4 Friends

Somehow, as the years passed, little Isabela only grew to be more beautiful. She was poised and refined, graceful yet witty, bold yet kind. She was the perfect lady. However, no matter how noble she appears, she still retained that childish innocence and optimism of being a youth.

If there was something special worth noting about her, it is that, unlike her mother, she did not discriminate anyone based on their social standing alone. Lady Isabela preferred to see others by their personality and temperament. Whereas her mother would have been shouting errands after errands at their workers and house helpers, she would instead speak to them in a polite and dignified manner. It is not just about "keeping faces" like her father would often say. It comes off naturally for her. That is just the way she is in nature.

That being said, she would even converse with their servants – casually asking them about their day, their family, their experiences, and the likes. She made sure that she treated everyone equally, no preferences whatsoever. Thus, as though through some magical and heavenly intervention, Eduardo was able to speak with the girl of his dreams.

It started with casual remarks and a few customary greetings. Eduardo was dumbfounded the first time it happened. He was just tending to the plants – watering them and pulling out the stubborn weeds that proliferate every few days. Suddenly, a soft and melodic voice was heard, startling him and immediately capturing his attention. Upon turning to the source of the sound, his breath got caught. There stood in front of him was the prettiest little lady he has ever seen. She was just asking him simple questions about gardening and she even sounded really curious about the subject matter, however for the poor love struck lad, it seemed as though she was proclaiming the message of the Heavens.

It's funny how clumsy and foolish people act when facing the person of their interests and affections. He was so astounded that he ended up stammering quite a lot. He managed to make her laugh though and that's a good thing since she found it adorable. Perhaps just like how her giggle was so endearing to him.

Maybe it is because of this incident that they have slowly started to interact more with one another. Or perhaps it is more because of the reason that their ages are not that far apart. But either way, Eduardo greatly cherishes the fleeting moments he gets to spend with her. Up until recently, all he ever could do was to sneak glances at her. So being able to talk to her was a more than pleasant progress.

The first day she called his name, he felt as though he has soared to the heavens. He isn't all that sure but it felt as though there was a choir of angels singing in the background. Delirious as that may seem, when you are greatly devoted to someone, you tend to exaggerate a lot of things when it comes to the one you love. Since that day, he knew that his name would never sound the same as before. When other people call his name, it sounds bland and lifeless.

Ah, the trappings of young love…

These continued on with the passing of the years and they are now what you can consider as friends. Aside from her Nanny, he was the next best thing to a confidant. Although the other servants had warned him about the dangers that await him if he continued to stay and be too close with the young miss, he brushed off all of their concerns and told them he was simply being a friend for the little lady. Besides, lady Isabela was friendly and accommodating to just about everyone – a fact that they cannot argue. In the end, they helplessly just let the kids be.

Although he claimed to only be a friend, Eduardo knew in his heart that things are escalating much quicker than he had expected. The shy admiration he felt for her had already developed into something else. For, with each interaction, she slowly but surely became the only woman in his heart.