FALLEN PROMISE

"CARMELA’S FIRST KISS"

As agreed, Nestor picked her up in front of her house to accompany her in talking to other fishermen in the town of Eldoria. Initially, their plan was to bring a vehicle. But eventually, they opted to walk since their destination wasn't that far.

"I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend and partner, Victoria," Nestor introduced to her the beautiful woman he called Victoria.

"Hello," Carmela greeted, extending her hand for a handshake, which Victoria warmly accepted.

A radiant smile graced Victoria's lips, accompanied by her cordial acceptance of the handshake. "I'm pleased to meet you, Carmela. I'm also happy to have the opportunity to reopen the Eldoria Hotel, Restaurant, and Resort. It's a significant help in providing jobs for the people here aside from fishing," Victoria shared.

Carmela felt the sincerity in Victoria's words and responded with a smile. "That's our plan too, Papa and I. To help the locals and provide them with job opportunities."

"So, my love, I'll accompany Ms. Carmela to meet the others. Let them get to know her," Nestor suggested.

She waved goodbye to Victoria before following the path Nestor took. From that day forward, Carmela knew in her heart that she had found a friend in Victoria.

*****

But as time passed, not only did her friendship with Victoria deepen, but also the secret admiration she harbored for her close friend's partner, Nestor. Yes, what she initially thought was just a simple fondness for Nestor eventually grew into something more profound. In time, she admitted to herself that she was in love with him, a realization that weighed heavily on her heart.

Despite all of this, she kept her feelings for Nestor a secret. She loved Victoria dearly, treating her as a sister, and she knew Victoria felt the same way about her. Perhaps there was a true love that would come into her life one day—a man who would love her genuinely and be able to reciprocate the love she could offer. A man with whom she could build a family.

Carmela released a heavy sigh after contemplating all these thoughts. After a few moments, from her seated position on the rocks by the shore, she stood up. She was about to head back to clean up and rest. However, just a few steps into her walk, she heard the sound of an approaching tricycle. She continued walking until a familiar voice made her pause. It was the only voice in the world that could quicken the beating of her heart.

"Nestor?" she uttered in disbelief as she recognized the approaching figure from the darkness.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

As Nestor approached her, Carmela realized he had been drinking. However, since Nestor didn't exhibit the typical behavior of a drunkard, she agreed. Moreover, her heart pushed her to engage with him despite her reservations.

"Is there a problem?" she asked when he neared.

Despite the dim, flickering light that served as their illumination, Carmela could still make out Nestor's face. She noticed him staring at her intensely, sending shivers down her spine with the way he looked at her.

"Can we talk? In a place where it's just the two of us?" he requested.

Carmela raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? And besides, it's not right for what you're asking. What will Victoria think when she finds out about—"

Nestor didn't let her finish as he quickly spoke, "Victoria is not here. She's in the next town, visiting her mother. She'll be gone for a week," he explained.

Carmela's face quickly displayed a mix of uncertainty. Inside her, her heart and mind wrestled. Her heart desired what Nestor was asking, while her mind resisted.

"Please?" Nestor pleaded, holding her hand.

Carmela involuntarily shivered at Nestor's movement. A strong current of electricity quickly coursed through every fiber of her being, uncertain if Nestor noticed. Carmela had a feeling that he took advantage of her vulnerability in those moments.

"Alright," in the end, Nestor convinced Carmela to go along with what he wanted.

That was all it took, and she found herself on the back of Nestor's motorcycle. She had no idea where he intended to take her. In those moments, one thing prevailed over everything else – the joy in her heart because she was with Nestor, the man she loved.

*****

Nestor brought her to a secluded nipa hut deep within the woods, far away from the shoreline. It was well-hidden, and the location wasn't frequented by anyone.

"Whose hut is this? And why did you bring me here, Nestor?" Carmela curiously inquired.

Nestor turned off the motorcycle and turned to face her. "It's mine, and Victoria doesn't know about it."

Carmela raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Is this a surprise for her?" she asked in an innocent tone.

Despite her feigned nonchalance, her heart felt like it was being sliced into small pieces in those moments. Well, she was accustomed to that kind of pain. Nothing new.

Nestor shook his head in succession while gazing intently at her. Only the moonlight served as their source of illumination. However, even in its faint glow, Carmela could see the sweet, beautiful smile that graced Nestor's lips.

"This hut is for you, Carmela," Nestor confessed after a few moments.

Carmela's face showed a mixture of surprise and confusion. Simultaneously, her gaze shifted between Nestor's face and the hut.

"W-What do you mean?" she nervously asked, unable to conceal her feelings.

Nestor didn't respond immediately. Instead, he moved and sat inside the tricycle to be beside her. In those moments, Carmela's heartbeat intensified. Alongside the rapid beating of her heart, her throat rapidly dried up, making it challenging to focus.

"I know it's not right for me to say this, Carmela," Nestor began, "but I don't see any other opportunity to tell you what I truly feel."

Carmela took a breath that seemed to surpass normal breathing. "W-What do you mean?"

At that point, Nestor firmly held one of her hands and tenderly kissed it. It felt like Nestor was in a hurry, and Carmela couldn't comprehend what was happening. However, in the end, she chose not to question it.

"I tried to suppress my feelings for you. From the first moment I saw you, you've had a special place in my heart. And I feel like you feel the same way about me. That's why you're here with me now," Nestor explained with sincerity.

"Am I really that easy to read, Nestor?" Carmela asked in disbelief.

Once again, Carmela saw the broad smile on Nestor's lips. In truth, during those moments, she wasn't thinking rationally. She was simply following and listening to one thing—the dictates of her heart.

"Does this mean my suspicion was correct, that you love me too?" Nestor inquired.

Carmela no longer saw any reason to hide her true feelings from Nestor. In response, she nodded carefully, wearing a sweet smile.

"You're right, Nestor. I love you too. I love you so much, and you're the only man I've loved this way. But this isn't right. Victoria is my best friend, and I don't want to ruin our friendship just because of the misplaced feelings and love I have for you," she gently explained.

"Are you afraid?" Nestor asked.

Carmela nodded consecutively. "I love you, but I also love Victoria. Above all, I choose to do what's right."

"But what about us? Don't you want to give us a chance to be happy together? Even if it means we're hiding?" Nestor insisted.

"A-Are we going to hide? Is that what you're saying? Deceive Victoria?" Carmela asked in disbelief, firing consecutive questions at Nestor.

"Carmela, we're not deceiving her. We just don't want to hurt her. But we also want to free our hearts and acknowledge our true feelings for each other. That's what I mean. We didn't choose this. And neither of us don't want to hurt Victoria, so we have no other choice but to keep our love a secret from her," Nestor explained at length, gently brushing the cheeks of the two.

"Nestor..."

"I love you so much, Carmela. I hope I made you happy with my simple gift. I'll take you to this hut every time we meet. This is where we'll secretly see each other. We'll have our own world. Far from reality. Just the two of us. Do you like that?" the young man asked, gradually bringing his face closer.

Carmela held her breath. And when Nestor's lips were just about to touch hers, she finally opened her mouth to answer his question.

"Yes, I like everything you said. I'm willing to do anything just to be with you. I'll be content even with a hidden relationship. Because what matters is the genuine love we have for each other," Carmela whispered her response.

Nestor smiled. "If ever, am I your first kiss?" he asked.

Carmela's cheeks quickly turned warm at that question, but she still nodded.

Nestor's smile widened. Then, he bridged the small gap between their lips to finally give her the sweet taste of their first kiss.