Love’s Goodbye (Part 2)

By:  Nanju Francisco

After all, he was the first man she loved in her life. And she wanted to marry him but it was not meant to be. She became David’s wife but her heart still belonged to Rick.

Then, she saw him. Rick. He waved at her and walked hastily in her direction. Jackie noticed the two tickets sticking out from the right pocket of his trench coat. She wasn’t sure what she felt the moment she saw them but then she managed to smile back at him and pretend that nothing was wrong.

Rick, in his mid-30s, looked totally handsome and confident in his long coat and tie, looking every inch the successful businessman he was. He bent and pecked her on the right cheek as if to show the whole world that she still belonged to him. He then put his arms around her and embraced her so tightly that she couldn’t breathe. Jackie blushed like a schoolgirl. Then, she pushed him away gently and touched his face, all the while staring into his eyes without saying a single word.

“What now?” Rick whispered sweetly to her. He tightened his embrace and didn’t want to let her go. “Love, are we just going to stay this way forever and forget about our trip? Well, if you’d ask me, I wouldn’t mind it at all…as long as you are with me…”

Jackie didn’t say a word. Her face looked apprehensive and haggard but determined.

“Come on, love,” Rick took her arm and guided her towards the direction of the luggage counter.

“We’re running out of time. I am sorry for being late but I couldn’t help it. It’s time to go.”

Jackie didn’t move.

Rick turned at her and looked surprised when she didn’t budge. He grabbed her arm this time and said, “Come on Jackie, we need to check in our luggage now.”

Jackie still didn’t move.

“Jackie! What are you doing?” Rick seemed irritated at her now. “I have no time to play games now. Come on, grab your bag, and let’s go, sweetheart!”

“I can’t!” came her unexpected reply. Time seemed to stop. Rick stared at Jackie blankly. He wasn’t sure if he had heard it right or not but Jackie seemed serious when she said those words.

For the first time, Rick noticed that there was something odd about Jackie today. Her eyes looked as if they had lost all their shine and glow and she looked tired and restless.

“I won’t go with you, Rick.”

“Jackie,” Rick thought she was just joking. “My love, if you are trying to make me laugh, this is not the right time. I am not laughing now—”

“I am not laughing either,” Jackie said firmly. “I said, I won’t go with you.”

“What?!” Rick wanted to know. He threw his arms in exasperation. “What are you talking about Jackie? We talked about this already. We agreed that you would come with me to New York and we would stay together—and that you would just get your children later…”

“I-I know, but, I didn’t mean it,” Jackie’s eyes started to swell with tears. “I’m very sorry Rick…”

“Why are you now talking this way?” Rick was holding her arms and squeezing them so tightly that they hurt. “You love me and I love you and that’s it. Forget about David. Yes, he is your husband but you belong to me and I belong to you. It’s always been this way between us—”

“Rick…”

“Jackie,” Rick’s face was so close to her that he could almost hear her breathe. “I am very sorry for hurting you and leaving you for Denise. But you must believe me that I did not love her the way I loved you. You are the only woman who matters to me. I will marry you anytime you want…”

“Rick—”

“Please give me another chance,” Rick felt his world crumbling before him. There was no excitement or life in Jackie now. Just last night, he was celebrating the fact that Jackie agreed to go with him to New York and start a new life with him and away from David.

But now, his world suddenly turned upside down and she had changed her mind as quickly as she said “yes” to him last night.

“Jackie…”

“I am so sorry Rick,” Jackie suddenly found her voice. She tried to push him away but he would not let go of her arms and he still clung to her tightly. “I can’t leave David—”

“Jackie…”

“Don’t you understand what I am trying to say?” Jackie’s voice rose in desperation. “I can’t do this!”

“Then why did you come here in the first place?”

(To be continued)