THE PRINCIPAL'S PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 6

The wind is blowing my hair that covers the rest of my face. I am with Odin. Before us is the moon lit sea. The festive music from the restaurant where we came from is fading. We are silent as we walk further. Thoughts filled my mind but I cannot put them into words.

“Why are you still single?” Odin broke the silence between us. I stop walking and so did he. The answer is in the tip of my tongue but something is holding me back from saying it.

“I don’t know.” I simply said hoping it can satisfy his sudden curiosity.

He scoffed at my answer. I look at him and he’s already looking at me.

“Addie, you know the answer. You just don’t want to admit it.” He confidently conclude.

“Why don’t you tell me? It seems like you know the answer more than I do.” I said jokingly.

“You’re scared.” He said while looking straight to my eyes. I averted my gaze.

“Of what?” I asked.

“You just proved my theory. That is a random guess.”

I am unable to get what he meant but later on, I understood. Odin is a the type of guy who sees everything as a joke but once he’s serious, he’s SERIOUS.

“Come on, Addie. I might be able to help you.” He said trying to make me comfortable at this topic.

“I’m confused.” I started. I don’t know how far should I share to him. How deep should I let him in?

I sat on the sand and stared at the sea. He did the same thing. I heard him sigh. I look at him and he gave me a tired smile. By the look of him, he has a problem but he never talks about it. He always makes me happy but I can’t do the same thing to him.

“How about you, Odin?” I ask as I doodle on the sand using my finger.

“Just like you, I am confused too.” He said.

“I will not force you to tell me everything but you can, once you’re ready. I’d be all ears for you.” I assured him.

“I’m an illegitimate child.” Odin said.

I am too shocked to respond. How can that happen? He looks exactly like his brother, Timothy.

“I am dad’s proof of infidelity to Tita Maribel.” He said as he throws pebble on the sea. I do not know what to say.

“Tita Maribel is too good to me. I don’t deserve it. My mother almost broke their perfect family yet she still treats me as her own.” Sincerity is clearly heard from his voice. I cannot say or do anything but to look at him with weary eyes. “Timothy treats me like no other. Dad, he’s just the best.” He continued.

“I do not know what to say, Odin. I think, let’s just be thankful that they are good to you. You are kind, as well. Maybe that’s what they saw. You’re not hard to love.” I said hoping to ease whatever he’s feeling right now.

Suddenly, I remembered what Timothy told me about him. He warned me about Odin. Odin on the other hand, speaks highly of his brother. One of them is lying, that’s for sure.

With this thought, I began to hold back myself from giving information. I know Odin more than Timothy but Timothy is more credible than Odin. Do they have a silent feud going on?

Before I could ask anything, Timothy called us for the bonfire so we went to the place where they decided to set it up.

There are wood bench and rattan chairs encircled at the bonfire. Odin is beside me. On the other side is Timothy with a beer in his hand looking at me while Tricia is trying to catch his attention.

Dad came back holding a guitar. I stared at it and realized that it’s mom’s guitar. He saw me looking at it so he handed it to me.

“You can have it.” Dad said. I simply looked at him unable to utter the feelings. I’ve been looking for this for awhile. I never thought he kept it.

I remember every vacation, mom would always bring this guitar and she would play at night while dad and I admire her beauty and talent.

I held the guitar in my hand carefully. I caressed it and water starts to make my vision blurred. Thankfully, it’s a little dim on our side so they cannot see my reaction.

“Can you play?” Odin asked. I wiped my eyes simply and cleared my throat and nod at him.

“Are you serious? She’s the best.” Dad proudly said.

“Sing for us, Addie.” Tita Maribel said. She is now seated at the sand between Tito Ricardo’s legs.

I am shy but my fingers are itching to strum the guitar. My ears are pleading to hear it’s sound once again. Without hesitation, I started to strum.

“Little do you know how I’m breaking while you fall asleep.” I saw how Dad’s proud smile inverted. Yes, dad. This one’s for you.

“Little do you know I’m still hunted by the memories. Little do you know I try to fix myself piece by piece. Little do you know I need a little more time.” I am unable to continue the song because of my own emotions. I heard them clap though.

I decided to excuse myself from them. I brought the guitar with me. I’ll be strumming it tonight until my ears have heard enough.