Chapter 6
1089 Words
CHAPTER 6
ELISE POV
As I sat on the wooden bench of the hospital's mini garden, savoring the refreshing December breeze, I couldn't help but reflect on the past...
**[Flashback: Welcome Party – 12 Years Ago] **
“Hurry up, Elise! The party is about to start,” her Lolo urged, his voice filled with excitement.
“I’m coming, Lolo!” she shouted back, still in her room. She hesitated, uncomfortable in the floral dress he had chosen for her. Dresses weren’t her style; she preferred jeans and a loose t-shirt. They were attending the welcome party at CASA Agapito, hosted by the Agapito family, close friends of the Domiguezes. The Agapitos were throwing a welcome party for their relatives arriving from America, and as the current mayor of Santa Monica, her Lolo had to attend.
When Elise finally emerged from her room, her Lolo beamed at her, a rare sight since he usually saw her in casual clothes. “I thought my granddaughter was a boy before,” he joked, causing her to blush.
At the party…
Elise stood awkwardly at the edge of the crowded room, feeling like a lone island in a sea of chattering faces. She wasn't accustomed to such gatherings. Her grandfather's political involvement made these events unavoidable, and the air buzzed with a subtle hum of ambition and power that made her uneasy, especially with the elections approaching.
Her gaze fell upon a boy around her age. He had a bit of baby fat on his chin, but his handsome features shone through. He was chatting with friends but seemed to notice her watching him. He smiled, and warmth spread through her.
“Hi,” he said, approaching her with a shy smile. “I’m Reuven. What’s your name?”
“Elise,” she replied, her cheeks flushing.
He invited her to the garden, a peaceful escape from the party's clamor. Relief washed over her as they stepped away from the crowd. "Wait here; I'll get some food," he said casually, leaving her with a nagging question: Why did he leave so quickly? Was it just to get food, or was there something else?
Minutes ticked by with no sign of him. "I've waited long enough; I'm leaving," Elise murmured, disappointment creeping in. Just as she turned to go, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Why are you alone?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
Elise's heart skipped a beat. "Alone? You left me here in your garden all by myself after bringing me here," she replied sarcastically.
A wave of confusion, rendering him speechless and lost in a haze of uncertainty.
"Where's the food you were supposed to get?"
"O-oh, that um, I'm sorry," he stammered, scratching his head.
He sat down beside her, and Elise noticed something different about his scent. It wasn't quite the same scent as earlier.. She shrugged it off, feeling silly for letting her mind wander. "What's wrong with that?" she chided herself, but deep down, she found herself liking his scent now than earlier, more comforting.
"Then give me a bubble gum, and I'll accept your apology," she said playfully.
"I have one," he smiled, handing it to her. "We're good now?"
"I'll think about it," she teased, unwrapping the gum. Its sweet aroma filled her senses as she popped it into her mouth, savoring the chew. She blew a bubble until it stretched to its limit, then it popped with a satisfying sound. She kept doing it, attempting to annoy him, but instead, she saw amusement in his eyes and a genuine smile on his lips. She felt his thumb brush against her lips.
"There's some smudge on your lips," he said, smiling, and wiped them gently.
Her heart raced, and she instinctively placed a hand over her chest. She couldn’t explain the rush of feelings. There was an instant connection. It felt as if she had known him forever.
From that night on, laughter and stolen glances ignited a passion that burned brighter with each passing day. They became inseparable, their bond blossoming. A silent understanding passed between them, a shared language of unspoken emotions that deepened their connection, as if their souls were whispering secrets only they could hear.
ATE! ATE!
I was pulled back to the present when a child approached me. He offered me a suit coat. "Wear this, Ate, so you won't be cold." I took it from him without thinking. Then, he took my hand and placed three pieces of bubble gum on it. "Kuya said 'I LOVE YOU,'" he said. As soon as he said that, he ran away from me.
Instinctively, I put the suit coat to my nose, and the scent confirmed it. It was from REUVEN. I stood up and looked around, but I couldn't see anything, not even a shadow. "What are you doing this to me?" Different emotions washed over me, but anger was dominant. Anger towards the man and myself. Because no matter how angry I am, my heart still beats for him. Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed. I didn't care if anyone was looking or watching me. "Who cares." All I wanted was to let out the burdens I was carrying.
THIRD POV
"Damn it, man, look what you did. You made things worse," I cursed myself, my fist pounding the steering wheel, the leather cold against my skin. I wanted to comfort her, to hold her in my arms, to wipe away those tears that mirrored my own guilt. But the fear, that insidious beast, held me back. And now, I'm haunted by that fear, by the memory of her tears, of her hurt. I'm afraid of hurting her again, of losing her completely. The thought of seeing her cry, her face contorted in pain, is unbearable. But the ache in my chest, the longing to hold her, to tell her everything, to make it all right, is even more unbearable. Tears stream down my cheeks, hot and salty, and I can't stop them. I can't stand seeing her like this, so I maneuver my car away from her, away from that place, away from the pain that threatens to consume me. But even as I drive away, I can't help but wish I could turn back, could face her, could tell her how much she means to me.
_______________________________________
"As the story unfolds, more questions arises, so Let's take a step back in time and slowly uncover what happened 12 years ago." Keep reading.
_TAGAiLoCosNak
- Writer
