Fifteen

Fifteen
– Hannah Mae’s POV –
“You look so gorgeous, sweetie.” My mom’s compliment is the sweetest thing I ever heard aside from chocolates. She looked at me through my reflection on the mirror with a warm smile.
I giggled as I examined my reflection through the mirror. Is this really me? Well, I should give the credits to the make-up and to mom make-up techniques. I look like a different person and exceptionally beautiful.
“Are you ready?” I heard grandma’s excitement as she walked towards us. I saw her through the reflection of the mirror and she was excited to go.
I took one last glance at the mirror before turning to grandma, “I’m ready.”
My heels click as I walked out of the room and passed by the hallway. I’m not used to wearing heels though this is my 2nd time wearing it. I’m still uncomfortable walking with it.
“Relax, sweetie.” I felt my mom’s presence behind me as she held my hand to support me, “Stand straight. Chin up. Breast out and walk with confidence.” She illustrated as she applied her illustration to herself.
I nervously smiled, “But this isn’t gonna work, mom.”
Mom didn’t respond. She just eyed my steps while holding my hand until we came outside. I look forward and a taxi was already waiting at the end of our lawn. I slipped my hand from hers and took a deep breath. I can do this.
I walked on my own going to the taxi, trying my best to stand straight, chin up, breast out and most especially, walk with confidence.
I did my decent walk without trembling and the driver opened the passenger seat as I was approaching. I get in the passenger seat and he closed it, the moment I was inside.
I breath. Not that bad. Though it doesn’t look like a proper walk to me.
The other side of the passenger seat opened and grandma get in.
Grandma grinned at me, “That was great, honey.”
I nervously chuckled, “Well, I just did what mom said.”
We both chuckled and later the driver seat and front seat opened. Mom and the driver get in at the same time.
Mom fastened her seatbelt before turned her head at me, “You’re learning.”
I chuckled, “I had to. I won’t be having any escorts during the performance.”
Mom laughed and look back at the front. The driver put in the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.
It was crowded at the school gym when we arrived. The performance will be here and most of the students will be watching. The judges will be each master teacher of every year level. My palms are sweating and I could feel my heart pounding.
I was standing in front of the bench were mom and grandma supposed to sit. I lured my eyes around to find his presence. Though I’m kind of nervous, I’m also excited to see him wearing a tuxedo.
Not far from where I was standing, I saw an image of a middle-age woman approaching towards my direction. I looked around her if she’s with someone but she seems to be alone. I’m a little disappointed. I thought I would see him.
“You’re so incredible, Hannah.” She smiling as she complimented.
I smiled awkwardly, “I’m grateful, Aunt Jenalyn.”
She glanced at mom and grandma who was standing next to me. To be honest, I don’t want them to meet each other. Considering about the photo that I saw in the album. But my mother turned and her gaze landed at Aunt Jenalyn. That’s when my heart started to beat randomly. What if King’s grandpa come around and…
I shut my eyes and shake the thought out of my mind. What am I thinking? It’s just a photo and a hunch. They didn’t tell me about it so basically, it’s just a theory without a proof. As long as there is no proof it is consider as not true.
Well perhaps, that’s what I believe.
My mom smiled, genuinely at Aunt Jenalyn, “Hi.”
Aunt Jenalyn smiled back, “Hello. You must be Hannah’s mother.”
“I do.” Mom extended her hand for a handshake.
“Please to meet you. I’m Daniel King’s mother.” Aunt Jenalyn shakes hand with my mom.
“Oh.” My mom’s eyebrows raised and she glanced at grandma, “And this is her grandma, Veronica.”
Grandma smiled at her and bowed halfway.
Aunt Jenalyn acted weird. Her eyes are slightly widen and her lips are parted. She stared at grandma from head to toe, like she was examining her.
For the next few minutes, she was stunned. Her lips curved and we all narrowed our eyes at her. Wondering what’s with the sudden change of the atmosphere.
After noticing our looked at her, she cleared her throat and gave us a quick look with a forced smile.
“I-Its nice to meet you.” She sounded weird and she turned her head to have a quick look behind her, “I better go back. Excuse me.”
Mom and grandma exchanges look for minute and later, mom shrugged.
I looked behind me and from a distance, I found King and his grandpa. Though he looked different wearing a tuxedo but I still recognize him. I can’t wait to see him.
I got carried away and let my excitement get the best of me. I sprinted to them, though I wasn’t that good in running with heels. I find it difficult but I made it to them without twisting my ankle.
– Daniel King’s POV –
I’m a little uncomfortable walking back and forth behind grandpa. Feels like my heart is about to come out of my chest. I breath out the nervousness that I felt. But it doesn’t help even an inch. Though I am nervous for the performance, there is more that makes me unsettled and my mind shuffled.
“Relax, son. It will surely turn out more than good.” Grandpa’s voice was gentle. I know he was trying to comfort me but it didn’t help. My palms are cold.
I turned to look at him and I just gave him a nervous smile, “Thanks, grandpa.”
He chuckled as he tapped my shoulder. I was forced to smile though I don’t feel like smiling. My lips are trembling.
“Hey…”
A musical voice sends shiver down to my nerves that made me instantly froze. I love that voice but I’m so nervous to face her. I also wanted to see how she look today. Probably she will dressed up for the performance. Do I look like a disaster? Sweating up a storm?
I cleared my throat as I composed myself before turning to face her.
(Background song playing)
(Parokya ni Edgar- One and Only You)
(It took one look
And forever laid out in front of me
One smile and I died
But I do need to be revived by you-)
Our eyes meet the moment I face her. I don’t know what is wrong with me but she looks like glowing. Her smile is sparkling. I enjoy staring at her dazzling smile and I don’t even want to blink or I will lost it. Without my realization, my lips slowly grinning. My heart is calming and I felt relax.
“King? Are you alright?” Her voice is so gentle and it is so comforting.
I intentionally blink and I turned stone when she was close to me. Though there is a gap between our faces but I could vaguely feel her warm breath. Her hands are resting on my shoulders and she is eyeing me. I don’t understand this feeling but my cheeks are burning.
“Hey…” I heard my mother wondered as she peered her eyes at me, “Do you have a fever, King? Your face seems red.”
Finally, I get my mind to work and my mother’s voice sink in. I distance myself from Hannah and breath out. I was looking down, trying to avoid their eyes staring at me.
“You…” I heard Hannah’s voice. She tried to speak but she seems hesitating, “You look amazing.”
I moved my eyes to have a small view of her. She was smiling and it also made me chuckle.
I tried to face her but I can’t look straight to her, “You…” I paused as I tried to gather my thoughts, “You look like a million dollars.”
Mom and grandpa chuckle as they exchange look at each other. Hannah and I both looked at them while holding back a smile.
“Young love.” Mom teased with a playful smile while glancing at me and Hannah.
I stoop as I giggled. Trying to hide that mom’s annoying tease had an effect in me. I don’t understand but I really feel like smiling.
Mom is glancing at me and Hannah, back in forth while Hannah is smiling while playing with her fingers.
“Are the two of you partners?” Mom asked.
“No.” I quickly answered and I felt Hannah’s eyes at me, “I’m with a different group as well as her.”
Mom pouted, I don’t like when she reacted like that, “Too bad. You can’t dance her.”
I lifted my head and narrowed my eyes at her, “I can dance her if I want to.”
Mom chuckled in a teasing tone and grandpa joined her.
“That’s my son.” Grandpa said surpassing a laugh.
I blew out as I look at Hannah. She seems nervous but she’s hiding it through her smile. Her eyes moved and it landed at my gaze.
“I think…” She paused, her voice sounded nervous, “I better go. The performance is about to start.” She chuckled nervously.
“I have to go either.” I told mom as I glanced at her.
Mom and Grandpa smiled at us as mom waved her hand. But honestly, I don’t like mom’s smile. She looked like teasing.
I moved closer to Hannah as we were heading to the back stage of the gym. I catch a glimpse of her eyes staring at me. I gently inserted my fingers between hers and pressed my palm against her. She hold back my hand and I could see her holding back a big smile.
I pull her closer to me. Her scent is so attractive that I can’t resist it. I notice her head slightly turn and her eyes are on me.
She grinned, “Enjoying the scent?”
I smiled, still inhaling her sweet fragrance, “Too good to resist it.”
“You’ll have all of it after the performance.” That was the first time I heard her deep sweet voice.
With I mischievous smile, I look at her eyes, “And it would be good enough to pair it with a small discussion.”
– Third Person’s POV –
The lady at the cafeteria handed him a bottle of cold water and he gave her a money to pay it.
“Come again sir.” The lady said with a charming smile.
He nodded with a smile and walked out of the cafeteria. He was about to open the bottle when he instantly froze.
An old woman that he had been looking for decades appeared in front of him. He was stunned and because of the shock, the bottle of water slip from his hand, it fell on the ground. His eyes widen and his mouth were hang open.
It had been decades but he can’t forget her beautiful eyes. He still remember her beautiful face. Both of them were shock and the old woman’s lips were shaking.
Slowly, he walked towards her. Every step he took, his knees were shaking and his eyes were wet and blurry.
The old woman was still stunned and unable to move when he gently placed his hand on his cheeks. Tears started to fall from his eyes and the old woman sniffed, holding back any emotion she had.
He sniffed as he caressed his thumb on her cheeks, “Veronica…”
On that moment she can no longer hold back her emotions. Tears flooded as a grateful smile flashed in her face.
“Is that you, Alexander?” Her voice was filled with happiness as she tightly held his hand.
“After 56 years.” His tears continued to fall as he smiled.
As she pressed her lips, she nodded at him. She removed his hands from her cheeks and pulled him for a hug.
He was rubbing his palm against her back as tears flooded at the both of them. They tightly hug each other for they both thought that they will see each other again in afterlife.
From a distance, Jenalyn was quietly watching. She was about to call his father but she turned stone when she recognized the old woman hugging with his father. Tears fell from her eyes as she covered her mouth with her two hands. Her heart was racing as he watched him reunited with the person he had been missing so much for decades.