The Glimpse of My Past

Diane’s P. O. V.

Had we been together for years? But how did we first meet, and how did he propose to me that he wanted us to get married? Did he do the traditional way of kneeling while holding the ring?

Did he do it in front of my family? Did I say ‘yes’ easily? How romantic was it, and what did I exactly feel about it?

So many questions began flooding my mind and speaking of his marriage proposal, I automatically looked at my hands. Then, I saw something that was marvelously shining on my left forefinger.

It was a fabulous engagement ring. It was comprised of two rings in one, with the upper ring having a big diamond at its center.

Wow! Just wow!

I gasped for air while still couldn’t help myself but get completely amazed about how it looked. Words were not enough to precisely describe how I felt. I was lost for words.

The design was far from the typical engagement rings I had only seen on televisions, magazines, and jewelry stores before. Liam might have been head over heels in love with me when there could be lots of women who looked better.

The ring sparkled so brightly that I fell in love with it at first sight. It looked like it was custom-made just for me, and I loved to see it on my finger. It was magnificent and beyond beautiful.

“Liam doesn’t want to leave you, but I forced him to go home and rest first, sweetheart. For Christ’s sake, he had been restless while watching over you for the past two weeks,” Mom admitted, and that made me stare at her.

“He never left your side while patiently waiting even though there was no assurance about when will you be able to wake up. Don’t worry, the word ‘handsome’ was an understatement how to describe Liam.” Then, she smiled while showing some fine wrinkles on her eyes.

What Mom told me made my heart instantly melt. Did I really get the chance to meet that kind of fiancé? It was like winning the lottery. 

Just hearing about him, how he unconditionally took care of me, made him look so perfect already. He was so caring, and that made me feel more excited about seeing him.

My mood lifted, and my heart was singing. I couldn’t help but look forward to our meeting. If I could pull the hours and the minutes, I would have already done that just to have even the slightest glimpse of Liam’s face.

Then, Mom continued. “I’m sorry, dear. Your phone got damaged, but I already asked Dave to transfer your engagement photos on his phone for you to see them. Anyway, right after the accident… Liam didn’t even want to get his wounds treated, to think that he also sustained a shoulder fracture.”

“Liam didn’t mind his injuries because he only thought about you. He never wanted to go through an X-ray either, not until he made sure that you’re already okay. He had his own room too, but he always stayed here to stay close to you.” Mom swallowed a lump on her throat before she continued.

“He always talked to you while you were still comatose. One time, I even saw Liam crying while helplessly looking at you. If he could only trade positions with you, he would have done that.”

“You know what? He couldn’t do anything about it, but he would have never wanted to see you in a coma. Liam always held your hands. He would sometimes lift your right hand and feel his heart. He would always sleep next to you because he doesn’t want to sleep there on the sofa.”

“Like us, every day was a battle for Liam not to lose hope. He loves you so much, and we all saw that, Diane. I’m so happy that you didn’t make a mistake in choosing him. Even from the start, I already knew that he would take good care of you forever, and I approved him being my son-in-law,” Mom explained with a sweet smile on her lips.

Mom’s smile brought me relief, but even if I wanted to smile too, I couldn’t do it. What I did next was to bite my lower lip. My excitement was suddenly replaced by despair at what I had heard about Liam and the other things I learned about us.

Of all the memories I could lose, why does it have to include my sweet and cherished memories with Liam? Why does it have to include those memories, from which I was truly and sincerely loved by my special someone?

But… what if Liam would find out the filthy truth about me? That four years ago, I got marked by a rapist? Would he still accept me as his fiancée? Or would he loath me and might not want to see my face ever again?

Lopsidedly shaking my head, I set aside my thoughts because overthinking wouldn’t help me in this case. I didn’t want to cry again. The corners of my eyes were tired and sore as well.

Relax, Diane! Liam would never turn his back on you. His selfless love would make him accept you for whoever you are and for whatever you had been through.

That was when I turned my attention again to my mother. “Mom, can you please tell me more? Was I able to continue my studies? Did I graduate from college? How about Denise and David? Were they able to graduate from elementary and high school?”

“How about your medications? Were you able to continue them? Was I able to remind you to drink your meds on time?” I anxiously threw Mom a series of questions. I remembered her having high blood pressure.

“Take everything slowly, dear. Just breathe and ask one thing at a time, okay? I want you to get well soon and not to upset yourself. So, after what happened way back then… you went through a lot of counseling sessions and psychological seminars, but you were still able to c-continue your studies.”

“But then, you applied as a club dancer to your Aunt Lucy because that was the only night job your schedule could fit in. I didn’t want you to do that, but you were the one who insisted because you wanted to help us.”

“But don’t worry, dear… you’re just dancing there with a mask to cover your face. You never allowed the customers to table you, and Lucy would have to face my wrath if she asked you to do that.”

Mom’s face was serious, but she smiled before continuing the story…

“Liam took you out of Lucy’s Club, and you worked as an on-the-job trainee in his company. You are still working at Evangelista Group of Companies until now, Diane. You were even promoted as a Payroll Supervisor with your exemplary performance.”

“You were able to graduate as well as your siblings. You even had a special award together with Karen and Lorenz the time you graduated. The three of you garnered the Best in Thesis award. You even passed the CPA board exam a few months back. Once you’re discharged, let’s see if you could remember some of your memories in the house.”

“Anyway, Dave also passed the entrance exam in the prestigious Coach University. He was a high-scorer and was even offered a scholarship. You were so proud of him, dear.”

“But with his golden heart, Dave didn’t accept the said scholarship anymore because Liam had already given him a five-year full-scholarship grant. Your brother will take a Civil Engineering course, and he also graduated from high school as the class salutatorian.”

That was it. I guessed that was all my brain could absorb at the moment. When I was done eating the apple slices, I closed my eyes and gently massaged my head when it caused me excruciating pain.

Feeling empty, I couldn’t remember even a single thing from what Mom had said. But after all, she could be right. I might have remembered something important once I got discharged here and stepped into our house again.

Still, I was beyond grateful and happy because nothing bad had happened from the recent years or with the last four years that I had forgotten. I was pretty sure that wherever Dad was, he was also happy and contented while watching over us.

“You should take a good rest, Diane. It will only hurt your head if you would continue to think about the things that I told you. For now, don’t force yourself to remember immediately. Everything will come naturally. I promise to tell you another story tomorrow, okay?” Mom promised while adjusting my hospital bed and comforter.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I just nodded at her and painted a satisfied smile on my face. I would have been ready to lay my back on the soft mattress and began resting when all of a sudden, there was a quick knock on the door, making my left elbow just lean against the bed.

The person outside looked like he or she was impatient enough to wait, and after that, the door hastily opened. From then, I felt like I wasn’t able to close my eyes and avert my gazes away as I sat up straight again.

What entered my hospital room was a man over six-foot tall. He was wearing a blue tuxedo, and he was someone who could make everyone fall for him with his angelic face. He was carrying a fruit basket and a bouquet of beautiful red roses.

He looked so familiar to me, but his dimple made him so much different. It didn’t take me long to recognize who he really was. In just a blink of an eye, my whole world shattered apart.

My eyes narrowed before those gradually widened while staring at him sharply. Seeing him suddenly made my body tremble. I was abruptly quivered by fear, so I immediately hugged the comforter and pulled it on top of my body.

My previously smiling face suddenly turned sour-and if I could only see my face, I knew for sure that it only got bleak and brooding. Everything effortlessly turned out to be a mess.

My heart was again enveloped by rage and fury. I wanted to burst into flames because just looking at him made me taste hell already.

Anger was like a fire that immediately consumed the remaining goodness I had, in just a snap of a finger. I knew him very well, and my memory could never go wrong. I would never forget his angelic face that he only used to cover up his demonic behavior four years ago.

Because everything came back like it only happened yesterday, a tear of pain swiftly rolled down my left cheek.

Although he had some band-aids on his face, I could still recognize him. I loathed him the most, and I would never forgive him! But despite everything, I couldn’t help myself from getting confused at the moment…

What the hell is he doing here and why is he even in front of me after all these years?

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Author’s Note: The next two (2) CHAPTERs are all flashbacks, delaying the suspense of Diane’s further reaction after seeing Liam. I love you, guys! Feel free to interact with me on my Facebook page: Nihc Ronoel.