Day 3

I woke up feeling dizzy on the bed with Tammy looking over me. She was with Mr. Stone and Ivan who apparently brought me up here to my bed after I fainted.

"Mommy, what happened?" Tammy asked me.

"The painting... Your father..." I tried explaining.

"This is why I covered up that wall for you... Ever since he left, you went mad." Mr. Stone sighed.

"Mr. Stone? What would you do if Mrs. Stone was in a war and ready to die?" I asked him.

"I would turn to be like you... But less emotional." Mr. Stone replied, "It's normal for a wife of a soldier to feel that..."

"Tammy, please leave me be for now..." I asked, "Did you receive a letter from your father?"

"Oh... Yes... I have not read it yet though... I'll leave it for you on your vanity... Please take care of yourself too Mommy." She said before leaving with Mr. Stone and Ivan, "Your daughter needs her mother too..."

I can hear the three conversing by my door, "Mr. Stone, I am really sorry for bothering you but my mother once told me that you gave her your first bouquet like what Ivan did for me?"

"Ah, yes... I would always remember it like it was yesterday. We were in school that day and she was receiving a lot of gifts and flowers every day, that was how much people admired her. People also do everything for her and she would be really kind and decline. She always wins elections and her charms hit every boy in school, which included me." Mr. Stone said I could not see what was happening but I, too, remember that day like it were yesterday, "February 14 of our junior high school years. I was ahead of her by two years, making me 10th grade while she was eighth grade. Many gave her gifts, chocolates, letters, and flowers so I thought she would never accept mine considering that she goes to her classroom and sees her table full and even her chair was occupied."

"So what did you do?" Tammy asked.

"Dad did what he didn't know he would have the strength to do..." Ivan replied.

"After Olfina's friend pushed me to do it, during break time, I went to the fountain where she always stays with a lot of people trying to have the courage to talk to her." Mr. Stone replied, heh... I cannot refute that, though I did feel quite lonely since everyone was too intimidated around me. "I walked up to her while people gave me mean sideglances. I held the bouquet I made then I knelt before her. I gave her the bouquet then she smiled at me before giving me a kiss on the cheek "Thank you, you're the first to have the courage to give me the gift... I appreciate the effort, now, I finally have the chance to thank the giver properly." Those were the words she told me after getting the bouquet."

"I couldn't be happier in my life. I jumped with glee then I gave her a smile before bidding her farewell. Once I left, I got a beating from a lot of her admirers but it was worth it... Don't tell your mother that, okay?" He explained to the little girl.

"But how come Mommy also said that she fell in love with Daddy on the same day?" Tammy asked Mr. Stone.

"Ah, after I left, there was a grand scene in that plaza. White rose petals fell from the sky along with cherry blossoms, ranunculus, and bluebells... The flowers that your mother admired. Then a melody started playing, a boy a year older than her then made an entrance with ukelele as he sang. I saw her eyes sparkle for that boy and indeed that boy was lucky." He continued the story.

"And that boy was daddy..." Tammy said in awe.

"Yes, that was Colonel Liwag." He chuckled. "After delivering such a sweet love song to your mother, he played on a violin the piece that your mother loves... That melody changed your mother forever... She started humming it, trying to play it, she even wrote lyrics that went with the melody..."

"Mr. Stone, what's the song?" Tammy asked.

"The piece was composed by Edward Elgar and it is named, Salut d'Amour." I bet he's smiling over my daughter like how my husband would...

"So that's why Daddy starts all his letters with Salut d'Amour..." Tammy gasped.

"It was the serenade of your father to Olfina... The best scene in that school that went down in history. It was featured in the school newspaper for years... The lyrics were even put into the Feature Literary pages every year though I know not if until now."

"You gave your everything..." Tammy frowned.

"But your father sacrificed every drop of him and his dignity..." Gavin replied.

"What do you mean?" Tammy asked.

"With that serenade, he was targetted by everyone else who admired your mother. Basically, he and I were in the same place. He gambled his school status for your mother. He was very popular even before." He explained. "After years, no one has asked her on a date, more on, no one had the courage to but your father, again and again, sacrificed his dignity so he can be with the woman he loves."

"Mommy only had one dance in their promenade..." Tammy continued.

"Only your father was strong enough to hold her hand and dance with her. Many women danced with your father but he gave a ring to no one but his first and last dance, your mother. I was there to witness it all and Olfina was there, alone, reading a book from her phone while people danced. Oh, I wish I danced with your mother... She was stunning that day..." He was smiling... I could feel the happiness and regret that I remember seeing from him. "I bet your mother told you none of this..."

"No... She did not... I never knew that you were important for her because you were the man who gave her your first bouquet." Tammy said. I know not what is happening now outside my door but I still hear them conversing. "But how come she never knew you still had feelings?"

"I didn't propose... Your father was her first and last boyfriend and they were in a relationship for a decade before getting married." He sighed. "I mean, I'm friends with Colonel Liwag so it was not that much of a loss... If it means to see your mother living happy, I'm fine by it."

"You're a nice man, sir..." Tammy said before I heard footsteps getting further. They left... I never wish to go back to that place in memory lane since it was not that pleasant... It was not as pleasant as how Gavin told my daughter.

I took the envelope from the vanity then I headed to the bathroom. I went into the bathtub with scented candles surrounding me and bath bombs exploding in the tub. As I soaked, I gently opened the envelope to see your letter and again, it started with Salut d'Amour...

Salut d'Amour,

I just want to tell you that I have been quite homesick lately and I miss you and Tammy. I hope you're taking care of yourself too... Tammy doesn't only need me right now but she also needs you to be both her mother and father in this. I love you both and I wish, oh so I wish to come home as soon as possible.

Don't worry, the war is almost over... I might be back this week if I'm lucky... So don't worry, I'll be home... Promise.

I have not broken a single promise ever since I started courting you during middle school and I will not start now... General Quinto gave everyone permission to give letters to their family everyday so you would know how we are. I am happy that he took in my suggestion and continued it until now.

I hope you have not been insane lately... Because we cannot have two insane people taking care of little Tammy. Oh, how I wish to see that little girl again... Also, about that baby brother Tammy was asking for, wanna give her one as soon as I came home?

You know, as I write this letter, I can see already that you are smiling and as I write this, I am filled with so much glee and ecstasy with the fact that I'm going home... I going home, going to see my family again, General Quinto advised me to be careful for my wife needed me, well he was not wrong... I need my wife too.

I love you so much and never forget that... Au revoir, mon amour.

Your loving husband,

Marc