Chapter 14: Maria Needs A Husband

"Uncle Sar–" Maria clamped her mouth and peeked at Julie. "Give me a second," she whispered and quietly left the room. Once outside the dorm, Maria heaved a sigh and grinned at the full moon hanging bright and clear in the dark purple sky. "Hi, Uncle Sarkon! Thank you for the phone." Sarkon sighed. "Maria, who was that? Tell me now " "A roommate. She's a bit grumpy." Sarkon glared at the big round moon glowing outside his bedroom window. It must be that Gold kid. He kneaded his brows to soothe the rising anger and said calmly, "You promised to call if you were hurt." "Uh-huh," Maria turned from the moon. "I remember that promise." There was silence on the other end. Maria inhaled and lifted her gaze back into the black sky. "I'm okay, Uncle Sarkon. I really am." The silence continued. A cold breeze skied across her bare arms and Maria crossed them in front of her chest. Next time, she'd remember to bring a shawl with her. "But I do miss everyone in the villa." Maria beamed at the vast darkness in the silver-toned horizon. "I miss chatting with Uncle Karl as he fed the birds. I missed laughing with Sophie during tea time." Sarkon sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the carpeted floor as he listened to the melodious voice that went on to describe Albert's frown when he opened the door for him. "Oh!" Maria's silky voice flustered and hastily explained. "He didn't ask me to open the door for him, Uncle Sarkon! I did it on my own. Sophie and I wanted to see his surprised reaction because he always looks like a tree." Then, the cheery voice went a pitch higher. "Oh! No, no, no. Don't tell Albert that! Oh gosh. It's a secret between Sophie and me." A tiny smile appeared on the giant's lips and a chuckle escaped from his throat. Maria paused, stunned. Is that… laughter? Sarkon's laughing? The abrupt moment of silence jarred him back to the phone conversation. Wondering if something had happened, Sarkon called out gently, "Maria?" "Y-yes?" More silence ensued. Maria hugged herself tighter. I miss you, Uncle Sarkon. "How are you, Uncle Sarkon? Don't train too hard. Don't take too much aspirin." Maria gave a cheeky smile at the dorm entrance. His head throbbed again. Bowing over with his head in a hand, Sarkon gritted his teeth in silence. I want her home, this instance. I need her near me. I can't sleep. "Uncle Sarkon?" Maria creased her brows. She checked the phone screen. She was still on the call. Pressing it back on her ear, she asked, "Have you slept?" "No." Maria heaved a sigh of relief. She didn't want the call to end. It was silly. If they could talk like this forever, how wonderful would it be? Sarkon's deep voice echoed like a distant voice in her ear. "It's time for you to find a husband." Maria blinked. Husband? "What do you mean?" Her voice was a whisper. Sarkon exhaled and stated in a dull tone, "You're of age now. Time–" There was a slight pause then an exhale, and his deep voice sounded again, more assertive than earlier. "Time to find a good man who'll take good care of you." Her world was spinning. A good man? Take good care of me? So he does see me as a burden… All of a sudden, she thought of Lovette. All the scenes of Sarkon and her display of affection filled her mind once more. Her heart sank. She had almost forgotten about his mistress. Yes, Maria concluded silently. She was a burden now. He had Lovette. He needed more time with her. After a careful deep breath, Maria lifted her sad emerald eyes to the unreachable moon and smiled, "Of course! I am looking around actually." She turned from the moon, her eyes moistening with unspeakable despair. "There are actually many gorgeous hunks around here. I shan't bore you with the details." "Let me know if you've found someone." Tears streamed silently down her pale cheeks. Maria raised her chin high at the fake brightness of the ceiling and grinned, "I will, Uncle Sarkon. You'll be the first to know!" Fresh tears continued rolling past the grin of hopeless sorrow. "Don't worry about me, Uncle Sarkon." The line went dead. Sarkon stared at the name on his phone screen until the light went out. And everything was dark again. He sat there, unmoved. The silence was suffocating, but he deserved it. Slowly, his hand tightened around the phone. You don't deserve her. Remember that. Yes. He remembered. It was as vivid as yesterday how Alfred had died protecting him. You promised to take care of his baby girl. That's all you can do. That's all you'll do. The giant swallowed hard. His head bowed under the weight of guilt, hanging loosely by a shred of light called Maria. ***** Sophie chewed on her tuna sandwich and quietly eyed the beautiful emerald-eyed brunette next to her gazing at the blue sky. This morning when they met outside the dorm, Sophie thought her friend had turned into a zombie overnight. There were gray bags underneath those almond-shaped eyes. Sophie wouldn't have been surprised if she had caught the darkest clouds above Maria's head. By noon, there was lightning and a thunderstorm on Maria's face. Sophie stared at the uneaten chicken sandwich in Maria's hands. She swallowed and clapped the crumbs off her hands. "Maria," Sophie chirped. "Do you prefer salmon?" Maria nodded. "I'll go get the salmon sandwich for you." "Ok," the usually rich voice suddenly seemed to have lost its spirit. Sophie halted a few steps from Maria and turned back, "Or perhaps you want another sandwich? I can–" "Ok." With a sigh, she crossed her arms and asked, "Salmon?" "Ok." "With cactus?" "Ok." "And stones?" "Ok." Sophie heaved her shoulders in exasperation. Then, her eyes lit up as an idea hit her. "Do you want to join the student council?" "Ok." "Great!" Sophie hopped about and clapped her hands like a seal. The abrupt loud noise shook Maria from her daze. She blinked in confusion at the doll-like girl grinning silly back at her. "What did you say?" Sophie pretended to check her nails. "I asked if you wanted to join the student council, and you said yes." Those green eyes instantly broadened, "What? No!" "Yes! We heard you too!" Two students in plain T-shirts and jeans jumped out of nowhere. "Maria for president!" Maria lunged over and clamped a hand a mouth. "Ssh! Please! Don't do this to me." "Come on, Maria. You can be our voice!" Sophie clasped her hands into a plea. "We really need you!" The other T-shirt-wearing student pouted his lips. Maria stalked back to her bench, picked her sandwich up from the ground, and sat in the same spot. "I really can't do it. I'm…" Maria felt a tremble in her voice and a surge of emotions swell inside her. Sophie and the others exchanged quizzical glances that turned sympathetic. The two T-shirt-wearing students left while Sophie returned to Maria's side. "You've been upset since this morning. Did something happen last night?" At the sound of the phrase "last night," Maria packed her things and scampered off, leaving her new friend baffled. ***** Maria stared at her painting. Pale blue flowers were everywhere. Each one of the five quiet petals was circled around a thick golden crusty ring. "You're really good at this, Maria." Sophie came closer and sat beside her. Maria glanced at her and smiled weakly. Then, she apologized, "I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly this afternoon." Sophie shook her head. She exhaled, "So you like to paint." Maria nodded. Then she caught the black leotard that Sophie was wearing and grinned. "Were you at ice skating?" "Yes." Silence fell over them as Maria returned to staring at her picture. "These flowers are really pretty," Sophie remarked after a while. "What are they called?" Maria swallowed and whispered hoarsely, "Forget Me Nots." Her lip started trembling as the unspoken name repeated in her heart. Sarkon… She turned away from the staring doll eyes as her view started to blur. "Maria, you can tell me what's upsetting you. That's what friends are for. To listen and comfort each other when one is sad," Sophie persuaded quietly. I need to find a husband, Maria began silently. Because the man of my dreams, my one and only love, told me to do so. He doesn't want me. He never saw me as a woman, only a child. A child who has become a burden now that he has someone else to love. The brunette sniffed back her tears and whispered with a sad smile, "Thank you Sophie, but some things are better left unsaid so they can be forgotten quickly." Maria wished she could forget in the next minute. She wouldn't feel this much pain. "Do you think you can forget it soon? Because you haven't eaten anything today." Sophie knitted her brows in concern. "Perhaps you could eat as you're trying to forget?" A chuckle escaped those rosy lips. The two ladies then burst into laughter.