Unwithered Love

Chapter 1 : A Special Smile

I always love summer. It's the time of the year where school is over and there is so much excitement about the possibilities for the summer break... What you're going to do and who you're going to meet. There was always an excitement for me and my sister during this season. It's my most awaited time because I could spend more quality time with my one and only sister.

I was only 16. My sister Eunice was 3 years older than me. I was carefree and playful while my sister was serious, but she's funny when I am with her. When she went to college I was mad at her because she decided to go to a distant city. So I had only semestral break, Christmas break, and summer time with her. I just finished my highschool studies, and I thought I was ready for college. I was not even sure what course to take and where. I had only two months or less to decide. I would not pressure myself about it. I just wanted to enjoy the summer with my sister.

My sister is my best friend. She is my idol and my fan. Any place would be exciting as long as we are together. So when she brought me to Zamboanga City, away from our parents, I learned to do things for myself, not only the simple chores in the house but how to relate to other people as well. We traveled a long journey not really expecting too much. I was just happy to be with her. I only have her. My parents were busy with their business. I must admit I missed spending the summer with mom and dad when I was still in grade school. But when they became so busy with our furniture shop, they had no time for us.

So it was summer time. I was excited when Eunice asked our mom and dad to bring me with her to Zamboanga City. She was joining a mission work. She probably saw the need for me to grow and mature and be independent. She told me I will learn more about life if I decide to study in her alma matter. "More about life? What's to learn more?"I thought. If ever I would go to her college, I would probably leave also the school after her graduation.

We arrived at the busy city of Zamboanga. Tired from an 8 hours travel, I braced myself against the wall of an old bungalow. I was trying to catch my breath looking around that small house. It felt awkward in the midst of strangers, all were smiling at me. They were eight or nine. I noticed only 2 girls about the age of my sister. The boys I guessed were more matured except for one.

"This is Angel, my sister," Eunice put her arm around me as I was introduced to her friends one by one. All of them go to the same school. I was smiling back at them not minding what their names were. The younger male among them was Michael. Maybe he was just a year older than me. When Michael raised his arm to shake my hand, I could feel my face was gleaming. I became conscious about my look that moment. I knew the long journey made my straight hair frizzy. So what? But why was I bothered? I had wished I comb my hair the time we reached the bus terminal. His hand was firm and warm. I trembled when I felt his touch. I tried not to look at those eyes, his eyes were striking, but his smile I could not resist. What was wrong with me?

"Hi, how're you doing?" Michael asked. I thought he got that sweetest smile I had ever seen in my whole life. 

"Hi, I'm good." I replied with a smile on my face. I tried my best not to blush when one of them said that I am pretty just like my sister. 

That feeling was crazy, something inexplicable. I could never understand why from my first sight of him, Michael had taken my breath away. He made an indelible impression on me. When our eyes locked, I felt as if time had slowed down but not my heartbeat. That gloomy afternoon was no longer grey, but it was like a pure ethereal glow. It was amazing. For once, I was experiencing a moment that felt like infinity. His brown eyes pierced into my being. I wanted to pinch myself, but to the rescue, my sister held my arm that brought me back to my senses. 

My sister was telling them that I would go to their college by June. I noticed that Michael's face lit up when Eunice told them that I would stay with them for a couple of weeks. I was delighted I came. Meeting these new faces brought smile to my heart. I would surely like them all because they seemed to be friendly, and I thought, having Michael in my mind, that summer would be the best summer ever!