SECRETS

Chapter 5 - The feelings are mutual.

The second day of emersion was all about the children. Feeding programs, games, surveys and interviews...

I woke up to the sound of Turning Pages on speaker. It one of my favorite songs. Definitely classic. I rolled over the other side of the bed and found him, indian-sitted while reading the binder we have for the research. He smiled at me.

"Morning. Sorry, did I wake you up?" He said softly.

"Nah. Just the song." I smiled back. My heart jumps of my chest once again.

"Oh, Its from a movie. Vampire movie. So gay." He said flatly and looked back on the contents of the binder.

Did this guy just say G-A-Y movie? I frowned and sat up, holding on to the edge of the bed, I breathed deeply. "Did you just say GAY movie? You dont even know what its really about! Dud, you do not have the right to just blab about how you hate my favorite movie." I said angrily while trying to compose myself. I got up and and reached for my pouch under the bed. I started walking towards the door, still with a frown on my face. Then..

He reached out and held my wrist. I was taken aback, and was forced to sit on the edge of his bed. I  stared at him expressionlessly.

"What?" I asked.

"Sorry." He said apologetically. "We all have our own opinions, and I didnt know that you'd get so protective over something so.. fictional. But still, Im sorry. I promise to keep my mouth shut if what Im gonna say is uglier than silence." He smiles playfully.

I was speechless. My heart was racing and I just wanted to get out immediately.

"Besides, I wouldnt wanna ruin the relationship I have with my new found friend, huh?" He said.

And.. I just.. Melted. "O-kay.." It was all I could say.

He released my wrist and I got up and I walked fastly to the door. Did he just do that? His face was just inches from mine. "Wow" I whispered. I almost ran to the cubicle. MY heart was still racing, my face was burning with chagrin, my breath was skipping, my eyes were glowing.. I was.. in love?

- - -

We spent the rest of the day with kids. We started our feeding program with porridge and chicken recipies. The children in that district was undoubtedly happy.

Jay, the eldest of  Gilberts children, assisted us through the whole thing. He kept on making us laugh with his knock-knock jokes everytime the feeling of weariness sweps through our faces. He was suprisingly fun to be with. A very different impression from the first day we met him.

We had different games, interviews and when it got dark, we all sat for a driftwood fire.. I've never seen one before. Miguel was the one to set fire to the woods. The fire was amazing. The flames continued to turn into blueish ones. He then sat beside me and Jay.

"You having fun?" Miguel asked.

"Uh-huh." I smiled.

The gathering turned into a marshmallow roasting session. Then, the kids started telling stories about their past here in Greenfields.

Marah, Jays younger sister, talked about their mom. Their mother, Janice, died in the Christmas fire 3 years ago, together with Michelle, their youngest sister, an innocent baby. She teared up once but she wiped it fastly before anyone else could see. She was 15 years old. Jay was 16. When asked about their life nowadays, Marah answered straightforwardly,

"Life's hard. Nobody could deny that. But what's the  point of giving up? Everybody has problems, we are part of this world. I have a family, I will fight for them."

"But, Marah, there are tons of opportunities outside of Greenfields. Why cant you leave this place?" I asked.

Marah looks at Jay. "We grew up in this place, we will not leave it." She said with no intonations.

"We understand. But, if ever, you'd need any help, were here Marah." Miguel suggested.

Marrah smiled at him and said, "Many people promised us help. But they dont know what we need." She smiled again, more sarcastically this time.

I didnt understand her. Thousands of opportunities were laid down for them, but she continues to turn them down. Why? I sighed helplessly.

More and more people joined us. They told their own stories. We learned a lot about them, enough for today..

The crowd slowly thinned out and I didnt even notice the time. It was getting cold, and darker. MIguel was talking to Jay and there was only 4 of us left. Marah, Miguel, Jay and me. A few more minutes, and Marah was gone. Jay followed.

Time check, 12:39. He leaned his head on my shoulder..

"Mia?" He said softly.

"Mm?" My heart. Here it goes again.

"Why are you so nice to me?" He asked.

"I already told you that. Im not judgemental. Im not like that.." I replied softly.

The sky was dark, the stars were shining bright. The moon was full. The scene was perfect..

"People have been too.. different when it comes to me. It always seems like 'm an alien or something. Am I weird? I'll change if.." He sighed.

"Why? Whats wrong with being weird? I told you, I like weird." I smiled in the dark.

He chuckled and sat up. "People like you are endangered." He smiled and looked at me. 

I was staring at the sky, But I could see him from my peripheral view. I looked back at him. There he was again, face inches from mine. He smiled wider.

"Why were you so mean to me anyway?" I asked and he looked away.

"I guess I wasnt used to people being nice to me." He laughed.

"Well, get used to it." I said

"I will, princess." He looked at me.

I blushed. "I have something to tell you.." Here it goes...

"I do too." He said quickly.

"You go first." I suggested and giggled.

He laughed again. Then, got serious.. "Uhm, It would weird you out."

"Nothing does." I encouraged him.

"I like you. And it seems like we just met, but I have never felt this way before. I dont even know if this is normal. But its just all too new to me. The day I met you, the night you slept at home, the way you speak to me everyday even if I drive you away.. Everything.. Everything about you, I like. I'm sorry." He looked down.

I felt numb. Numb in a good way. Every worry felt stupid now. Miguel, likes, me. That was all that mattered. I reached out to him and held his chin up. Our faces, inches away again. I never knew I'd be brave like this.

"I like you. Too. Even more than you could ever like me. From the day I met you, until this very moment. Yes, it is weird. But who the hell cares?"

Then, ever so slowly.. He leans in, and I guess you all know whats next..

Yes, we kiss. Our lips moving in directions I never knew I could do. Under the moonlight, and in front of a fire. Then, slowly, I pull away and smile. He smiles at me too. Then and there, we were one. He holds my hand and we both stare at it.

Im in love. And this time, I'm sure.