Time

 

Soft ocean breeze fluttered Maria’s dress as she walked on the path to her aunt’s beach house. Then, a faint, contented, smile lighted her tired face at the first sight of waling- waling, her aunt’s favorite flowers and hers. She stopped by one of them, bent down to breathe in the fragrant scent of the orchid and just thought of touching them when she felt another breeze lift her long, straight black hair. She stopped and looked around...her heart beating a little faster than normal. Maria rubbed her arm then hugged herself. The air became somehow different...Comfortable yet... frightening at the same time. While thinking deeply, Maria heard a startling shout.

 

“Maria! Mi paborito!” cried her aunt as she started running towards her. She hugged Maria to her comfortable, motherly, body and planted a kiss on her cheek.

 

Maria just had time to compose herself as she hugged her aunt back and said, “Tiya Gloria! I missed you!” They started talking to each other at the same time and still understand what they said. The next thing Maria saw is front of her Tiya’s Spanish looking beach house, her second home, with her bag taken from her hand by Pacifika, her aunt’s helper.

 

“By the way Tiya, I haven’t seen Trina around yet...” asked Maria. Pacifika smiled and her auntie’s shoulder went up, “Ack! You know teenagers today! They like...what you call, ‘boy hunting’.” All three of them laughed at this.

 

Pacifika opened a door and ushered Maria to come inside. Maria had always had this room ever since she could remember visiting her aunt, and she loves it. She’s got a perfect view of the ocean and ...everything just seems so magical in it! Maria went to the window, her favorite spot, and leaned out.

 

“I’ll leave you now to rest...you look tired, Maria.” said her aunt as she placed her hand on Maria’s arm. “I am.” answered Maria. “There’s just too many work!"

 

“Well, at least you can relax now... Dinner will be served at 6:00, okay?” Maria nodded then she heard her door click shut. She dragged a chair by her window, placed her hands on it and looked out...

 

Paulo gave Maria a bunch of waling-waling. Maria shyly smiled her thanks as she accepted it... “Maria, I will do everything that I can to make money so I can marry you!”

 

Maria looked into Paulo’s dark eyes and said, “I know you will! But what about the Kapitan Heneral? He wants to marry me!”, Maria turned from Paulo as she lamented. But Paulo turned her around and took her hands into his... “I won’t let him! I’ll die first!”

 

Blackness... Time keeps floating by... “Where am I?” asked Maria to herself.

 

They’re at the beach, her father, Don Miguel, with a pistol in his hands, called the Kapitan Heneral, Paulo and Maria. Maria’s father is on Miguel’s side, Maria, confused, in the middle and Paulo near her but far enough for...

 

Miguel’s finger squeezed the trigger and Maria screamed as she heard the deafening sound from the pistol...

 

BANG!

 

BLAG!

 

Maria’s eyes opened wide as she felt something jump on top of her bed. She opened her mouth ready to scream when she noticed her cousin’s curly black hair. She grabbed the blanket,

 

“Trina!” She said as she took the blanket off herself. Trina was curled up on the bed shaking with laughter and Maria couldn’t help but laugh with her. When they finished laughing, Maria started to do her bed but Trina stopped her.

 

“Let Pacifika do it.” Trina said, “We’re going to go to the beach and meet some boys! So get into that sexy swimsuit of yours and let’s go, go, go!” And with a wave, her cousin went out her door. Maria looked at her open door and shook her head, “Same old Trina!”

 

Maria saw that Pacifika already arranged her clothes in their usual places so she just took a towel and changed into her suit. When she went down, Maria saw Trina tapping her foot with her hands on her waist. When Trina saw her she grabbed her arm and half dragged Maria to the beach.

 

“Whoa! Slow down Trina! It’s still early! I didn’t know you believe in that early birds get the worms stuff.”

 

“Who’s the early bird?! It’s already 10!” Maria’s eyes widened with disbelief so Trina said, “Don’t worry, you got jetlagged.” said Trina in her as matter of factly voice.

 

In a few minutes, the cousins reached the beach but, Maria just wants to lay down by herself so Trina left her to mingle around.

 

Maria arranged her things on the sand and placed lotion on her skin. With this done, she got comfortable on her towel.

 

After a while, she felt like swimming and went out to the ocean. She swam farther than she expected but when she wanted to go back, her legs started to hurt, “Oh No! Cramps!” She fought to stay afloat but her cramps and ...something keeps pulling her down! An undertow! She waved her hand around and tried to scream, but water filled it before she said anything! Maria went down and didn’t go back up. Her lungs feels like bursting and she opened her mouth to try to breathe...But she drank in water instead, she tried grabbing something, but her hands grabbed nothing solid! Then she didn’t feel anything. Maria saw blackness... She wants to let go, but something wasn’t letting her! Then she felt as if drifting...

 

Maria’s face screwed up as she tried to lift her hand to her chest. ‘There’s so much pain! Please stop!’ and as if in cue, the pain stopped. But then her stomach started hurting and she rolled to her side and coughed. Water poured out from her mouth and she went back to lying on her back.

 

When she finally got her breath back, she looked at the person who helped her and looked into two beautiful dark eyes, “Thank you!” she choked and the guy said,

 

“That’s okay, you would’ve done the same thing.”

 

Silence...

 

“So, ...I need to go back to my cousin. She might be worrying where I am! By the way, I’m Maria.” and she held out her hand to him. He took her hand and they shook.

 

He said, “I’m... Anton.” Silence...

 

“Maria!” Trina’s shout made them turn around, and sure enough, coming to them is her cousin. When Trina got to them, Maria introduced Anton but didn’t say anything about what happened.

 

“We need to go home now, Anton, so ...we’ll just see ya around!” Anton just nodded and I smiled.

 

With good byes said, Maria and Trina started for the house.

 

“He’s cute.” said Trina, offhandedly. "But I don't think I've seen him around here before..."

 

Maria smiled, Trina doesn’t usually give compliments! And not seeing him around is like saying that he's probably unattached...

 

After that day, Maria began to see Anton, sometimes by pure chance, other times because she keeps looking for him. Then, one night, they walked into each other. Anton asked if he could walk her home. Afterwards, they began to go out and it was bliss for Maria.

 

Time passed by and soon, Maria’s 3 week break was almost over. It had been a funfilled and special vacation to Maria, except when she dreams of... whatever...

 

Four days before Maria needs to go back to the city for her studies, Anton met her by the woods, their usual meeting place.

 

“Anton, I’m going back in four days...to finish my studies...and...” Maria looked at Anton who seems troubled, “What is it?”

 

Anton’s face looked serious, as he looked at Maria straight in her eyes and held her hand. “I need to tell you something...”

 

“What?”

 

“Maria, I am not who you think I am... My real name is Paulo...”

 

Maria’s hands went to her ears, “No don’t! Your not Paulo! Paulo is dead!” Maria cried out not knowing where those things came from, surprising even herself.

 

“Maria,”, he cried, pain showing through his voice at this outburst, squeezing Maria’s hand, “I’m here. I waited for you...As I promised to you...”

 

Maria looked up to those dark eyes again. “Paulo?”

 

He nodded and Maria cried as she hugged him. It was as though something a dam has been opened in Maria's mind and memories kept pouring in her head! “I missed you! Do you still love me? I love you, still and forever.”

 

But Paulo’s eyes became darker and more serious.

 

“Maria, I’m sorry, but I’ve waited for you for so long...I need to go. I’m going today.” Paulo lowered his head.

 

Maria snatched her hands away and banged them on his chest, “No! You promised you won’t leave me!” and she turned from him.

 

“I won’t! I promised...” Paulo’s voice became hollow and echoic. Maria turned to look and saw Paulo fading. Feet first and slowly going up to his waist, his chest then his face, but before he completely disappeared, he said, “I love you, Maria.”

 

Maria ran home crying and locked herself up in her room. She didn’t eat or talked to anybody for a couple of days.

 

On the afternoon of the third day, as Pacifika was passing her room, she heard a loud crash.

 

Pacifika quickly called for help and broke through the door. They found Maria on the floor with her wrist, cut and bleeding, and a blade near her.

 

Walking past by white walls, Maria saw a fragment of white light then... Paulo. She ran towards him and they hugged each other, “Now we can be together.” cried Maria. But Paulo broke their hug and held her by her arms,

 

“No...You’re not supposed to die yet. There’s so much for you in the future!”

 

“But you’re not in my future, Paulo!”

 

“I haven’t broken my promise yet Maria...Wait for me. I love you...” Paulo disappeared once again.

 

Maria felt as though she fell-hard. She felt pain on her chest then air filled her nose. She opened her eyes and saw the doctor with his back to her.

 

Maria wanted to cry and call the doctor all the foul names she could think of. 'Stupid! Why did you have to save me! I was happy already!' instead, she just groaned.

 

“Hey! My patient is awake already!” the doctor said in pleasure.

 

His voice reminding Maria of somebody. The doctor turned around and Maria’s eyes widened as she saw two pairs of dark eyes.

 

“Paulo?” she choked out from her shocked self. The doctor gave her a confused look and said,

 

“Near enough...My name is Dr. Paul Almeda.” Tears stung Maria’s eyes as reality sunk in her. But them Paul winked at her and said in a serious tone with a soft smile,

 

“Hello, Maria. How are you?” He took her hand in his. “Tomorrow I’m going to bring you a bunch of Waling-waling. Welcome back!” and he squeezed Maria’s hand lightly.

 

Tears of joy ran down Maria’s cheeks but Paul wiped them.

 

And they were just there, looking at each other with a smile on their face.

 

The idea for this story is from my older sister, Laurie