In an unoccupied cottage, along the resort's secluded part, distant enough from the event hall where my Debutante Ball was held. I tried the door and found it unlocked. I decided to conceal myself in this unlit, picturesque timbered cottage. This part of the resort is off the beaten path and seems to be for private use and for VIP's only. It had a small pool and jacuzzi in front, surrounded and filled with ornamental vines and decorative plants and trees. I keep the interior dark. There's a garden lantern that's open near the veranda and the colorful lighting inside the pool. It doesn't illuminate much of the entire place, so it still keeps it shady. Moments later, while I was tucked inside the house, my mother and the coordinator passed by, probably looking for me. I didn't show up with all the emotions I've had inside. I want to be just on my own. I waited for them to be gone far enough before I went out.
Seated on the front step of the cottage's veranda. I hunched, leaning on my knees, shoulders shaking with my continued sobbing. Letting my tears drop onto my silk gown unceasingly whilst watching the colorful water of the pool, illuminated by the varied-colored lighting underwater. My disappointment caused me to utter a soliloquy. "Oh god, why did you let all of this happen to me? I don't know. Do I truly have to feel blessed because even if my boyfriend almost raped me, yet he failed, and indeed, he cheated on me, I found out before it was too late? But I'm still not happy. Yes, I'm glad, yes, that I don't have to deal with him and myself because I'm not indeed certain if I really love him. I'm not even sure if he is the reason for my unhappiness, or is it Zig? Because he promised to be with me on this very day. Because he's the only one I wanted now?" And it drove my lamenting to persist. I shook my head with my hopeless thoughts. "This debut party could never be worse! Would I ever dare to reminisce about this day when I'm older? If it's only possible, I want my memories of this day to be deleted."
"Hope not. I wish that you will always remember this day and will never forget it." A manly voice, almost inaudible, spoke from behind the hibiscus plant. With it is a familiar tune of a waltz played in the background. Startled and straightaway on my feet, I got an eyeful of a man's silhouette standing and about to come out behind the tall shrub of flowery hibiscus. I faced palmed myself in frustration, failing to hide from everybody. I was supposed to keep myself alone, even just until tomorrow. Now that he perceived me, he might send me back to the annoying crowd.
"Can you please allow me to be alone? I need some space. Please! Just stay elsewhere and leave me here." I looked away from him, hoping he'd go, while my mind is curious about the identity of the person who followed me. I still insist on being unnoticed.
"Nope, forgive me, but I can't give you up, not until I fulfil my promise to you," slowly striding towards me. I observed him with my gaze.
Just as light irradiated his face, I could fathom the chills of bliss overpowering my entirety, making me cry even more after realizing that it's Ziggy. He's holding in one of his palms a cellphone that's never stopped playing the waltz music the entire time. In his other hand is a bunch of the choicest and most beautiful roses in many colors.
Filled with excitement and happiness, I couldn't wait for him to come upon me. Without a second thought, I ran fast towards him and gave him my tightest embrace. "Zig, I'm sorry." And he squeezed me even tighter before he loosened up.
He placed his phone down on the human-made, large, landscaped rock, allowing the phone's speaker to freely burst its sound, and the melodious tone of the waltz swayed together with the wind, setting the surrounding atmosphere to be more magical and romantic. Wholeheartedly, he handed me the bunch of colorful roses. My happy tear droplets made it look enchanting, and it sparks as it falls and crawled down one of the petals, reflecting my blended current emotion and felicity triumphing over sadness. "Happy Birthday, Cloe, can I have this last dance? Aren't your 18 roses completed yet? "
"Yes, because you're not there." Yet I nodded, smiling ear to ear in euphoria. OMG! He did as he promised. He's definitely going to be my last dance.
While we're dancing, supple and slow. "Zig, are you still upset with me? On my harsh words during that day of your basketball championship?"
"HUH?! How can I be upset with you, Cloe? I am not and will never be. I am just terribly worried about you."
I smiled in response. "At that time of your basketball game, you're about to say something about Nixon. And I know you didn't just hit him without any reason. Zig, what did you know?"
" I've seen Nixon and Amabel inside the locker room, making out. Cloe, they are..."
I cut off his words and nodded. "I already know. Yesterday I saw them myself being intimate with each other, and a while ago, as we danced. I broke up with him. Please forgive me, Zig, if I didn't believe or listen to you at first."
Not saying another word, he emotionally expressed his happiness and compassion towards me. He holds me closer and gives me a solemn and affectionate kiss on my forehead.
" Zig, I missed you." I closed my eyes as the sensation of his kiss flowed deep into my soul. I know how special to be kissed this way, not just the fact that it is his first kiss to me. I am also aware that a forehead kiss is more intimate and a deeper type of connection. Perhaps the only one that truly means I love you without having to say the words. When a guy kisses your forehead, it makes a connection like no other. It is meaningful, sweet, deep, and full of that simple kind of love. Based also on what I had read from Tara Brown's blog.
I can feel him holding me tighter before letting me loose. Looking down at the bunch of roses in my hand. "Did you know that every color of these roses means something, something like what I want to say to you?"
I shook my head, brow furrowed. "No. Why? What does it mean?"
He picked the roses one color after another as he explained sequentially. " Yellow means that I promise that since yesterday, today, and whenever time may take us, and whatever life may show us. I'll always be your friend, a supportive, dependable friend. Pink because I want to tell you that ever since childhood I already admired you, that you are my dream girl."
He's yet halfway there, but I'm now too flustered to look at him. The fluttering butterflies in my stomach make me edgier.
"Red… Because I love you, and white is a promise that I will love you and just you, always and endlessly."
I open my mouth, wanting to say something, but I fail to utter a single phrase; I'm losing it. All I want is to make it known to him that he's never away from my mind, that I've been longing for him too, and that I love him too. All I could carry out is to bring my arms around his neck and reach out for his lips to give him an eager and mutual smooch. Considering my undersized stature, Ziggy noticed me trying hard to make it to his lips. I felt his muscular arms around my hips pulling me up 'til my feet were off the floor. Our kisses turned deep and hungry, warm and breathless, sending us temporarily out of the present world. The next thing I know, my hair is wet, my gown as soaked as Ziggy's face, drenched. It's raining, and we haven't even noticed it. He put me down with extreme attention, sliding his hand over my bare back and torso.
He leaned down to me, touching our foreheads with a sympathetic and expectant beam. " Is that your way of telling me you love me too?"
I only answered him with my mischievous but prophetic smile, and on my kick-start, the osculation began again.