The Night's Promise

Chapter 3

October 2009, Chicago

“Ellie!!!” Marco shouted from below as Ellie finished packing the last of her bags.

“Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! I’m done!” Ellie shouted in return and closed the door of her room. This would be the last time she’ll see her bedroom so she took it all to memory.

This room has witnessed how she grew up.

When she drew doodles on the walls, when she posted posters of her favorite bands, when she decorated her room with her own artworks from painting, sketching, pottery, to sculpting.

But now, all that remained is white.

There would be people who will take out her bed once she gets out of her room. It will be sold like the rest of their stuff. Like the house.

Ellie took one last glace at her old home as Marco hauled her bags and placed it on the car.

“Hurry up, El! We have to catch our flight!” Marco reminded her. Marco’s friends Kenneth and Steven volunteered to drive them to the airport since they also sold their cars. Their parents are with Kenneth while Marco and Ellie took the one Steven will drive.

Right after graduation, Devon left for Harvard without giving her a head’s up.

And so, apart from her relatives and a few High School friends who didn’t go to College, there would be no one left for Ellie to goodbye to.

Nang papunta na sina Ellie sa airport, ang kaniyang mga mata ay nakatuon sa kanilang dinadaanan. Hindi niya maiwasang mapaisip na marami din siyang mga alaala sa lugar na iyon, karamihan doon ay noong kasama niya Devon. Ang kaniyang kaibigan na parang kinalimutan lang siya nang ganoon lang kadali.

She shook her head, trying to get the nasty thoughts out of her head. She admits that she would miss this place terribly but she knows that the move would help her start something new.

She inhaled deeply, and exhaled as if letting go of her past. She decided to let go of everything tying her to the past, of everything tying her to Devon. She decided to move on.

October 2009, Massachusetts

“Hey. How’s it going?” Devon answered after a beep.

“Good. Good. How about you?” Marco answered.

“That’s nice. I’m doing great, thanks. I’m on my way to a College party. Someone said I get to meet hot chicks.” Devon snickered. As if that would make me go. “Then they said it’s supposed to orient us with how things go in College so I thought, why not? If it would make me less clueless.”

“Uh-huh.” Sabi ni Marco na may bahid na disappointment.

“So, why did you call? How is she?” tanong ni Devon na ang tinutukoy ay si Ellie.

“Oh she’s doing great too. She’s having a slumber party with Cathy and the other girls. The guys came over awhile ago though.” Marco said offhandedly.

“Hmm. Sounds fun.” Mahinang sabi niya.

“YeP” popping the P.

“….So, I gotta go. I’m already in the driveway. Just say hi to them for me.” Sabi ni Devon habang papalabas na sa sasakyan.

“Sure. Sure. Oh, by the way, our parents decided to move.” Sabi ni Marco.

Devon stopped on his tracks. “Really? Where? Which state?”

“Yeah. Not which state. Which country. We’re going back to Philippines.” Sabi ni Marco.

Philippines? PHILIPPINES?