Under the Shades of Sky

Painting and Lavenders

Under the Shades of Sky One-shot

Note : This one-shot focuses on the picture mentioned in the story where young Deia was hugging young Nathan. This also answers why Nathan wanted Deia to call him "Nate" and why Nathan was calling Deia "Idiot". Let's unveil the hidden story behind the picture!

"Lola, where are we going again?" I asked, my eyes full with curiosity. My grandma was busy fixing the collar of my jumpsuit, her fingers moving deftly over the fabric.

She looked at me with a smile, her eyes twinkling like the stars at night. "You're going to meet someone, Limuelle, someone very special," she replied in her soft, reassuring voice.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Is it a formal meeting, Lola?" I asked, glancing down at my jumpsuit. It was a nice jumpsuit, but it wasn't exactly what I'd consider formal attire. "And why can't Mom and Dad come with me? And why am I wearing this jumpsuit? Is it someone from the media? Or is it just a friendly meeting?" My questions tumbled out in a rush, my mind buzzing with curiosity and a touch of anxiety.

My grandma just chuckled and ruffled my hair affectionately. "Don't worry, Limuelle. It's nothing too formal. And your Mom and Dad, they have some work to attend to. As for your jumpsuit, well, it's just because you look so handsome in it!" She winked at me, her laughter filling the room.

I felt a bit calmer after hearing her explanation, but I was still filled with questions. Who was I meeting? Why was it so important? And most importantly, why was I wearing a jumpsuit? I guess I would just have to wait and see. We rode in a car but stopped at a flower shop.

"Lola? What's my playmate's name po?" I asked her out of curiosity.

"Her name is Amadeia, Limuelle . Why?" she asked me.

"Nothing, Lola. I think lavender flowers suit her." I said.

After going to the flower shop, we went to our destination...a luxery place. Or more simply, a palace? We are greeted by a sophisticated lady the same age as my Lola.

Her smile was so bright. "Amiga, ¿cómo estás?" she said, making me look at them curiously.

"Muy bien, amiga. " Lola Lucia looked at me. "Nate, apo, magmano ka kay Lola Felicia." she commanded me that I immediately did. The woman sweetly smiled at me, so I smiled back.

"Such a nice little boy. Perfect match for my little Amadeia." she uttered, making me confuse.

My Lola chuckled. "Amiga, wag mong madaliin. It's too early for that. ¿Dónde está tu nieta? Le compré algo y lo eligió esta pequeña Limuelle."

Lola Felicia laughed, her eyes twinkling in the same way my Lola's did. "She's in the garden, Lucia. Let's go there. I'm sure Amadeia will be thrilled to see what Limuelle picked for her."

As we walked towards the garden, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. I gripped the lavender flowers tightly in my hand.

When we reached the garden, my eyes widened in awe. It was beautiful, filled with all sorts of flowers, exposing the beautiful blue sky. And there, in the middle of the garden, was a girl around my age sitting and painting something. She had long, dark brown hair, skin as porcelain as the blue sky every summer and was wearing a pretty white dress that matched the color of the cloud around her.

"Amadeia,I want you to meet someone." Lola Felicia called out to her. The girl turned around, her amber eyes meeting mine. She seemed surprised for a moment, but then a warm smile spread across her face with some smudges of paint.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you," she said, her voice as soft and calm as the sky.

I felt my nervousness melt away as I approached her and handed her the lavender flowers. "Hi, Amadeia. I chose these for you. I hope you like them."

She looked at the flowers and then back at me, shock on her face. "Oh...G-gracias. How did you know my name?" she asked out of curiosity, making her facime me directly and not minding the artwork she was doing.

Because of shock, I looked back at Lola Lucia. I swallowed the big lump on my throat, "I...um...heard it from your grandma? She called you earlier right?" I uttered.

"Oh right! Silly me. My name is Amadeia Celestine and you are?" she asked me.

"Nathan Limuelle." I answered.

"Too long." she said, pouting her lips.

I looked at her head tilted. "Long? It wasn't."

She shook her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It's too long for me. I'll call you Nate. Isn't it nice?" she asked, but before I could answer, she had already made up her mind. "It is nice," she declared, a satisfied smile on her face.

"But I haven't answered yet," I protested, a little taken back by her boldness.

She just shrugged, her smile never leaving her face. "You're too slow, so it means yes. No response is still a response, idiot," she said, her tone teasing.

Did she just call me an idiot? I was too surprised to answer. I wasn't used to being called names, especially not by someone I had just met.

"Amadeia, mija, where did you learn those words? You shouldn't say those things," Lola Felicia quickly intervened, giving her granddaughter a stern look. Then she turned to me, an apologetic expression on her face. "I'm sorry, Limuelle," she said, and I just nodded, still a little taken aback.

"Amadeia, Lim, why not put those flowers in a vase? Then you two can continue painting together. Isn't that a nice idea?" my Lola suggested, trying to lighten the mood. I was about to decline, but Amadeia had already agreed.

She picked up the flowers and held my hand before leading me towards a table with a vase and two canvases set up. As I watched her place the flowers in the vase, I felt a strange sense of contentment. I didn't know why my Lola thought it was necessary for me to meet Amadeia, but at that moment, I was glad she did.

As the time went on, we spent most of our time painting and splashing colors all over each other. Amadeia was like a whirlwind, always moving, always talking, and always full of energy. She had a vibrant personality that was contagious, and I found myself laughing and playing along with her antics.

We painted everything, from the flowers in the garden to the blue sky above us. Amadeia, with her tiny brush, would dab a bit of color on the canvas, and then on my nose, giggling each time. I would retaliate by painting a streak of blue or red on her cheek, which only made her laugh harder.

By the time we were done, our canvases were filled with a riot of colors and our faces and clothes were covered in paint. But we didn't care. We were too busy laughing and enjoying each other's company. My Lola and Lola Felicia watched us from a distance, their faces filled with amusement and satisfaction. They knew something that I didn't, but I was okay with that. After all, I was enjoying Amadeia's company, even if she was a bit bossy and liked to splash paint everywhere. Lola Felicia and Lola Lucia even took a picture of us, our clothes covered in paint and our faces full of smiles.

When it was time to go, I felt a pang of disappointment. I had grown fond of Amadeia and her lively spirit.

As we said our goodbyes, Amadeia gave me a big hug and a cheeky smile. "See you when I see you, idiot," she said, her amber eyes sparkling with mischief. I nodded, returning her smile. "See you soon, Amadeia."

As we drove away, I looked back at the palace-like house, at the garden where we had spent the day, and at the little girl who had called me an idiot. I felt a strange sense of happiness. I didn't know what the future held for me and Amadeia, but I was looking forward to finding out. I held the picture Lola Felicia and Lola Lucia took us and I know one day, I will forget who's this annoying little girl but in the future, I will find her. And when that day came, I would be ready, with a bouquet of lavender flowers in my hand and a smile on my face, ready to call her an idiot right back.

"When will I see her again, Lola?" I asked.

My grandma gave an assuring smile. "When the time is right, Limuelle."

The End