The Mermaid's Last Wish

Chapter 15 - Keep Me Smiling

The blue sky was filled with small and thin clouds. The birds were flying away when Erina reached the top of the small hill. She saw an ocean filled with white sand.

"Beautiful place." She opened her arms wide and made a circle at the wind. Her white dress was flowing through the wind blows.

"Erina." Georgie grabbed her hand. "Let's go back to the tent. Grandfather wants you to help him."

There were chopped porks, lettuce, bacon, eggs, and beers. Georgie was slicing the apple, pears, and cherries.

"This will be a great day. Grandfather wants to celebrate his birthday here every year."

"His birthday?"

Georgie nodded. "Yes, he's already fifty-three."

Mochi put down the pail of water near Georgie.

Grandfather knew that his birthday would be a good day for them. He was excited to see how beautiful the ocean was. He was still missing his wife, a woman who made his heart broken when she died.

Years have passed, his memories with her made him whole. Her smile, her laughs, how she became shy as he teased her - all were cherished. He wanted to be with her again in another life.

"What're you thinking? Thinking of mom?" Gavin tapped his shoulder.

"Yes, it was a long time ago when I haven't seen her. I miss everything about her."

Gavin looked at the ocean waves telling him like he wanted to go there. He was thinking about their mother too. He missed her but all he could do was remember her memories.

"Gavin, let's play!" Her mother's smile was beautiful. Her long curly hair was tied in a ponytail.

"Mommy!" Gavin was running to her when he stumbled. His tears started to fall on his cheeks.

"Let me heal your wound." She saw how small the scratch was and got the alcohol.

"Mommy, no!" He was screaming when she was treating his wound. After all, she hugged him and kissed his cheeks.

"It's okay, Gavin." She gave another kiss on his head. "I love you."

"What are you doing?" She ran after him and caught his back.

He screamed once and stopped himself from crying. His eyes were teary when he removed her arms wrapped around him. He was scared that she might see his weakness.

"It's alright." She hugged him when he was about to burst his tears.

That night was too emotional. It was full of caring and understanding for each other. After all, they enjoyed the celebration with their Grandfather. It was full of music and games and Mochi fell asleep because of tiredness. Georgie followed Mochi to the small cottage and slept there too.

They returned home without any burden. They were free from sadness and loneliness. They served as light with each other and hoped that things would go well tomorrow.

Georgie and Mochi never uttered a word for Gavin. They didn't ask him questions on what happened to him. Only the Grandfather knew what happened even though he didn't say it.

The following day was a free day for them. They wanted to help their Grandfather in the restaurant. So, it was good for their bonding time. Mochi was busy cleaning the tables and arranging the seats. Georgie was chopping the ingredients while Gavin was busy washing the dishes. Erina was helping the Grandfather to cook and all of them were making a bond. They were laughing and singing.

The customers were amazed at how Erina sang a love song that they never heard before. Their ears were filled with music which made their moods uplifted and happy.

"This is the kind of music I want." A woman was so sure that it was her first time to hear the lullaby.

"Yes. Me too." Her friend agreed and the two of them kept silent because of how angelic her voice was.

After a few minutes, Rossana, Riza, and Lily were there in front of the restaurant. They were holding their laptops and books for an assignment and projects. They wanted their stomachs to be full while doing all the tasks.

Mochi set their table while Erina served them noodles. "This is all I wanted." Riza was excited to eat but Rossana stopped her.

"Let's wait for Erina." They waited for her while she was changing clothes. Erina set her things on the table and smiled at them.

"Here's the experiment where we should ponder." Erina began talking and her friends were listening to her.

Gavin was setting the table for other customers while secretly looking at her. She could handle herself even working for her group and that made him smile. Georgie noticed his smile and kept on watching him from afar. She thought it was Rossana whom he was looking for but after all, it was Erina who was looking perfect in his eyes.

Georgie nudged on his side and teased him with her eyes. "So, you're really in love."

Gavin looked at her annoyingly. He just ignored her tease as he went to the sink to wash the dishes.

"I smell something fishy, Big Bro." Her eyes were saying something that made him feel his heart for Erina.

"There's nothing wrong with it," he whispered to himself and continued washing the dishes.

"It means you're acknowledging it?" She was annoying him but he was still calm.

Mochi came behind Georgie and wondered about what they were talking about. "I think that is more appropriate if you help me."

Georgie threw him an irritated look and rolled her eyes. "Just say what you want."

"I'm sorry." Mochi was now approaching her.

Gavin was smiling within himself. He knew that they liked each other too. How wonderful it was to have such a person special to your heart.

Sometimes, Riza spotted him watching them. She was wondering why and her eyes looked at Erina who was busy writing the answers. She snapped her fingers and stood there. "I know it." She was happily dancing in front of her friends.

"What?" Lily stared at her.

"What are you doing? It's embarrassing." Rossana was covering her face since she was embarrassed too on what she did.

"Sorry." Riza sat and smiled differently. She was forcing herself not to feel the cheesy moments she encountered by looking at Gavin. "I think there must be lovers here."

"Stop it and focus." Erina wasn't paying attention at all. All she could do was their assignments and projects. She shouldn't look at him because she already knew it. She was uncomfortable about what he did in front of her friends.

"Are you hiding something?" Riza gave her a questioning look while she took a sip of her iced tea.

Erina looked up at her and smiled wryly. "We're siblings."

"Not by blood." Rossana made a face and teased her.

"It looks like you're having fun with him in your house." Lily was serious and the two laughed.

"You got to be kidding us." Riza chuckled loudly which made Rossana slapped her shoulder.

"You're too noisy. He might hear it."

"I think that you should confess," Lily smirked like she knew all about love.

"Confess? What do you mean? There's nothing between us." Erina denied her feelings. She couldn't admit it until he told his feelings. Maybe?

"Just tell him or else, you'll regret." Riza talked like a love expert.

"True. Like, Lily. She will confess -" Rossana stopped when Lily was glaring at her. "I'm sorry."

"I know it. I heard her once." Riza made a face and Lily just chuckled softly.

"Just keep quiet. I will not tell him until we graduate." Lily's face blushed and the three teased her. "Stop teasing me."

"Oh? Maybe, you kissed?" Riza was teasing her for real to know her story because Lily was the type of person who wouldn't say about her until you told her to do so.

"Secret."They laughed at her answer and continued working on their tasks.

In the living room, Morpheus sat on the couch while watching television. He was all alone and kept on watching movies until someone called him. His eyes widened when he heard the voice and dropped the call. He rushed to his room to get his wallet and went there.

He walked in front of the abandoned building and saw a figure of a girl. She was wearing a violet dress. Its hem was short, half of her thighs. When she looked back, it was Nancy. Her cleavage was revealing. She wanted Morpheus to notice her and go back to the things they used to be. She came closer at him, wrapping her arms around her neck, and wanted to kiss him.

"Stop this, Nancy. I'm not buying this." Morpheus grasped her wrists and freed himself.

"Morpheus, I still love you." Nancy was begging now. Was it her bad luck after having many boyfriends?

"No, your lust over love will not win me." Morpheus turned her back against her. "We'll not be going back to where we used to be."

"No!" She hugged him at his back but he refused and left her crying there.

It wasn't the love he gave but the pain changed him. He wouldn't take the opportunity to get back the past because he knew, she would take the lust over him.