He woke up with his hair all frizzy and snarled. He shut his alarm that had been off for about thirty minutes now. Yes, he’s late for his 8:00am dance practice. As he realizes that, he hastily jumped off his bed towards the bathroom to clean himself up.
As he makes his way to the mirror beside the bath tub above the sink in front of the toilet, he notices something weird about his face. His eyes are quite swollen, his skin still smelling like the place where they used to hang out.
His clothes are still the ones he wore last night; black leatherette jacket his granny gave for his birthday two years ago, his favorite green shirt and acid-washed denim pants he bought from a mall sale just a week ago.
He’s feeling a little bit light-headed and his muscles seem to be throbbing from yesterday’s football practice.
After having a long look at himself in the mirror, he had a queer reflex to glance at his eyes. The moment he had a glimpse of his eyes, the glance suddenly became a stare. He remembered everything--everything that had happened between him and his best confidant, Alexia Mia.
***
“Don’t leave meeee!!!” a boy cries as his mother exits the room of the Day Care Center, the one known for being the best in molding kids and giving them a strong foundation.
In that same room is seated a 6 – year – old girl named Alexia Mia Benedict. She’s the daughter of two of the most prominent people in their place, Miss Rachael Aspen, a respected accountant and banker, and Mr. Raymund Benedict, one of the most known police officer in their place because of his outstanding record in duty.
Xiamei is always wearing a smile though her front teeth are chipped and plagued with tooth decays for eating too much sweet, candies and chocolates. She had her curly hair tied in two pigtails one at each sides at the back of her head. Her bright green long sleeved over-all dress and pink socks stunned every eye that looks at her.
Well, every one except this little boy seated at the opposite side of her table is responding to her vibrant aura. His name is Daniel Grey.
Daniel Grey lives in the house that is located two blocks from that Day Care. Their family is famous in the neighborhood for being known as one of the well-off heirs of the Grey’s who was believed to own the whole town and the nearby ranch of horses. His parents are Miss Rosie Smith, who s a well-known veterinarian, and Mr. Danilo Grey, now the inheritor of the ranch.
“Hi!” greets Xiamei.
“Hi!” responds the boy.
“What’s your name?” Xiamei added.
“I’m….” the boy is about to answer when Xiamei interrupted.
“How old are you? Where do you live? Why are you so silent? Can’t you talk? Are you deaf? Helloooow!!? Can you hear me?”
With the boy quite annoyed, he stood up and said,” I’m Daniel I’m six. Why do you care about where I live? I’m silent because you don’t give me the chance to talk. I can talk. I’m not deaf and I can hear you!”
Suddenly, everyone in the class, including their Day Care teacher Mrs. Evelyn Jacobs, stared at the two of them.
Xiamei was shocked and felt offended. She paused, sobbed and finally cried.
” I was just being friendly!”
And Daniel, who cannot believe of what he just did, yelled and made a girl cry, ran away from that room and headed to the play ground. He did not go back to the classroom until all their classes were done. He made sure that the girl who cried because of him was already out. In his young age, he felt shame and guilt for doing what he did. He knew its bad and somehow, he feels responsible.
Daniel was quite resentful of going to school next day. He still feels that what happened the day before was his fault but deep inside him he knew that he did not intentionally do it.
The following day was quite windy and the clouds seem to be full and heavy, ready to pour down the rain.
Xiamei found a piece of paper all crookedly folded. The piece of paper reads:
To the girl seated opposite of me,
I’m sorry.
From the boy seated opposite of you.
The penmanship is that of a person who’s still learning how to write, letters are as big as possible. The note was written in dark pencil. The ones that are used by school children like they are.
Xiamei instantly remembered what happened yesterday but as a cheerful child who doesn’t take everything seriously, her feelings about yesterday has now subsided.
As Daniel enters the room, Xiamei ran towards him and hugged him tight.
“Oh, I forgave you already. That was nothing. Would you like to play hide-and-seek with me later?”
To Daniel’s surprise, he somehow pushed her a little but not to hard. He flashed a crooked smile (for he seldom smiles and his eyes seem to always worry about a lot of things).
“Maybe I’ll play with you next time. My guardian will pick me up early. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, that’s okay. We will see each other during Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Maybe we’ll see each other on Saturdays and Sundays as well? By then we’ll have lots of time to play!” Xiamei said as she hits Daniel’s arm lightly.
Daniel still doesn’t feel that comfortable with her. He’s been used to a silent environment with only either the stereo or television on. And suddenly, he’s in this noisy place sharing a table with a very spontaneous six-year-old which made it noisier.
After that, they seated in their respective places, one facing the other. They occupy the same table like their other day care classmates.
With the two of them all innocent and young, they never knew that meeting in that day care will be the beginning of something both of them never expected.
The day of their day care graduation came. The students passed through the aisle of their small school grounds crowded by proud parents and energized children who kept on running around and around barely unaware that they are actually attending their day care graduation.
Xiamei, being one of the most interactive in the class was just called by her mother. She was all sweaty and her hair which was arranged by a stylist is now ruined.
“Baby, just where have you been?” asked Mrs. Benedict.
“Oh mom, I was with my friends,” replies Xiamei as she rolled her eyes and then gave her mother that charming smile which made her mother forgot about her annoyance. Her front teeth are now growing. Two little small teeth are like popping out her gums.
Both of Xiamei’s parents were there to pin her ribbon and put her medals. Xiamei topped their class.
As Xiamei’s family and other families gathered to celebrate the first accomplishment these children must have achieved, one child is still expecting for his parents to come.
Only Daniel and his guardian was there to celebrate his achievement for getting the second honors and three other special awards for Best in Writing, Best in Math and Most Behave.
“Are my parents still coming? They promised they’ll come,” said Daniel in an anxious tone.
“Don’t worry darling. Maybe something just came up. They’ll be here. Just be happy. It will be fine. Look. You will be receiving awards. You ranked second. I’m sure your parents are proud of you,” his guardian told him lovingly.
“Good afternoon parents, guests and friends. Welcome to our 15th Day Care Graduation Day. May I please request the students and parents to please fall in line so we may start with our processional…Thank you very much… Ladies and Gentlemen let us al welcome these proud parents and diligent students. Brace yourself for the processional.” The master of ceremony ended as the marching tune started.
Daniel’s parents aren’t still there but the program won’t mind. And so the activity proceeded. Daniel walked down the path with his guardian, Nana Letty.
“You’ll see. Your parents will be here in time for you awarding. They’ll be here to pin you your ribbon and put medals on your little neck,” Nana Letty reassured him.
Meanwhile, Xiamei is assigned to be seated next to Daniel. As usual, she kept on smiling and disturbing Daniel. She poked and poked him until he finally gives her his attention.
“What now?” Daniel responded with annoyance.
“Oh, nothing. How are you?” asked Xiamei grinning.
“I was fine until you started being noisy and poking me in my arms.” He answered.
Xiamei just smiled back at him.
“You know what; you really are annoying at some times. But everybody sees you as someone who’s really bright and jolly and cheerful. But I find you really distracting and most of the times, exasperating. Everybody loves you. I kind of hate you.” He said in a low voice.
“Huh? What? Say anything? I haven’t heard you,” Xiamei said while she was busy fixing her, as always, vibrantly colored dress.
“Oh, I said nothing. Nothing really”
“Oh okay. If you say so, then be it,” said Xiamei as that never fading smile still flashed.
She was then called to the stage with her parents. They finally pinned that ribbon in her colorful dress and hanged those medals into their tiny child’s neck. She kept on swinging her dress. She smiled and smiled with her tiny teeth emergent in her upper gums.
It was Daniel’s turn when he looked back where parents are supposed to be seated but he found neither of his parents there. Only his ever dear guardian was there. He waited for his guardian to reach him where he was seated. That location was near to the stage where they will be reenacting what had just taken place for Xiamei.
The ceremony was almost over. The children are about ready to sing their final song, If We Hold on Together, when Xiamei grasped Daniel’s arm.
“You know what; I kinda like you. You’re quiet and and you talk very little. I like that! I hope to see you again soon in grade school! Goodbye Daniel.”
Daniel was dumbfounded and he hasn’t spoken a word. He was overwhelmed by her very cheery personality.
Xiamei then walked away from him towards her parents. She was still smiling when she looked back at him.
***
“Is this seat taken?”
“Uhm, no. “
“Would you mind me sitting beside you?”
“Yes, yes. I mean, no. Go on, you can sit here.”
“Are you alright, miss?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. It’s just this thesis and other paper works taking up all my time! I mean its normal when you’re in school, right? But I really feel very exhausted now. All these years I have been studying and everything but everything seemed to be just nothing for my parents. They expect too much from me and al seem to be not good enough! I’m tired!”
“Now, now. Tone down. We’re in the library, remember?”
“Oh yes. I’m sorry. I forgot. I’m sorry for all my ranting. It’s just that have spent too much time in my studies and forgot to have friends. That’s why I have no one to talk to about my dilemmas. I really am dog-tired. Anyway, I’m Xiamei. You are?”
“Oh, I thought you would never ask. (Smiles) I’m Mr. Grey, Daniel Grey.”
“Daniel Grey? You went to Rosergrove Day Care, didn’t you?”
“Indeed, I did go to that school. How did you know?”
“Don’t you remember me; the colorful dresses and pigtails with my curly hair?”
“Yes, yes! I remember you now! You’re that daughter of the police officer and accountant?”
“You’re right. That was me.”
“And you’re that naughty girl who was always talking and disturbing other children because you always finish school works first. Ha ha ha! “
“Was I really that bad?”
“Ha ha ha. Yeah. I mean, no. We were kids then. That was normal, I guess. But you really did annoy me way back then. Where have you been after our Day Care graduation?”
“As you know it, my father is a police officer. He was reassigned to another place so we have to move out with him. We had about five moves since then. My father was kept on being reassigned to places. I don’t know why. I have been to five different schools then, too. How about you?”
“Hmm. Well, took up grade school in the elementary school near the Day Care. And then High school, well, I studied in the Frankville High School still in that same old town. My parents told me that they don’t want me to go far from them but even being near physically with them was like being far. They were busy managing the ranch which my father inherited from our forefathers. You know, that was the only bequest that my ancestors left us. The town which was believed to be ours was then sold to private investors so my parents focused on taking care of the ranch. I always wanted to have their time but the more I ask for it, the less time I get. Oh. Too much about me. Change topic. I am now getting more and more dramatic. Ha ha.”
“Ha ha! Yeah. Looks like you were the ol’Daniel I used to know. Silent type, dramatic. But now I think you’re talking more. I like you more now. (Sniffs and then smiles)”
“And I bet you’re still that old Alexia Mia Benedict. Jolly, cheerful; the girl that everybody loves. Everyone likes you because you were very bright. You are always happy and smiling. I guess everybody loves someone who’s always that brilliant and vibrant. You seem to have influenced other to be happy as well. I don’t know.”
“You think so? I don’t. I feel like I was always tired. Maybe because I was always energetic. Some even thought that I had ADHD. Ha ha ha! Oh, look at the time. I’ll be late for my next class if I will be staying here longer. I’ll see you around Mr. Grey.”
“Oh, you silly. Don’t call me Mr. Grey. Call me Dan. You know, as we Grow up, names evolve. (grins)”
“Okay then. Goodbye good ol’ friend Dan. See you around.” Xiamei hastily headed for her next class.
The two then separated. That was the first time they met after ten years, after their Day Care graduation day. They are now college students. They attend college at the same university. A lot has changed but not fate. What destiny has in store for them have not been altered.
That night, Dan searched for Xiamei in the internet.
“Whoa! So, she graduated Valedictorian from her high school. She even topped at least three of the four schools where she took college admission tests. That girl is really one tough cookie. I bet she’s really that good… oh, lucky me. She had her home phone posted in her Friend Agenda account,” Dan told himself.
While Xiamei was busy reviewing her notes from that day’s classes, the phone suddenly rang.
“Hello, you’ve reached the Benedict’s residence,” said she as she answered.
“May I please speak to Alexia Mia?” said the man on the other line.
“This is Xiamei. Who’s this please?”
“Remember that guy from the library this morning? This is Dan.”
“Oh. Hi Dan. How did you know our number?”
“I looked for you in the net. And I found your number in your Friend Agenda account. Is okay that I called you?”
“Yeah, it’s just fine. But why would you look for me in the internet. You should’ve just asked for my number while we were in the library. Are you stalking me? Ha ha ha ha,” Xiamei kidded.
“And why on earth would I do that? I’m not stalking you, silly! It’s just that I thought it would be fun to know about something or someone new, like you. But I guess you’re still that Xiamei I used to know.”
“Uhm, yeah, that girl with funny pigtails and stunning dresses. You see, I get my inspiration from the most colorful thing on earth...”
“And that thing is..?”He asked.
“…the rainbow.”
“You like the Rainbow?” he inquired.
“I like it the whole lot! Its legends, myths, its color, even include its scientific explanation. You see, the rainbow reminds me of the good things I’ll get after all these sufferings. Every after a storm is always a rainbow. How do you like the sound of that?”
“Hey! I thought I should be the one to be dramatic? You don’t qualify for my role, I’m sorry. Ha ha ha ha.” He gagged. “But you know what, even if we were still kids, you have always reminded me of the rainbow. It must be the way you dress yourself, your happy attitude, your smile.” He sincerely said.
“Aw. That was sweet. And you, you remind me of…of… wait. Let me think about it. Ha ha ha. Hey, I got to go now. I still have homework to do. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Okay then. Thanks for your time Xiamei. Uhm, anyway, can we go out tomorrow? Maybe have coffee or tea?”
“Yeah. Sure. What time?” she asked.
“How about 3 o’clock in the afternoon tomorrow?”
“Okay then. I’ll see you in front of the library. Goodbye.” Xiamei ended.
She hung up her phone and Dan was all excited about it. They’ll be going out tomorrow.
The next day, what was planned had happened. And situations like that was followed by more going-outs and hanging out together. They sure did enjoy each other’s company but not for long. Something each of them never expected is about to take place.
One night, the habitual call made by Daniel happened. Again, they talked about their lives, that day and Daniel asked again if they can go out the next day.
Daniel was already there, in the diner where they usually eat and talk and spends their time. But Xiamei was later than usual.
He tried to call her mobile phone. It was ringing but no one was answering. He knew that Xiamei always carry her mobile phone with her because she is involved in lots of organizations and they make constant communication with her so she shouldn’t miss bringing her mobile phone.
Something pushed Daniel to take a look at the television hung in the counter showing live local news.
“Flash report. A woman identified as Alexia Mia Benedict was found dead on arrival at the local St. Bartholomew Hospital today at one forty five in the afternoon. Authorities say that the woman was involved in a car crash on her way down town. Investigators furthered that she lost control of her car when the brakes didn’t work. Her body is now in the local morgue downtown.” The news anchor reported.
Still dumbfounded and shocked, he quickly went to the morgue to check if that was really his girl. He arrived at the morgue witnessing Xiamei’s mom weeping over a girl’s body. Still having not absorbed what had just happened, he went further to see if the body was Xiamei’s. Until then he realized that it was really her.
The body was that of the girl whom he would have offered his world, the girl that is supposed to answer ‘yes’ when he is to ask her to be his girl. They would have been happy together that afternoon. He was about to reveal his feelings of love for her but time and fate did not let him.
Everything’s over for them now.
***
Alexia Mia has always been the girl to have revealed real happiness to him. What happened yesterday is the worst nightmare he had ever encountered if that was just a phantasmagoria. But it all happened in his reality.
Today, he will have to live his life not knowing if a rainbow will still appear at the end of this storm. HIS rainbow had already left his world.
He went out the bathroom to check the time. It is 8:45 already and he remembers his dance practice. He finally decides not to go. It took him only forty five minutes to commit to his memory everything between them. He went back to bed. He tried to sleep again, hoping that his rainbow will shine in his dreams.
