A Second Chance

Part 8 - Saved by an Angel

**Maine

Maine woke up feeling tired. It's as if she just had a few minutes of sleep. She drag herself out of the bed and went to the bathroom. Her body seemed to have been run over by a truck. It's even an effort to lift her hands.

'My God Meng...ngayon ka pa magkakasakit' talking to herself. She saw herself on the mirror and she looks like she have seen a ghost. She look pale and her eyes are bloodshot. She opened her medicine cabinet and took a pain reliever. Took a cold shower to relieve her body aches. She dressed for school and didn't bother putting some make up on as she usually do because she doesn't have the energy to do it. She went downstairs going directly at the dining area were here parents are having breakfast.

'Good morning Tay..Nay..' she greeted her parents in a monotone voice.

'Good morning Meng' her Tatay

'Iha, are you ok? you don't look fine' Nanay said

'Yeah, I feel like I didn't sleep. But I'll be fine Nay. I don't want to skip school today. Madami pong important lectures and we have a graded recitation with Ms. Cassy and I need to get my history book back. Alam ko na po kung sinong nakapulot' she said to her parents. She just had a slice of toasted bread and fresh orange juice. Finishing her breakfast she stood up.

'Tay, Nay..I'll wait for you sa sala. I'll just lie down a bit'

'Ok anak'...They leave the house ng sabay sabay even though Nanay and Tatay have their own car. Tatay drop off Nanay at their main office and pick her up after work. While she has her own car and driver since she's still a minor.

Maine went at the other room, sat down on the sofa, grab a throw pillow and lay down. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep.

Later...she was outside her house waiting for Sarah. The car arrive and stop where she was waiting. The passenger door at the back open and someone said 'get in'. It was a male voice and she wondered why it's not Sarah. She got in and inside is Mr. Cute guy. 'Hi'...it was dim inside but she saw his smile, his deep dimples showing. She smiled back at him and answered 'hi'...The car move forward. They just look at each other and smiled endlessly until her cheeks hurt. She notice that they're not going the way to their school. She ask him 'where are we going?'...he replied 'we're going to a place where you will surely love it'...'ok' and she made herself comfortable on her seat. A few minutes later, the car stopped. She look outside the window and saw that they are in a forested area. 'We're here' he announce and went out his side of the door. She also got out. A blast of chilly air met her. Goosebumps formed on her arms. Her feet hit the moist ground scattered with withered leaves. The air is chilly because the thick branches of the trees blocked the sunlight and only rays passed through between the leaves. She look at him whose back is to her. She walk slowly taking in her surroundings. She called him...'hey...' he didn't look at her but saw him smile...'where are we? Aren't we supposed to be in school? She ask curiously. This time, he look at her. Even from afar he really is handsome with his lean body, height and perfect smile. He slowly walk towards her with that one sided smile she's beginning to love..'don't worry we'll be in school just in time. I just wanna show you something I know you'll like' he is now standing in front of her. Something is different...she studied his face...his eyes...it's blue! Is he wearing contacts? But why color blue? She wondered but didn't ask him. It's as if she's looking at the deep blue ocean just like in the movies. 'Come' he smiled and reach for her hand. She stared at his hands for a moment...he's got long fingers, she mused. She took it and they walk hand in hand out of the covered forest. They keep looking and smiling at each other. She saw they were in a hilly place. The ground is covered with grass and flowers and dandelions flying all over the place. She ran catching the dandelions..this is a beautiful place. He called her name 'Maine!' She stop in her tracks and look at him...'Richard!' She shout back. She was amaze how they knew each other's name. She just knew! This is getting weirder by the minute..but she's in a beautiful place with this handsome guy so she dismissed that thought. He run to her and grab her hand taking her with him. Together they ran like children. They stop beneath a big tree and sat down. She look at him 'Aren't we going to school yet?' She asked again a bit later. 'I'll show you something first. Come on' he grab her hand again and pull her up. He led her at the top of the hill. The clouds are low. 'This place is beautiful' she exclaimed...'where are we?' She asked again. 'This...' spreading his arms turning around...'is our secret place' he said smiling. His blue eyes shining under the bright sun. She walk closer to the clouds. 'No don't go near the clouds!' He said and grab her back to him. 'Why? But I want to touch the clouds, they're so near'...'they're not...look' confused she look at the clouds again. She saw the clouds part and that's when she realize they were at the edge of a cliff and beneath them is the roaring sea.