victoria, it's not that we want to meddle, but it seems like you're getting too close to that Carmela," she said, her tone implying that she didn't like the idea of Victoria being friends with Carmela.

"Why? What's the problem?" Her question wasn't meant to be offensive. However, she also didn't want anyone meddling in her choice of friends.

She saw no reason for them to dislike Carmela. She is beautiful, kind, generous, and, above all, not fond of asking questions. That was one of the many wonderful qualities of Carmela that she liked. Carmela wasn't keen on asking questions. Often, when they were together, she was the one steering the conversation. She was the one always telling stories, and whatever she said, Carmela always agreed with it.

For her, there was nothing wrong with that.

For her, it meant that Carmela respected the privacy of her complicated life. The life she shared with Nestor. And that was the most important thing of all.

In addition to that, there was another aspect that, in her perspective, she considered even more significant than the word "important" when describing it. And that was the fact that Carmela wasn't close to Nestor.

Carmela was beautiful. Incredibly beautiful.

In reality, since her friend arrived in Eldoria, they had their very own mestiza in their town. Carmela held the crown for that.

It was hard to believe, but despite their seemingly close friendship with Carmela, the truth was that she wasn't close to her sweetheart. It was something she didn't question anymore because, in truth, it worked in her favor.

"Nothing. It's just that you don't need to get too close to her. You don't really know her that well," Sinang explained.

Victoria quickly understood what Sinang meant by her statement. Just like before, she chose to understand it.

"Thank you for your concern. But Carmela is kind. I hope you give her a chance to prove that to you," she said, deciding to leave the two after their conversation.

After shopping, Victoria passed by her regular vendor selling fresh chicken eggs. She planned to cook an eggplant omelet for dinner, along with the chicken adobo she would prepare for their special dinner with Nestor.

"Oh, why are you here? Isn't it your due date today?" Victoria's concerned question to Lucia.

She was pregnant, and as she mentioned, it was already her due date. Lucia was around the same age as Victoria. The people in their town often talked about what happened to her. She got pregnant, and whoever it was left her. The elderly woman who sold eggs was often her companion during vending.

"Aling Simang just went home to get some merchandise," Lucia answered, offering an awkward smile.

"Aling" is a Filipino term used to address or refer to an older woman, particularly someone who might be perceived as an aunt, older sister, or a woman of authority in the community. It is often used as a title of respect or endearment for women in informal settings.

Lucia began to attend to Victoria, while Victoria remained observant.

"Are you okay?"

Victoria asked Lucia again. At that moment, Victoria noticed a complete change in Lucia's demeanor. Earlier, she could suppress the pain she knew Lucia was feeling, but now it had reached the point where Lucia couldn't endure it any longer.

"Ah!"

That loud scream caught the attention of other shoppers.

"Victoria, I'm going into labor!"

She shouted, desperately seeking help.

Panicking, Victoria quickly placed her groceries down. The people around them started gathering, some out of curiosity, while others were genuinely concerned and caring.

"Help! Someone, please help!" Victoria shouted.

A man approached and assisted Victoria. He laid Lucia down on the sandy shore while Victoria helped her deliver the baby.

"Keep pushing, just a little more," Victoria urged. "Please, Lucia, try harder. We won't make it to the hospital; I can see the baby's head coming out!"

Lucia let out a strong push, accompanied by her intense cries. She repeated it several times until she successfully delivered the baby.

Victoria smiled as she admired the handsome baby in her arms. After a while, she approached the baby's mother. Lucia looked exhausted, evident in her beautiful face.

"L-Lucas," Lucia whispered with a smile before kissing the baby's cheek. Following that, she lost consciousness.

Victoria quickly directed those around her to transport Lucia and the baby to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the baby's mother passed away due to significant blood loss during childbirth.

*****

"No one else will care for this baby, Victoria," said Aling Simang at Lucia's wake.

It was the final night of the wake. Lucia's burial would be the next day.

Since Lucas was born and his mother was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, Victoria has been looking after the baby. She couldn't deny, not even to herself, that she liked what was happening. She liked Lucas. She enjoyed the feeling of holding the baby in her arms.

"Victoria," Aling Simang called her again as she remained silent.

Victoria tightly hugged the peacefully sleeping baby in her arms. The truth was, that was what she truly wanted to happen. She wanted to adopt and claim the baby as her own. She wanted her and Nestor to have a child.

She couldn't conceive. That was the real reason why, despite being together with Nestor for a long time, she hadn't gotten pregnant. And through Lucas, there might be a chance for them to have a family.