Chapter 9: Broken Promise

Marco brought Divina inside the music room. He is currently playing a piece that Divina had heard for the first time. The melody is so beautiful and she felt peaceful once again… but without noticing, this melody had painted a gentle smile on her face. Divina was interrupted with her peace when Marco suddenly stopped playing. 'Why? Is it done already?", Divina asked curiously. Marco scratched his head as if he was embarrassed. 'The truth is, I haven't finished it yet. It's my own composition.", Marco answered. 'Really? Did you make this? It's very beautiful!", Divina was so amazed. 'What is it called?", Divina added excitedly. 'I still couldn't think of anything yet. You should help me think of a beautiful title, my beloved… after I finish the whole song.", Marco smiled beautifully, pleased with how Divina had reacted to his song. Divina nodded happily as if she had forgotten already that she was supposed to be sulking just earlier before. It was undeniable that their bond had become attached within themselves already. They are now inseparable. 'DIVINA! Divina!", Maria ran towards Divina as she and Marco went out of the music room. 'Hey, Maria… what's wrong?", Divina worriedly asked her friend. 'Juan is waiting for you at the entrance. He won't go unless you meet him there. He wishes to court you in person since you hadn't been replying to his love letters.", Maria answered. 'Love letters? What letter?", Divina as she tried to remember. It was a week ago when she had begun receiving Juan's letters but due she was so busy that she wasn't able to read them all even up to now. She had forgotten about those letters so she was really surprised to see Juan at the entrance holding flowers as she peeks through the window. Divina became anxious as she tried to hide behind the walls, she doesn't know how to face Juan and to reject him. It's because Juan is the son of the town's mayor. He had been constantly greeting her cheerfully every time she passes by the town hall since it's on her route as she walks to school and as she goes home. Juan seems nice and he also looks good but she just couldn't be brought to like him romantically and she never could imagine herself being his lover. She isn't ready to have a boyfriend after what she had experienced from Alfredo. Marco stood there silently as he hears what Divina and Maria were talking about. He became serious as he held his fist tightly as if he was doing his best to control himself. He looked at Juan at the entrance and sighed as he loosen his fist. It had been hours since the class had ended. It was late already but Juan is still waiting for her at the entrance. Everybody had gone home already including Maria but Divina still couldn't get out of the school. She wants to be honest with Juan but she's afraid it would affect her, he's is the town's mayor's son after all and his father had spoiled him by giving him everything he wants. Divina peeked through the window again and she saw Marco talking with Juan. After a few moments Juan nodded but looked a bit dismayed, then he sighed deeply, looking defeated before leaving. Divina was surprised when Marco looked at her as if she knew where she was hiding. 'Are you planning to spend the night there?", Marco yelled, waving his hand to her as he widely smiled at her. Divina come out to where she was hiding and smiled back at Marco. 'You can come out now.", Marco added. Divina happily ran towards Marco. 'How did you know someone was waiting for me here?", Divina asked curiously to Marco. 'You had been peeking through that window the whole day already. Everybody had gone home but you were still watching the man who is waiting here through that window. I was patiently waiting for you to ask me for help but you didn't. Instead, you chose to hide there.", Marco frowned at her. 'I didn't tell you because it's embarrassing to say I have a suitor.", Divina answered. 'Why would it be embarrassing? It's just natural because you're beautiful.", Marco commented. Divina looked at him and caught him already staring at her. Their eyes met and Divina had felt her heart beating fast again. 'H-how were you able to shoo him away?", Divina stuttered as she diverted her eyes on her hands instead. 'I told him… that you had a beloved already.", Marco answered. Divina immediately stared at Marco. They were calling each other as beloved but it wasn't meant to be romantic. 'W-what did you say?", Divina continued to stutter, feeling nervous. 'I said… you already had your beloved.", Marco repeated but in a more serious tone. Divina became worried and Marco noticed it. 'B-but…", Divina tried to say but she was cut off when Marco began to talk again. '… and that you are brokenhearted because she doesn't love you too.", Marco abruptly said. Divina nodded for a moment then she realized what he had just said. 'She?!", Divina, wide eyes and in shock. Marco smirked and nodded. 'WHAAT?!!", Divina is in disbelief. Her face turned red but Marco was pleased to see her reaction and he just laughed at her. 'What I did is just right, you know. He doesn't have any plans to pursue you anymore and… no man would even dare to court you anymore. I'm quite sure he'll spread the news about you especially he's the son of the town's mayor.", Marco laughed. 'MARCO?! What have you done!?", Divina complained angrily of spreading a false rumor about her, putting emphasis on his name, and went on to pinch Marco's arms but he just laughed even harder. 'Hey, hey you should even thank me. Now, you won't have any problems anymore!", Marco teased and acted as if he was avoiding her pinch as he ran. Divina chased Marco in the hopes to get her revenge for what Marco had done. 'Are you planning to make me become an old maid?! Nobody's willing to marry me anymore for sure. You're too cruel!", Dina complained as she crossed her arms because she is angry and annoyed at him. Marco goes to her, hugged her then pinched her nose. 'What are you getting angry for? That wouldn't be a problem because I am here… for you.", Marco smiled before letting her go. Divina just stared at him. 'I'm not talking about that way. We're friends. Lovers and friends are different…", Divina tried to complain but was cut off mid-sentence again. 'It's getting late. I'll walk you home.", Marco said and Divina fell silent. Marco held her hand like the usual but she felt different at that moment. She was confused about what Marco had said. What does he mean? Does Marco like me more than a friend? Should I tell him that I am not ready to have a lover? Or does Marco mean that he will be her friend until our old age?, Divina thought as Marco walks her home while holding her hand. 'Tomorrow's Saturday.", Marco suddenly broke their silence while walking. Divina was surprised as she was preoccupied with her thoughts. 'Uh yes… it's Saturday.", Divina answered as she thought Marco was trying to confirm what day it is tomorrow. 'Let's meet there…", Marco said seriously with a hint of nervousness. 'To where?", Divina couldn't follow his words or what Marco is thinking. 'At the coffee shop.", Marco answered briefly, still sounding anxious. 'Oh? Are you going to treat me?", Divina asked happily. Marco smiled at the sight of her smile. 'When have I ever let you pay, beloved? Silly.", Marco smiled. Divina smiled too at him, it was as if she saw the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. 'I'm planning to finish my music… I think it could no longer wait.", Marco said. 'Wow, really?! You're awesome, beloved. I know it will be really beautiful.", Divina complimented Marco. 'It's important that you must be there… because you will name it. I want you to name it for me… to the place where I first saw you.", Marco sincerely said. Divina wondered. 'Was that our first meeting place? I thought we have met each other first at the school but I hadn't just recognized you immediately when you were playing the piano there at the coffee shop.", Divina commented as she tried to remember. 'Well yeah, you first met me at school… but I… first saw you there at the coffee shop. You were always passing by there, you weren't even teaching at our school yet at that time.", Marco confessed which only made Dina even more confused. 'You mean…", Divina tried to converse more but Marco had cut off her sentence again. 'We're here.", Marco said as if he was diverting the topic while he pointed the corner pathway towards her boarding home. 'How did you know I lived here…", Divina became even more confused. 'Tomorrow.", Marco said. Divina looked at Marco, who still wears his gentle smile. 'I will explain everything tomorrow. So, please come.", Marco added. 'Of course.", Divina answered as she smiled back at him. Seeing Divina smile back made Marco's smile even wider. 'I'll be waiting for you. Promise you'll keep your word, okay?", Marco still making sure. 'And when have I rejected your treats? Should I make a vow to assure you?", Divina laughed while raising her hand as if she was making a vow. Marco laughs at what Divina's been doing. 'Get it. I'll see you tomorrow.", Marco smiled again as he waved Divina goodbye. 'Take care.", Divina waved back as she enters the pathway to her boarding room. The next day… Divina is dressed beautifully as she walks happily on her way to the coffee shop where she promised to meet Marco last night. She was about to cross the street to the coffee shop when suddenly heavy rain fell. Divina hurriedly ran back to a near building to shelter herself from the rain first. The shed only has a little covering and it was not enough to protect her from the water drips. 'Aww, this is my favorite dress! The rain had ruined it!", Divina complained to herself when suddenly behind her, a man holding an umbrella had protected her from the rain. Divina looked at the kind-hearted man who offered his umbrella but was shocked to see who it was. 'You're getting wet. You'll get sick .", the man said in a sweet manner. Divina wasn't able to answer as she is still in shock. 'You know I don't want you getting sick, right?", he said. Divina felt as if she was about to melt with his stare. She doesn't know what to do or what to say, she just suddenly felt that her tears had already fallen like the rain. 'Alfredo…", Divina closed her eyes as she mentioned the name of the man. Alfredo hugged Divina tightly, even though she was surprised with his actions, she just let him be while her tears continue to fall… and her promise to see Marco that day had been easily forgotten.