Pretend to be a couple
1174 Words
Chapter 8
The sun had barely risen, but San Estrella was already alive with excitement. The air smelled of roasted coconut and sweet rice; the sound of drums echoed through the palm trees. It was the day of the Festival of Lights, the island’s most beloved celebration a night when the sea was filled with glowing lanterns, carrying wishes to the horizon.
For most islanders, it was a time for love, luck, and laughter.
For Shaira Alolor, it was a day of chaos.
She stood in the middle of the market square, arms crossed, as people ran around setting up stalls, hanging ribbons, and shouting orders.
Shaira! The lanterns are tangled again!
Shaira, where’s the coconut milk?
Shaira, the mayor’s asking if you’ll join the couple’s parade
What?” she snapped, spinning around. “What parade?”
“The couple’s parade!” said Auntie Mila, the island’s most persistent matchmaker. “Every year, the pairs walk together holding a single lantern to bless their love!”
Shaira raised an eyebrow. “And what does that have to do with me?”
Mila grinned wickedly. “Well, since you and the handsome city man are the talk of the island…”
Shaira’s face turned crimson. “Absolutely not!”
“Oh, come on,” Mila said, waving her hand. “It’s just tradition a little walk, some music, one lantern, maybe a dance”
Shaira groaned. “Auntie, please.”
But it was too late. The rumor mill worked faster than the tide. Within
the hour, everyone knew: Shaira and Adrian would lead the parade.
Adrian found out when a group of children ambushed him with flower garlands.
“Sir Adrian!” one shouted. “You and Ate Shaira are leading the Festival!”
He blinked, holding the garlands like they were live grenades. “We’re what now?”
Another kid laughed. “You’re the couple of honor! You have to light the first lantern!”
Adrian looked toward the market and spotted Shaira glaring at him from across the square. He raised both hands defensively. “Don’t look at me! I didn’t do this!”
She stormed toward him, hands on her hips. “This is your fault.”
My fault? I didn’t even know there was a festival!”
“Well, you’re in it now,” she said, thrusting a garland into his chest. “Congratulations, city boy.”
He smirked. “At least I get to spend the evening with you.”
“Don’t push it,” she muttered.
By sunset, the whole island was glowing. Lanterns hung from trees and rooftops, strings of lights draped between the huts, and the ocean reflected it all like a mirror. The villagers gathered on the beach, music filling the air.
Adrian adjusted his white linen shirt again. “Remind me,” he said to Shaira as they stood at the edge of the crowd, “why am I dressed like a tropical groom?”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. Because you lost the argument.
He chuckled. Right. I remember losing gracefully.
You? Graceful? she teased. That’ll be the day.
Before she could say more, the drums began to play. The crowd
cheered as the announcer called out, “And leading this year’s Festival of Lights Shaira Alolor and Adrian Steele!”
The crowd erupted.
Adrian offered his arm with mock seriousness. “Shall we, Miss Alolor?”
She hesitated only a second before slipping her hand into his. His arm was warm, solid and somehow, her heartbeat sped up.
They walked slowly down the beach, one lantern between them, the crowd following behind with laughter and song. The light from their lantern danced across their faces soft, golden, too intimate for comfort.
Shaira glanced sideways. Adrian wasn’t smiling like before. He looked… peaceful.
“You okay?” she asked quietly.
He nodded. “Just thinking how different this is from everything I’m used to.”
“Different good or different bad?”
He met her eyes. “Good. Maybe too good.”
She swallowed, looking away. “Careful, city boy. You might fall in love with island life.”
“Too late,” he said under his breath.
She pretended not to hear him, but her cheeks betrayed her.
When the parade ended, everyone gathered by the shoreline. Hundreds of lanterns were ready, each one carrying wishes written on small strips of paper.
“Make a wish,” Shaira said, holding out a pen.
He took it, hesitated, then smiled. “Ladies first.”
She wrote quickly, then folded her note and tucked it inside the lantern.
What’d you wish for? he asked.
She smirked. “If I tell you, it won’t come true.
Then I guess I’ll just have to guess.
“Good luck,” she said, lighting the lantern.
He leaned closer, his voice soft. “I don’t need luck. I already know what i want.
Her hand trembled slightly as she lifted the lantern. Their fingers brushed, and both froze the softest spark in the world, but enough to steal her breath.
They released the lantern together, watching it rise, drifting higher and higher until it joined the glittering sea of light above them.
For a moment, it felt like the world had melted into gold.
The music started again, slow and sweet. Couples began to dance barefoot in the sand.
Shaira stepped back, ready to disappear into the crowd, but Adrian caught her hand gently.
Dance with me?
Adrian
Just one song.
She hesitated then nodded.
He pulled her close, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers. She could feel his heartbeat steady, warm, dangerously close to her own
They moved together, swaying to the rhythm of the waves. Neither spoke. The air between them was thick with everything they hadn’t said.
When the song slowed, Adrian leaned in, his forehead brushing hers. “I meant what I said earlier,” he whispered.
Her voice came out barely above the surf. “About what?”
“Falling for island life.” His thumb brushed her hand. “And maybe for someone else, too.”
Shaira’s breath caught.
For one fleeting heartbeat, it felt like he might kiss her and she didn’t know if she would stop him. The world tilted, soft and endless
“Shaira! Adrian!”
They jumped apart as Auntie Mila came running, waving her hands. “Come help with the fireworks!”
Shaira exhaled sharply, half grateful, half disappointed. “Saved by the auntie.”
Adrian chuckled, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. “This isn’t over.”
She tried to sound firm. “It should be.”
“Tell that to your heart,” he said, and walked toward the fireworks with that infuriating smile.
Shaira stared after him, flustered and furious at herself. The sea breeze whispered around her, carrying the laughter, the lights, the scent of salt and sugar and beneath it all, one undeniable truth.
Somewhere between the storm and the stars,
she was falling for him too.
- Writer
