My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter Nine

"Anaka is this really you?" Said Phillip still couldn't his own eyes.

"Yes, Phillip."

Phillip couldn't believe more when she said his name. He had to blinked and slapped his face twice just to make sure he's not dreaming.

"Anaka, I-I have missed you so much." 

Tears were starting to fall along his cheeks, and Anaka lifts her finger's to brush his tears away.

"I'm here now, don't cry. Come, take my hand."

She reached out for his hand and they flew on top of the lake. The water in the lake started to glisten and a soft white cloud appears out of nowhere, enveloping the two of them. They face each other as they turned around, gazing at each other. Phillip suddenly lifts one of his hand and reach to touch her face still gleaming from the sunlight. 

"Anaka, I'm not leaving you this time, and I'm not going to let you out of my sight forever."

"Oh, Phillip." 

Phillip held Anaka close to him this time, and they flew into the air around the lake. With the sun shining, they were glistening. Phillip noticed more that Anaka is not just an ordinary woman. They both smiled at each other while they float through the air. Everything was so magical, so colorful. The trees started to glisten and the water let out a soft light that followed, whenever their feet touch the water.

As they started to touch the land, Phillip smiled at her, then he started to kiss her softly on her lips. Anaka all of a sudden glowed more, next to Phillip.

All of what's happening right now are being watched by the king and queen. The king is furious, but the queen is happy to see her daughter happy.

"Atheius, look at our daughter."

"Guards, summoned the Herund for me."

The guards knew where the Herund was hiding, then when they spotted him, they took him with them. Suddenly, all of the magical moment disappeared, even Anaka went back as to being Esmeralda, and Phillip couldn't quite believe his eyes. 

"Esmeralda?"

She nodded, then looked down, sadly.

The king ordered the guards to put the Herund away, so he could be punished.

Esmeralda couldn't believe what's about to happen to the Herund. She begs the King to spare his life, and the king did not listen, but only leave. The queen followed the king sadly, and the rest of royal guards.

"Esmeralda, you mean to say, you are also Anaka?"

She nodded, trying to ignore his eyes.

"Why you lied to me?"

She suddenly shakes her head, trying her best to explain to Phillip.

"How could you do this to me? All this time you were with me, you made me believe you're Esmeralda."

She did not know what to say, even now she can't speak. 

Phillip started to walk away from her, then picks up his bicycle and leave. She did not move an inch, just stared into Phillip until she can longer see him.

The queen came back for her along with the other royal guards. 

"Anaka, my daughter."

"Mother?"

"Yes, it's me."

The queen walks towards to her daughter and embraced her.

"I'm so sorry, Anaka."