Love Current: An Ocean of Love

"I love him looking this hot!"

Mara was lost in ecstasy flipping through the pages of a book she held on her palm as she watched the pictures of her last visit to the beach with Henry Martin her sweet darling boyfriend and fiancé to be in quite a few days from now.

She barely noticed him standing beside her, who was distracted on getting to reach for her shoulders by a picture rail so beautiful on the wall next to a painting. Martin loves painting so bad he can do anything and pay anything to get more to embellish his home.

The door swung open, and an average looking grey headed man with a husky voice walked in majestically, disrupting their freedom and attention to whatever it was they were doing. Putting down his briefcase on the floor close to the wooden desk built to support a standing mirror beside the door house, he took off his eyeglasses and...

"Are all preparations ready for the evening banquet?" he said eloquently with much sense of pride and arrogance as if he was created to be pompous. .

"Oh, yeah; Dad, I didn't know you were going to make it for the toast tonight" Henry his son replied.

"Come on! Son, you know I will be the last person on your list to break a promise"

"What's so special about tonight that you Sir, happen to drop all your appointment to show up, or am I the only one who does not know what is going on?" Mara asked inquisitively as she turned to look at the two most important men in her life for as long as she has known herself to live in vietnam city.

"Come on Mara, you know my Dad loves huge parties? There's nothing going on tonight so special to make you keep a worried face, it's just the usual party you know" Henry muttered drawing near to her being unable to resist her beautiful looks after having spent a lot of time with her.

"Okay you got me. So what are we toasting to?" She inquired, having this made up grin show up on her face.

"Oh, I think my Dad knows best!" Henry responded without thinking twice and gave her a kiss on her cheek which made her recall the last time she felt his smooth wet lips in her tongue some hours ago.

"Oh yeah, am proud of you son!" Martin exclaimed.

Mr. Martin, is a prominent wealthy man at his late fifties, an accomplished business tycoon and a mayor in Vietnam who lost his wife and is doing everything possible to enable his son get married to a girl he admires more than any other, her attributes so well pleasing to him, he sees his late wives features in her.

"You say that a lot Dad, am beginning to feel my ego rise" Henry responded

"You're welcome" Martin added as he walked past the dining room into the kitchen.

Henry picked up the keys to his car, and about walking away from the spot Mara was sitting to go outside when Mara recalled what she wanted to let him know minutes earlier before Mr. Martin came in.

"That reminds me sweetheart; I am planning on visiting home next week and will love you to come with me"

"Next week? That will be great; I would love to go with you but you see, am having a conference of which I will be speaking. Am sorry, I may not make it next week with you sweetheart."

"You always do this when it has to do with getting to meet my family which is not fair!" She said almost crying so he could feel her pain.

"Oh, not now, not again, we talked about this right? We are going to see your family next month before the wedding preparations okay!" he sounded convincingly as he walked back to pet her.

"Get going now, you are such a bad boy" Mara screamed happily as she pushed him away slowly so he could let go of her waist.

"Alright, but promise me you will look good tonight and keep a smiley face just for me the entire night not having to worry about anything at all. I wouldn't bear seeing you disheartened in front of my guests tonight."

"I promise a billion and more. Get going!" she replied with a smile.

The door banged as he exited the room and the silence returned again. Mara never seem to know what it was that she felt at the moment.

Everything done in the Martin's house is classy and no one except the elite can adapt to such lifestyle, it takes more than education to fit in, because wealth was a lifestyle in their bloodline.

How did Mara get to be with the elite class? She was no where close to the billionaire's class before now; at least, not until she met Henry in High School who was so not good at taking care of himself unless his mom was to be around. His friends made jest of him then until Mara came along and they both found a connection with each other.

Henry paid the bills and funded her school works while she looked after him in every way a mother can. And when he was done with high school - leaving her at third grade - his mum passed on. This made Henry become fond of Mara in the later time.

The more his father Martin drew close to know more about Mara, the more comfortable he got to approve her to be with his son. Her qualities were exceptional and surpassing comparison to any other girl that ever related with his family: this gave Mara a great deal of honor, worthy of her person.

Mr. Martin lavished wealth on her so much that no one will notice she was nothing close to a high class citizen. Whatsoever she wanted that money can buy, she got them even before she wished for it to arrive at the time she imagined.

Mara now lives in the luxury of a billionaire Mayor, what more can she desire of all the treasures of happiness when everything she needed had already been provided. However, Mara needed more than what life presented to her at the moment, she was in deep search for attention, for something beyond the norm. As for Mara, she trust Henry will give her just what she seek, maybe with time; and she never hoped for anything more than Henry who she fell in love with from High School days.

She gentle rubbed her palm on her shoulders as she walked around the house on folded arm. Not less than half an hour, she returned to the chair she was sitting and would have picked up the book which gave her a little comfort and strength to ignore her feelings, when suddenly her phone alarm started ringing, reminding her it was time to get herself ready for the night party, but then, she was numb about going... She never knew why, but deep down, we felt something isn't right and soon discovered the answer when the phone rang...

It was past six o'clock and the sound of music permeated through the windows and door leading to the staircase downward while Mara sat down humming the song she heard faintly as she applied make ups on her face to compliment her dress. For a moment, she was catching the fun coming in from the music she kept listening to when abruptly her phone started ringing out so loud it caught her off excitement.

"Hello"

"Hello is this Mara..."

"Anderson! Yeah, yeah, who is this please?"

"Ah, miss Mara Anderson am calling to inform you about a thought tragic incident, hope you don't mind?"

"No, no, go on!" she said, trying to get hold of herself, taking away the complicating looks off her face as she listened carefully to the unknown voice that contacted her.

"Ma'am, your entire family just had an accident an hour ago on a highway going home from Luzon and were confirmed dead minutes later excluding one little girl about fifteen of age but she seem to be in coma as we speak. Am sorry ma'am, just an eye witness."

[Inhale a deep breath]

"No am not that Anderson, never! Who gave you my number?"

"Am sorry miss, I happen to get your contact from your little sisters' phone lying on the back seat. We helped called the ambulance that took it from here and I felt it was my responsibility to contact whoever is related to them."

Mara remained speechless as he talked, not knowing whether to cry or scream or wail; for a moment she kept saying to herself it's all a dream and after the nights party she was going to wake up.

"...hello miss are you there?"

"Oh, yes, yes, thank you for contacting me" she said softly as she dropped the phone on the table and went blank: not a word, not a smile, no not an emotional feeling at all.

Mara slowly turned herself away from the mirror leaving the makeup tools from the box all scattered on the table top. She arose motionlessly and put on her hill shoe as if she was going to go insane, she shambled out heading downstairs on a pale look.

Before her stood a waiter by name Rashad, holding up a tray containing sets of wine glasses half filled with wine who happens to be the chief servant of the Martins family night party and a native of an African American community in New York contracted for the job tonight. He appears to be a good fellow around the Martins family for years and whenever there is a need for support, he was always available, though he was always paid huge and in full. He was the first to fix his gaze on Mara as she came walking down the staircase sluggishly though unnoticeably except one takes a closer look.

"Good evening your royalty!" he exclaimed purposefully to put smiles on her weird look before she came out the spotlight.

"Good evening manginoo!" She said in a whispering vocal tune giving him a brief dim smile as she approached him. [Manginoo a Philippians dialect meaning Gentleman in English]

"What makes your countenance fail you tonight? Is his majesties abundance presumed insufficient?" He asked rhetorically as he took a bow, stretching his left arm towards her so she could grab herself a glass of wine.

"Thank you Mr. Rashad for your service and yes I am doing just fine"

"I will take your words to be faithful and more so, you look beautiful on this gown!" he responded enthusiastically, making an adjustment on his collar with his right hand as he tilted ninety degrees paving the way for her to walk on.

"Thanks for the care"

"Anytime, my lady you please, anytime. Don't forget to smile, it's a lovely night!" he clamored so she could hear him amidst the sound of the ongoing music.

Mara nodded in response to the voice of Rashad as she moved towards the auditorium without looking back. The moment she passed the threshold, the audience before her was three times the one she encountered in the living room where she had dialogued with Rashad and the lights hovered around the building with diverse color effect.

At first she was never aware of her environment until her friend from high school days approached her feeling so excited to finally meet her after a whole year now. She consciously rectified the blurry view she retained on her retina for about five minutes all the while she had occupied her mind in thoughts earlier in other to see Jain clearly.

"...how are you doing Mara?"

"Oh, am fine. It's been a long while!"

"Yes, so are you coming or what?"

"Coming?" Then paused for a moment and continued "where are we going?"

"You mean you haven't been listening to me all along?"

"Am sorry, I was lost in thought"

"The round table over there girl, come on!"

Before Mara could blink, Jain had already grabbed her by the hand, heading for a table situated at the mid left corner of the auditorium. As they sat around the table with two other ladies – friends with Jain – they kept talking about high school days. Their experiences marveled them like never before, having each one let out secrets she never told the other on matters centered on relationship never disclosed until now.

As they talked, Mara's attention remained unsteady as she continuously thought about the information she received, while trying to pull herself together to ensure no one else notice it till she figure out what to do concerning her families death awareness.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen!" a voice echoed from the speakers. It was Henry, holding the microphone full of courageous fascinating words coming forth out of him as he gave a remarkable speech to arouse a great applaud from the audience.

"...tonight I want my fiancée to stand by me, a woman who has touched my life in every way a man had wished for and more than that, a woman worth more than any money or possession I may have in a life time. Ladies and gentlemen, help me make welcome my one and only beautiful Mara Anderson!"

As he gradually raise his right hand pointing towards the table where Mara sat, the entire congregation rose up in applaud and in much adore, poured out their delightful cheers all over the room where they converged in a grand elite ceremony.

She, elegant in style and astonishing in beauty, walked forward to meet him, sparkling on her elongated white gown – how she loved it – she filled the cyclic angles of her shoes which sparkled in gold with her gown: she was indeed a sight to look upon. Lifting up her left hand, Henry supported her hand towards him and kissed her hand as a symbol of adoration, then made her stand before him to gaze at him alone. Mr. Martin stood afar off smiling and shaking his wine glass as he nodded once to alert his son to proceed.

All the chattering ceased for a moment as everyone watched Henry pick out something he hid in his shoe while bending down as if something hurt him by the left leg so soon. At first Mara thought something happened to him, which made her forget all the thoughts going through her head and came fully back on at the moment. She would have bent to help Henry when he dramatically presented a diamond fashioned ring before her on his knees as he said in a whispering voice,

"I have waited long enough for this moment Mara, will you marry me?" he paused in a tensed mood waiting for a reply and wishing he should never get a no for an answer.

"You know, from day one it has always been you Henry. And yes, Henry, yes I will go the ends if you don't mind"

Words cannot describe the joy Henry felt in those moments when his only world accepted him; he immediately stood up on his feet and grabbed her by the waist, drew her closer, much closer and engaged her in a thought forever kiss full of passionate out pour of love. It was Mr. Martin, who came closer in ecstasy and for joy, creamed and the top of his voice,

"You two get a room right this minute!"

Words alone could not only describe how Henry felt, but also how his father Martin felt as well. But as for Mara, she was running out of control deep down within her. She felt at the moment whether she really knew what she wanted in life, or whether she could bare living life without anyone else to call relative.

To Mara, her life was beginning to come to an end with no one present to hear her out. She kept giving herself hopes she was going to be just fine, but as the nights lingered, she began developing feelings of sorrows and pain, mourning and tear, and when she found out everyone was gone out to their dwelling place for the night she left Henry and the rest of the company who were filled with party spirit and drunken with wine at past eleven o'clock to go in search of her family. She advance out of the building and progressed from walking sluggishly to running further in anticipatory fear and disdain to catch a taxi instead of going on one of the cars she owned of the Martins family.

......

"Taxi"

[Pulled over]

"Wherever you please miss, there shall my wheels go. Good evening miss" The cab driver greeted.

Mara was in no way eager to respond but she struggled to do so instead, perceiving the man on the wheels was really a gentle fellow.

"Good heavens, take me to Tx. An Khê" she said while closing the door.

The cab zoomed off the minute she entered. The driver began whistling to the tune of the music playing on his radio as he drove on, for some time, he kept nodding his head following sequentially the melody from the song until he noticed she was really quiet.

At first, he noticed she had not her seat belts on, which made him spoke again,

"Hello miss, I think you should have your seat belt on, the road is about to get bumpy".

As his voice became pronounced, she turned her head to look at him, breaking out of the thoughts she had going on in her mind,

"Oh my dear, thank you" smiling she putted on her seat belt and turned again to face the window.

"Lovely view right?" The man asked as he turned down the music playing on the radio to keep the conversation on, seeing he was beginning to have a drowsy feeling.

"Yeah, really a good one." She replied keenly staring out the window

"So why is a beautiful Lady so charming be out all alone on her way to Tx. An Khê?" He asked again supposing not to get a straight response.

"Am I alone?" Mara asked as she turned slowly again to really identify the gentle man.

"I think you are ma'am, if am not mistaking cause no one seems to be with you"

"Oh my dear, you are with me, aren't you? She asked pretentiously.

"Oh gracious God, am only at your service" he replied with his face brightening with smiles all over.

"Just take me to Tx. An Khê okay."

"Yes ma'am" he nodded as he fired on.

Mara soon had enough of thinking and set her eyes on the moment to maintain a stable mind. She soon placed her hand on her forehead to confirm her temperature state and then exclaimed

"I need to be in Manila but don't want to get there soon, I just need to clear my head."

"Oh, is that so? I think I've got someone at Sông Câu who can help you fulfil both at the same time."

"Oh kindly I would love to meet that person"

"Sure you will miss.

Although it gives me concern at the moment why on earth a wealthy looking lady as you, will prefer to move over to Manila of the Philippines by ship instead of the usual and more comfortable flight means of transportation."