Hespero

Promise

Leonora blinked, trying to process everything he said, her heart still racing. “How does that sound?” Callisto tried breaking the awkwardness like his words didn’t cause any tension between them. The realization of what he had done dawned on her – a masterful distraction, a perfectly executed maneuver to both help her and subtly reveal his feelings. She playfully shoved him, her cheeks flushed, still clueless but liked it.

"You sly dog," she said, laughing, but her heart felt lighter, the weight of her confession to Felip somehow less daunting. The line between their playful banter and genuine emotion had blurred, and she found herself strangely exhilarated by the uncertainty. The confession to Felip was still important, but now, it felt like a minor subplot in a much larger, more exciting story. And she couldn't help but wonder what the next chapter would bring. They continued working on her confession, but the air crackled with unspoken feelings, a silent acknowledgment of the complex emotions that danced between them beneath the starlit sky.

Leonora’s attention from his own surprisingly heartfelt confession, now focused on helping her craft a more genuine message for Felip. He sat beside her under the willow tree, the twilight deepening around them.

"Okay," he began, picking up a twig and sketching in the dirt. "Forget the flowery language. My cousin appreciates honesty, right? Let's focus on what you truly feel."

Leonora nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I guess so. It's just… hard to put into words."

"Let's start with the basics," Callisto suggested. "What's the one thing you admire most about Felip?"

Leonora didn't hesitate. "His kindness. He's always there for others, always willing to lend a hand. He's got this quiet strength, this unwavering empathy."

Callisto scribbled notes in the dirt. "Good. Let's build from there. Instead of grand pronouncements, let's focus on specific examples. Think of a time when his kindness particularly touched you."

Leonora closed her eyes, memories flooding back. "There was that time… when my late grandmother was sick. Felip visited her every day, reading to her, keeping her company. He didn't have to do that, but he did. It meant so much to her, and to me."

"Perfect," Callisto said, his voice low and encouraging. "Now, let's translate that into words. Something like, 'Felip, I've always admired your kindness, especially when you visited Grandma. It meant the world to her, and it showed me the depth of your compassion.'"

They worked together, shaping the confession, sentence by sentence. Callisto, surprisingly adept at guiding Leonora's emotions into words, helped her craft a message that was both heartfelt and genuine. It wasn't eloquent or dramatic; it was simple, honest, and deeply personal.

As they worked, the unspoken tension between them thickened. Callisto's earlier “pretend” confession, though ostensibly a practice run, hung in the air, a silent testament to the complex emotions simmering beneath the surface. Leonora, while focused on her confession to Felip, couldn't ignore the warmth of Callisto’s presence, the way his hand brushed against hers as he pointed out words on the ground, the subtle intensity of his gaze. The line between friendship and something more remained blurred, a thrilling uncertainty that added a layer of excitement to the already charged atmosphere. Under the watchful eyes of the stars, they worked, and as they did, the confession to Felip felt less like a daunting task and more like a stepping stone towards a future yet unwritten.

As the breeze felt colder than before, Callisto got up, “Let’s get going, before your Mom finds you.” he said, helping Leonora get up. He then put his coat around her shoulders, providing warmth for Leonora. The young lady then took a glance at Hespero. “Do you think that there’s life up there? Like other creatures or amusingly, other humans?”

Both of them started walking down the hill, “No one knows, but if ever someone really is watching us from above, especially Hespero, I hope it will guide us and give us signs along with the universe. In this world, fate is unpredictable. It’s always between fate hurting you, or giving you pleasure.”

As they reached Leonora’s home, the sound of crickets were nowhere to be found. Only the cold breeze was with them along with the beauty of silence. “See you tomorrow, Callisto. Have a pleasant evening—”

“Could you promise me one thing, Leo?”

Leonora turned to him as Callisto gazed through her eyes. The moonlight was reflecting through her beautiful emerald eyes, as if it was going to cast a spell on him. “What is it?”

The young man hesitated at first, “Uhm…” he looked down for a second and then again looked into her eyes, “Promise me… that we will still be friends… even after a decade?”

Leonora who slightly felt anxious for a minute let out a giggle, “You’re so dramatic, Callisto. Of course, I will. I mean— why wouldn’t I want to be friends with you?”

Callisto snorted, “You’re right,” he then gestured to her to enter the house, “Go inside, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Have a good night, Callisto.” she smiled at him and turned away.

"Sweet dreams," Callisto murmured, the words a counterpoint to the quiet joy blooming in his chest. The day had unfolded like a perfectly orchestrated symphony, each moment resonating with a contentment he couldn't quite explain. A slow, unwavering smile played on his lips as he walked homeward. He didn't understand the wellspring of his happiness, only that he wished, with a fierce and yearning intensity, to hold this feeling, this perfect moment, captive in time.

As he layed in his cold bed, a radiant smile illuminated his face, a constant, unwavering beacon. He couldn’t get Leonora out of his mind. His confusing feelings for Leonora were overshadowed by the undeniable fact that her heart belonged to another.

Maybe I’m just confused.

He then heard the galloping of horses outside, along with familiar voices. He stood and looked through the window, and there was his uncle, Rafael Estrella. Despite the darkness that surrounded them, he was sure that he saw a familiar figure.. It was Mrs. Hesperides— Amelia Hesperides…

It was only the two of them in that carriage. As Rafael got out of the carriage, he kissed Amelia’s hand who’s still inside the carriage. Both of them smiled and nodded at each other.

That’s quite strange. Uncle Rafa would always bring his wife whenever he goes on business trips or meetings.

Callisto dismissed the troubling thoughts with a careless shrug, pushing them to the back of his mind, and then went to bed.