42 A Thing of the Past

After doing a thorough cleaning, Jia prepared all the stuff needed for breakfast. She then went to Jim's room to check if she had missed out on something. For all the great things he had done for her, the only way she could give back was to care for him and all his needs.

Although ate Nita was so efficient with the household chores, and in taking care of Jian, she did not delegate her own responsibilities for Jim. She may have allowed her to help prepare ingredients and other stuff, but she was the one who did the cooking.

Jim wouldn't decide what to wear every day and on special occasions because she did it for him. He would not buy anything from the hospital canteen because she didn't want him to. His food was always delivered and served hot. Everything he needed, from toiletries to his perfume, was left to her choice.

Jim had become dependent on Jia except for business matters. And he was, likewise, very thoughtful of her unspoken needs.

On special occasions, Jim bought her expensive gifts. During his days off from work, he also took her to restaurants and dating places.

Jia finished her chores and night bath at already past eleven, but she wasn't sleepy yet.  She lay on her bed for hours, staring at the dark ceiling, but sleep eluded her. Deciding later to play soft instrumental music by Richard Clayderman, her thoughts wandered again to her past.

At the end of the first semester during her first year in college, she was already on her 36th week of pregnancy. Since most of her minor subjects from previous enrollments were credited, she only had a few hours in a day in school. A few days from then, she would already be giving birth.

Jim accompanied her on all her doctor trips and was even more nervous and excited than her. All the baby's needs were long prepared,  including the two wooden cribs, one for the baby's bedroom and one for her room.

One morning, he went out of his room with a glint of sadness in his eyes. He was unusually silent even during their breakfast.

"Jia, would it be very uncomfortable for you if you would go out with me later?"

"Of course not! It is you who is being overprotective of me."

"Okay, I'll take you out later. I want some fresh air."

Jia was really bothered by his mood, but she was too afraid to ask.

"What do I need to prepare? Where are we going?"

"Just an extra set of clothes for both of us, sleeping clothes, slippers, and of course, your milk and vitamins."

Later on, at about four in the afternoon, Jim brought her to a beach resort. He picked up a cottage closest to the beach. After placing all their things inside the room, he took her out for a walk in the sand.

The sun was still casting its dazzling brightness above the horizon. And the landscape was somewhat a partial reflection of a paradise.

The sand was still warm to the touch, and the breeze was a bit humid. Nevertheless, the entire place captured the whole meaning of magnificence. It was exhilarating! 

"May I hold your hand while we walk? I am afraid there might be holes in the sand."

Jia did not refuse. Jim already grabbed her hand anyway without waiting for her reply. Her heartbeats went wild for a moment but sensing his sadness, she quickly ignored it.

"Jia, I am really glad that you are here. I would have been so lonely and alone."

Jia looked up at him and watched every change of expression in his eyes. She then tightened her grip on his hand to show him that she cared.

"I have spent many birthdays alone without any member of my family remembering it. Only Nanay did, but she's gone already." He referred to the nanny who took care of him since he was born until she died a few years ago.

Jia suddenly felt guilty. His birthday had never crossed her mind.

"I'm sorry, Jim." Jia lowered her head down, too guilty to meet his eyes.

"All they think about is money, money, money... when not everything can be bought by money!"

"But it's okay. I'm used to it."

"You're not," Jia protested.

"I just missed the only family I had before."

Jim then started venting out his frustration, and Jia listened carefully. She never thought that a handsome and rich man like him could be so vulnerable.

When the twilight set in, they slowly went back to the hotel. The orange and crimson hues filled the horizon with a magic spell, lifting out the sorrows of Jim while pushing her heart down heavily,  pitying him.

As soon as they were back in the room, Jim drifted into a deep sleep in one of the beds. Jia then had the chance to order something for dinner in the garden.

Somehow, she was able to book a prompt romantic birthday set up and a serenade despite a few hours' notice. She then met the band for a few minutes before going back to the hotel to change. The dinner would be set by 9 pm.

Jim was still asleep when she got back so she also took a nap after taking a shower to freshen up. Pregnant women always feel hot, even in a cold environment.

When the alarm sounded, he woke Jim up for the dinner. Realizing that it was already late at night and that a late dinner was not good for a pregnant woman, he hurriedly stood up and apologized. After some quick freshening up, Jim was finally ready for dinner.

The place where Jia took Jim for dinner was adorned with hanging and cascading flowers. And all the tables were set with bouquets and candles. The garden tables were even full when they arrived, and the band had already started their serenading. They mainly were couples pecking at each other under the dim lights. 

Jia felt awkward upon witnessing the romantic atmosphere that she stiffened up. Jim noticed it that he also squeezed her hand and told her to relax. Little did he know that her discomfort increased with his touch.

"Jim, had you dated in a place like this before? "Jia's curiosity overtook her.

"This is my first time...with you." Jim smiled, then asked back, "How about you? " 

"I'm never into a relationship though I had that infatuation with Anthon. So, I'm never into any date." Jia giggled awkwardly.

"Then how did you get pregnant?" Jim knew it was an awkward question, but he wanted to know.

"I did not know how I had fallen into the emotion. It was during our group outing. I separated from them when I got bored and set up a tent at the outskirt of the resort. Soon, I fell asleep, and when I woke up, Anthon was already beside me."

Jim did not say a word but nodded,  allowing her to speak up. He knew that Jia also had to ventilate it out so that she could move forward.

She went on. "Anthon was emotional at that time. He was crying. When he asked permission to hug me, I lost my strength to resist. Perhaps, I was affected by his sadness, or perhaps, I already had feelings for him."

"Then, it happened." She paused for a long while, pursing a smile --her eyes miles away.

"He told me he would marry me and that we would do the papers right then. I knew he was not lying. But a day before that, I met my best friend. She was three months pregnant of his child and was waiting for their wedding day."

"Did you love him? "Jim took out the courage to ask her, surprising himself of the pain he unexpectedly felt during her confession.

"I would not consent to the act if I didn't. Yet, it was my feelings for Anthon that caused my downfall."

"Do you still think about him now?"

"I must not. "

"But you still do."

"Jim, he's a thing of the past and must not be remembered anymore. We were only linked to each other in less than thirty minutes, so I can also forget him in less than 15 minutes." 

Jia then glanced at him and laughed, "Another topic, please."