Chapter 8 LONGING

On waking up, sunbeams passed through Mama Celeste's bedroom. She was not on the bed anymore. Looking at my wrist watch, I found myself surprised to note that the time had come nearly for lunch. Oh, the party curse!

Too agitated to step out of the room, I hurriedly

fixed mom's bed.

With my head keeping me aware that Elias had visited last night, I decided I also needed to get myself together so that I could see him today.

Once I had everything on bed in place, I ran to the door so that I could open it so that I could go on to my room and shower in my own bathroom.

The door opened and my mouth agape at seeing who was standing in front of me.

Elias.

He was actually going to knock on the door because I caught him raising his right hand. But when he saw me inside, he lowered his hand right away and stepped back. I could see that he was as surprised as I was.

Since his curly hair was wet, it was easy

to inform that he had just showered. He was quite clean and fresh smelling dressed in his plain sweat shirt and a pair of loose-fitting jeans.

And then, suddenly, I remembered that I had just got out of bed without even needing to check my face or my messy long hair! Without thinking, I quickly shut the door in front of Elias's face so that I could rush to mom's vanity mirror and straighten myself up.

Luckily, I spotted some wet wipes on her vanity table and rinsed my eyes and face with them.

I ran my fingers through the messy curls so that I could stuff them all into the sides of my face and behind my ears.

Adjusting my purple pajama top and bottom, I made sure to look pretty even in PJs. I hurried over to open the door because I was so badly afraid that I would never be able to see him again.

Fortunately, he was still waiting there looking this flustered.

What a nice way to start my day, huh?

Seeing my prince charming guy first thing in the morning in my sleeping attire?

I gave him my sweetest smile and accosted

him good morning.

"I didn't know you and mom have exchanged rooms," he said bewilderedly.

"No, we haven't. I just slept with mom last

night," I explained.

"You slept with mom?" he asked still bewildered. "Well why should I wonder? That's what babies do. They sleep with moms," he explained later to himself.

I whined, "I'm no longer a baby."

"Yet you look one," he said as His gaze examined my pajamas.

He was smiling faintly.

I mused in, "Why do you always insult me?" among my gritted teeth.

Last night, he seemed displeased with my party dress.

He simply insulted me now that I was in pajamas! What should I wear he would deem acceptable? I sobbed, trying to stop my tears, "You are the most brutal person I have ever known!"

Clearly satisfied with my stated resentment, he laughed at my remark.

"I'm the most brutal person you've ever knew, nevertheless, you still want to wed me? How ludicrous... or..." He stopped grinning, "don't you anymore?" He looked at my eyes for clues.

Well, I had my temper too. I found myself becoming annoyed even if I tried my best to be the most patient girl in the world.

Ignoring his wonderful presence, I passed him to get to my room.

"Liana!" He shouted my name. I spun around. He really called me?

Miracle!

"What?" I inquired.

"Are you withdrawing now from our engagement?" His brow was slightly furrowed.

Back out? Me changing course? Really?

"Back out? Never!" I screamed at him and sped off. to my room.

I said to myself as I shut the door behind me, "Don't you ever push me to back out, Elias."

I fell back on it. I had tears inside.

Seconds thereafter I heard faint tapping on my door.

Could Elias have been chasing me? Was he still looking for a chance to speak? I exhale and inhale. I took a few seconds before choosing to open the door.

Yes, I saw him again when I did.

I questioned acting cold, "What?

He said, leaning against the doorframe, "Let's have a deal," and I backed a bit farther away from him.

I said puzzledly, "What deal?"

As this was the first time he actually followed me. Usually he would be the one walking out on me.

And if I were the one to depart first, he never ever bothered to follow me.

This was therefore a kind of miracle, right? With his crossed arms resting in his chest, he still leaned on the doorway and gave a deep sigh.

Let's stop this absurdity right here." Mom should be informed we choose not to get married. Ever." He had that serious tone.

Anyone could tell he meant every word he just spoke just by listening to him.

My mouth dropped wide in surprise. How could he?

"And if you agree with me, I swear I'll be good to you, I'll no longer bully or insult you. In brief, I'll be civil to you, he said, still seeming very serious.

Civilian? No, I didn't want him to simply be polite to me. I wished for him to belong to me.

Mine. Marry me.

I asked obstinately, meeting his gaze, and crossing my chest with my arms: "And if I don't do what you just said?"

With his hands in his pockets, he stepped away from the frame and stood in the middle of the opening.

"Are you kidding me?" Elias looked quite startled by my response.

"Do you actually want to pursue this madness?" I said, "This is not stupidity to me," immediately.

He groaned in annoyance as he turned,

"Ugh!"

"Wait!" I approached him. I was worried he could leave me permanently.

"W-Why can't we simply marry?"

"Damn!" he cursed, clenching one of his fists.

"And give in to what mom wants when it's neither healthy nor advantageous to the both of us?"

As his back was toward me, he said, "Are you really this desperate?"

Of course, it is good and nutritious. I wanted to battle for it.

He approached me once more. "How could you say that? Are you mature enough even to say that? "

My age. He was talking about my age. Oh, my gosh! Didn't he actually believe I had matured?

"When will you actually mature?

Liana? One should mature for once.

He still regarded me as a child!

I still did not have Any impact on him! He did not wait for me to speak.

"What I'm trying to say is that you really choose for your future, Liana. You cannot hang on with mother for all time. Make your own decision.

Furthermore, I have my own future to consider. I only want to marry the woman I like, not the one my mother likes for me.

Almost a whisper, I added, "The only future I like is to be with you..."

The man I wanted to listen wouldn't; how could I scream it all around?

Still, he heard me.

He said, "Don't make a fool of yourself."

Nearly a whisper too.

Again, that statement! Almost sobbing, I said, "If you can't accept me right now, then I'll wait for you even it'll take forever for me."

Angrily, he said, "I said, don't be a damn fool," this time pushing both of my shoulders with his powerful hands. "I. Don't. Want. To. Marry. You." He stressed every word like he wanted every cell of my brain to perceive it.

"I will marry only the woman I love and I don't love you."

Therefore he lacked affection for me? What's to be done? His words affected me sharply.

I became silent.

He let go of my shoulders. Seeing his dark impression made my tears streamed out from my eyes. He grew increasingly bitter as he saw my tears on my cheeks.

"See?" You still haven't matured enough.

As he turned to exit, he said coldly, "You are still a cry-baby."

It really ripped me apart. his words, all his Words scar me to the bone!

"Because you always make me cry!" Damn you!" I screamed out loudly so he might hear it. He stopped and spun to confront me. once more.

For seconds, he only looked at me. I repeated, in a subdued voice, "Because you always make me cry...as both of us were fighting stares.

"Because that's what I want to do; I will never make you happy, Liana," he stated matter-of-factly.

He never turned his gaze toward me again.

I never saw him after then today. He is already gone.

Though Elias caused me suffering and agony, I still could not afford to despise him. Notwithstanding my fragile heart, I still think what I felt for him was definitely genuine.

Thus, I pledged to myself to wait for the moment he would ultimately grow to love me... even if it would require eternity.

Even if he found it disgusting. Forever. I'm going to love him always.

I would also wait for him forever.

In the last weeks of summer I dedicated my days spent making exquisite memories with Isabella, now my closest friend.

Isabella and I always went to Santa Rosalía with my driver, Jackson, to do some volunteer work especially for those kids who hadn't been to school.

Naturally, we also had feeding and volunteer tutoring initiatives in the town with Mama Celeste's blessing and funds.

I also asked a few of my classmates to come and share their affluence to the children in Santa Rosalía.

I really began to understand how unlucky the majority of the kids in the town were on one fateful day. These kids were mostly left behind since their parents were mostly farmers, laborers, and laborers. They were young and poor. They wanted people to pay attention to them.

As we continued with our services, I felt good on the inside. I realized that everyone has something to offer their friends, no matter their age.