Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

“Are you cooking something?”

“I’m making grilled ribs. Would you like some?”

“Of course, I would.” Flavia followed her mother to the kitchen. The woman was now busy with the griddle and the marinated ribs.

“How was your vacation?” Her mother asked without turning around.

“Tiring,” Flavia replied briefly.

“Tired from sightseeing or…”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Let’s not talk about it.”

Flavia returned with steamed vegetables, pouring them onto a plate. “I know, you’re still newlyweds, must be in the honeymoon phase,” teased Claire, which made Flavia frown in annoyance.

The large grilled ribs were served with chili sauce and vegetables. They ate accompanied by conversation about Flavia’s vacation.

After the meal, Flavia invited her mother back to the sofa. She had to discuss her decision and find someone who would support it.

Flavia began by recounting the agreement she had made with her mother-in-law. Who was none other than Claire’s biological mother.

“Oh God. Is my mother really that heartless?” Claire was shocked after hearing Flavia’s entire story. Her eyes welled up with tears, looking at Flavia with a mix of shame, disappointment, and sadness. “I don’t know what to say. Apologizing feels useless.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I also understand what Grandma wants. She’s not wrong. She just wants me and Flavia to be happy. And like Grandma, I also want to be happy with Uncle.” Flavia replied confidently. There were no tears. She couldn’t afford to be sad right now.

“So? Have you made a decision?”

Flavia nodded. She explained the choice she had made and her plans for the future. “Only you and Abigail know my decision. Abigail agrees with my choice, and I hope you do too. Even though it will indeed hurt Uncle more.”

Claire reached for Flavia’s hand, squeezing it gently. “It’s not just Gladwin who will suffer, but you too, dear. Five years of your time wasted, and now another test has come. I know this isn’t an easy choice, but I agree with your decision. I’ll support you,” she said reassuringly.

Flavia looked at her stepmother. Oh God, there were no words to express how lucky she was, how happy she was to have a mother like Claire. There were no tales of wicked stepmothers in Flavia’s life. Because her stepmother was truly an angel-hearted woman, a vision of grace.

Tears welled up in Flavia’s eyes. Not because she was sad about the decision she had made, but because she was happy to have Abigail as a friend and cousin, and Claire as her mother.

“I’m sorry, Ma. I’ve been nothing but a burden all this time,” she whispered. Claire shook her head, enveloping Flavia in her embrace.

“No, dear. You’ve never been a burden at all. I feel happy and grateful to have you,” Claire said, releasing her hug. “After getting a handsome husband, even though he’s aging, I also got a bonus of a beautiful daughter like you, who is as kind as you are. I’m the luckier one for having you both,” Claire replied with her smile. Flavia smiled and hugged her mother again.

Later that evening, Flavia told Gladwin that she would spend the night at her parents’ house. Something she had never done since they got married. Gladwin said he would join her after finishing work.

That evening, Flavia spent time playing with Ignazio and Francisca. And coincidentally, the twins Falisha and Geremia were also there. The house became even livelier in the evening with the arrival of Abigail, Adaline, and Altezza.

Finally, that night they had an impromptu barbecue party in the backyard. The youngest duo, Meizar and Rayyan, enlivened the atmosphere with their typical toddler chatter. “I always remember Gian, who used to complain when we entrusted Falisha and Geremia to him,” Altezza said with a wistful look, watching the two toddlers who were learning to stand and walk.

“What’s wrong with Uncle Gian?” Ignazio asked, curious.

“Your uncle always gets annoyed because Falisha and Geremia always make a mess of the house. Not to mention Geremia who always cries, and Falisha who always teases Geremia,” Flavia explained.

“Dad, I’m not teasing!” Falisha protested to her father with her cute pouty face. The ten-year-old girl looked even more beautiful. Her adult teeth had grown, displaying her rabbit-like teeth that added to her beauty.

“Yeah, yeah. You’re not teasing. You’re Papa’s prettiest, kindest, and most diligent daughter, aren’t you?” her father teased, making Falisha pout even more.

The commotion between Falisha and Altezza was a common sight in their family. Falisha always indulged her father and mother, considering she was the only daughter in her uncle’s family. The twins were born from a contract marriage between their parents. Flavia never thought her uncle and aunt’s past was not as beautiful as the scene she saw now.

She looked at her parents. Her parents’ marriage wasn’t easy either. They also faced challenges before everything became beautiful. And this made Flavia even more convinced of her choice.

So when Adaline, Altezza, and the twins went home, Flavia canceled her plan to stay overnight and invited Gladwin to return to their apartment. Meanwhile, Abigail chose to stay at Antony’s house because she felt too tired to move and drive home.

No one suspected her reason. In fact, Abigail didn’t feel tired at all. She just wanted to give Flavia time alone with Gladwin. To spend the remaining time Flavia could give to her husband before the decision was implemented.

Flavia was already at the apartment. While Gladwin was showering, Flavia prepared a change of clothes for her husband. And Flavia herself had changed into her pajamas by the time Gladwin came out of the bathroom.

As usual, they slept while embracing each other. Flavia rested her head on her husband’s chest while her right hand gently stroked Gladwin’s chest. It wasn’t meant to tease, just a habit of touching each other. Meanwhile, Gladwin stroked Flavia’s back and played with her long hair, which was usually spread out when sleeping.

“Darling.”

“Hmm…”

Flavia lifted her head, gazing at her husband’s face, his eyes half-closed with drowsiness. “I looooove you so much, Doctor Gladwin Hampton. The husband of Flavia Quirino.” Gladwin smiled without opening his eyes, but his embrace tightened around Flavia’s shoulders.