Chapter 7: Wishing Well

See? Is that what the Ellwood will exchange for Emory?

"Let her go, Ellie doesn't just choose unkindly." Manang Gloria disobeyed.

"Ah, who is Emory?" I couldn't help but ask.

They both turned to me and at the same time shrugged.

I was surprised to sit down and wait for what they would say.

"Ellwood's ex one." Issay replied.

"Stop right there, Issay. They're just friends."

"Why not? They're still together, if Emory's husband hadn't just shown up, they might have stayed together now."

I just quietly listened to their conversation that seemed to never end. Based on what I heard, Ellwood and Emory are said to be best friends.

"Let's stop that gossip." Manang cuts to Issay.

"I'm done cutting the beans." I raised the bowl.

"Good. You can go to the living room first and watch television, you might just get bored here if you wait for me to finish."

"I'll just be there in the backyard."

I glanced at Issay who was already standing in his chair.

"Let's go there!"

We decided to go to the back of the house. I went straight to the well where I read aloud again what was written there.

"Make a wish and I'm willing to grant what your truly desire..."

"Who would have thought like that?" said Issay peeking into the well.

"There is nothing wrong with trying to

-wish? "

"Do you have any coins?" She presented me with the palm.

"Uh, no,"

"I don't have any coins here either. We'll try next time," Issay told me.

He pulled me out of the gate where the spring was flowing. We also walked a kilometer before the waterfalls exposed us.

My lips parted in astonishment.

"This is so beautiful." I exclaimed.

"Let's take a bath?" I glanced at Issay who was already undressing while wearing her dress.

I looked around quickly, fearing that someone might see us.

"This is the private property of the Echeverri, no one is spying on you here, come quickly!"

She didn’t wait for me to say anything because she jumped up and quickly disappeared from my sight.

I stepped on a high rock to reflect in the water. I was not disappointed because the water was so clear that I could see it swimming under it.

I leaned over and looked up at the strong current of water from the waterfall. There’s nothing wrong with taking a bath, ’aid Issay, this a private place. That means isolated and no one else here but us.

I started to take off my T-shirt and shorts, the only thing left was my bra and panty.

I quickly jumped into the water and immediately raised my head.

"It's cold!" I scream.

"See? so refreshing!" said Issay to me.

I nodded and also immediately started to swim stealthily. When I had finished, I went up and sat on the rock.

"Your body is gorgeous!."

She pulled away from me and hovered over me. I lower down my head ashamedly, ‘cause I don’t see my self as a beautiful — not in Iverson’s eyes.

Again I can’t help but think how was him? Is he also looking for me not to lock up but because he misses me?

"You don't have a boyfriend?"

"Actually nothing, because my crush didn't like me." I smiled at her.

"Isn't it? Maybe that guy's eyes are blurred?"

That's when I laughed. I just can’t say that my own cousin is what I really want.

"Ellwood and Emory really become best of friends?"

She rubbed his palm on her face before shrugging.

“Ellwood doesn't talk when it comes to Emory. He’s very private when it comes to his lovelife, especially Emory. ”

I nodded. I just can’t help but wonder why they didn’t stay together?

"How about Pia?"

She frowned at me, then smiled.

I quickly avoided looking at her because of her strange look.

"You probably had a crush on Ellwood, are you?" She pierced my side as I laughed.

"N-No, I'm just curious about their story."

"It's not impossible for you to like Ellwood. I guess all the women here in La, Esperanza like him, except me. Because it's impossible for us to be lik by Ellwood Echeverri ," she said laughing.

I still shudder because what she says is also impossible.

"It's better that we go back to the Villa, maybe Manang Gloria is worried about us." I started to stand up and put on the dress I had taken off earlier.

While we going back to Villa she did not stopped teasing to me about Ellwood. I just skipped that thing because it was really a blow to the moon that would make me like him.

One more thing I don’t have plan on doing such a thing because I have something more important to focus on right now. That is to get back to San Marcelino.

"Dois por santo, where are you from? I've been looking for you in the whole Villa!" Manang Gloria's voice was full of concern when she saw us.

"We just bathed in the spring." I answer.

"Who told you to leave the Villa without permission?"

I turned to the voice that spoke. He came out of the kitchen and leaned against the door jamb, with arms crossed against his shoulder. Unable to paint his face either, his eyebrows met even more when he looked at me.

"We just went to the spring."

"That's not a good reason. What did I tell you?" His voice echoing all over the place. Anger is obvious in shown in his face.

"I'm sorry, I took her to take a bath in the waterfall." Issay said.

"Some people have come here today, asking some questions. I didn't say anything, then I looked for you but I couldn't find you so I called Ellwood." Manang's voice was still full of nervousness when she spoke.

My gaze flew to Ellwood in his dark rough face.

"I'm sorry, I don't want you to worry about me." I bow my heads in response.

Silence filled in the air for so long.

"The important is you are here and safe. We should eat our lunch come on Issay, change your clothes before serving." Manang Gloria wakes up in tension.

I remained bent over while squeezing the hem of my dress.

"Change your clothes, let's talk after lunch."

I did not answer. What can I say? He must be angry because of what happened. What if Dolfo’s staff were the ones here earlier? Another guilt eats me up because he still has to come home early and his work will be affected because of me.

I took a step to go up to the second floor. I could feel his footsteps following me so when I reached the last step I faced him.

"You have something to say!"

He raised an eyebrow and stepped on the last step to face me. Even though I was a step high I still got to look up at him steadily.

He’s too close that his breathing is too hot to obtain.

"My room is right in front of your door step," he said in a hushed voice.

I closed my eyes slightly when his breath hit my face directly.

"You might get caught a cold if you don't change your clothes right away."

I looked up at him but his attention was not on me but on my wet clothes. I bit my lower lip, I should have changed my clothes.

"Hmm..." I nodded in response.

He looked straight ahead and then he passed without warning.

I shallowed hard as I watched him walk away. Is he really angry? Ohlr, maybe he's just afraid to involve his name in me?

I decided to continue the shower and change my clothes before going down.

"That dress fits you too." Manang Gloria commented when I entered the dining room.

Ellwood and Issay were already there, even Allan was already seated in front at the table.l

I didn't notice Pia anymore, maybe she left earlier when we went to the waterfall.

Ellwood was the one I immediately noticed caressing my clothes but also immediately looked away before starting to eat.

My accustomed smile faded because of what he did, if Issay hadn't asked me to sit down I wouldn't have acted.

We had a quiet lunch, perhaps because of what had happened earlier, the atmosphere around us became heavier. Ellwood only spoke to manang who was returning to the port and did not know if he would be able to go home tonight. He didn’t let me know even though I expected we would talk after dinner like he said earlier.

I just chose to lock myself in the room afterwards. After all, I have nowhere else to go but here inside the Villa. I don't want to watch TV because I don't like watching, it's better if there is an internet connection here but I don't think so. Another thing I didn't bring my phone so I had no choice but to burry myself in the room.

I didn’t realize that drowsiness pulled me in, I just woke up when it was dark all around. I quickly turned to get up and glanced at the alarm clock on the night stand.

"It's past six o'clock." With wrinkled eyes, I got up and went downstairs to help cook dinner, but I managed to get the food served.

"Looks like you've slept too long?" Manang Gloria pulled up the chair so I could sit down.

"Thank you, manang."

I'm sure Ellwood isn't here yet because if he was here, he would definitely be on the table with me now.

"Ah, where's Issay and Allan?"

"They're in town, because the festival in the village is near, so they're in the fair."

I just nodded. I know it was fun there because but I'm sure Ellwood won't let me either because of my situation now.

I also hate the idea of ​​rejoicing while mourning the loss of daddy.

"Ellwood isn't here yet, maybe he won't be able to go home because his best friend Emory is in Queensland now."

I haven't commented on that yet and just quietly ate.

After dinner I chose to spend time at the back yard. It is impossible for me to sleep immediately because of the length of my sleep earlier. I seated at the old rocking chair across the garden and the wishing well. I rocked the chair and looked up at the twinkling star in the sky.

"Dad, I know you're in good hands. You're with mommy." I smiled bitterly, unable to stop the tears from welling up in my eyes.

"Please, guide me, I can't do this alone. I don't know where and how to start. How can I bring justice to your death." My voice was shaking, if I could just go back to San Marcelino I would have done it to get revenge but how?

I stopped sniffing when a handkerchief approached me with the familiar hand. And then I slowly look up at the person right beside me.

"Here, it's clean..." He just looked ahead while the other hand was hidden in his pocket.

I did not hesitate to reach for it to wipe away the tears.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I was just worried about you," he said in a low voice.

I sniffed and continued to wipe away my tears. The smell of his handkerchief, like when we were on the ship, this is how it smells, the taste in the nose. It's heaven.

"It's my fault because I'm making you feel worried about me earlier." My weak answer.

I heard his deep sigh that made my heart moved. I tried to stand up and walk closer to the wishing well that was there. I felt him followed me.

I looked up at him as he leaned his lower back and elbow into the well in front of me. He's now wearing his polo longsleeve that folded up to his forearm and black pants. Her hair style is still the same and her facial posture is obviously always fresh even after the day has passed.

"I find this well so interesting, even the message." I looked up at the sky again and smiled.

"If I ask for this wishing well, will it be fulfill all my requests?"

Ellwood snatched out from his pocket after pulling my right hand to hand over the peso coin, "Here, try it," he said in a soft tone and smiled a bit.

"Just say what's your truly desire. This well will surely grant what you wish for." He even tapped the snout of the well.

I leaned over and focused on the deep well. I took a deep breath and pinched the coin in both palms after closing my eyes. When I looked up I threw the coin into the well.

“Hmm, I’m sure your request will be fulfilled,” he told me.

"Did he fulfill any of your requests?" He look at me dimly while clenching his perfect jaw.

He stand next to me before wrapping both arms around his chest.

"He once fulfilled my wish..."

I looked up at him which was now beside me and met my gaze.

"What request did he fulfill for you?"

He curved his lips and looked up the skies above, "I wish the person I loved would be happy. Then after so many years, my wish granted." He chucked a bit and staring hard at me now.

I swallowed because I saw his eyes twinkle.

"If I could turn back time, I would have asked to make her happy with me and not with someone else."

I looked down at the well, the sadness he tried to hide in his smiles could not last long...