| Fan Fiction |
by bratinella
I have always treated you like a kid sister and never thought otherwise. Until that fleeting kiss. And my world turned upside down.
I've kissed a lot of girls, I already have lost count. Believe me, nothing can ever compare to that single and fleeting kiss we shared one lazy afternoon. Regardless of the reason why it was given and received.
Short though it was, it aroused millions of emotions that I, myself could not even put a name into it.
I wouldn't doubt for one moment that it was my lips who touched you first. Your lips have given me some sleepless nights. They were so soft like the petal of a rose yet to bloom... and sweet like a mist in an early morn.
What shall I call this unfamiliar feeling that grows inside my heart? Wish I knew why I was alarmed everytime you turn your eyes on me.
If there's one thing I'd like to do now - that is to shake the sands of time. Shake it faster and find you'd still be here, waiting. Beautiful and with eyes that are those of the doves. But it would be unfair to you.
One old addage says, "a dreamer can be forgiven, but not a fool." I maybe the latter for writing and telling you these without really knowing you will understand. But I'm leaving us to time and fate, sweetheart.
Till then...
"J"
"Joe..." Ariel whispered.
A single tear fell on her cheek and dropped on the letter she's holding. She carefully wiped the tear then, folded it again. She returned it to the box and put it inside the drawer of her night table.
She can't explain the feeling overwhelming her now. She wanted to get hysterical. What does Joe meant on his letter? Does he feel the same way for me?
He said on his letter that he's not sure if she'll understand him. She really don't. And why does she needs to wait?
She's startled when she heard a knock on the door. It's her Mom. She immediately fixed herself. "I'm going, Mom. Just give me one more minute."
She found her friends talking to some of Mike' friends when she came down. Mike was on the veranda, together with Rainie, who waved when she saw her.
"Hi Ariel. We've been looking all over for you. Mike asked me to come with him at Joe's house."
Ariel looked at her brother, her eyes were silently asking why.
"They're throwing a despedida party for Joe, sis. His parents wanted him to continue his studies in Shanghai. He'll be leaving tomorrow morning."
Ariel stood frozen from where she's standing. She won't be seeing Joe again. She never thought he'll leave the place.
"Sis, you look pale. Why?" Mike asked. He sat her down on a stool and gave her a water.
"I'm okay now," Ariel said after drinking the water. "I just got dizzy. Maybe it's because of the heat," She said on a shaking voice. She thought that she'll still be seeing Joe while she's growing up. Isn't that the reason why he wrote to her?
"Go back inside and eat, Ariel," Mike said to her.
Ariel nooded and started to walk back inside when she remembered something. "Mike, what time Joe will leave tomorrow?"
Mike shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe 8 in the morning. I think he'll be using his Dad's car. We have to go. We already asked Mom's permission."
"Bye, Ariel!"
The whole evening was the most tensed moment on Ariel's life. Her mind was drifting away to Joe. She couldn't erase him on her mind. "Is he with Tiffany?" she asked herself. She couldn't help, but feel jealous.
===== +++ =====
Ariel woke up early the next day. She took a bath and dressed up. She wore a walking shorts and white over sized t-shirt, with rubber shoes. She hurriedly walked down.
"Why did you woke up early? It's only past 7 in the morning," Cristina said, while she saute the fried rice.
"I can't sleep no more, Mom. I'll just buy a bread."
"I've prepared you fried rice and fried egg, together with chopped tomatoes and green mangoes. Isn't that your favorite?"
"I wanted a bread this morning, Mom," Ariel replied, while looking at her wristwatch.
"Okay, whatever you want."
"I'll use Mike's mountain bike." She hurriedly walked towards their garage. She rode the bike and pedalled fast. She had a long way to take.
Ten minutes had passed. She's starting to get nervous. What if Joe's already gone? What if he left early? And if ever he's still there, what would she say to him?
What if he left together with Tifany? She heard that she'll also continue her studies in Shanghai. She'll just laugh at her. She's already losing hope and about to cry. She thought of going back home.
She glanced at the road when she noticed Joe's car passing by. She waved at him, but he's driving fast. She started to cry. "Didn't he noticed me?" she silently asked.
She's wiping the tears on her cheeks when she heard the squealing of tires. The car stopped just in front of her. She walked towards the driver's seat. Joe rolled down the windshield. They stared at each other's eyes for a moment. There's no exact words to explain what they really feel.
Ariel broke the silence. "I want to thank you for... this bracelet," she said, showing her right wrist.
Joe smiled. "Someday soon, someone will give you an expensive ring."
Ariel bowed down her head. "I won't accept it," she said. She then, looked at Joe again. "Your letter is not clear to me."
Joe took a deep breath as he looked at the road. "If I tell you to wait for me, it would be unfair for both of us. Especially to you. I don't know, Ariel. I can't explain what I really feel about you. All I can say is, you turned my life upside down eversince that afternoon," he said in a cracked voice. "And even if I know about this feeling, it still won't be easy, right?"
Ariel nodded. "Maybe. But I still want to wait for you."
He smiled sadly at her. "You're just saying that because you're still young."
"I maybe still young, but you wrote. I will wait, Joe."
"I cannot promise you anything..." Joe said on a deep voice.
"I'm not asking for any promises. Just like what you say, leave it to time and fate."
"Does that mean you're my girl now?" Joe asked once again to make sure. Ariel shyly nodded. He grasped her hand and squeezed it. "You won't entertain other suitors?"
"I will not even look at them." Ariel smiled.
"Sweetheart..." he whispered. He pulled her to him. She stooped down.
Joe were just supposed to give her a smack on the lips, but she slightly parted her lips and the kiss lingered. So tender and soft. An unadulterated kiss. But the kiss didn't last long.
"I'll give you a better kiss than that when I come back," Joe said. "Don't let other guys kiss you," he added formally.
"Goodbye, Joe..."
"Don't expect letters, just cards." He winked at her then, closed the windshield.
Ariel didn't budged a little from where she's standing until Joe's already out of her sight.