Chapter 3: THE PROMISE

"Are you comfortable wearing eye glasses Sarah?" Charles ask after putting onto Sarah her new reading glasses that he bought for her.
"It felt weird at first....but my vision is clearer now and the dizziness is gone too. Thank you so much!" Sarah replied.
"No. I'm the one who should be thanking all of you especially Joy. You saved my son's life. Thank you so much!" Charles said to Joy and then Charles hugged her.

"Knock! Knock!"
Suddenly they heard someone knocking at the door. "Sir. You have a visitor." Manang said.
"Right! I almost forgot. Please let her in so I can introduce her." Charles said while smiling.
Then Manang came back with a middle aged girl beside her.

"Everyone, this is Ms. Yuriko Fujima. She will be your Tutor from now on.... And Miss Fujima these are your students including this lady here." Charles said while pointing to Mina.
"Huh? M-me too...?" Mina thinks she is too old to be a student for a kindergarten like class. "Ah - Hi! Nice meeting you all!" Yuriko greet everyone.

From that day, Yuriko tought the kids everything that they need to learn like reading, writing, counting, drawing and many more. All their classes includes Mina as a special student. In the afternoon Yuriko and Mina have a special class for general knowledge.

She teaches Mina how to use the appliances like vacuum cleaner,
"This vacuum cleaner is eating my clothes!" her skirt were stocked at the vacuum cleaner.

She also teaches how to use the TV,.
"What magic this box uses? It captured many people in it! Let's save them!" Mina said while watching the TV.

How to use the telephone,
"Huh? Where's Charles I can hear him but I can't see him?" Mina is trying to call Charles at the telephone.

How to use a cellphone,
"Wait is this the toy Liel always play with? It's showing his father! Am I the one he is talking to?" Mina said while having a Video call with Charles.

How to use a computer,
"I - I feel dizzy which one should I click again? I don't see a mouse running around!" Mina said while trying to type on a computer.

But it seems so hard for her...


"Everyone, food is ready!" Charles is calling them for lunch.
At the dining table, Charles asked the kids what they've learned from Yuriko.
"Me! Me! I learned how to draw! And this is our family picture that I made just for you!" said Peach then she gave the drawing to Charles. "It's so beautiful Peach! Thanks!" Charles said.
"I-I learned how to read and I just finished this story book." Sarah said while showing her book.
"That is a thick book! Your smart!" Charles was amazed how fast the kids learn.
"How about Liel and Joy?" Charles asked.
"Liel is a genius! Especially in mathematics. He can solve any complicated math problems that I gave him. But for Joy she is having a hard time learning how to read and write." Miss Yuriko answered.

Joy is feeling embarrassed to herself but Liel hold her hand to say it's OK.
"But in our village among the other childrens, Joy is the first one to read the Libreta, I mean her father's book." Mina said.
"Mina can you show us how you write?" Charles asked Mina. Yuriko gave her a pen and paper then Mina started to write symbols then show it to them.
"I think I've seen this before?!" Charles said.
"That is Baybayin. The Filipino ancient script or language." Yuriko explained.
After that, Yuriko started to use baybayin to teach the kids.


"Yey! I'm done with my assignment! Come on let's play!?" Joy asked her sisters.
"Sorry Ate Joy, I want to finnish this science book." Sarah said.
"I'm focused with my drawing right now. Sorry!" Peach apologizes too.
Joy felt sad but Liel grab her hand and they ran.
"Come! I know a good place to play!" Liel said.



After 5 Years.....

"Hey Li?! Why do you need to cover my eyes?" Joy asked. Liel carried her to the lake near the orchard. This place became their hideout since they were kids and now they are 12 years old.
"This is the day we first met, right? So I prepared something special!... You can now remove it." Liel said. There is an arc shape decoration at the entrance of the lake. It was made up with curtains and flowers with pink and white color. At the back of it is the beautiful lake with lily pods and lotuses, jumping fishes and some fluttering butterflies.
" WOW! This is so beautiful! Did you make all these?" Joy was really amazed from the surprise of Liel.
"Actually Manong Ben helped me. (Liel is blushing) Anyway, did you like it?" Liel asked.
"YES! I love it!" Joy answered.
"Good! Then wear this." Liel put a flower vail on her head then he kneeled in front of Joy while putting out a small box. Inside is a pinkish diamond ring in a Sakura flower design.

"This is the precious ring that my mother gave me before she died. She told me to give this to the special girl that I want to be with, for the rest of my life. (He put it to Joy's ring finger) and that is the reason why I'm giving this to you." Liel stand up and look earnestly to Joy's eyes.
"Please accept it, as a symbol of my promise. That no matter what happens and even the world would not allow it. I will do everything just to be you." Liel promised to Joy.
"Yes, I accept it." Joy answered. She took off her necklace and put it on Liel. "This necklace is my only memento from my father and now I'm giving it to you, as a symbol of our promise. That even we forget this day, this necklace will always guide us back to each other." Joy said.

They move closer until their nose touched and both said.
"And we will live happily together for the rest of our lives."


Later at the house...
" Where is my precious Liel Cedric? Bring him to me!" said by an old lady with gold jewelries.
Joy saw her and approached her with a smile.
"Li is having a bath right now. We just came back from playing." Joy said. "Why would my Liel ever think of playing with a filthy brat like you? (then she saw the ring on Joy's finger) And that ring! Give it to me! YOU THIEF!" The lady grab Joy's arm and took off her ring. "No! It's mine! LI GAVE IT TO ME!" Joy cried.
Charles, Joy's mother and sisters heard them and saw Joy was hurt because the Lady is holding her arm so tightly.
"Mom! Please let her go!" Charles said. Charles mom looked at Mina fiercely.
"Charles let's talk!" then Charles and his mother left them. Mina hugged Joy and ask her to stop crying.


At Charles room...
"So this mansion is an orphanage now? What were you thinking bringing those beggars in here? Are they the reason why you don't want to go back in Paris?" his mom said.
"They are not beggars! They are my family now. I'm not going anywhere without them! Without Mina!" Charles replied.
"ARE YOU INSANE?! Kick them out before I tell your father about this!" Charles mom ordered.
"NO! I will never do that! I LOVE MINA!" Charles.
His mom was really shocked from what Charles said.
Mina heard everything because she is hiding near Charles room. While covering her mouth her tears fall and her body became weak. She didn't even notice that Charles is falling in love with her and now after Charles confess his feelings, Mina felt happy and sad at the same time.


>>>>>TO BE CONTINUED!