1 Wrong Name

Still unable to get over from the overwhelming surprise in knowing that Allyza was pregnant with their second child, Ajie hugged her for what must have been the tenth time already. He was almost tempted to swing her around, if not for the fact that she was currently going through the discomfort of the first trimester of pregnancy. He chuckled aloud, but endless tears were dripping down his face. No one could ever tell just how hurt he was when he learned that the only woman he loved for years was pregnant with Hayri's child. Not even Allyza herself.

When he decided to set her free, he also tried hard to inculcate in his mind the fact that he must accept the consequence of this unwise decision. It was not anyone's fault but his when, out of anger, he filed for the annulment of their marriage. He thought he could never forgive her. The fact that she was with another man under the same roof for five long years and the fact that he saw them kissing in his very own eyes, he thought he could never dare to touch her again. A slight touch of her skin would be reminding him of how she had stained their marriage, of how she had defiled herself with another man.

The anger he harbored dominated while she was still away. He thought this feeling would keep him numb if someday she would announce her marriage to another man. Anyway, he had Jane with whom he was comfortable to be with, and he hoped that their friendship would develop into something special in the near future. It was only a matter of space and time, and then he would be able to welcome Jane fully into his heart.

Yet, time proved him wrong. The harder he strived to forget Allyza, the more her memories and guilt haunted him. He tried to deny it, but on that night at the party, when Hayri introduced her as his fiancee, he realized the magnitude of losing his wife forever. He then realized she was no longer his and that someone else owned her already.

Why does regret always come late?

Today, he watched her with an aching heart as Hayri ushered her into the ship she designed, witnessed by a vast crowd filling up the port and the people who tuned themselves to the live coverage. Amor Omnia Vincit had just arrived from Turkey to the Philippines as her maiden voyage, and the nation had just recognized her as the woman behind the great success. If not for the grave mistake he had committed, he would have been at her side during the recognition. He would have been the proudest husband in the whole world. Because of his stupid mistake in dissolving their marriage due to consuming jealousy, the honor went to Hayri instead.

Hayri deserved it all. He cared for her despite her pasts, and without questions, he embraced all the hidden truth about her personality. He forgave her sins against his family and even proposed to marry her. In fact, the second highlight of this ship's inauguration today was the formal announcement of their engagement. Who would have thought that instead of finding his heart breaking again during the engagement announcement, he would learn instead that she was pregnant with his own child?

No wonder why Hayri acted strangely a while ago. No wonder why he seemed to pave his path to her again. No wonder why he saw him left after what seemed like an emotional moment with his dad. Was it because he couldn't accept that his fiancee was pregnant with a child of her ex-husband? Or, was it because his heart was big enough to set her free?

Whatever was the reason, what mattered most is that she was pregnant with their second child, and winning her back was no longer as vague as before.

"Engr. Lopez, may I leave Miss Allyza to you? It seems you have a lot to talk about, " Dr. Yee finally gained the courage to speak up after getting awkward in watching their intimate and emotional encounter.

Startled, Allyza pushed Adrian away the moment she heard her. Damn it, the emotional tide of the moment made her forget that she was there.

"I'm sorry, doc," she smiled sheepishly before she continued, "I got lost."

Dr. Yee chuckled in an understanding tone. "You and Engr. Lopez need time alone."

"Doc, it's Adrian Gonzaga, not Engr. Lopez," Allyza corrected, this was already the second time she addressed him in a wrong name.

Dr. Yee's brows narrowed for a second before she glanced up at Adrian. "She has not heard about the news yet," answered Adrian as he looked at Allyza.

Her puzzled look ignited a peal of laughter within him. "What news?" she frowned, deepening the innocence of her expression.

"It's all over the internet and the papers," Dr. Yee reasoned out. She gazed at Adrian, and his blink made her get the message that he was not ready yet to push the topic about his new identity.

"Never mind," Adrian interrupted, "the news about my baby is more important."

"You're right. And I think I have to go now," Dr. Yee chuckled again, tapping Allyza's left shoulder before she went out of the cabin.

As soon as Dr. Yee closed the door, Allyza gazed into Adrian's eyes and said, "I will not deny your right as the father of this child. We can arrange the schedule for your visit."

Adrian froze at this statement, and his rising hope seemed to crumble down.

"Allie..."

"We can still be friends, Adrian. You may even bring Jane over during your visit."