6

'Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.'

"Yes, it is a promise Philip." Nora answered him smiling as her fingers still lingers on his face.

Philip smiled again. "I have wanted to hug you for a long time Nora, can I hug you? Please?"

Nora nodded her head.

Philip smile and pulled her closer to him wrapping his arms around her.

His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around her frail body. Nora smiled at that and hug him.

The world around her melted away as she squeezed him back, not wanting the moment to end.

"I love you Nora from the bottom of my heart. I have fallen for you. I fall for u today, tomorrow and forever and ever." Philip said under his breath without Nora hearing it.

**

"Son I am glad you have told her about.. you know. If you haven't summon up the courage to tell her, would you have know she loves you back? I am glad it went well." Craig happily told his son that night.

Philip had told his father about confessing his feelings for Nora and how Nora had accepted it.

Philip beamed in joy and went to hug his father. "Thanks dad for everything."

Craig returned the hug. "Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit." He said and patted his son on his shoulder. "That was the kind of love I had for your mother, and I hope that is how your love for Nora is. She has been through a lot." He added.

"I know that dad, that is why I want to be there for her at all times."

"I know you love her but think about your future you want to have with her." Craig said and brought out a white envelop from his back jean and drop it in front of his son on the table. "The sponsors are now giving you a last chance son, think about it carefully tonight. Remember, it is one of the top university." With that he left his son for his room.

Philip looked at the envelop right in front of him, he was confused on what to do. Should he stay or go to the University?

That night he came up with a decision.

**

Daisy has just finished teaching Nora some dancing steps and returned her back to her normal size.

"Your face is glowing today, what is the secret?" Daisy asked.

"Philip told me he loved me and I also told him I love him." Nora replied happily.

"I am glad you both has confess your hidden feelings, I for one know how much you love him."

Nora nodded her head and sigh in contented. "I wish to see how he looks daisy, I really want to see him." She said in a sad tone.

"He is a good looking guy Nora, you will see him one day."

"Does it mean I could see perhaps in the future?" Nora asked in hopes.

Daisy laughed at that and lead Nora back to the staircase. "That is for fate to decide Nora, and always remember the love trial you will face."

Nora nodded her head and left for her world.

***

Philip told his father his decision and Craig smiled.

"That is good son, glad you did some thinking."

Later in the day Philip went to give Nora something and he met Kate. Kate then told him where Nora was, in her room.

Their closeness didn't escape Kate hawk eyes but, she was happy that Nora was slowly becoming herself. She knew deep down her, that they both love each other, but pretended not to know anything. In fact if God hand was on this, she would have love Philip to be her son in law. Philip was a caring and jovial person, plus his cooking. She smiled at Philip as he walked towards the staircase.

Philip went and entered Nora's room without knocking. He was astonish by what he saw.

Nora was dancing.

She was dancing without any music playing, it was as if she was listening to a invisible song.

He didn't know that Nora could dance, not any dance, but ballet.

Her moves were far different from the ballet dancers he used to watch or see.

Nora stopped and bowed down to her imaginary audience. Philip didn't know when he started clapping, startling Nora half to death.

"WOW, that was a nice moves Nora, where did you learn those steps? Do you dance? How come none of your family knows that?" Some many questions.

"Dancing is my hidden talent that no one knows I have." Nora answered him through her sign language.

"Can you dance again, please, I love it. You got talent Nora real talent, I am definitely going to tell Mark (one of his sponsors) that you are a ballet star." Philip said in enthusiasm.

"You really like it?"

"I love it Nora, dance it again."

"I can only do that if you dance with me." Nora sign back.

"But I don't know how to dance Nora." Philip said as he scratch his head. It has been long he had dance. His late mother was the last person he had dance with, his mother had always dance ballet with him.

"You don't want to dance with me because I am a handicap?" Nora sign, her face crestfallen.

Philip quickly went over to her and held her hands. "I have no such thought Nora, I will dance with you, though I know a little ballet."

Nora face light up immediately.

They danced without any music, they were perfect.

After a while, they stopped to catch their breaths.

"Before I forget, I came to give you this." Philip said, he pulled out a sliver chain, inside was a round stone fixed, he let Nora feel it before putting it around her neck. "That’s the symbol of Mamaquilla. She is the goddess of the moon in South American culture. She was married to Illapa, the god of the sun. You give that to the one you choose and she will protect that union for the rest of your lives. So I was told.” Philip explained. “I’ve had it for years, intending to give it to the one I love. That’s you. I love you, Nora Dante.” he added.

Nora touched it and smiled brightly. "Even though I cannot see it, I love it. It is beautiful, thank you. I love you, Philip."

"As long as you wear that. We can never be torn apart.” Philip said and place a gentle kiss on her forehead, now is the time or never. "I have gotten admission Nora, but I don't want to go, I don't want to leave you alone."

"Philip, you can't joke with your future, go, I will be fine. Be rest assure I will wait for you. Your future is important Philip, don't use because of me to give excuses. I will be fine." Nora told him with her sign.

Philip breathed a sign of relief when he read those signs. He was afraid of her reaction but now, he was glad he told her. "Thank you Nora, I will always call you every chance I get, every sound you would make on the phone, I will understand. I won't forget you Nora, my promise necklace is with you, it is my heart Nora, please always keep it save. As long it is with you, I will always return to be with you. Thank you Nora for everything." Philip said and for the first time, he kissed Nora. This time on her lips which Nora returned.

***

True to his words, he texted Mark about Nora's ballet dancing skills.

A week later, he left Floda, Nora was there with him at the airport. They both hug themselves ignoring Kate and Craig who smiled. They were sitting in Kate's car.

Reluctantly, Philip came down from the jeep. He went to hug Kate and then his father.

Finally he kissed Nora. "This is not a goodbye kiss Nora, I will be back before you miss me." He whispered in her eyes and with a teary eyes he left them.

___

Kate who was teaching Nora braille were in the sitting room when Craig barged in, his eyes red from crying.

"What is it Craig?" Kate asked suddenly alarmed.

"It is Philip."

At the mention of Philip Nora's heart beat fast as she waited to hear it.

"The plane he boarded caught fire, they said there was no survivors." Craig said in tears.