Bonfire Heart

Jenneth can't helped but be mesmerized by the bonfire in front of her. The fire really ignites a lot of feelings to anyone watching. It is relaxing and nostalgic. It makes you want to reflect and reminisce. Maybe it's because of the warmth that it brings that goes through your whole body to your soul. That's what Jenneth is feeling right now.

The night is a bit chilly because of the winter breeze coming from the Pacific. They are all wearing something to protect them from the cold. There is even a blanket wrapped around Darlene from her back as she joyfully cooks the marshmallows on a stick with the fire.

Meanwhile, Jenneth, Samantha and Ryan found themselves enjoying some popcorns. Kenneth later joined them. He went to sit beside Samantha and joined in the popcorn party.

"Dad, can you tell me about how you were when you and Aunty Sam were young?" Darlene requested.

"Well, you now know that Sam is my best friend," Kenneth told his daughter.

"Yes, but how were you back then? Do you also go on trips? Do you go to beaches?" Darlene asked again.

"Actually, this is the first time that we went together on a beach." Kenneth looked at Samantha.

"Because you're always on to X-Files," Ryan said.

"And you're always on to bullying," Samantha said. "I think X-Files is better than that."

Darlene turned to face Ryan. "Are you really a bully back then, Uncle? Bullies are so mean."

Jenneth smiled. She had known Ryan Arcilla's reputation back in high school. Truth is, she does not like him back then. She gets annoyed whenever she hears about or witness him bullying someone.

But something happened when she was in second year high school that changed her views on him.

"Well, I won't deny that I was that bad back then," Ryan admitted. "But, my behavior has a reason."

"Still, it's not enough reason for you to bully me," Kenneth said.

"Fine!" Ryan exclaimed like he's starting to get annoyed. "Just where did you go earlier?"

"I just had some quick conversation with our client," Kenneth answered. "Mr. Evans."

"Oh, come on, Ken! You should not think of work when you're on vacation," Ryan said to his friend.

"But, I can't help it, you know. The client is very demanding," Kenneth explained. "He wants updates on his orders. I told him that our OM is on vacation, and he should not be disturbed or else, he will grow old alone and will end up as a grumpy old man."

Ryan gave him an irate look. Samantha laughed at his reaction.

"Dad, be quiet! Aunty Jhing might know about our plan," Darlene told Kenneth.

Of course, Jenneth is already suspicious. But now, everything is confirmed. She just remained quiet and pretended she's unaware of what's happening.

"Shh! Ling!" Ryan said to Darlene.

Jenneth decided to ride on by pretending.

"Secret?" she asked as her gaze shifted among the four.

"Uhm... it's nothing," Ryan said.

Ryan is obviously panicking. Jenneth tried to suppress her laughter and continued looking innocently at the four.

"Right?" Ryan said, looking at Samantha and Kenneth. "This is your fault," he said to Darlene. "Why don't we walk around and talk about what you just did?"

"Uncle, I'm still cooking some marshmallows," Darlene said.

"I don't care! You already finished an entire pack of marshmallows. Let's just go."

Ryan picked her up, leaving Darlene with no choice but to be taken away with her blanket still wrapped around her. And before they leave, Ryan grabbed a bowl of popcorn.

"This is mine." He then looked at Darlene said, "We have a lot to talk about, you little one. Let's go and I have some things to discuss with you."

Ryan took Darlene away from the group. Kenneth and Samantha just looked on as the two left.

Jenneth thought that maybe, she also could contribute to this scheme that Ryan is doing. After all, she noticed the way that Kenneth and Samantha looked at each other earlier after they went back from the beach. It seems like something happened to the two of them when they were alone and the rest of them are busy cooking in the kitchen. And the romantic vibe continued while they were cooking together and even during dinner.

Maybe Ryan is right. Maybe they really should have a chance.

"So what's the secret?" Jenneth asked Samantha and Kenneth.

The two weren't able to answer. Kenneth remained looking at Jenneth, while Samantha shrugged her shoulders.

"Ryan!" Jenneth stood up. "Hey, Ryan! Wait! What's that secret?"

And Jenneth left the two as well. She run to the direction where Ryan and Darlene went. She immediately found them. Ryan was putting Darlene down onto the tree logs that are lying on the sand. She decided to secretly watch the two for the meantime.

"You are so talkative, you know!" Ryan said to Darlene. "Did you forget about our secret?"

"I'm sorry, Uncle," Darlene said before sitting onto one of the logs. She then perched her chin on her hand that is propped up on her knee.

Ryan looked at her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm quite sleepy, Uncle..." Darlene yawned.

Ryan sighed. "Okay, then. Come here."

He sat down on the log, then took Darlene and positioned her on his lap. Darlene leaned on his shoulders and closed her eyes to sleep.

"Go ahead and sleep. Later, we will go back after your dad and Aunty Sam have their moment together." He then looked down at her. "Don't drool. Understand?"

Jenneth smiled. It seems like Ryan is still as sweet as he used to be. Because even though Ryan looked like a naughty guy, – and a bully – deep inside him is a sweet child. She knows this much because she has been his girlfriend for quite some time before.

She then went to him, and Jenneth is sure that if only Darlene was not sleeping on his lap, Ryan surely would have stood up and ran away. She can see it in his face, the way he looked at her when she suddenly sat down beside him. That made her smile.

"So Uncle Ryan is this sweet," Jenneth said with a smile.

Ryan scowled. "I am really sweet! Isn't that the reason why I became your boyfriend?"

Jenneth's smile faded. She looked away.

"So… this is your plan? Pretending that you want us to get back together?"

"I wanted to tell you, but you already refused without even giving me the chance to explain."

"Can't you think of any other way?" Jenneth asked.

"They told me that they will do everything to help me get you back," Ryan answered. "I just thought it's the simplest way for them to be always together. But it's just for show. I know you would never like to get back to me ever again."

Is that really the truth? That she does not want to get back to him ever again? Jenneth is not sure. What she's sure is she was deeply hurt at what happened to them back then. But even so, it was not really all bad. There were happy moments, lots of them. If those will be the basis, surely she would want to get back to him again.

Ryan was the best relationship he had. He was also the most painful.

He was not the worst, actually. Maybe because he was his first love? She loved him so much to the point that he has become her life. Well, she was young and naïve and innocent. That's the only thing she knows about love. Unconditional and unselfish. Maybe it's also her fault. Being young doesn't mean being stupid. Being naïve doesn't mean losing yourself completely.

"Am I really that bad?"

She looked at Ryan. He turned to face her, despite the fact that Darlene is sleeping soundly on his lap.

"Am I really that bad that you don't want to be associated with me anymore?" Ryan asked. "Even if it's just pretend?"

"Not really that bad," Jenneth said. "Like I've said, it's not you… The reason does not involve you."

"So what is it? Can you really not tell me?"

Jenneth looked at him. There was something in those eyes that makes her want to confess the truth, and she's having the hard time to resist it.