Chapter One: The Ending of a New Beginning
Mark stood outside the door of his apartment complex and thought about how he was going to approach Toey. They've been married for almost six months, and have never hide anything from one another up until now. He thought about what he was going to say and how he was going to do it, but it seems more complicated than it actually is. Inhaling a deep breath, Mark enters into his home, where his beautiful wife ,Toey, awaits him.
"Surprised!" she shouted out in joy with a birthday cake in her hands. "It's the night of your birthday, how can you forget to come home earlier?"
"I'm sorry, there was a lot of work I had to finish up for tomorrow," he replied with a slight smile.
"It's okay. I understand." Toey smiled as she brought the cake over to him. "Now, blow out the candles and make a wish."
Mark let out a soft chuckle and then closed his eyes. After he made his wish, he blew out the candles in one breath.
"What did you wish for?" Toey asked.
Mark replied with the cliché, "If I tell you, then it won't come true."
"Oh, come on, can't you just give me a hint," Toey pouted. Mark shook his head. Toey sighed and walked towards the kitchen table to place down the cake. Mark watches as she placed down the cake and was able to cut it.
"Jarinporn."
Toey paused what she as doing and turns to him. "Is there something wrong?" she asked clueless of what he's about to say.
"I," he paused for a few seconds, "I have something to tell."
Toey saw the look in his face. It was different. He seems worried or guilty about something and she's is afraid to guess what it is.
They sat down beside each other on the sofa. Mark reached for her hands and held them tightly. He tried to look her in the eyes, but it was impossible. He sighed and uttered, "I'm seeing another woman."
After finally being able to release those words, he looked up at her. The smile from earlier faded, but a different smile embraced her lips. It was a smile he never saw before and from that smile she replied happily, "Really?" He stared at her awkwardly, not understanding her reaction. She continued and asked, "Oh, what is her name? How is she like? How did you met her? Where did you me her? You have to tell me everything."
"Toey, are you okay?" Mark asked her. She nodded cutely. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I am," she responded with a smile. "I'm just so happy that you found someone you like. So, does she like you too?" Mark nodded with a slight smile. "Aw, that's so cute," Toey replied. Mark felt comfortable now that Toey seems okay with it. "So when are you going to propose to her?"
"Soon," he replied.
"Really?" Her eyes widen, but the smile remained. "What's her name?"
"Chalida."
"Such a beautiful name. She must be as beautiful as well." Toey complimented.
"She does have a beautiful heart," Mark added.
Toey cupped his face and joked, "Aw, my bubby (hubby + buddy) is in love." Mark smiled shyly in return. "When can I meet her?" Toey asked.
"Wait, what did you say?"
"I said, when can't I meet her?" Toey repeated.
"I, um, I haven't told her about you..."
"Oh," Toey held her thoughts back, "so when do you plan on telling her?"
"I,I...actually, I don't know," he uttered. Toey narrow her brows and frowned at him. "What?" he asked, "What am I suppose to do?"
"If she loves you, she'll understand. Plus, there's nothing going on between us anyway."
Mark froze for a minute and tried to soak in those words she just said.
What is wrong with her? Mark thought to himself.
She interrupted him. "It's late. You should get some sleep since you work earlier tomorrow too."
Mark nodded as he head into his room to grab a towel, then into the bathroom. When he came out, he walked into her room and saw that she was sound asleep. He kissed her foreword and then walked out. After she heard the door closed, she opened her eyes. She touched her forehead where Mark had planted a kiss as tears rolled down. She faced down on her pillow and covered her head with the blanket to prevent any sound she makes from escaping her room.
The next night, Mark returned home from work and found that Toey was out. He found a note on the frig that read:
I'll be home late so don't wait for me. Toey <3
Mark slipped into his sleeping attire and fell asleep. He woke up the next day to the smell of pancakes. He rose out of bed and without washing up, he head to the kitchen. He saw Toey cooking pancakes and making a whole bunch of other delicious food as his stomach started to growl. He looked down at his stomach as if it has committed a crime. Then was startled by the voice of his wife.
"Morning." She smiled.
"Morning," he replied with a smile too.
"Wash up and we'll have breakfast," she stated.
Mark left to wash up. When he was done, he walked out and sat down at the table that was filled with delicious food. He glanced at his wife to see what she was still doing.
"Toey," he called her. She turned around and smiled. "Let's eat," he added.
"I need to go get something from the room. I'll be down in a second." Toey took off the apron and walked to her room and grabbed the manila envelope from her drawer. She took a deep breath and walked back out. She sat down adjacent from her husband as he stuffed pancakes into his mouth. She watched as he gave his full attention to the breakfast. "Mark," she called him.
"Hm," he answered as he continues to eat.
"Here." She handed him the manila envelope. Mark took a sip of the fresh orange juice and then took the envelope from her hands. She watched as he opens it.
"What is it?" Mark asked.
"It's the divorce papers," she stated.
Mark looked at her confusingly. "You want to divorce me?" he asked.
"Mark, it's time for us to choose our own path. I don't want to be the third wheel between you and her and also I don't want her to be seen as the third wheel between us. Besides, I want to go study abroad in France."
Mark reminded silent. He still can't figure out the reason why Toey wants to divorce him. "How will you live alone?" he asked.
"I won't be alone. I have a friend in Paris. I'll reside with her until I can find a place for myself. Besides, didn't you say you were going to propose to Chalida soon," she reminded him. "You can't keep her waiting forever, and also I want you to be happy, Mark."
He looked at her and saw nothing, but a sincere smile that formed upon her lips. "Will you be happy?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied.
"As long as you're happy," Mark responded and signed the papers before her eyes. He placed the paper back into the envelope and handed it back to her. He excuses himself and left to work.
After Toey finished cleaning up the dishes, she left to her room to pack her belongings.
A week rolled by and Toey was finally ready to leave for good. She have already shipped off most of her belongings and left only a luggage of clothing to carry with her on the plane. After Mark came home from work and washed up, the two sat down on the sofa and spends their last night together. Mark popped open a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. They each took a sip and reflected back on the journey of their marriage. The two laughed and drank and continues to laugh and drinks some more until they were drunk.
"When are you planning to come back?" he asked.
"Maybe never." She replied than laughs.
"You are so bad," he joked.
"It's late we should sleep," she insisted, "I have to catch a plane tomorrow too."
Mark nodded. Toey rose up to leave as Mark grabbed hold of her hand before she passed by him. "Have you ever regretted marrying me?"
Toey paused and then decided to sit back down. Mark looked into her eyes and hoped she'll answer him. "No," she answered.
Mark reached over and plants a kiss on her forehead. Toey tried to hold in her tears from bursting out, but it was impossible. Mark drew away from her as he notices a fainted smile forming on her lips as tears rolled down her cheeks. He wiped them away and kissed her forehead once again. Then he kissed her cheeks, then her nose, and then their lips met for the very first and last time in their marriage.
The next day he woke up in her room, but she was nowhere to be found. He turns around to the lamp where a note lie under her wedding ring. He picked the note and ring up then he read the note:
Dearest Mark, my husband,
I want to thank you for being there for me when I needed a friend. You had always been my special friend and most importantly, my only family. Thank you for having loved me, for cherishing me as someone special, for being my friend and my family, and for never giving up on me. This is an ending of a new beginning for us. For your happiness, I will set you free.
Yours Truly,
Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat
Tears swelled up in his eyes as he hugged the note and stares at the ring. "I hope you'll always be happy, Toey." Then he kissed the ring as if kissing her goodbye.
--- To Be Continued ---
