Forever in My Heart - Chapter 7

"Penny for your thoughts... "

Huh?" Soleil wasn’t aware she had been lost in thought again.

It had been six months since she came home, back to school and her old life. But every now and then she found herself musing about her summer in Cebu - and Freddy.

You got that far away look again," Rodel said. "Is that a signal for me to scram?”

Good perception there. I really must wrap up and go to sleep.”

Okay. I'll see you in school tomorrow. Please tell your parents I'm off.”

I will. Goodnight.”

Rodel was her suitor of three years. Although he was a nice, well-mannered guy, Soleil didn't find him exciting at all. She had turned him down perhaps a hundred times already, but he was persistent. He was willing to wait until she was ready to go steady.

Her friends had been urging her to take Rodel as a boyfriend before graduation, just for kicks.

But I don't feel anything for the guy. Besides, I'm afraid of karma!”

So you'll just let high school pass without experimenting?”

We'll see. A lot of things are yet bound to happen between now and March."

She didn't really mean it, of course. She just wanted them to stop their teasing.

What's so great about having a boyfriend, anyway? She slept on that thought.

She was awakened by the loud banging on her door in the morning.

Soleil! Soleil! Come and see who's here! Quick! ", her mother was calling hysterically.

Who is it now? Idi Amin? Soleil grumbled. Sometimes boys would drop by early from the sports complex to see her. " I'll be right down, Mother! " she yelled back, trying to knot her long hair.

She went down the stairs yawning, her full bosom sculptured in the tee shirt she was wearing. Her yawning froze when she saw the visitor in the living room.

Hello, Soleil!”

Freddy!

How...why... ", she bit a finger and stammered. Suddenly, she wanted to sit down and steady her limp knees.

"Surprise! Freddy's here with their school's basketball team," her Mother said. " He also brought us a lot of stuff from your Tita Gilda. Here, see? "

Freddy kept staring at her. Jesus, am I hallucinating? Soleil wondered. But it was all real. He's here...standing right before her with that smile she knew too well, and wearing his familiar blue denim pants.

Her heart pounded so fast she thought it would explode.

Come now and let's all go to the table. I'm sure Freddy hasn't had breakfast yet. " Daddy snapped her out from the trance.

At the table, she could see Freddy talking, but she didn't hear a word he said. She was far too stunned to let anything sink in her head.

All she knew was that he came here to play basketball with the local university players and would stay for three days.

Was that all? She had to know.

After breakfast, when her folks were busy opening Tita Gilda's presents, she managed to steal him away.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack? " , Soleil lashed at him in the carport. “What are you doing here? "

I thought you'd be happy to see me, Soleil. I was close to going crazy...I had to find a way to see you. "

She heaved a big sigh and looked away. Oh, God. What should I do with him now?

I didn't know you played basketball, or any sport at all."

Truth is, I don't. I'm not here as a player. I volunteered to be the team's mascot,” he confessed.

You must be out of your mind."

I am. Nothing made sense anymore when you left. All I wanted was to see you again. So here I am.”

So what now? You can't stay here. We don't have a house as big as yours. It will be too crowdy and messy for you.”

I'm staying with the team at the lodging house. The first game will be tomorrow night. Will you come?”

I can't say. Maybe. Now, if you don't mind, I have to prepare for school.”

No hassle. I'll be okay here. And, Soleil - here's a letter from Manang Pepay. " He took an envelope out from his wallet.

Oh! How sweet of her. " Soleil was glad that Manang Pepay remembered her. But the letter had to wait, or she'd be late for her first subject. She tucked it in her pocket and hurried up to get a towel.

Mother, mind our visitor, will you? He's in the carport.”

She called out, before closing the bathroom door.

Just as she was almost done dressing up, she heard a familiar whistle by her window. " Yes, yes! I'm coming!”

Her best friend, Mabel. She lived on the same street and it had been their daily old-time habit to walk to and from school together. The whistle was their secret call sign.

You look kinda different this morning. What's up? " Mabel said.

Oh, I've been rushing. My cousin Freddy arrived from Cebu today, and the house got the shakes. You know, surprise visitor."

She tried to sound casual about it. But Mabel had always been able to read her mind.

Where is he now? Is he good-looking?”

Hey, hey. Easy...Yes, he's pretty good-looking but I'm not sure if he's still around..." At that instant, Freddy appeared at the door.

Omigosh...that's him? Well, Soleil - from now on, you can call me cousin-in-law!" Mabel pinched Soleil's arm in excitement as Freddy walked towards them.

Shut up, silly. Mind your manners because he's very conservative!"

I didn't know you got company," Freddy said, nodding his head at Mabel.

Freddy, this is my best friend Mabel. We're on our way to school now. Mabel, my cousin from Cebu, Freddy.”

The two exchanged short hellos. Then Freddy asked: " Can I walk you to school? Your Mother said it's only two blocks away.”

Well - ... " Soleil couldn't make up her mind. Mabel tugged at her uniform excitedly.

"Sure!" Mabel said cheerfully before she could answer.

"Good! I'll just get my pack and say goodbye to your folks."

He stepped back quickly into the house.

Sure, Soleil thought...and said: “Bye, Mom. Dad." when Freddy reappeared with her parents.

"Are you sure you know your way, son? " Her Dad asked Freddy anxiously.

"I'll be fine, Tito. Don't worry. Babay, Tita Claire.”

Then they walked together, just like before when going to the beach , this time with Mabel in tow.

Soleil was so tense. She felt conscious and scared that Mabel might sense something.

When they reached the school gate, she said: " Okay, we're here. This is my humble school. Nothing grand or fancy, but I love it here."

Any particular reason? " Freddy playfully arched an eyebrow at her.

If I may answer that..."cracked Mabel, but Soleil swiftly covered her mouth with the hanky she was holding.

Go on now, dear cousin, before she pollutes your mind. " Soleil bade him to leave.

I'll wait at the gym entrance tonight, hear? Don't forget to read Manang Pepay's letter! Nice meeting you, Mabel.”

Your cousin's so cute, Soleil. Can I see him again? " Mabel said, as they proceeded to their classroom.

If you promise not to drool next time. Gosh, Mabel you are so embarrassing!”