One Wish

9

I don't understand what you're saying, Eli, her father said and put the coffee mug down on the table, and frowned as he stared at his daughter. You'll be gone for a week. You'll travel to the city? I thought you are leaving at the end of the month.

A deep sigh let out by Elijah. A dreamer could be forgiven but not a fool. And she was both a dreamer and a fool. She barely slept last night at the thought of what the stranger had said. She invited her to sail for a week at sea.

And to this day she could not understand why she agreed. And now she was having a hard time asking her father's permission.

I don't want to lie... so please don't ask Papa...

I want to know where you're going! Her father said, raising his voice.

She winced. It is rare for her father to raise his voice. She knew last night that his father was worried because she get home at almost ten o'clock. She told the truth about what had happened, including how she and Kiwi went to the ship.

Where are you going, Eli? Her father repeated in a strong tone.

Papa... Elijah sighed. She felt so stupid, while vaguely telling her father the truth.

Her father's eyes widened as she stared at his daughter. Are you losing your mind, Elijah?! Don't you think it would be dangerous for you to do that?

Pa, if she wanted to hurt me, she would have done it last night... she said defensively.

Many have already said that line! Her father's face was full of amazement and anger. What if that person is a member of white slavery? He sighed and angrily shook his head. I can't believe you kept in your mind that stranger's offer all night. Though a dreamer, you are a very sensible person, Elijah. Where did your sober mind go and just because of-

Just this once, please, she begged.

Elijah Hope Peterson-

Papa, please. I don't know how to explain it to you. But I'm sure Jasmine isn't a bad person. The crew on that ship is all men and if she didn't want to send me home last night and take me away you won't know. If she's a bad person, that would be her chance. She doesn't have to send me home to say goodbye to you.

Her father stared at her for a while. He tried to understand Elijah's reasoning. For a few moments, he tried to calm his feelings. The deepening of the wrinkle then seemed to remain there for the rest of its life. That was one of the times he hoped his wife would be there. She certainly knows how to deal with the situation.

Her father let out a deep sigh again. He trusted his daughter throughout her college days in the city and at one point Elijah did nothing to make him worry. She went in and out of crushes and not serious relationships. Though young, she wasn't gullible when it comes to a man's or a woman's sweet words. And Elijah had more sense than any young woman he knew.

Then from out of the blue, a stranger persuaded Elijah just like that. And that was what scared him most.

He sighed heavily, and in a resigned voice said, Take your Aunt Mihara with you... Just as Elijah was about to speak he quickly added, Or you're not leaving! Elijah smiled.

Earlier, I wanted to say that I would take Aunt Mihara with me.

--

I can't understand your father why allowed you to do this nonsense?! said Aunt Mihara while climbing the yacht.

I'm with you. And what if Jasmine might not be serious about inviting me and when I left last night, the yacht also left its anchor in the sea?

All right, then. It's just that I'm dizzy.

Elijah bent the motor and started to run. Inadvertently, her attention was drawn to what was under the steering wheel. Something caught her eye... a familiar thing. The calling card!

She quickly picked it up and put it in the pocket of her backpack. She had forgotten that. She even thought it had fallen into the water. The boat began to sail. She glanced for a moment at the favor that had been replaced by the person his father had ordered this morning.

Then the view of the ocean was focused. In the clear water, she seemed to see the form of the stranger last night.

Jasmine!