Family Day!
Isabel's P.O.V
"Run! Run Isabel, run all you can! Make sure I cannot find you which is not possible. You can hide but not forever and I can still find you! I loved you but you just took advantage of my love! Now you can have the taste of your own medicine but it is a lot better, better than you can feel all the side effects of it. The pain, agony, loneliness, regrets, affliction, etc......"
"Isabel! Isabel! Wake Up!" Slap...
"Ouch! What was that for Lily?"
"You were having a nightmare, so I woke you up. I called and shake you many times but you didn't still come back to consciousness so I slap you and it worked. I am sorry, I overdid it."
"It's okay."
"What was your dream girl? Is it the first time of it?"
"Yes and no."
"Huh? What do you mean?
"It is the first time now but not when I was a child and cute innocent girl (insert me grinning). Not the same dream though but having nightmares, yes. The last time when mom left us, for years I am having nightmares and it stopped since I was ten years old until now. I did not know what I dreamed earlier but I was running from a man who wants to kill me and then blank, I woke up after." "I can feel the sting though of slapping me. Ugh.." I say while giving my best friend an annoyed look.
She just rolled her eyes, not fazed by my glare, and said. "You're welcome, you know, by waking you up because I won't let you having your permanent rest yet." She said scoffing.
"Yeah, well thanks. I love you." I said then hug her.
"Amm... I have a girlfriend, please don't tell me that you're interested in me now. It's too late for that but I love you too." She said while smirking.
"Ewe... You wish." I said while pushing her and bang! Ops...
"Ouch! You really love hurting me huh?" She whined
"Oh, stop overreacting Lily. It is not that bad and you weren't fell on cement." I retort
"But it's hurt."
"Okay fine. Sorry... Happy?" I said then hug her.
We stay like that for a while, me hugging her and her hugging me back. If any salacious mind will come into us and see us in this position, they will think that we are together. It is how close and comfortable we are with each other.
Even though Lily thought and convinced that she is a lesbian, I won't allow our friendship to be changed because of that. I am a clingy person and I would like to show my love to the people I care about by being clingy to them. My best friend is one of them so I won't feel weird and awkward just because she thinks she's a lesbian and fear her having romantic feelings for me.
"Hmm... I woke up an hour ago, actually. I helped aunt Mila prepare our breakfast and it is ready that is why I came back here then witnessed your nightmare attack earlier. So get your ass up there and let's go downstairs because everyone is in the dining room waiting for us." Lily said after a moment of silence.
"Okay," I said and release her and make her help me get up so that we can go to the dining room together.
"Oh, there they are. Why it took so long for you to wake Isabel up, Lily? Did you back to sleep too?" Tristan complains.
Lily just rolled her eyes at my brother and make herself comfortable in her seat beside him. I just smiled at their friendship. Bickering here and there. Lily is like a sister to us and my father treats her like a daughter too.
Lily's and I's families are close since our parents are close friends too when there are young. They chose different paths in their lives which is why they do not always catch up and bond. Lily's parents are busy, they always go out of town and they let Lily and her siblings be alone in their house all the time. I asked Lily about it and she said that it bothers her but did not allow herself to sulk because of her parents' actions. She said that 'I am just too blessed to let myself down and become a rebel to get my parents' attention. I have a family too, you know, you and your family.
I wish Lily can recover from her identity crisis because she and Tristan are so good to each other. The other day, my brother admitted to me that he always has a crush on Lily but make me swear to make it a secret. That is why he is being mean to her and he always wants her attention. Since we were kids Tristan always bullied Lily and me being a friend always have to fight my brother so that he'll stop bullying Lily.
"When I came back to Isabel's room I found her near hyperventilating. She's breathing heavily on her bed, closed eyes, growling, bullets of sweat in her face, and clutching her hand on the bedsheets. I tried waking her up and panicked. I slap her hard in the face that's why she woke up." Lily explained
Everyone is looking at me now, their eyes are full of worries and questions then I said, "Later guys, I don't want to talk about it yet. Let us have our breakfast first and be ready for the day." I finished.
"You got her hard their Lily. Look at her face, does it sting Isabel?" Caleb teased.
I just rolled my eyes at him and answer. "Yes, brother it stung. You want me to slap you too, for you to relate with the pain I feel in my face?" I said teasing back at him.
"Stop it, Isabel and Caleb, continue eating. After, we will be having our worship first and be ready for the day." Father said.
"Father, I have a clarification about a question that I read last time. It is haunting me. I really want to know and understand it."
"What is it, Isabel?"
"It said, 'Should Christians submit to the government in all circumstances?'". I asked.
"Yeah, papa. My catholic friends asked me that too." Hayley asked too.
"I am not sure but I remember the texts in the Bible that answer your question. Open your Bible app and read with me Romans 13. It says,
'Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.'" Dad pause.
"So Isabel, what did you understand about what we read?" Papa asked.
"I think it means that as Christians, we should follow and abide by the rules of our government officials because God assigned them to be our agents and leaders here on earth. If we will disobey our government officials, it means we defy God......" I pause because I need to drink water to clear my throat.
"We need to adhere to the law as long as it is based on God's law and in the Bible. We should respect them, not fear them. If we respect them and follow the laws, peace will be assured here on earth." I finished.
"Very well said, princess". Father said.
"Yeah little sis, you hit it," Tristan said.
"But continue in verse 8 and stop at verse 10." Father reminds us.
'Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.'
Hayley, your turn. What is your own understanding about the three verses?" Father called Hayley's attention because clearly, she's not listening.
"I think the 3 verses want to tell us that we should apply love in following the law. We should put that in our hearts and as Isabel said, respect is needed in following the law. Love, understanding, and respect would dominate in obeying the law. We should love our neighbors, the government, for us to easily follow and abide with the laws because of God's love, the law was created." Hayley finished.
"Oh you're listening big sis, I thought you didn't," I said amused.
She scoffs and said. "Of course Isabel, I can multi-task." She said grinning.
"Hmm... Okay if you say so." I said suspiciously because I bet she's hiding something.
We finished eating and then I and Lily go to my room, well, she is literally pulling me because she's excited about my or her life gossip in this past few days that we missed. But aunt Mila stop us and said, "Okay girls, you're all rich kids and daughters of the influenced parents in our community but it doesn't mean you can't do the simple household chores like washing the dishes, what do you think?" Aunt Mila commanded us.
"Okay, will do." We both said in chorus while walking back to the kitchen.
"Girl spill," Lily said while putting soap in the sponge to rub it on the plate.
"Like I said yesterday, your cousin is hot and handsome but I am not attracted to him. I don't have any romantic feelings for him and I do not know why." I said
"Are you like me, you know, a lesbian?"
"No, it's just no one catches my attention yet. I have crushes but I do not want them to be my boyfriend or I don't want to have a boyfriend yet, maybe."
"Maybe?"
"I don't know. Okay, am... When Jason and I became partners in social gatherings last night, I feel safe and comfortable around him. He is a gentleman but the girl isn't it too early to say if I have feelings for him or not. I just met him yesterday, remember?" I finished
"Yeah, but..."
"If there is an improvement, I will tell you. Yeah, I know that. I do not want you to be a dramatic maniac again because I am being secretive and shit." I cut her off
"What I am going to say is that you can wash the dishes now because I finished cleaning it with soap," Lily said, teasing me.
Rolling my eyes, I do what she said.
After washing the dishes, father called us into the living room and have our devotional together with the family.
We have different tasks for the Devo this morning: father lead the opening prayer and the leader of this devotional, Hayley as song leader, me as a pianist, Tristan as a guitarist, Lily will be the one who will lead the closing prayer and together with the others who doesn't have any part of this morning worship we gather and worship unto God.
While father read the devotional book, Lily said something to me. "Jason will visit here later maybe this afternoon, is it okay?"
"We are in the middle of the program and worst is we're in the part in which we need to listen to what father is reading so that we can answer his questions after, nice timing Lily," I said sarcastically. "Can I answer that later?" I added.
She just rolled her eyes and whisper "asshole." then back in listening to my father and then.. "Isabel what can you say about the memory text that is found in Proverbs 30:24-28, elaborate it a little for this devotional?"
Can you believe that first, she said a bad word in between the worship program and she lead me into trouble, hmm.. prepare yourself for revenge Lily?
"Great." I just murmured to myself and give Lily a quick deathly glare. She just smiled at me and give me a 'challenge accepted' look.
"I am sorry father I did not listen to the story may be Lily can help me?" I said looking at Lily.
She gives me a meaner look and I just smile at her.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but as what I understand, Proverbs 30:24-28 is trying to remind us about the things that humans can do more than other living things here on earth. In verse 25 it said, 'Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.' Ants are amazing creatures, according to science, it's estimated that if you were to weigh all of the ants on earth, they would weigh more than the total human population. Perusing ants can be useful and entertaining. We can learn a lot from them while having fun at the same time. The things that humans can assimilate about the ants' nature are the following: '1. Ants never quit'- When they are on the trail for food, they don't let any obstacle stand in their way. They don't stand there with their hands on their hips and look at each other in disbelief. They don't shrug their shoulders and give up on their goal. They don't start to feel sorry for themselves and decide that success isn't for them. They confront their obstacles and walk around them, over them, through it, or under it until they achieve their desired outcome. Unfortunately, humans are not the same. Sin was really affected us. It affects the nature assigned by God to us, the nature of being good and responsible. Sin affects how we think. After the sin, humans' first instinct is if they fail they tend to get comfortable in different things like blaming others, quitting, defying, and transgressing. God reminded us that like ants we should never quit on achieving our goals. '2. Think Winter all Summer'- In life there are going to be good times when things seem easier, goals are being achieved and the sun always seems to be shining. These times don't last and ants instinctively understand this, gathering and storing food for the times when Winter comes and food is scarce. When things are going well for us, we shouldn't just give ourselves high fives and sit back and relax. We should be planning for the times when things will go wrong and we are feeling stressed. We can do this through continued learning and development, preparing ourselves with the skills that we may need in the future. Saving money for a rainy day is also a great idea that comes from this principle. From a career perspective, we should be utilizing the good times in our career to plan for the next stage. This is much more resourceful than waiting until you hate your current job and will do anything to leave. From a spiritual perspective, we should read the Bible, Ellen G. White's writings, and other inspirational and religious books for us to be ready at all times in sharing God's word.
3. 'Think Summer all Winter'- When Winter descends on a colony of ants they go underground waiting eagerly for the sun to shine and when it does, they are immediately back out and about. They seem to have an inbuilt optimism and know that the lean times won't last forever. As a communal insect, you can almost imagine them encouraging one another as they anticipate the end of Winter. There are times in everyone's life when things go wrong and not according to plan. Unfortunately, I can almost guarantee that there will be disappointments and let-downs, making certain periods of your life seem like Winter. One of the elements of pessimism is that we can sometimes attach permanence to things that don't go right. Statements like, "Life is always out of control", "I can never get my act together" and "I'm always stressed" can be extremely damaging and depressing after a while, making our low periods seem longer and sometimes actually last longer. Understand that bad times always end, things do get better and Summer is coming. That's all." Lily finished.
"Very well said, Lily. Thank you for that," Father said.
"Okay let us finish the rest of the Bible texts this evening in our worship. Hayley, please lead our closing song." Father finished.
After our devotional, I and Lily are back in my room to bond.
"What time did you say Jason will visit here?" I asked Lily.
"I didn't but I said this afternoon if that's okay?
"Sure, tell him if he wants to join with the family that will be going to the park where the gala will be held this 3 in the afternoon hosted by our mayor. Father donated some cash to the event and I think your parents too. The mayor wants us to be there as special guests to witness the program."
"Err. It's boring if we're special guests, we cannot participate and enjoy the program. Can we tell your father that we don't want to be special guests? I want to enjoy the gala without getting attention and having special treatment." Lily complains
"Lily, it's only during the opening ceremony that the mayor wants us to be their special guests after that we are free to have fun." I reminded.
"Oh, yeah right. I forgot." She said.
"Amm... Isabel, let us practice some songs so that we can be ready anytime if we are being assigned to sing in the church." Lily suggests after a moment of silence.
"Okay let us go to the music room. And can we include Hayley, she's good at singing."
"Oh, yeah. It's totally fine." Lily agreed.
"And Lily can you go to the kitchen to grab some snacks and I'll go to Hayley and tell her to practice with us."
"Sure do."
I knock on Hayley's bedroom and she opens it.
"Hey big sis, Lily and I want to practice some songs and I appreciate it if you'll join us. It's a good bonding for us too. We haven't practice for ages now. Please?" I asked her.
"Okay, you go ahead first, I'll just finish what I'm doing here and I'll be there in the music room. Give me 30 minutes and practice the first 2 songs without me. I really need to finish my school assignment for tomorrow's deadline."
"Okay. We'll be waiting."
"Where is Hayley? Lily asked when I enter the music room.
"She needs to finish her homework for tomorrow's deadline, she'll catch up with us."
"Let's start then."
"Yeah, what song do we should need to practice for?" I asked
"Let's try 'When You're In Love, Everybody Knows'. Have you heard that song?"
"Yes but we need Hayley for that, it sounds beautiful if 3 voices are present in this song. Can we practice this later if big sis is present?"
"Fine, let's try 'The 3 Kinds of Love'? It's a beautiful song, have you heard of it?"
"I haven't yet, can you sing it for me to be familiar with it?" I asked Lily.
She rolled her eyes and said, "You just want to hear my angelic voice, don't you?" She teased.
"You wish. Just sing it, please?" I retort
"Try again, convince me." She teases more.
"Hmm".. I give him a serious and I don't buy it look.
"Okay fine." She gave in.
There are three kinds of love
In this whole wide world
That we should ever know
And we should ever do
The first kind of love
Is an erotic love
It's not a perfect love but only a lust
The second love
Is a filial love
It's not a perfect love but only a part.
The perfect love that comes from above is patience,
Very kind never envious nor proud
Never asking for return
For the good things that we bring
Never thinking of revenge
Ever faithful to the end.
Agape is the perfect love
Agape is a real love
Agape is the love of God
That we should ever know
And we should ever do
My dear brothers and sisters
Let us do this kind of love
That we could be the sons of God forevermore.
Let's forgive and forget
The quarrels that we made
Create a heart anew
With love so pure and true
Someday Jesus will come
To save His only one
So let us all prepare
To meet Him on the air.
"Wow, it's a beautiful song, Lily." And you have a beautiful voice, it's a shame if you will not continue using it for the Lord.
"Do you have an mp3 or acapella of that?" I asked Lily
"Yes, I saved it on my phone."
She repeatedly plays the song through the mp3 player on her phone and I mastered it. We practice for a while until the door of the room opens and here comes Hayley finally joining us.
"So where are we?" Hayley asked
"We just finished practicing the song called, 'The Three Kinds of Love'. Have you heard it?" I asked
"No, but I have a feeling that Lily will teach me?"
"Haha. I'll just let you hear the mp3 of that song. Isabel, please show the lyrics to Hayley."
After a few tries, Hayley master and memorize the song and then we hit it. We are a pro on it. And so I think.
After practicing 'The Three Kinds of Love', we proceed to our next target song called, 'When You're In Love, Everybody Knows'. Hayley knows the song so it's not too long for us to be a pro on it.
We play the three voices: Lily as the soprano, me as alto, and Hayley as the tenor. Together we hit it.
After the second song, we practice a lot of songs in hours and we do not realize that it's almost 12 noon until aunt Mila knock on our door and call for lunch.
"Next time let's include Caleb and Tristan in our practice?" Hayley asked.
"It's cool but please tell Tristan to stop messing up with me. There will be no harmony in our practice if he won't stop bullying me." Lily complain
Hayley and I just look at each other and... "Sure, we'll tell him that, and Isabel will handle him, do not worry," Hayley said
"Hmm. I'll try." I said unsure. Thinking of some plan on how to handle my big brother.
We gather to the dining room and have our lunch.
"Tristan and Caleb, how about you two will join us next time in our practices? We have talents so let's use it." Haley suggested.
"With Lily? No thanks." Tristan said.
"Oh come on bro, it will be cool. Stop messing up with Lily if you do not want us to think that you have a thing on her." Caleb said.
I gulped, nearly choking on my food because of what Caleb said. He has no idea. He hit Tristan there. What he said is true and he's only guessing. Hayley and I look at each other and I said mocking Tristan, "Yeah big bro. If you won't stop messing with my best friend we'll think that you have a thing on her."
Lily's eyes are on me now. She knows that I am hiding something or there is something wrong with me and I can't look her in the eye. I will be in the hot after this when we're alone and I can't lie to her it is like I am being compelled by her. She can make me word vomit in no time. That is one of her abilities, maybe she'll be successful in the interrogation agency for her future occupation, right?
After eating, I and Lily go back to my room, do some errands that need to be finished, and then... "Isabel, what was that?" Here we come the interrogation mode.
"What was what?" I play innocent
"Oh come on, you know what I mean." She pushes
"No Lily, I don't know what I mean." I continue playing innocent
"What was that encounter earlier, during lunch? Does the 'Tristan have a thing for me? I am in the dark here so care to lighten me up? Lily asked
"Okay fine. Lily, he's my brother and I won't tell you. Sorry. Please just let him tell you that? It's his thing, not mine. Please understand?" I literally plead because I can't choose between them and I love them both, very much. Ugh...
"Fine! Let us just prepare for the gala that will start at exactly 2 hours from now." She let go. Thank God! And then I hug her.
-------- The Gala
"Hello everyone, thank you for coming. I would like to special thanks to our special guests, the officers, and others who help this afternoon's opening ceremony successful and for the upcoming events of the gala week. Before I sit down, I would like a request from Isabel and Lily to sing for everyone here in the ceremony." The mayor said.
Wait, what? Oh come on, what the hell? I look at Lily that has the same expression as me. We're doomed. We are totally surprised. I look up to our parents and they don't look surprised so clearly, they agree with us without telling us. Great!
I feel Lily's hand on me, I look at her again and before I knew it we are on the stage. How did I come here? I didn't realize it. Oh right, Lily pull me with her on the stage.
I gather myself and found my voice again then I ask in a whisper to Lily, what song are we going to sing?
"Let's sing the latest song that we practiced the other day, 'Savage Love by Jason DeRule'. " She suggests
"Okay. as if we have a choice. We are forced to this, our parents completely know the mayor's request but they did not tell us" I complain
Lily just smiles and go to the deejay to play the minus one of Savage Love and then I hear the intro reechoed to the whole park. It got the attention of all people and then their eyes are on us now. Great! Lily put her hands on my back and she said in a whisper.."Relax Isabel. I'm here. Do not be afraid. We can do this." I look into my best friend and then I said in a whisper. "Afraid is an understatement, I am terrified." She shh... I and her started singing the first stanza of the song.
If I woke up without ya
I don't know what I would do
Thought I could be single forever 'till I met you
Usually don't be fallin' be fallin' first
You gotta way of keeping me comin' back to back
I just found out the only reason that you lovin' me
Is to get back at your ex looover but before you leave
Usually I would never would never even care
Baby I know she creepin' I feel it in the air
And then my turn to sing the bridge,
Every night and every day
I try to make you stay
But your
Lily and I sing together the chorus
Savage looove
Did somebody, did somebody
Break your heart?
Lookin' like an angel
But your savage looove
But when you kiss me
I know you don't give two fucks
But I still want that
Your savage looove
Your savage looove-looove-looove
Your savage looove-looove-looove
You could use me
Cos I still want that your savage
It's my turn now to sing the second stanza
Baby I hope this ain't karma cos I get around
You wanna run it up, I wanna lock it down
Usually don't be fallin', be fallin' fallin' first
You gotta way of making me spend up all my cash
We both sing the bridge with a twist now. Lily as soprano and me as alto.
Every night and every day
I try to make you stay
But your
And then we finish the song. My heart is beating faster and I exhale hard to calm myself.
I hear the cheer and clapping of hands of the people who witnessed us.
We smiled at the crowd and we go back to our family. Jason is with them smiling at me. I gave him a smile too but it slightly fake because I concentrate on complaining to my father, why he didn't tell us to be ready but he cut me off by saying, "Okay Isabel, I know you're pissed but sorry because I honestly forgot to tell you and Lily about what mayor requested but it went well right? So can we forget about this and move on?" Ugh. I can't be mad at him forever, right? So I just rolled my eyes and nod.
"It was good Isabel. You and Lily hit it. Almost all of the people here are amazed by both of your performances. I was mesmerized by your voice too." I heard Jason said.
"Oh really? How many of us girls almost fooled by your flattering words?" I retort
He scoffed and said, "I am not fooling you. I was just saying the truth."
"My bad then. Sorry. But can I talk to you in a private place where there are no gossip-mongers surrounding us?" I said to him
He clearly is confused but agreed anyway, "Okay." He said
We go to the vacant gazebo and talk.
"What are you doing Jason? Be honest with me please, what is your true intention?" I asked boldly. I do not like sugar-coating people.
He sighs and said, "I like you, Isabel. I want to be in your side forever. Please let me prove to you that I can be your man. I will do everything for you to be my woman."
I am not surprised by his confession to me but, "I am sorry Jason, I do not feel the same way. You are hot and handsome but I am not romantically attracted to you." I turn around to leave but he stops me, holds my arm slightly, and said.
"Please give me a chance Isabel, please let me court you and pursue you." He pleaded
This time I sigh and look at him.
"Okay, I'll give you a chance".
With that said he let go of my arm and I leave him to go back with my family.
"What did you two talk about?" I heard Lily ask in a whisper.
"I'll tell you tomorrow. I just want to go home and rest. What a tiring day, it is." I said refusing Lily's antics.
She just let go and said, "Call me tomorrow, I will go home too and rest."
I just nod at my best friend in response and waved to her as we both get into our respective cars.
"Lily, just come here for a second. I want to ask you something." Father said as I walk my way to my bedroom.
"What is it, Papa?"
He looks and stare at me with an unreadable expression and said, "What did you and Jason talked about earlier before we go home?"
"Amm, can we talk about this tomorrow father? I am tired. Please?"
Ugh. Why does everybody is so nosy? I just want to sleep. Is it impossible to do?
"Okay. Good night princess." Finally! Father gave in and let me go.
I hurriedly go to my bedroom, prepare myself to sleep, and then, sweet dreams!
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HEY THERE READERS! LET US END THIS HERE. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!
THANK YOU FOR READING.