A childhood Promise

Chapter 1

"Ok listen, Count to ten, real slow and don't you peek in between." He patted on my shoulder as a sign of encouragement while he went to find a place to hide. I wonder how he can instruct me the rules in a serious mood and the other moment runs away like a very playful child.

So I did what I was asked to do so. This is not the first time he's told me the rules. I just love to win so cheating in a game is not an issue, especially for a 9 year old girl and 11 year old boy.

"Six. Seven. Eight" I giggled real hard and turn around to see where he's heading to. I spotted him going to the nearby bakery shop. Yummy! Uncle Taylor serves really yum sweets. I clapped for my victory because this time I am going to ask Jose to buy me a pastry for me, for winning hide-and-seek.

"Nine, Ten. Jose I am coming." I screamed to warn him he better should hide fast. Running towards the bakery I felt a strong bang into a large figure, as I started looking from his brown shoes to the same old grey pants, worn several times, and the basket full of sweets. I need not to look further up; I had sense Uncle Taylor already.

"O little Austin, sweetheart you would have dropped all this delivery." He held the basket little up to make me realize what he's referring to. I turned around to see the delivery van filled up with almost 25 more baskets. No doubt, 'The Bakery Shop' was really popular in this town. I noticed Uncle Taylor was still standing here waiting for me to speak.

"Uncle Tee, Uncle Tee. I am sorry I didn't see you coming. I am here to find Jose, he must be inside." I blurted out innocently. Uncle Taylor nodded sweetly and made his way to the van, giving me space to run again. He is kindest person I've ever met, he's just like my father to me. In fact, everyone in the town treats him like how a senior person would get affection. He's the type of a soul who spreads positivism around & to him 'you give respect, you gain respect' is the motto he lives by.

Once the Uncle got completely distracted with his parcels, I rushed inside the bakery, hoping to find Jose soon. Where he can be, possibly? I've checked behind all the shelves and under the table. Oh the counter, he must be under the counter. Twisting my head, I saw laces of Jose's shoe coming out from under the large oak wood counter. That's it, I sparkled my smile.

I went to him and instead sat under the counter as well. We've had enough of 'busted! busted!' victories already, now all that we do is be in each other's company.

"You mischievous girl, you found out finally. Uncle tee told you! Yeah?"

"No Jose, why don't you accept that you lost the game and it's time for my treat." My tone was rather little angrier than the usual one. I long for those chocolate chip pastries. I just can't seem to get enough of it, no matter how many times I eat it.

Jose laughed instead. I know his calming nature. I love his patience, our laughs together, his dark blue eyes, his fair complexion and most importantly his spiked brown hair. Although he is 2 years older than me he is 5 inches taller than me & here I am wondering where did half of my height go.

After sharing my pastry with him, we walked back to my home. Jose and I are best friends since last two years. He is almost my neighbor, just a few houses away. Our fathers are business partners but his father has invested about 70% to their auto-parts import export business and that makes my father almost working under him, called as a Junior Boss.

I had the similar routine, in fact we both. Going to the same school, having lunch at home and then he used to come at my house to play. We never made any other best friend, just the two of us always. I know how protective he is for me. Just in his presence, life becomes happiness for me. I've heard lot of love stories, watched most of them. They say love is friendship. I wonder if it's really that way between us. Is there something more than friendship? Damn to my mind, I am just 9 and I can't think of these things. Mommy will kill me.

I didn't realize how fast we reached to my doorsteps. He rang the bell like always. I am too short for it. I glanced at his face, he was cute. I know for a fact that I might not live without him. Never.

Mommy slowly opened the door. She was carrying our toddler Alice. I could hear Jose father's voice as we stepped in. Our fathers were seated in the living room on our most expensive, three seater emerald-brown sofa. Jose left his grip from my hand, that I didn't even realize he was holding all this way. Uncle William Berg lifted his face from his papers, I think would be some contracts or something, and smiled at us. But I noticed something different. Mommy, Daddy and Uncle William was giving us all the attention. Why?

I looked at Jose standing beside me, smiling as if reassuring me everything is alright. My father stood up and started taking steps towards us. He hugged me tight; I could literally saw him weeping and happy at the same time. He then knelt down. Grabbed my hand and Jose as well, he gave my hand in Jose's and said, "You two my child's, are getting engaged."

Tension filled the air, I felt complete blank. I have nothing to say. It's a shock, a real unfair shock. What does this engagement even mean? I thought we were kids, no? I looked at Jose whose face I found equally tensed up. Our eyes met and we seriously don't know what does it mean? And now what?

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Hey readers, don't you want to know what Jose and Rose also need to know. Rose isn't even sure what Jose feels towards her.

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