Our Dawn Is Hotter Than Day

Efforts

Xavier's POV. 

Sunnyside up egg, roasted bacon, chicken soup, a bowl of rice, and warm milk may fill the girl I like for almost six years. I admit that these are just simple dishes, but I hope she'll see the effort I put into this, knowing that I'm not even a good cook myself. 

After using the kitchen, I quickly put all the dishes into a tray and proceed to her room. I knocked three times then a voice that said "come in" was heard outside the sky blue door. I gently open it and greeted her with a smile plastered on my face. 

"I made you some breakfast," I said, looking at the girl who's wearing a bear printed pink pajamas. I placed the tray at the top of her study table as she slowly helps herself up. 

"Thank you," she responded with a smile, but the uneasiness that she feels is all over her face. 

After the incident back then, she gave me a handful of sermons and the silent treatment. If Dawn didn't come to the spoken poetry event, she would still ignore me right now. I should be thankful to that girl now that I see how important she is to the girl I love for six years. She's even ready to give up our friendship just because of that, Dawn. 

"Are you okay?" I asked her as soon as I see her face tinted with red.

"I think I have a headache," she groaned and closed her eyes for a second.

I quickly place the back of my hand at her forehead, only to realize that she's burning. I asked her what she's been doing to make herself get sick, but she only responded with the word we always say to our mom when we don't want to drink medicine, "I'm fine." as if I would believe that! I look at her study table and notice all the scattered papers on it. Seriously, she always likes to t*****e herself. 

"Eat first so you can drink your medicine," I said, handing her the dishes that I made.

"No, I don't need medicine. I need to finish my report," this girl protested and tried to walk towards her study table, but before she could fully get up, she falls again the second time. 

"Don't be a hard-headed person, Sky. You need to take a rest," 

"But I need to finish my report." 

"I'll do it okay. Just eat then drink your medicine after," I said and look for the laptop that this girl used for her report. I look at her once again, and I can still feel she's uneasy about the situation. 

"Hey, everything's going to be fine. Trust me," I said, plastering a smile on my face and planted a kiss on this girl's forehead. 

Nicole's POV. 

The boats are floating on the vast ocean. The cold breeze lingers around the port, and the people bustle around. Somewhere far from where I'm standing, I can see the coast that seems to be waiting for someone. 

"I'm good to go," A sweet voice made me snap out from my thoughts. I turned around to face the person who owns the voice and smile at them. She's wearing a flower printed yellow off-shoulder and a white high-waist, pairing her attire with flat sandals. 

"Are you gonna be okay in your way?" 

"I'm an adult now, Nicole; you don't have to worry," she said, giving me a reassuring smile. I took off the black jacket that I was wearing and put it on her. 

"It's going to be cold on your way since you're traveling on sea," I said, fixing the jacket for her to be comfortable. 

We bid our final goodbyes, but before she could board the boat, she drops the bag she was holding and engulf me in an embrace. 

"Thank you for everything, Nicole. We may not be friends anymore, but my heart will always remember you," I hug her back so tight, knowing that it's going to be our last, but also knowing that it's the best for the both of us. 

"Take care, Cheska. Don't give up on your dreams. Keep dancing, and I'll see you at the top," I said and released myself from the hug. 

Not even after a minute that the boat started to sail, I received a sudden phone call from mom. I didn't answer it, but the fact that she's been repeating her call makes me anxious. It seems like something just happened. As soon as I answered, I heard cries all over the phone.

"I'm on my way," 

I took a cab to get faster towards my destination. The uneasiness is all over my body; even the driver is worried about me. I held back my tears and tried to calm myself down. After arriving at the hospital, I anxiously run towards the room that my mom gave me. 

I look for mom outside the room, but she's not here; she must be inside already. As soon as I opened the door, I saw the doctor with my half-sister talking to each other. My feet become numb after hearing Natalia's words. 

"Doc, why did you have to save me? Why did you bring me back into this world? You should have just let me die!" asked my sister, looking outside the window 

"Simply, because it's my job," 

"No one wants me to be here. Do you even know that I'm a child of betrayal? Because of my existence, their family has come to ruins." 

"Darling, you're a gift from the Almighty above. You are here because Jesus has a purpose for you," 

"No, doctor. You don't understand. My mom betrayed his husband, causing him to commit suicide. Even the fact that I know about it makes me want to disappear into this world. I don't deserve to be here living my life. I don't even think that I deserve to be happy. I can't even look at myself in the mirror, knowing that I'm the fruit of someone's l**t and betrayal. I hurt someone doctor, not just the husband of my mom, but also their child. Because of my existence, she lost her dad," she said, holding back her tears. 

"But, my child, look at the other things in this world. You don't need to blame it all on yourself. You're an angel sent from the above. Just because you are the fruit of your mom's mistake; doesn't mean it's all your fault. Jesus loves you. I'm sure he sent a lot of friends or lovers for you to know that he loves you and that you're never alone."

After hearing what the doctor said, Natalia scoffed and shook her head. 

"Oh, trust me, doctor. I'm always alone." 

And there, I saw it. How my sister plastered a thin and plastic smile and how her eyes reflect sadness and loneliness. Why did I have to become a fool and didn't know all these things? If she didn't commit suicide, would I even know that what I'm doing is wrong? I don't feel pity towards my sister; I feel hatred towards myself. The doctor is right! She's an angel sent from above. How can I look at her as if she's satan's one and only daughter!? 

"My mom always looks at me in the eye with full of regrets. My half-sister treated me like I'm some killer. My dad only gives me the silent treatment. All I ever want is to have a family I can lean on. But every time I go home, all I can see are the empty walls. I don't have a happy family to return to; only the silence that covers the house welcomes me. And my friends, my friends are only there when they need something. Not to mention my boyfriend who cheated because I didn't agree to have s*x with him after our 2nd anniversary." she added, wiping her tears. 

I start to feel angry all of a sudden. My hand starts to clench, forming it into a fist. And my mom! Where is she!? She's supposed to be here watching her daughter! 

"Now, doctor, tell me. Does Jesus still love me? Or maybe it's satan who wants me," she said with her creepiest smile, tears streaming down all over her cheeks. 

"Dear, everything happens for a reason. Think positively. Jesus wants you to see all of those events for you to be stronger. And for you to know; who are the people you should remove from your life. Jesus has a better plan for you, my dear. Believe in him, have faith, and someday, you'll see how much God truly loves you," 

After saying those words, the doctor made his way out of the room. He quickly noticed my presence, standing outside the room. 

"You must be her half-sister. I'll pray that you'll be able to have the heart that forgives. I pray for your family," the doctor said, plastering a sincere smile on his face. 

"Thank you, doctor. And thank you for saving my sister," 

"Life is full of surprises, my child. But no matter what happens, it's his will that prevails," he said, placing both of his hands on my shoulders.

"And I want you to keep this in mind; effort never fails. Perhaps, you should try it sometimes," the doctor said and made his way out of my sight. 

I look at Natalia from the doorway where I'm standing. I still couldn't find the courage to face her. I'm ashamed of myself. When mom said what happened to my half-sister, I was so afraid that the past might repeat itself. The look of my father while hanging in that abandoned ceiling keeps flashing back on my mind. I'm such a terrible person.  

Julian's POV. 

A sweet melody of music starts to play; dinner was carefully served, on top of the table with candlelights. What's left is the arrival of my girl to complete this masterpiece. A fine young lady wearing a black dress is now smiling right in front of me. I asked for her hand, and she gave it to me. We dance along with the sweet melody of music, feeling each other's embrace. She turned gorgeously and back in my arms. We continue to dance while gazing at each other's starry eyes. I can see my reflection in her Hazel eyes. We dance underneath the moon and stars, matching our steps with one another. After a few minutes, we ended it with a kiss. I offer her a seat where all of the finest cuisines are. 

"Thank you," she uttered and gave me the sweetest smile I wish to see for the rest of my life. 

"My pleasure," 

"You indeed surprised me; what's the event anyway?" 

"Nothing, I just want to make up for those days I wasn't by your side." 

"You know you don't have to do that," 

All I could do is hold her hand and look straight into her eyes. If only I could turn back the time, I would. If only I didn't join the motor race that day, it would have been different. We would have been able to spend a lot more time, and she wouldn't have misunderstood me. 

"Still, my girl thought that I ghosted her, when in fact I have been in an accident,"

"Anyway, how about we dig in and taste these delicious cuisines?" 

"Thank you for this. I appreciate it," Awi gently smiled and tasted the first food that her eyes see. 

"It's all for you. I at least need to put an effort to show you how much I love you," 

After eating, I stood up from my seat and went up on stage that's just a little distant from our table. I took a seat on the stool and picked up the blue guitar. A few strums, and then I started singing my girlfriend's favorite song. 

Her fair skin, Hazel eyes, celestial nose, and that thin lips smiling right in front of me; make me want to sing more for her. Her beauty that shines underneath the full moon made me want to do everything just for her. She's the only woman who made me feel like this, she's the only woman I want to love aside from my mother, and she's the only woman who completes me. 

I love her for who she is; I love her even when she's at her worst and has lots of flaws, and, will continue to love her even when the time comes that I no longer understands her; because love does not mean to share only happiness, love means you also have to share each other's sadness and burdens. When you love a person, they make you go wild and feel all the emotions you never felt before. When you love a person, the world seems so perfect. 

"You have such a beautiful voice; I'm impressed," she said, clapping her hands right after I went down the stage and walked closer to her. I kissed her on the forehead and gave her my sweetest smile. 

"That's because I'm singing just for you. And I will continue to sing for you, even writing a song is no hassle if it's for you," 

I swear I will never hurt this lady in front of me. I will love her for eternity. There might not be any forever, but I believe that there's always, and I will love her like always.