The Night's Promise

Chapter 2 Wishing Under the Meteor Shower

Narinig niya ang pagsara ng pintuan ng closet. Nakatalikod lang siya habang pinakikinggan ang hininga ng pumasok.

“Okay. Ellie and Number 2 go inside the closet and stay there for seven minutes.” Utos ni Cathy.

Flashback..

Dahan dahang tumayo si Ellie at laking gulat niya nang makita na si Devon ay tumatayo na rin.

Pero tumayo rin naman si Rob. Kumakabog ang dibdib ni Ellie kaya bago pa siya maduwag, tumalikod na siya at pumasok na sa closet. She waited for either one of the two guys who stood up, silently wishing for that certain someone to be there inside with her.

“Ahemm..” The guy faked a cough to get her attention.

Lalong lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ni Ellie.

“So—I’ll just stay on this side.” Sabi ng lalake.

She felt her heart trying to get out from her chest. She tried to relax and breathe normally, refusing to let him see her perspiring out of nervousness.

“Uh—umm—okay.” Sabi ni Ellie na namumula. Stupid! Stupid! You wished for this, right? Why am I suddenly acting like a naïve little girl?

Mustering up her courage, she turned to face him and realized too late that she was really close to him. The closet was small and it was dark since it doesn’t have a light bulb. She bumped against his chest and he placed his hands on both of her shoulders steadying her.

“Whoa. You okay?” he said.

She gulped. She can feel his breath on her ear. And she knows that if she will look up, her lips would touch his.

Wait. Isn’t the seven minutes should be like this?

“Ellie—“ He said, in a voice that brought shivers to her spine. He mistook it for her feeling cold so he wrapped his arms around her. Ellie felt herself stop breathing.

He rested his chin on top of her head and she felt him relax.

After awhile, Ellie unconsciously imitated his breathing and was able to relax. She placed her arms around his waist and felt the embrace tighten.

This is it. It’s going to happen. My first kiss. And it’s going to be with him.

She felt him pull away quite a bit. He placed his right hand on her chin and tilted it a bit. Right now, she’s looking up at him. She can see his chocolate brown eyes looking at her.

She gulped and felt her hands moisten a bit.

“Do you remember the time when we went camping on a place just like this?” tanong niya.

Huh? Camping..

 “You don’t? Tsk. You’ve always been forgetful. Anyway, it was that time when your brother turned 18 and he brought his girl with him and the rest of his friends. Do you remember why they fought?” sabi niya.

Ah..Jo celebrated his 18th birthday with the family and invited his friends over, including his girlfriend. But the night ended badly when Jo and Alicia were screaming and breaking things, no, more like Jo broke one of the guest’s bones while Alicia screamed for them to stop. Mom and dad had to pay a load of cash to replace the damages. I think it was the last time I ever saw Alicia. But I didn’t understand why it happened, though?

Ellie shook her head. Why is he bringing this up?

“It was because Jo found his girlfriend and one of his supposed-to-be friends lying on top of each other inside one of the rooms.” He said plainly.