Confessions of a Cynic

T W E N T Y - F O U R

There were two ice cream cones on his hands, one is chocolate for Maria and the other is Psyche's favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream. Eros headed to the shore where he knows his girls were waiting.

My girls. He smiled at this thought. Many of the men his age wouldn't dream, hence even think of having a family someday but not Eros. 

He dreams of in a nice house by the suburbs where he could have a nice large house enough to fit in 5 girls. He wouldn't mind having a son though who he could play baseball with or even chess or teaching him how to ride a bike or even give him advice about the 1st girl he would lay his eyes on. It's just that he would rather see girls swarming around him, giving him light kisses and goes to him to buy things and hear the squeals or even their giggles.

And of course, his wife would call them that it's past their bedtime where she would tuck them to bed and tell them bedtime stories too. They would laugh for a while, teasing and tickling each other and play with her pink hair or purple hair or mint-whatever she prefers that time before she's finally able to let them fall asleep and give them sweet kisses.

Pink hair. Purple hair. Mint. He sighed at this. This wasn't the first time he dreamed of this. He could usually picture Psyche in his dreams ever since-well, ever since she started ignoring him.

And when he saw them by the shore, laughing and playing, he sighed as his heart started to beat rapidly and also a fluttery feeling of his stomach. What's this? Wasn't I just thinking of this a while ago?

"Maria! Stop!" Psyche fell down the sand, laughing so hard as Maria teased her with the starfish she was holding.

"Starfish! Starfish!" Maria shouted, her laughter echoed the beach and it sounded like music to Eros' ears.

What a perfect picture. He wouldn't bother to just stay there and watch them but the ice cream is already melting. I can't believe I'm about to curse an ice cream and no one is supposed to curse an ice cream.

"Hey, pretty ladies. Your ice creams are here." Eros said and Maria hastily went to him and reached for her ice cream. He chuckled at the cuteness and handed the chocolate to Maria. Psyche approached them too and Eros was delighted to see Psyche's face lit up at the sight of the cookies and cream ice cream.

"That some smile you got there." He told her as he handed the ice cream.

"I love ice cream." She said before taking a lick of the sweet treat.

"Of course you do." He smiled, watching her. "You won't share your ice cream with me?"

She gave him a look and rolled her eyes. "Please. Don't do that with me."

He gave a chuckle. "What do you mean?"

"That. What you're doing right now...with me."

"What?"

She shook her head and scoffed. "You are obviously flirting with me."

"I just want an ice cream with you." He grinned and bend down beside Maria, trying to act innocent. "We should share what we have, don't you think, Maria?"

Maria gave a nod as a reply. "Si. Mama and Papa always tell me to share with others."

Eros looked back at Psyche. "The pretty girl has a point."

Knowing his intentions, Psyche rolled her eyes at him but this time, she was laughing. "You used the kid."

"We could share." Maria handed the ice cream to Eros and he took a lick and smiled. "You like chocolate?"

"It's my favorite actually."

"We're the same then."

"That's right."

"Psyche! Eros!" Wendy called out to them, running. "We found the girl's parents. They're on the way."

Eros and Psyche looked at each other and then to Maria. "You're mama and papa are coming."

The good news lit Maria's face. She was happy that she gave Eros a surprised hug that made him tumbled down on his butt. He chuckled and stroke Maria's hair gently. "Everything's okay now, Maria."

"Thank you, Mr. Thank you very much."

"We are so thankful for bringing back our little girl." Maria's mother said to the four of them. Her eyes were already wet and red from crying. Psyche could feel how she must have felt scared that her little girl was separated from them.

"Do not mind it. We're glad that she's finally safe in your hands." Robert said, wrapping his arms around Wendy's shoulder, giving them his very warm smile.

"Yes. Thank you very much." Maria's father said as he carried Maria effortlessly.

"Do not go away from you mama and papa anymore, okay?" Eros told Maria and tapped her nose. Maria giggled and wrinkled her nose.

"I promise." She replied and took out her pinky and tangled it with Eros'. After then, they all said goodbye to each other.

"Awe. I wish I could have spend more time with Maria." Wendy said, looking at Maria 

"I'll miss that girl." Eros shared as he continued waving at Maria until they were out of sight. He sighed and smiled, thinking of Maria. "Someday, I'll have a daughter who's going to be cute like Maria."

"Same here." Robert said and kissed Wendy's forehead. "Wouldn't it be wonderful, Psyche?"

She looked at Eros first before giving a reply. "Yeah." She said under her breath. She was thankful that she was able to hide her croaking voice perfectly or else, the tears that has been building up in her eyes would have let go too.

She would miss Maria because for her it was a special moment to hold a little girl in her arms, to care for her to play with her. To be able to feel to have a little girl as a daughter who's beautiful and charming.

 It would've been wonderful to have a daughter like Maria or even a child for that matter.

It was just tragic that she couldn't have her own.

P.S: Sorry if I updated a bit late. Kinda busy here. Hope you enjoyed! :D