Anne I made Andrew swear to secrecy. After loads of argument, he grudgingly agreed not to tell anyone. “I don’t want anyone accepting me because of my pregnancy, or having anyone take my baby away from me,” I’d told him during our arguments. For a whole year, Andrew became the father to my child and husband I never had. He felt it was his responsibility to care for me and my child until I decided to tell everyone. At first, I thought it was a great burden to him and had tried to dissuade him from coming over more often than not, but he vehemently refused. He didn’t need to tell me why. I simply saw how he was with my baby. As soon as he arrives, with loads of baby stuff that’ll last us a whole year, he’d only greet everyone, go over to the sink and wash his hands, then spend the whole-time carrying Lucia. The joy and contentment in his face held no bounds. He would sit on a rocking chair, hold Lucia against his chest, and tell her childhood stories of Vincent and himself. Sometim

Vincent “This was a lovely dinner, Rebecca,” Arya complemented, helping mum clear the table. “Yea! It was scrumptious. I’d love to have your recipes!” Arya’s mum added, smiling widely at my mum. ”Thank you so much,” she replied to both of them, then to Arya’s mum, she said, “I would be delighted to put you through,” mirroring Mrs. Chopra’s smile. “Son, why don’t we go somewhere and have a glass of wine or two? Such delicacy requires rich fluid to revere it,” Mr. Chopra bellowed, darting eyes to everyone around the table to see their reaction to what he considered humorous. Well, everyone laughed along, nodding their heads in agreement. I stood up and nodded my head courtly, then gestured for him to follow me. “Oh yes, sure,” he replied, and followed my lead. There on the balcony, I brought out two wine glasses and the wine they’d brought with them, placed everything on the table, took the wine and popped it, then poured it into the glasses. I could feel him watching my every mov

Vincent ‘What the heck did I agree to?!’ I internally yelled at myself as I walked out of the airport with my luggage. My talk with Arya, in no way, ended the way I’d imagined. It, rather, took a whole new turn, spiraling me out of control. I made a freaking promise! Was I high? Did she inject me with a brain jumbling drug? No! but I still agreed to marry her. “He has just three months to live,” she’d said in bitter tears. I wasn’t expecting that at all. “I thought I could fool him by bringing any random guy and making him believe he was the one. I couldn’t fool the old man. He saw right through me, Vincent,” she’d said. “I pondered on how to fulfill my dad’s happiness, but I always came out short, not until I met you, Vincent.” I’d been shocked, transfixed, brain dead when she said all that. Her dad dying was huge enough. The implications were enormous. “Why is that? How many opinions has he gotten? How many doctors have confirmed this?” I asked, really concerned about her dad

Anne “Hi Anne,” she greeted, rather forced. “Hi, Arya,” I replied excitedly. I was glad to see a familiar face. Somehow, I felt her presence would create a less awkward ambiance for Vincent and me. “Is Rebecca here?” I asked, looking over her shoulder into the house. “No, Anne,” came her clipped reply. “Thank God! Umm… where is he?” I asked eagerly, smiling from ear to ear. Finally! “You can’t be here, Anne,” she stated, never returning my smile or my excitement. “Why not?” I asked with a small frown, oblivious to her foul mood that must have begun the minute she saw me. I thought the answer she would give would be that Rebecca could show up anytime and cause a scene. That was why I said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be quick. I know he still doesn’t remember me. If he did, he would have come straight to see me. But it’s not an issue. I just want to see him. I can introduce myself as your friend,” I rushed, gasping for air when I finished. “That won’t be possible,” she stated unsmilingl

Anne I knew I needed to fight, but I was so tired. Life was casually throwing mountain-sized obstacles my way without a care. It was getting really difficult to continue holding on. I was hurting terribly. I was slowly dying. The universe must be against Vincent and I. Maybe, in our past life, we had committed a lot of heinous crimes that earned us a curse. Whatever it may be, I was exhausted from fighting it. “What the hell are you doing, Anne? I’ve been calling you non-stop. See, your phone is right beside you,” Pamela admonished, coming over to my bed and picking up my phone. “Anne, 30 missed calls! Have you gone nuts?” she scolded. I was lying down, facing the ceiling, with my eyes wide open. I didn’t bother looking her way or giving her any response. When she realized I wasn’t planning on responding, she stopped talking and looked at me. Her next words were a bit slower and calmer. “Anne? What is it?” she asked, sitting on the bed and scooting closer to me. “Anne, talk to