WITH TRUST AND REGRET

After 3years, something terrible happened. Isabel was just eight years and upon close observation, she realized anytime her father came home, there were some new changes. Both her parents would usually be at each other's throats. They would always be fighting. Even though they tried to keep thier voice low, she cleay overheard. This continued for sometime when she finally twigged about the cause of the fight one day. It seemed the military wanted her mother back for a crucial mission and she wanted to go but her father was against it. Isabel herself prayed her mother wouldn't go. As she was so engrossed in her thoughts, her mother suddenly got out of the room. Then she stared at her visibly shocked mother. It was obvious her mother didn't expect to see her. She then heard her father's furious voice from inside.

" I don't care anymore. Do whatever you wish. You can even go back to the military, but you better make sure you don't regret your actions."

Isabel felt her mother stiffened but she quickly regained her composure, came closer to her and went on her knees so she could be of the same height as Isabel. Mrs. Christabel Snow smiled sweetly for the first time in the week. Then she said

" Isa darling, mommy needs to do something important now. Mommy won't be with you in the next three days. But daddy would be here within those days. Help daddy take care of you and your sister. I promise to never go after this. Mommy loves you very much."

Then her mother hugged her. She had an omninous hunch and felt a tear trickle down her face. She tried to stop her mother

" No mom, don't go."

But her mother just said " sorry ", and turned to leave. As her mother went, she could hear her sobs. She turned her head to the room and saw her father. She begun running to him and begging him hysterically.

" Please, .... please dad, don't make her go. Do something to make her change her mind"

But her dad surprisingly shoved her away and yelled furiously at her for the first time

" Go to your room. If you don't want her to go then stop her yourself ". With that, he by-passed her. Isabel was left alone crying hard.

Three days later, some military men came to thier house and broke the news to them that Mrs. Christabel Snow had had kicked the bucket. They said Mrs. Snow's felled into a river and drowned on the mission. Unfortunately, her body is still not available. They searched for her body but still can't find her. Mr. Snow refused to believe it and went with them again to search for his wife but all his attempt were futile. They had to conclude that Mrs. Snow was dead even though it was hard for them. The family was in despair and her funeral was made. That was when Isabel grew hatred for her father. She blamed her father always for her mother's death. Right after the funeral, Mr. Edward went back to the military and Isabel cared less. She stayed with her grandma and little sister after her father went. In all her memories, her grandma was a strong and brave woman, handling the family's large business alone. Even though she was old, the work made her quite busy sometimes. Because of that, her aunt Lilian came for them and they stayed with her for a very long time. But they would often visit thier grandma. Her aunt was married and had a son called Cedrick. Cedrick was slightly older than her and they were really close. Through these years, her father rarely came home and his longest period of stay reduced drastically to two days. Nevertheless Isabel didn't care. She wished her father would never come. Afterall it was her mother who kept a bond between them even though they were apart. But now her mother is gone and she has put all the blame on her father so she could never love him.

Several years later, when Isabel was now 17 years, her grandma sadly passed away. This compelled her father to leave the military and take over the family business. He was the only male and the first born in the first place. Secondly, his sister Lilian didn't want to have anything to do with the family business. She stated clearly that she wanted to be a pilot and not some office girl. At long last, he retired and came to take over the business. That was when Isabel usually saw him in the house. They even came to stay with him. Lucia was excited to be finally be with thier father and became very close to him. But Isabel relationship was in contrast with Lucia's, concerning their father. Her relationship with her father was extremely sour. She never acknowledged him as her father.

Isabel stopped her car in front of resturant. She took her purse and entered the restaurant. She walked straight to a far Conner and saw a guy sitting there with his back facing her. She was more than familiar with that body. She smiled to herself and went closer to the guy. Then she hugged him from behind. She felt the guy's body tremble a bit but quickly relaxed. Then the guy said

" You were late again ". Isabel chuckled and released him from the hug. Then she went and sat opposite him on a chair and said with a fake apologetic face

"I'm sorry love, I hope you would forgive me"

The guy said like a teacher lecturing a stubborn kid

" For now,....but once you repeat it... you would be punished." Isabel giggled and said professionally

" Yes Sir " The guy smiled sweetly and said

" Isa, I missed you " Isabel also smiled affectionately and said

" I missed you too..... Adrian, I have something to tell you" Adrian also said seriously

" I also have something to tell you "

Isabel gestured him to talk and he nodded. Then he said

" Isa, I know it might to difficult for you but let's go"

Isabel looked at him in complete bewilderment. She asked still at loss

" Let's go ? Where? "

" Let's go Isa. To somewhere far. A place where no one would see or find us. Somewhere to freely live and love ourselves to the fullest with no hindrances. They are all against us, they don't want us to be together but ..... I love you Isa, and I would love to spend the rest of my life with you.