SALTY TEARS

"Ah! Hooo! Hoo! Hoo!" Ana screamed every time the cold fresh water touched her skin. It was her first time in a long time and she always knew that the fresh water from the river is way much colder than the seawater, and she wasn't used to its temperature.

She also wondered why most people even her parents always preferred the cold fresh water to the sea, unlike her. She always felt that seawater gave her energy more than freshwater can. There was always something from bathing in the sea that she felt so magical for her.

However, she didn't have to think so much about it. For sure it was only because she loved sea water ever since she remembered.

Nevertheless, Rexana smiled at herself while looking in the mirror. She could smell the scent of the shampoo in her hair and she liked it. She hope that Daerin would also love it. She also tried to smell her skin and it was pleasing.

She couldn't wait to see Daerin again and she was so excited about how he could react when he would see her and smelled her. She took a long, deep breath while staring at herself in the mirror. However, she wasn't focused on what she saw in front of her. The smile on her face, definitely showed that her mind was somewhere else.

'I wish, I could hear him telling me that I'm pretty again.' She thought as she rub her finger on her face, that for the first time in her life, it felt smoother than usual.

With a towel around her yet, she pulled out her new laundry dress, as usual, the only dress she had. But it smelled cleaner now, it was as good as how she smelled herself.

"Perfect" she uttered. Just when she had completely dressed and worn her shoes, Rita got in. She covered her mouth as she smiled looking at her.

"You looked way much better my baby, and let me smell you," she moved close to kiss her forehead. "Hmmm, you smell cuddly now."

"Am I? Really mamang?" Full of excitement, Rexana jumped and turned around as if she was flexing her look. "Tell me how do I look mamang? Do I look pretty?"

"Yes, you are my baby, you always looked like a sea princess."

"Awww… I wondered if Daerin would see me that way too," She mumbled.

"What did you say?" Rita asked as she could make out, but a bit on her words.

"No, mamang, nothing, I was just talking to myself." She looked away, she didn't mean to lie to her. However, she wasn't ready to let her mamang know what was in her mind and feelings. She was still having a hard time figuring it out for they might not understand her too and they might think that she was sick again, like the first time.

"By the way, I got to go mamang before the sunset. It's the perfect time to sell pearls." Without waiting for Rita to answer, she hastily grabbed her little basket filled with pearls. She had to hurry since she knew, at that moment in time, was the perfect time to catch Daerin.

She was hoping that he could be taking a walk on the beach or watching the sunset. Actually, whatever he would do as long as she would catch him, that was all Anna wanted. She just wanted him to see the changes in her. She was proud of herself, she hoped Daerin would too.

Rexana had been looking around, while she roamed on the bayside not far from the beach. It was just a few meters away from the resort and most of the resort guests were taking some photos of the beautiful sunset.

Her pearls were almost sold out and she felt generous to even gave discounts to the customer. Which ended in the customers crowding around her and making her worried that she might miss Daerin.

It was hard for her to see the entire bayside with the crowding customers until they were all gone. Her vision was cleared, however, she still hadn't seen Daerin. Rexana had to move a bit closer to the resort to spot him again, she just have to make sure the guard didn't notice her.

She didn't want another trouble just to catch Daerin's attention.

The sun was almost setting the blue sky turn to orange, yet, she still hadn't seen Daerin. She had been sitting on the rock a little away from the resort gate, waiting for him. Hoping that he would go out and watch the sunset or even just come near the gate.

But her waiting hadn't gone in vain. Not long after, she spotted Daerin walking his way towards the gate. Rexana immediately stood up and excitedly dusted herself preparing her to look and even smelt her hair again.

She was about to approach Daerin when the elegant lady walked tailing behind him and was calling his name. Daerin stopped the moment he heard the lady and looked back.

Rexana knew that he might not go out and might change his mind because of the lady who called him, and if that would happen, she would lose her chance to talk to him. She would lose her chance to show Daerin the little changes she made for herself. She would lose her chance to let him smell her.

So, she thought she had to catch his attention too.

"Daerin! Daerin!" Rexana shouted loud enough for everyone to hear her.

Daerin did hear her and looked back at her, however, Graceilla grabbed her on the hands and pulled him back to the house. Their steps were fast and steady and didn't have the plan to stop at all.

"Daerin!" Rexana called again, but this time Daerin hadn't got a chance to look back at her.

The guard was about to approach her. He was on his way and Rexana knew so well what he was about to say to her. Before he would have a chance to shoo her away, she had to pull herself away from the gate.

She wasn't happy, in fact even broken-hearted. Rexana knew that Daerin had heard her because he stopped and even gave, but just a glimpse of her. However, he acted like he didn't. He still went on with the lady.

The more Rexana didn't understand what she felt. It felt like the moon had just fallen and broken the earth in front of her. As if someone pressed her heart, making it hard for her to breathe. Before she knew it, she could already taste the salty tears that fell from her eyes.