Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Julie lifted her head, wiping the tears from her face and sniffing loudly before nodding like a child asking for something from their parent.

“I promise, I swear I won’t demand anything from Flavia anymore. It’s enough for me if she comes back to you. It’s enough for me if she forgives me. I promise not to pressure her to give me grandchildren.”

“I should have realized that offspring is a gift given by God to us, not solely because of our desires. I was foolish and selfish. I was wrong.”

Gladwin hugged her mother who still sobbed. “There, there, Ma. Don’t cry anymore. If you keep crying, your wrinkles will look even more and your face will look uglier.” Gladwin teased her mother while patting her back, which made her mother gently hit her back in response. “I promise I will bring Flavia back. I will make Flavia my only wife, and I will make sure she becomes the most beloved daughter-in-law by her mother-in-law,” she said. Julie Hampton just nodded in Gladwin’s embrace.

The next morning, Julie’s room was filled with visitors. Abigail’s parents came along with Abigail’s siblings. Followed by Claire, Antony, Ignazio, and Francisca, while baby Meizar was left at home. Julie looked at Antony shyly. “Forgive me,” she said softly, for who knows how many times, as Antony stood beside her.

“Come on, there’s nothing for me to forgive. Everything has been the path that Flavia and Gladwin needed to walk through in life. Just like what Claire and I experienced in the past. Isn’t it true that facing problems makes us more mature?” Antony reassured his mother-in-law.

“Yes. But I have sinned greatly against your daughter, against my granddaughter. Just because of my selfishness, I only added to her wounds. I should have been more mature. I should have embraced her. Supported her. Not pushed her away like that.”

Antony held his mother-in-law’s small hand and smiled. “Not everything happens according to what we want, Ma. What you did to Flavia was what any mother-in-law should have done. All mothers always want their children to be happy. I am disappointed, yes, but I can’t do anything else except surrender everything to the Owner of Life. Flavia will forgive you, because you surely know she loves you very much, don’t you?”

Julie nodded. Ironically, because of that, the guilt in her heart grew even bigger.

“Where is she now? You must know where she is, right? I’ll go after her. If necessary, I’ll kneel in front of her and apologize. I’ll do anything to make her come back to me, to Gladwin. I promise I won’t demand anything from her anymore. Because I know, for Gladwin, Flavia’s presence alone is enough.”

Antony smiled. “Thank you, Ma. Thank you for accepting my daughter with all her flaws. Flavia and I are so lucky to have a mother-in-law like you.”

“You’re wrong. I’m the one lucky to have in-laws like you. I’m the one who was too greedy to see your goodness and only focused on your shortcomings.” Antony didn’t say anything more. He didn’t want to further stress and burden his mother. With all the problems she faced, he didn’t want to add more.

Then the door opened, and Abigail appeared with a smile on her face. “Well, well, well. Is there a family reunion going on here?” Her forehead furrowed momentarily when she saw the sad faces of the people in her grandmother’s room.

“Where’s your uncle?” Julie asked Abigail. Abigail sneered in response.

“The one who should be the main character here is me. Why do you always ask about uncle’s whereabouts? When will you acknowledge my presence? Grandma, I’m the one who has revealed all the facts about your dream daughter-in-law. I’m the one who has opened your eyes and…”

“What are you talking about?” Gladwin stood behind Abigail, interrupting the girl’s speech and deliberately nudging her shoulder.

Abigail glared at her uncle but walked away. Allowing her uncle to approach the bed where Julie Hampton and Antony Quirino were.

“Ma…” Gladwin walked slowly. “You’ll keep the promise you made to me last night, right?” She asked, her gaze fixed on her mother. “You promised that you wouldn’t demand anything from Flavia as long as she comes back?” Julie nodded firmly, then her eyes widened.

“You’ve found Flavia? So quickly?” she asked in surprise.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Both Gladwin, Abigail, Claire, and Antony smiled. “Flavia was never lost, Ma. Abigail, Antony, and Claire have known where she is all along. They just kept it secret from me and from you.” Mrs. Julie’s forehead furrowed even deeper. Gladwin then shifted her body, and right behind her stood Flavia, who was bowing her head in embarrassment.

“Via…” Julie Hampton whispered. Her arms spread wide, inviting the woman into her embrace without words. Flavia walked slowly and dropped her body into the old woman’s embrace.

“Grandma…” she whispered. Tears finally fell from her eyes.

“My dear, forgive me. I promise I won’t ask anything more of you. Please forgive me. Will you?” Julie created some distance to be able to see the face of her granddaughter, who was now her daughter-in-law.

Flavia just nodded her head. No words could come out. For her, her grandma’s acceptance of her presence was enough. “Return to Gladwin and I promise I won’t demand anything anymore. About children, I swear I won’t bring it up again. I truly regret all my selfish behavior all this time. I was evil. I was truly evil.”

Flavia shook her head vigorously, rejecting the old woman’s statement. “No, Grandma. You’re not evil at all. I know you love Uncle Gladwin, and I also know you love me. If you didn’t love me, you would have treated me badly a long time ago. But that’s not the case.

“I’m the one who’s wrong here. I’m wrong for leaving Uncle.” She said between sobs. Then Flavia reached for her grandma’s hand and placed the old woman’s palm on her stomach, which was wrapped in a loose dress, so her grandma didn’t notice the physical changes.

“You?” Julie’s eyes widened. Her old hands slowly caressed Flavia’s belly in a circular motion. “You’re pregnant?” Flavia nodded, a happy smile clearly blossoming on her face. “But… this…” Mrs. Julie was clearly shocked by the size of Flavia’s belly, which couldn’t be called small.

“It’s been six months,” Gladwin spoke on behalf of his wife.

Julie exclaimed in surprise. But then a happy smile formed on her face. She hugged Flavia again and whispered her gratitude in Flavia’s ear, occasionally kissing her daughter-in-law’s temple and cheek.

“Forgive me. I truly apologize,” she repeated incessantly.

“It’s okay, Grandma. Everything’s done. I’ve never been angry with you, so you don’t need to keep apologizing like this.” She said with a happy smile on her face. Julie could only nod her head.

“Oh God, forgive my greediness. I can’t believe in Your destiny. I tried to change Your will and impatiently did something that hurt my family, the people I love, and who love me.

“Forgive me, God. I know that asking for forgiveness and confessing my sins isn’t enough. But I promise, in the future, I will try to be a better mother and grandmother to my sons and daughters, and grandchildren.”

“Grant happiness to our family. Keep us away from wicked people. Those who seek to ruin our happiness. Make me someone who is always grateful. And give me a long life so I can witness the birth and growth of my grandchildren.”

Julie’s prayer echoed in her heart. Her eyes watched her sons, daughters, and grandchildren interacting with each other. The guilt of her selfishness wouldn’t disappear from her heart and mind.

She, who had acted selfishly simply because she felt entitled as the one who gave birth to and raised her children, had forgotten that everything she had was only entrusted by the Almighty.

May she not make the same mistake in the future. May God always watch over her. Guard her heart. Guard the happiness of her family. Amen.