Love’s Goodbye (Part 3)

By: Nanju Francisco

Rick was taunting her now. He was holding her tightly in the wrists now. “Why did you even bother to come here today if you won’t go with me to New York? Why?”

There was complete silence between them. It was as if time had frozen suddenly and everything was in slow motion around them. The airport was still full of people, going about their business but somehow it did not matter anymore. Everything was only between the two of them and that was it.

“Rick,” Jackie found her voice finally, “I came here today to say goodbye to you. I have not slept these past few days. I’ve been thinking of everything we talked about last night…and everything we planned together. Yes, I love you—loved you—but I realize now… that I love my husband more than I loved you. He means the world to me now and you are just a part of my past now. Forgive me. I can’t leave David and my two children. They are my whole life now. It’s all over between us. There is no ‘us’ now. Please try to understand—”

Rick was quiet all the while. He was trying to figure out what to say or how he would react to the whole situation. But then, everything became clear to him and suddenly he managed to accept the fact that Jackie now loves her husband more than him. Rick smiled and stepped back. He looked very apologetic and tried to smile at Jackie who now looked so sad and guilty for making him believe that she still loved him the way she used to.

“Please,” Jackie shook her head, tears were now running down her cheeks. “Please try to understand my situation Rick—”

Rick put a finger on her shaking lips. Then, he touched her face with both hands and wished that this was all a bad dream. This was the woman he truly loved and lost many years ago due to his stupidity and stubbornness. And now he was going to lose her for the second and probably the last time. But there was nothing he could do now to change everything. He must let her go…

“I understand you completely, Jackie,” Rick nodded tearfully. “You don’t have to explain or say anything anymore. I admire you for standing up for your family. David is very lucky to have you. I can’t find another woman like you. You are my first and my last love, Jacqueline. I guess this is love’s goodbye.”

“I still love you, Rick,” Jackie smiled ruefully, “but not the way I used to. David is number one in my heart now and will forever be the only one for me. Good luck with your trip. Take care of yourself, okay?”

Rick wiped the tears from his eyes and did not reply but pulled her close and planted a kiss on her forehead. After a while, he composed himself, picked up his bag, and walked away from Jackie without turning back to look at her for the last time.

The long way home was an agony for Jackie. She wasn’t sure if David would still accept her after everything that took place earlier. How would David react if she told him that she met her former lover at the airport and agreed with his proposal to take her to New York and start a new life with him? Could he ever forgive her? What about their two children? Jackie shook her head helplessly. But she was willing to accept the consequences of her actions and only time could tell if things would ever come back to normal for all of them.

Jackie opened the door to their room quietly and put down her bag on the chair. It was almost 7 o’clock in the morning now but her husband was still in bed. His eyes were closed but fluttering. He was breathing heavily and Jackie wasn’t sure if he was asleep or awake. Then, she covered her face with her hands and finally broke down.

(To be continued)