Unwithered Love

Chapter 14: Holding On

"He is at the village." Danny told me, when he passed by our table at the cafeteria. 

I wanted to ask why, but I knew that I'm not in the position to know the other affairs of Michael.

I waited for Michael that same day, when he brought the milk and the bread in our dorm. But he did not show up. I assumed that he was busy at the village.

When Saturday came, I became conscious with the time. If only I could add more hours to a day, I would do it. The whole day I was restless.

After dinner, I was reading a book, seemingly, but in my mind, I was hoping that Michael would come to see me. But nothing happened.

Before I went to bed I decided to prepare my things for my travel. I got my new devotional inside my locker and made sure the small paper was still there. I read the note one more time, and secured it inside my bag.

Sunday morning....

I woke up early before the bell rings. Everything was ready, except  my mind and my heart.

I hated the feeling of not knowing what to do, and not knowing the answer to my own questions.
Should I stay for one more day? What if I leave and Michael has to stay?

The bell rang and the girls got up from their bed. My sister looked up to me and asked,

"You ready, Jelly? I'll walk with you at the main gate after the devotion."

My heart was heavy, I looked at my sister trying to convey a message that I don't wanna go home. But she was simply ignoring me.

After the devotion, I got my small bag in our room and said goodbye to my roommates. My sister and I went out and walked through the ramps going to the main gate where vans are bound to the city terminal.

The van was almost full but there were 2  vacant seats. My sister told me to take the next trip so I could get the front seat. There were few students at my back waiting also for the next trip.

After a few minutes the next van arrived. I was still restless; I looked around, hoping to see  Michael. But he's not there. Probably he took the first trip. Or maybe he's still at the village.

I boarded in the van. I waved to my sister who was smiling at me.

"Don't worry, Jelly, I'll be home soon. Kiss mom and dad for me."

She turned her back and returned to the dormitory.

Inside the van, I checked if my bag was zipped properly. I could hear the noises at the back. They're excited to go home.

I was feeling empty that time. I closed my eyes tightly, and leaned until the van moved to its destination. It took probably half an hour when we reached the city proper.

I hurried down and went to the station bound to CDO. I sat for awhile, not minding the people around me. I felt I was floating, like a vessel at the middle of the ocean. In less than five minutes the air conditioned bus arrived.

As quickly as I could, I ran and went inside the bus to get a seat at the front. A lot of passengers went ahead of me. I got irritated when a middle aged man hit my left foot with his big heavy bag, and because of that I dropped my own bag. I limped as I walk for awhile.

Impatiently dragging my bag, I was startled when someone gripped my arm from my back. I looked around and saw a familiar face. Michael was standing beside me. He was smiling at me. I gave him a puzzled look and with that, he grinned at me and said,

"I got the front seat for us."

He got my bag from my hand and led me to the front seat. I was very close to his chest, I could not believe it was happening. It seemed that my heart stops beating at that moment.