My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter Eight

The Herund followed them on their way home feeling disappointed. He promised himself that  he needs to try harder to make Phillip realize that Esmeralda is Anaka. The night is quiet and you could only hear the crickets in the background.

Meanwhile, while Esmeralda and Phillip are walking back together. Phillip wanted to ask her a question, but the only problem was how to get her to answer his question and suddenly he had an idea. They stopped in the middle of the road, then Phillip looks for a stick. The Herund tries to watch what is Phillip up too. Then he guessed what's Phillip is looking for. He managed to pass it to Phillip without him noticing it. Phillip suddenly takes it and wonders how it got to him.

"How did---? Said Phillip while he checks his surroundings, then looks confused at Esmeralda.

Esmeralda just squinted.

"Anyways, I will ask you a question, then you can write down your answer."

She nodded her head right away thinking it's a game.

"Okay- okay. Here is the first question."

She get's ready and posed herself sitting on the dirt.

"Do you have a father?"

She squinted at him with what little light there was. 

"Hmm. Do you have a mother?"

She squinted back again at him.

"How about one of these instead. Where did you come from?"

She writes down the street word on the dirt, and Phillip reads it.

"Street. Street? No-no. I meant your house."

She squinted at him confusedly. 

Phillip just let out a huge breath, then realizes this is never going to be easy. He helps her up from sitting. Then he thought, there is something he really would like to know, and only Esmeralda can answer his question.

"Esmeralda?"

She looks at him smiling innocently.

"What do you think of me?" He turns around to face her. 

She looks at him and studies his face, then she lifts her both hands to touch his face. Phillip thought, he was in another world as soon as Esmeralda touches his cheek. It felt totally different, to Phillip it was amazing.

"How did you do that?"

She squinted at him, confused about what had he asked her. Phillip must have noticed the change in her expression. 

"Is everything all right?"

She just stayed quiet, did not know how to reply him back.

"I'm sorry if I ask you wrong."

She just looks at him, feeling clueless.

"Maybe we've been out here too long, let's move along. I bet everyone is wondering where we are."

She simply nodded, looking sad. 

As they reach the house, Phillip's mom clasps her hand in relief to see that they are safe.

"I'm so worried. Trish said there was something by the lake. Did you see it?"

Phillip tries to recollect everything that had happened when they were at the lake.

"I did not see or hear anything. I saw Esmeralda, but that is all."

Phillips mom gazed at Esmeralda, wondering how she ended to the same place where Trish and Phillip was. So she pulled her over just as after Phillip walks inside the house.