The One That Got Away

Chapter Six

Marcus's POV

I watched her car left until it is not visible in my sight. I can't hide it. I shout for joy. I'm very happy. So much happy. I could not measure how happy I am today. The smile on my lips never fades.

The truth is, I have a deep crush on Sasy since I was on fifth grade. 

*Flashback*

I was sitting on one of the bench in a park. I feel so lonely and hopeless. My father died a month ago. We are now living in a small village. Eversince my father died, my mother sell most of our properties and the house to pay debt. I watched other children who are happily playing with their playmates along with their parents. 

My eyes were fixed on a beautiful girl in the distance. In my estimation, we are just in the same age. She is so pretty wearing those white t-shirt with a print of Mickey Mouse, a short jeans and a pink rubber shoes. She was surrounded by some people. There is a photographer who is taking pictures of her. She cheerful play some poses gracefully. It looks natural on her. 

As I was admiring her, a soccer ball hit my face and it cause to bleed my nose. I was overwhelmed by the pain I was feeling. 

"You deserve that, you pathetic! How dare you stare my princess like that?!" A boy came to me and glare at me.

Other people from the crowd come towards us. I saw that the girl also come. 

"What happened Harry? What is this this time?" The girl asked that boy with raising her left eyebrow. 

She was more beautiful that she is closer to me. The way she walks, the way she talks and her small face, it feels like I saw an angel. Her rosy lips, natural pinkish cheeks and especially her deep ocean blue eyes captivating me. She was just so beautiful. I got enchanted to meet her."

This boy is staring at you like he will do something bad to you. You know I don't want anything bad happened to you. I'm just protecting you." The boy named Harry explain.

What? Did he said I'm planning to hurt a beautiful girl like her? And doing such thing is not my forte. I'm not raised by my parents to be like that.

"No, I'm not!" I defended myself. 

The girl turn to me and looked me in the eyes. She gave me a slight smile. Oh, those smiles. I feel like melting. 

"You don't stare at me?" She asked.

"No! I mean yes!" I panicly answer. 

"What happened Marcus? Calm yourself down. You were too obvious." I secretly scolded my self. 

"Don't worry! It's okay that you stare at me. Besides, I'm used with it. But, are you hurt? We will take you to the hospital." She looks so concerned. 

How can a beautiful girl got a pure heart at the same time? I want to know her more but as far as I can see it seems to happen. The people around her looks very professional. She might be some kind of celebrity. Maybe she is. I don't watch television that's why I have no idea who is she. 

"It hurts a little but I'm sure it will gone later. Thanks for the concern." I said and the woman behind her gave me a tissue and I accept it to wipe the blood from my nose. 

"I'm Synderilla Shey Snow if you don't know me." She handed me a handkerchief. "Take this. I apologize on behalf of Harry." Then she turn to Harry. "And you! You better control yourself." She takes a glance at me before she left.

Synderilla Shey. What a beautiful name. It suit in her face. No wonder that Harry is calling her princess. Harry followed her along with the staffs. They continue their business and I still watched her. 

On this day, I already had crush on her.

*End of flashback*

Since that day, I research about her. I was so interesting on her. I collected some photos of her from magazines that I cut and paste it in my journal book. Day by day, my feelings got deeper. She is so sweet with everyone but everything's change since that day happened. The Synderilla I know changed in a snap. She is not now the sweet girl that I always dreamed on. 

I went inside the house and found my mom clearing the scattered toys of my brother. 

"You're home son." She met me in the door and she noticed the shopping bags that I was carrying. "What are those, son?"

"It's.... It's a gift." I answered nervously. I know she don't want me to receive any expensive gifts.

"From whom?" This question got me cold sweats.

"From my girlfriend, mom." I prayed to God that she will not get mad at me. 

"Girlfriend? Since did you have a girlfriend? Why didn't you tell me about her? Where did you met? I thought you will not keep secrets to me but you are hiding this to me." 

She knows that I can't keep secrets from her. But this time, I have to keep this a secret. In time, I will tell her the truth. 

"I'm sorry mom I didn't tell this to you earlier. I'm just afraid you might get upset with me. I'm sorry mom!" I bow my head. 

My mom may be sweet but she has this other side that she was concealing.

She put her two fingers in my chin for me to look at her and caress my hair. She gave me a genuine smile. 

"I can see that you are no longer my little boy. You're having a girlfriend now. And who is this girl, son? Do I know her? Can I meet her?" 

I didn't expect this from my mother. I thought she'll gonna scold me. She taught me to don't make things in hurry, especially in having girlfriend. 

"Yes, you know her mom. And soon, you will meet her." I feel like I'm losing a thorn. I'm thankful that she didn't ask me anything that difficult to answer. 

"Who is she?" She asked.

"It's Synderilla Shey, mom." I answered.

My mom's eyes widened from surprised. I was expecting this. 

"Synderilla Shey? The girl you were crushing on?" She was aware about my crush on Sasy. 

I know this is a shocking news to her. I always tell her about Sasy since the first day I saw her until now that she is my classmate. She even know that I kept pictures of her and sometimes she saw me hugging and kissing her picture. Even I slept with her pictures. Sasy is my addiction in dreams because we were like water and oil. I'm the water and she is the oil. No matter what I will do, she will always be on the top. 

"Yes mom, she is." I smiled. 

I don't know what happened to me right now but I feel proud about the thought of Sasy being my girlfriend. Even if it was all just a fake. Until now, I still can't believe that Sasy chose me to be his boyfriend. I mean fake boyfriend. It flattered me. I admit that I'm dreaming of being his boyfriend but I expect that it will happen. Who am I compared to her? She's in modelling. She is famous. She is rich. She has everything what a person wants and needs. I'm so far from who she is. Compared to her, I'm just a rag.

"I'm so happy for you, son. Did she know about our status? I don't want you to lie to her." She helped me carry the shopping bags. 

"Of course, she knows mom. In fact she brought me home." I grab a glass of water and drink it. 

"Then why didn't you let her come in?"

"She's in hurry, mom. Maybe next time. By the way, you were early today. Did something happened at work?"

My mom is working as a housekeeper. She comes home 7 in the evening.  Something's odd! 

"No, honey! Mom is fine. I take the half day at work. I just have some things to do that's why I come home early. Nothing to worry."

I know my mom is lying. I'm so much aware of her condition. She may not tell me, but I can sense that the reason of her leaving early in work is because of her illness. I told her many times that she has to stop working, but she keep on insisting. She tells me she doesn't want to be a burden to me. I really need to find out what was her condition. But first, I have to know who is her doctor. She hasn't told me anything about her illness. Even where hospital she's going at. 

"Okay, mom! I'll just change. I still have work later." I went straight to my room and put the shopping bags beside my bed. I changed into my working uniform and get ready to work. 

When I got out of the room,  I saw my mom is preparing our meal and my little brother is sitting on the chair waiting for the food. 

"Eat first before going to work. You must be hungry.""

Oh! I miss my newly cooked food from mom. She is the best in cooking. I love the foods she served us. 

I sat down and put a Jambalaya in my plate. I start munching it. I love Jambalaya! I love shrimps! When did I last eat this? I remembered it was when my father is alive. 

"This is heaven, mom!" My mom smiled. She knows how I love this food.

I devour my food and said goodbye to my mom and little brother. I rode to my bicycle and pedal it faster. I don't want to be late. Luckily, I didn't brought my bicycle in school this morning due to my deep thoughts about mom. If I did, it will left in school because Sasy took me home.

As I arrived, I park my bicycle and went inside the cafeteria. I use the back door and greeted everyone who I will meet.

"Hi Mr. Ramirez!" I greeted the the owner of the cafeteria. 

"Marcus!" He hugged me.

Mr. Ramirez is like a father to me since my dad died. He is his best buddy during college days. My dad helped him a lot since then. Mr. Ramirez is gay but you can't tell if he is a gay because he didn't act as one. He doesn't have a child so he treat me as his son. He help me with my problems at school and he gave me advices like a father does. 

"I told you, call me uncle." He made a sad face and I laughed.

"Okay, I will call you uncle but in work, I will call you Mr. Ramirez. You are still my boss. I don't want to have a special treatment just because you are my father's best buddy. I respect you so much." I said to him. 

"Well then, you better do your job well, okay?"

"Of course! As I always does." And I grab the mop and do a hero pose.

Mr. Ramirez laugh with my small humor. He jest even in little things. 

"Okay okay! I will not bother you now. I still have to meet someone." He tapped my shoulder and leave.

I start mopping the right side area where no costumer is sitting. I'm humming while doing my job when suddenly I bumped on someone from behind. I heard the plate broke. I immediately turn around to apologize but I was surprised who was I bumped in.