You Can't Take Back Your Word

My life turned upside down when Dad and Mom left me with grandmother, Dad's mother. They were always traveling around the world to take care of their retail business catering to the needs of overseas workers from our country.

Although we had our own house in the suburbs, which was quite a distance from the city, my grandmother's house was nearer my school, so I was entrusted to her by Dad.

Mom was an only child as well and didn't have relatives in the city, therefore it was only sensible to live with Dad's relatives who were old families in the city.

Whenever my parents were in the country, we would all live together in our house in the suburbs. Even though I had to travel to school for an hour, still my life would be filled with peace and joy. I would have all the love and affection I needed from them. Though an only child, they never spoiled me. In fact, I was never lacking in discipline and instructions in good manners and right conduct.

At a young age, they already exposed me to the world of business by bringing me to their department meetings. I would just sit in a corner with an Archie comic book or a toy. Although I didn't understand what they were saying, I was aware of what was happening. At the end of the day, my father would explain things to me. I would just look at him with wide eyes, barely comprehending what transpired in the meeting. All I knew was that there must have been a dozen meetings every week.

When I turned adolescent, my father began to coach me. At the start of summer in grade 6, I learned how to place orders, purchase goods and book-keep for the company. I earned from that summer job, too. I was so happy to have money that I bought a set of imported paper dolls I was eyeing at the bookstore.

From then on, I would work for a month at our retail stores. Since we have two months break before the next school year, I would spend the second month with my friends together with my hard-earned money. Dad felt that one month of summer job was not enough amount of time to learn the ropes of the business and that spending money frivolously was not a good practice. But Mom had always been indulgent towards me, convincing Dad that I should also enjoy my youth for I will never pass that stage in life again. Naturally, Dad would give in to Mom's argument for they had already known in their hearts that their teachings would not come to naught.

Grandmother had five maids living with her in her mansion. Though I lived with her as well, she has never given me any special treatment. I was more like an outcast. She preferred to spend her time with her other children and grandchildren who lived in the other three mansions beside hers.

Dad was the youngest among the four brothers, which should have been enough reason for him to be the favored one. But, alas, grandmother loved best her eldest son. I later learned the reason during one of the family gatherings when Dad and Mom were in the country--Dad wanted to start his own business and did not want to have anything to do with the family business which got the ire of the matriarch.

Uncle Philip was the eldest and managed the century old family business, a canning factory. Being able to keep the business running after a hundred years was a feat worthy of praise and emulation. It could be the reason why he was the apple of grandmother's eye.

Uncle Ben was a national basketball team manager representing the canning factory and was once its coach. During the peak of his athletic career, he was the most esteemed and sought-after coach for having led his team to numerous victories. I liked Uncle Ben the best.

Uncle Joe dabbled in politics. He was not born to be a politician, but his father-in-law forced him to run for vice-mayor. Though the position was not the initial preference but the higher one, it was better than nothing. Anyway, he only did it for the power and influence and to gain his in-laws' favor.

While I was dwelling on my pitiful state, Molly shook my arm. "Hello. Are you still here, boring girl?"

Having been disturbed from my musing, I scratched my head and looked at the three pairs of beautiful eyes staring at me. "What? Am I not telling the truth?"

"You wouldn't be getting along with us all this time if you were boring, didn't you know that?" Lizzie leaned back on her chair and crossed her arm over her chest. "When your parents come home for your graduation, you would be freed from your miserable life. For now, focus on the four good things you have right now. Me, Brenda, Molly and Aaron."

"Ahm…er…why is he mentioned again?" I frowned in dismay.

"He's been promoting himself as a good friend to you and to us which means you can depend on him as well. If we can't be with you sometimes, he can keep you company. Considering that he already offered to drive you, guys, to the venue of the entrance exams, means that he's completely making himself available…for you." When Brenda got to the "for you" part she intentionally pointed her finger at me.

"I'll think about it just so we can drop this topic about him". The "him" I gestured a quotation mark as I spoke to avoid mentioning Aaron's name. "Weren't you even worried that he might have heard us talk about him? Weren't we being rude?"

"He might even consider it a compliment from you." Brenda winked at me.

As I look out the window, I saw that it was already dark outside, and the streetlights were already on.

"It's time to go home, girls." I said as I gave Brenda my payment for the hot chocolate drink. "Grandma's going to scold me again for coming home late for dinner. As if she cares." I stood up and grab my skates from under the table.

"I think I need to put this on again so I can rush home." I told my friends when we were already outside the café.

Aaron had already left when we passed by the counter. Another boy reported for the next shift.

Brenda stood by the doorway and casually informed us, "I'll be staying behind. I'm going to hitch a ride with Uncle Tom."

We bid each other goodbye. Molly and Lizzie walked home together while I skated towards the opposite direction.

As I was going around the bend where the public playground was, I saw a familiar figure sitting on one of the sidewalk benches facing the street. Though the streetlight beside the bench was dim, I recognized the person immediately because he still donned his uniform and was looking my way. When I was only three feet away from him, he stood up, grinned and stretched out his left arm to wave at me.

I didn't expect to see him again, so I was dumbfounded, got distracted and failed to toe-stop my roller skates in time, hence, I almost knocked him down. However, he was fast enough to grab hold of my shoulder and helped me secure an upright position. Because I was still wearing my skates the resistance caused me to slide back. Realizing that I was going to fall backwards this time, in my panic I held onto Aaron's arm. In one swift motion we both lost our balance and fell on the ground in an awkward embrace. His muscular body pinned me to the ground, and I could hardly breathe. However, to my surprise, he cushioned my head with his hand before it could hit the ground.

I felt his cool breath caressing my forehead and I was stunned under his weight. His hard, muscular chest pressing down on mine. He tilted his head, looked at me and his lucid eyes almost put me in a trance. I stared back at those brown eyes with a bewildered look because he was slowly leaning down towards my face. Gasp. Is he going to kiss me? Oh, no. Got to think fast before it happens.

Cough. Cough. Cough. "I…can't…breath," I muttered. "Please get off me."

Aaron immediately rolled away from me as soon as he realized I have been bearing his weight for what seemed like forever. His face turned crimson as he stood up and helped me up on my feet, rather, my wheels. He held my elbows as he led me to sit on the bench.

He helped me dust my hair and pants from dirt and blade of grass that got stuck there. Then he helped me remove my roller skates and checked my leg for any injury.

"Are you hurting anywhere? Can you move your feet? How's your ankle?" He looked worried and gently twisted and turned my feet for scraps or swelling.

What a bad idea to skate home, I thought. Look what it brought me to. It not only delayed me getting home but gave me back and butt ache. I wondered if I broke a bone. I rolled my shoulders, rechecked my arms, wrists and ankles for any unbearable pain there. Thank heavens, there were none. I'll just have to thank someone first for saving my head. These thoughts occupied my mind that I didn't notice Aaron's concerned look as he sat on his heels watching me the whole time.

"I'm sorry, Julie, I distracted you and caused you to fall. Please forgive me," he said remorsefully as he looked up at me. Under the dim light of the streetlamp, he looked more pitiful. He reminded me of the beagle I used to own which would look at me with those puppy eyes if I forgot to hug it.

I pursed my lips and looked away for I was tempted to hug him at that very moment.

"I'm okay. You don't need to worry." I waved at him as I put on my sneakers. After that, I stood up and gathered all my things before I lose my sanity and bring this boy home to pet.

"Let me take you home to make up for it." He collected my things from my hands. My eyes moved from my empty hands to his handsome face. He was smiling at me. I gazed at him in awe. He really looked like a superstar with his good looks and sculpted body. No wonder girls in school would readily throw themselves at him, if only they could.

The thought brought to mind Brent's words to me one day: "Don't you worry, Julie. No matter how many girls swoon over Aaron, he has never shown any special interest in any of them." I wished I could believe him, but Brent was never a serious person and he could be teasing me, so I chose to ignore him.

Before Aaron could take notice of my daydreaming, I promptly looked away and removed those thoughts from my mind. What's wrong with me that I must concern myself with whom he liked?

"Shall we go?" Aaron turned towards the sidewalk. I gave him a nod and took my first step.

The sidewalk was wide enough for only two people to walk side by side. Scratch that. We were actually strolling. Sometimes we would halt in our steps to let people from the opposite direction pass first. Occasionally, Aaron would protect me from men who walked mindlessly. The way we were going, the fifteen-minute walk home took us thirty minutes and we weren't even talking, just feeling the other's presence, stealing a glance at each other once in a while.

Before we could reach the Zapanta Compound, grandma's property, as it was known in the city, Aaron paused, so I stopped walking as well. "I'll fetch you for your entrance exams three Sundays from now."

"Hmm," I nodded absentmindedly then gathered all my things from Aaron's hands. "Stay here. Don't walk any further. Thank you for this afternoon and for saving my head." Aaron chuckled.

I had just taken two steps when I suddenly recalled something. I turned around and saw that Aaron was still standing on the same spot with his hands tucked in his pants pocket. "What I meant was…No. Don't fetch me. My uncle…"

"You already agreed. No taking your word back." He said smiling, without letting me finish my sentence. After that he waved goodbye, turned and ran back to the direction where we came from, not giving me a chance to protest. Hmm. How domineering.

I sighed as I walked towards the compound. All the lights were lit that the mansion looked bright and glittering. One couldn't miss this residence because of the opulence it displayed at night.

I opened the pedestrian gate and looked up at the huge Mediterranean-style house. Sigh. Such a big house, but there aren't any real people living here. I walked somberly towards the door and entered it with the usual apprehension of grandma waiting for me with that foul mood of hers.

But grandma was not waiting for me. Surprised, I looked around and asked one of the maids who was waiting for me.

"Madam is in Sir Philip's house having dinner." Alice, the youngest maid informed me. I just smiled and nodded my head in acknowledgement.

I quietly walked towards the dining room. I wasn't really hungry, but it would be a waste not to eat the food the old cook had prepared. There was rice, fried fish and vegetables. I washed my hands and sat down.

As I ate quietly, my mind drifted to the embarrassing scene of me and Aaron.

I never expected him to be wait for me near the playground. I thought he already left for home. My heart skipped a beat and a warm feeling crept all over my body.

Aaron's movements were out of sorts when he helped me up. He wasn't gentle but he wasn't brusque as well. Maybe he was just as nervous as me. I wasn't demure myself when I fell, so why expect him to act suave. It's not like we were being filmed or it was choreographed or something.

A smile crept on my face. I shook my head trying to remove remnants of memories from thirty minutes ago. Ugh! I covered my face in embarrassment.

But his eyes were full of gentleness. I love the way he knitted his well-defined brows, the way he opened and closed his mouth when he wanted to say something but decided against it. How cute.

Before I drowned myself in bliss at those images, I heard unhurried footsteps coming from the side entrance that connects to the other mansions. I looked in the direction to where the sound came from. Grandma entered regally. She had a contented smile on her lips. An elderly maid followed behind her.

"Grandma, good evening," I greeted and approached her to plant a light kiss on her cheek. "Sorry, I came home late."

Grandma just looked at me with one eyebrow raised then waved me off. "I'm tired. I want to rest." The sudden shift of mood from pleasure to gloom when she saw me was obvious. If she could be dissatisfied with her own son, what more with just a granddaughter. Having gotten used to her mood swings, I ignored the aggrieved feeling.