s come back," Rosario whispered to herself, nervously fiddling w

she was upset and went over to talk

e the incident, she hasn't returned hom

e will be fine," Juan reassured her, giving a tight-lipped smile as he

d smile. "I hope my

rs and noticed Rosario's

g down her cheeks and soaking his shir

to look for her with some of the wor

herever she is, she will be f

*

only trees and rocks breaking up the grassy hills where horses grazed contentedly. Juan led a tea

ee Marissa, alert me as soon

a worker wearing black t

lied earnestly, hopin

hree, sharing directions among themselv

him. "I told you, Daniella, I am going alone. You shouldn't have

nd her," she insisted, totter

Then, surprisingly, he extended his hand with a smile. When she

ou," she

etheart," he replied

*

ce we started looking for Marissa," D

n his mind. "Big brother, I really love this river because wheneve

his reverie, drawing his absent gaze from the

Daniella noticed a ring with a heart necklace lying on the ground. Juan carried t

d details became clear: the damp splashes along the riverbank, the fai

assing the ring and necklace to Dan

jeans pocket, she picked up the walkie-talkie. "Come to the river near the ha

nsidering the consequences? She could already be dead. He might be risking everything for nothing. What if she's not

rted by coming footsteps. Startled, She jumped up i

e the river," Daniella re

river is not deep,

he way," the other sai

shore. Daniella stared, dazed and confused, before the river. S

he water. Too long to breathe. They wer

He walked towards them, water raking at his broad c

him, pulling him

id with a terse smile

aramedics attended to Marissa. One man pressed a stethoscope to her

the man said, starting to check pulse ox

d a hand on Juan's arm

ambulance, sobbing. "I thought something was g

an coaxed, pecking her hair as h

chest, she lamented, "Yo

will never leave you; you have

d in a childish

arissa down

tear-filled eyes, Miguel's s

arissa will be alright by tomorrow. She's ve

e with her tonight," Rosario ass

n Juan came back. She glanced up, tears still streaming

e still crying

ried I was; I thought I

en, and the corners of his eyes cre

I am joking." Sh

rm, a wince esc

alright?"

oticing her worry, hi

pressing their lips

nacio said, sitting down o

ook their seats next to Rosari

alled to a maid h

, ma

you taking

served to the family, I should send her

o her then," Rosa

eat, I don't see why it can't be with

er be for today at least? She will help out a

" he stood furiously. "If Marissa can eat in

away, making h

ble. "I wish she'd