Golden Melody

Chapter 8.6

Miexha Verra

Her Pov

We were at InterMall with Marie and Kyliah, shopping for Christmas ball outfits, Christmas gifts, and a birthday present for Riel. 
His birthday is today December 24th, and as we started roaming the boutiques, I noticed a red pin with Japaneshen characters. 
It said "love."

After chatting and shopping, we went back to Green Garden.

As I entered, Ron greeted me with
his usual cheerful demeanor was replaced with a worried frown.
He held a bouquet of lilies, a small gift box tucked inside.

"Baby," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. 
"I'm so sorry."

I didn't want to hear it. 
I didn't want to see his face, his eyes filled with pity.

I nodded curtly, my eyes fixed on Kyliah, as she placed the lilies and the box in the trash where they belonged.

"We need to cool off for now, or Just break up with me," I said, my voice barely whispering. 

I still haven't talked to him or my dad. 
Hindi ko pa sila kayang harapin.

"Exy, we need to talk please" he tries to approach me but Kyliah stopped him

Marie and Kyliah  gently but firmly ushered Thyron away from me.

-----

Christmas ball 2013

I saw Riel's dad and my mom happily chatting with some deans and parents. 

Riel's holiday speech had just finished, and now he was nowhere to be seen. 
I looked at the clock on the wall. 

11:49 pm. 

His birthday is coming to an end..  I searched the entire hall but couldn't find him. 

Maybe he was with Marie, but then, I saw Marie talking to a guy who is not Riel, oh, it was Damian they seemed close.

I wandered through the park and there I saw a familiar figure sitting on the bench.

He was there, just as I'd imagined. His back was to me, his silhouette etched against the fading light.

"He's here. He's actually here," I whispered to myself
The sight of him, so vulnerable and alone, stirred a deep ache within me. 

With a sudden burst of courage, I began to hum a familiar tune, my voice growing stronger with each note.

"Last night I took a walk in the snow..."

As the first words spilled from my lips, I saw him turn.
His eyes widened in surprise, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face. 
"Mimi?"

"I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me someone to hold
Maybe, Maybe
we'll be all alone under the mistle toe"

A smile bloomed on my face.
"It's me," I said, my voice filled with relief.
"I found you."

"Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa that's my only wish this year"

He stood up, his eyes searching for mine, and a wave of warmth flooded through me.
"You're singing... For me?"

"I figured it was the only way to get your attention," I laughed softly, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"I've been looking for you everywhere."

His expression softened, and a tenderness I hadn't seen in years filled his eyes.
"I've been... thinking about you too, at that time you wouldn't..." he admitted, his voice a low rumble.

"I know," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.
"The time I mistook you for Santa Claus?"

He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to touch my cheek.
"Come here."

I peeked at his wristwatch. 

11:58 

"Happy Birthday Riel." 

I handed him my gift. 
He took it and removed the wrapper. 
He was surprised by what he saw. 
He looked at his wristwatch. 

00:00 

"Happy birthday Mimi!" 

He handed me a small box. 
I opened it immediately and was surprised by what I saw. 
Just like his reaction, I was equally surprised. 
We just smiled at each other. 

We both had the same gift: a red pin with the Japaneshen character "love" in the middle.

He leaned in, his eyes searching mine, and I felt a tremor run through me. 

His lips brushed against mine, a feather-light touch that sent a jolt of electricity through my body. 

The world seemed to melt away, leaving only the warmth of his presence and the intoxicating scent of his cologne. 

He pulled back abruptly, his cheeks flushed, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and regret. 

"I'm so sorry, Mimi," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. 
"I couldn't help myself."  I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest, and traced the outline of his lips with my finger.
Damn Miexha, ang landii moo!

"Riel?  Can you really fight for me?" 

I looked away, my voice cracking with a mixture of hope and fear. 
I was trying not to cry. 
He faced me, his eyes filled with a determination that warmed my heart. 
"As long as I live," he said, his voice was a firm promise, his grip tightening on my hand. 
"I will fight for you, Mimi.  I will protect you.  I will never let anyone hurt you."  He leaned in, his eyes searching for mine,
"I love you, Mimi.  And I will never let you go."

I hugged him tightly, my body trembling with a mixture of joy and anxiety. 
I kissed him, a kiss that was both a declaration of love and a plea for understanding. 

We both went inside the dorm.  We were the only ones here. 
He escorted me to my room. 
He kissed my forehead before closing my room door. 

"I wish we could be together, Riel," I whispered, the words catching in my throat like a sob. 

Tears streamed down my face, hot and uncontrolled, blurring the image of his kind face. 
My body shook with a silent, desperate grief, a storm of emotions that threatened to consume me. 

I was lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty, my heart a tangled mess of love and fear. 

I loved him with an intensity that frightened me, a love that felt both fragile and all-consuming.  But I was afraid. 

Afraid of the pain that might come with loving him, afraid of the hurt I might inflict upon him, afraid of the unknown future that stretched before us, a path shrouded in shadows and doubt.

"I love you too Riel"