CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"But we have this Treasured in Jars of Clay to Show that the Surpassing Power Belongs to God and not to us"
Ryan and I shared a one of a kind brotherly relationship. By looking on each other's eye, we already know what we are thinking. We are really close to each other. We never fight, not until recently when he decided to join the marines. I am afraid of his life. He is the only brother I have.
By the time I finally came home, the first thing that I want to do is to catch up with my brother, only to find out that he volunteered to be assigned in Afghanistan without even telling me. I didn't even have a chance to talk to him. Juliana tells me that he joined the Special Forces hunting terrorist and patrolling American bases.
"He doesn't have to do that!" I tell her.
"Nat, Ryan is now a grown up man." With that, she just embraces me. "Just trust him."
Little by little, I decided to accept that my brother is no longer that little boy who always needed my help. Also, I decided to concentrate on my own career. I am still working on my book, but even so, I begin to write stories and opinion articles again. Yes, I applied to Reader's Time Magazine, and as they give me my very chance to showcase myself, they made me to handle my own column- Beyond Borders. I really enjoy this kind of work and it really feels better when I know that I can inspire people.
I established Villarta's Frontier and Co., with Michigan and Franz that May of 2008. This is my dream come true- to finally see all my investments perfectly come to reality. To navigate the sea and to share those ventures is my legacy that I also want to share with my brother, and if by chance that I cross paths with that old man again, perhaps, I can also show him the great man I become.
Establishing Villarta Frontier and Co., is the most challenging yet biggest success I'd ever made. We started our first office in Manhattan, New York City with only one cruise and two yachts. Three years of hard work in a cruise ship is not even enough to buy an office space, let alone a ship, so I even contacted friends for a business loan and David also sell a piece of land just to give me a good amount of check.
"You don't have to do this," I tell him.
He just gives me a satisfactory smile. "That is actually for you and my daughter. I've been thinking about it for quite some time. It's a good dowry," he said as he taps my shoulder.
"I will pay it," I said.
"You can pay for it, but not to me," he still said. "To lend a hand to others is more than any amount of compensation pal."
"Thank you David," I reply.
The land's worth is half a million dollars and it earned me my first cruise. Michigan's father helped us to get a good passage to transport from Washington to Macau and rest of silk route, while Franz contacted some from our colleagues in Ireland to get a permit to sail in European coast. In the end, we made the first blueprint of our voyage- Washington D.C. to Mainland China, Macau, and rest of Chinese peninsula like Hong Kong and Singapore, and then we will cross the silk route to London then we will sail to Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and then back to American coast via USSR Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
With the help of Alfred, I get my license to operate and safe and sound place my cruise on Washington Sea Port. At first, I can't actually believe him when he spilled me the news that he made a good deal with his dad selling his very own private jet just to lend me some money.
"You will not believe it Nat," he said while we are sitting on his couch inside his cozy bachelor's pad.
That night, I pay a visit on his unit just to rant about how a bad friend of him and for me to missed my wedding.
"Franz threatens me," he said with laughter.
"Oh-no!" I said. "You two made a good gamble by guessing who will not make it. Franz is there. Lucky for him. Where the hell are you man?!"
"My bad. I know Franz would be there. I knew it. Thanks to me, your wedding went fine. Me and Franz will be cats and dogs if that's the case. Blessed you."
I just burst into laughter. Alfred, Franz and I are a good pack in high school then off I go in Harvard with Alfred. The two are my best friends but their relationship is that of love and hate being put together.
"Franz actually asked me if by chance I invited you. He wants you there Alfred," I said with sincerity.
"That's ridiculous," he said again. "How is he by the way? Bloody martyr?"
"He is with me. We are into the ship line project."
"Oh," he said again. "How is he and Michy? Still in their hide-and-seek game?"
"If Michy hears you, she will hate you forever," I commented.
"Ha-ha! I'm glad I actually jilted your wedding. I hate seeing their game."
"You're impossible," I tell him.
"Tell them I am also in with your ship line career. Call me in," he offers as he throws me a trillion and a half bank account pass book.
"Don't tell me you sell it?" I said as I made my good catch.
"That and a house in Maine plus my savings in my medical career. Nat, I am your friend," he said. "Besides that's only a jet plane and the house deserves some tidying. It's just a mortgage from my credit company anyway. The house is still mine as long as I'll pay the loan from the bank."
"It is your house and your jet plane," I corrected. "The one you'd spent a whole time working just to get a good one."
"It's no problem really. I borrowed money from my dad, and the jet is a good chattel mortgage. Pay me as soon as you can so that I can retrieve it, fine eh?" he said while smiling. "And make me a stockholder."
"Deal," I said finally.
With Alfred's money that I lend from him, I made bargain purchases of two yachts. One will sail only along United States while the other will be our first expansion. Franz, Michy and I plan to lease it in Puerto Rican shore line.
"My proposal," Michy tell us on our board meeting, "the next cruise will be intended on Anglo-American-Hispanic voyage. This will be a journey on North and South America and United States. The first voyage of our American-Eurasia cruise trip will be our pay check on our loans. That for sure will incur us losses on the first trip with accommodations and all, including wages and other expenses, but as long as we finally launched our yacht via US coast for our tourist explorations, we will finally expand service offers and with our leasing in Puerto Rico, we can make a good money to buy new cruise, trip within American perimeter only. What do you think?"
"That is a good idea," I said. "But how can we be so sure that turnover will be more or less a year."
"Two years," Franz interrupts. "It's impossible for a year. Make it two. We can use the first year to made name in the ship line industry. Never mind the losses. What we must focus on is to be made known. We have to market our ships, just so you know."
"Okay," Michy said. "Making it so, I might suggest that we shall also dream big dreams. In that two years' time, we shall now be able to rule the world."
"Bravo!" We heard someone chuckled from behind.
"Alfred? Why are you here? "Michy asks in sarcasm but half-joking.
"Ehem." –Franz.
Alfred head his way beside me. "You haven't told them?"
I just shrug trying to conceal a laugh.
"We are partners. Business partners," he said again.
We inaugurated Villarta's Frontier that May of 2008. That day is one of the greatest days of my life because Juliana and I made our vows once again in front of our families and friends inside my first cruise ship. This time, Alfred is there as well as my brother. Ryan also takes a special leave in Marines just to support me.
That time, I realized that Juliana is my treasure, and in this mud clay of flesh that I am, I found love.
As she walks down the aisle that day, I can feel hot tears flowing down my eyes. Today I vow at this very moment that I will love this woman. No time bound. Only eternity. Now and forever.
As she held her hand to mine and we are finally facing the altar, I knew, I am complete.
"We are now here today, on this holy matrimony to witness the love, pure and divine that is bind by God. To those who are against this union, may you now step up your claims?"
Reverend Evangelista looks at everyone and smiles.
"As we continue, I might say that love is a gift from God. After all, with this same love, Jesus died on the cross for us to redeem us from our sins. As we know Him and continue on seeking Him, we also find that same love we found in Christ to that person- the summation of all the good things you never knew you stored and planted, all in your one and only better half. He is the one sent by the most High God for you- to share your life with, in sickness or in health, for richer or poorer, to love and hold, now and forever till as long as you both shall live- a covenant that is sacred to God. At this juncture I may now ask the man and woman."
Juliana and I smile at each other.
"We are now ready sir," we both said.
"Mr. Nathaniel Chance Villarta, will you take Miss Juliana Antonette Escalante, as your lawfully and covenantal wedded wife and woman, a friend, and a partner in life as a covenant witnessed and sanctified by God?"
"I do," I said with my eyes welled up with tears.
"Miss Juliana Antonette Escalante, will you take Mr. Nathaniel Chance Villarta, as your lawfully and covenantal wedded husband and man, a friend and a partner in life, as a covenant witnessed and sanctified by God?"
Juliana looks at me in the eyes with that smile. "In Jesus' name, I do," she said.
"Very well," the Reverend smiles again as our ring bearer, which I deliberately chose to be Franz, by the way, hands us the ring.
"I, Nathaniel Chance Villarta, take Juliana as the love of my life. Take this ring as a sign of my love and promise."
After I place the ring to Juliana's finger, I kiss her hand.
"I, Juliana Antonette Escalante, take Nathan as the love of my life. Take this ring as a sign of my love and promise."
Juliana places the ring on my finger and kisses my hand.
"I love you," she mouths at me.
I squeeze her hand and smile.
"By the power bestowed in me, by God and by this Federal Government, I now pronounce you man and wife. May you utter your vows to each other."
"The feeling first hit me when we were seven- the first time I heard your voice singing like honey and the first time I saw your cute face. I knew then that God gave me you. In our story of love, faith, and acceptance, you saved my heart and soul. Juliana, you taught me how to dream, how to believe again, and how to love. I promise to love you, to be faithful and courage, to cherish you, till the rest of your life . . . Where will you be is my heart also. Witnessed by God, this is my covenant to you."
Juliana, by this time is also crying in joy. "The feeling first hit me when we were seven- the time you called me a puppy. That day, I knew then, that God gave me you. In our story of love, faith and acceptance, you made all my wishes into reality, you taught me true love, and you help me find my Dad, I promise you today more birthdays together, more love every day, and a family full of warmth and children, to love you, to be faithful and courage, to cherish you, till the rest of your life. Where will you be is my heart also. Witnessed by God, this is my covenant to you.
With that, I gave her a kiss full of love- a kiss that is forever engraved in my heart, the smile that brought the sun to shine in my life that took all my fears away and that I can never forget.
Truly, there are treasures in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.