Chapter 68 Surprise Visit
It has been a week she wasn't talking to Thyago. In return, Thyago keeps on wooing her asking for her forgiveness. He drives her from home to the office, gives time to bring her food during lunch, and patiently waits for her after work so they can go home together. Thyago really wanted to earn her forgiveness although she keep on ignoring and rejecting him. It hurts for her to ignore his efforts and not talk to him but she bears it. She wanted to know how long he is willing to woo her just to have her forgiveness. How long will he patiently tolerate her tantrums and anger? She wanted to know if he really love her enough to do everything to fix their problem. This isn't about pride or measurement of love, it's about searching for a reason if this marriage is still worth fighting for. She was a strong woman, she taught herself to be one when she had her first heartbroken with him but even the strongest person gives up when he knew the battle wasn't worth fighting for. A sign of Thyago's love will be her reason to fight. His patience and his willingness to do everything to have her forgiveness will be her sign. And when she feels and got convinced that it's worth fighting for their relationship, then she might be able to forgive him.
About Erlinda Stanford, the woman still took a chance of trying to meet and talk to her but she refused to. She talked to her Dad about their encounters and how the woman and told him their conversation. Expecting her father will be upset, she couldn't understand because he advised her to give her a chance and talk to her. She can still feel her father's hatred towards her biological mother but he chose to forgive and forget the past. Her Dad has a huge understanding and compassionate heart, she knew that. He can easily forgive those people who did him wrong and that's what she admires the most to him. He was a person who never hold grudges and find ways to forgive people even he got hurt so much. His heart was huge and pure. She just love him so much and was so glad that he was his father. On her part, she doesn't think she can follow his advice to give that woman a chance. It was not easy for her to just forgive. She may consider in the future but not now that she could still feel the hurt and hatred.
About the problem Thyago and her dealing with their relationship, she knew her in-laws seemed to notice their misunderstandings. As much as they wanted to avoid it, they were being affected too. Her mother-in-law talked to her one morning about their problem and unfortunately, she didn't find an alibi to avoid the conversation.
"Lately, I've noticed the coldness between your relationship, child. Tell me, do you have any problems or misunderstandings?" The old woman couldn't help herself to ask.
With that, she sadly stooped her head and went silent. As the common saying silence means yes, she never had a chance to deny it anymore. Besides, she knew she can never lie to her mother in law, she trust and respect the old woman so much. The old woman's concern was genuine and pure and she knew she was talking to her this way because she was worried.
"I know I'm not in the position to meddle up because it's both your life and it's your marriage but whatever your problem is, please try to talk about it. You see there's no such perfect relationship. You'll come to a point where your relationship will experience hurdles and that's a part of married life. Try to talk and settle things earlier before things get worst and out of hand, child." The old woman sincerely advised.
She does appreciate her mother-in-law's concern but how will she suppose to tell her about their problem? Will she tell her she was sulking over her husband because he sided Elena over her? That she got mad at Thyago for helping her mother to talk to her and made such decisions without consulting her? She could tell her mother-in-law about the latter but about the part that includes Elena, for sure she would only tell her that she misunderstood Elena and she wasn't capable of doing such things. Like Thyago, the old woman believed that Elena was a saint. That she was a good woman and she can't do all the things she accused of her. She just can't spoil their false believe and tell them that the real Elena was a pretentious bitch. They won't believe her for sure. She will only look evil in the end.
"I won't lie to you Mama, the truth is I'm having qualms if he really loves me enough. His words say he does but his actions show the opposite. I don't know, I'm so confused. I know he doesn't mean to hurt me but that doesn't take away the fact that he hurt me still. He has his reasons and I have mine. I don't know but I feel like he doesn't care about my feelings." She stated honestly.
"Give him a chance. Listen to him. Listen to his reasons and try to understand them. I'm not saying this just because he was my son. What I'm saying is you should widen your patience, child. You can argue and fight all over again but no one will win the battle. You won't settle things if you both did not swallow your pride and decide to forgive whoever made a mistake. So please, give it a chance. Talk things over. Think about your love for each other and that itself will be enough reason for you to fix things out." She went silent for a moment and thought of what her mother-in-law had stated.
It was not about pride or whoever made a mistake. It was about honesty and faith for each other and that's where Thyago was lacking. He did not become honest to me when he decided to keep the thing about my Mom. And faith? He doesn't have faith in me enough to believe Elena's lies then choose to believe me.
And of course, she will never have the guts to put those into words so she just went silent and did not reply. How will she tell her that she has doubts about Thyago's love? That her son might still be in love with his ex-girlfriend/friend.
"You know what, child? Truth is, your husband talked to me the other night. He asked me to talk to you and convinced you to settle things between the two of you. He looked desperate and I have never seen my son become this way. I promised him not to tell you about these but I chose to. My son really loves you Bea and it tortures him so much that you ignore and don't talk to him." Surprised, she looked at her mother-in-law as if she cannot believe that Thyago did that.
He asked her Mom to help him talk to me and settle things between us? Is he that stupid to open up our problems to his parents? Why did he let them be affected by our rift!
Deep inside her, she was touched. Imagining Thyago desperately asking his Mom to talk to her and settle things out between them? It might be childish but she finds it sweet and touching.
"Talk to him. I admit my son is a bit annoying and insensitive sometimes, but I knew he loves you and I never doubt that." The old woman genuinely stated as he gently reached for her hand and held it. She then looked at the old woman's eyes as she think deeply.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I was being harsh to Thyago. He was trying to fix our problems and he is doing his best to earn my forgiveness to the point of asking her Mom for help. Maybe he realizes his mistake and maybe I should forgive him and stop torturing him with my silence and ignorance. It's been four days not talking to him. Maybe it's time for me to make up with him and settle things between us. I missed him. I missed him so badly as if it's been like a month we never talked to each other.
"My son never asks help about such matter even with his relationship with Elena. Even when he was young, he keep his own problems and solve them on his own. This is the first time he came to me and told me he was problematic and asked for my help. Well as I told you before, he used to be a happy-go-lucky guy and it kinda surprised me because it's the first time he told me he had a problem and don't know what to do anymore. I can say that he never loved anyone the way he did love you, Bea." The old woman still added.
And then, a decision came out of her desire as she decided to make up with Thyago. She will forgive him and settle things between them. She realized that their fight has been too overextended and it's time for them to end it over. She will talk to him and make things right this time.
"You were right, Mama. I'm being harsh and unfair to him. We should fix it earlier before things get worst and out of hand. I'll listen to his reasons and will try to understand them. I'm sorry I only thought of my own feelings without considering his. Yes, I was hurt, I never thought he might be hurting too with my acts of ignoring him. This time, I'll make things better, I'll talk to him now Mama." She decided.
With a renewed spirit, she decided to talk to Thyago and settle things between them. She was planning to surprise him in the office and ask him out for a dinner. They will have a perfect night tonight, she'll make sure of that. She bade her mother-in-law goodbye and thanked her for the awakening and encouraging advice. She was so grateful she have a mother-in-law like her. What she did is immediately fix herself and drive through Thyago's office to talk to him. She will surprise him and talk to him to fix their problems this time...