Maven of the Strings

Chapter Twenty-five

Arkin POV

Things are done, I start to manage my plans. The night I wanted to do this plan was at the end of the year and exactly by approval, we had a performance on the Dawnchase that night. I'm texting up my friends. Some meet them personally. Leave some Facebook message. Telling them to go on the Dawnchase at December 31st Night. I don't want to abandon what's the Maven dream. This makes her happy.

I'd gather for almost 150 guests and invites. One of my invites, @ThatsErika, or known as Erika Bianca Concepcion, one of a popular Youtubers for doing some beautiful handicrafts. I tell that this was a concert for a cause. I just want to bring the smiles on the Maven's lips.

Then afterward, when I was done on setting those plan. I have to take her parents considerations. I will make them to forgive me. Then here is what happen.

It's eight pass in the evening and it's so cold waiting to Nicolette at her house. I call upon her.

"Nicole. I know you don't have work tonight. I know that you are there."

I keep on calling her outside until at last she came.

"Who tells you I have no work, huh?" She ask seriously at the time. Disappointed at my presence.

"I went to the store you work in, I ask the cashier if what time is your shift. She said that you're in 6 to 2 PM and that's it. Come with me to the Maven's." Pleasing her to make this for me. That she won't against me. Hoping that forgive my wish at that time. Forgive at this very time.

"How could I trust you?" She said and at its madness mood.

"Come with me. Support for what I've do. This is for the sake of her."

"Are you insane!?" She asked me in loud voice. It makes me feel hurt. "After all those mistakes you've done to her."

"I'm trying my best," I keep on talking calmly. "My very best to turn correction about my mistakes. Nobody wants this mistake, Nicolette . . . even me."

"Had you told that you like her, right?"

"Yes, I like her. That's true that is why I keep doing this for her."

"But now, will you like her? She keep on asking me this heart-broken question, is she still beautiful?" After I heard this, the guilt start again. "She always ask if you like her after all sufferings and her appearance changes." And she starts on crying for she can't restrain the sadness. Thinking of what happen to the Maven. Worrying after she regards me this things.

"What do you mean? Tell me, what do you mean?" I keep on asking. My hands start on its perspiration. Makes me feel nervous. And she still crying and wiping. Showing her love to her bestfriend. That's why my tears start to drops because of worrying.

Then yes, she tells me. She said, "Her disease is getting more critical every day. Why you did this to her Arkin?" And after I heard those revelations, I can't resist. I'm start crying too.

"Nicolette. I will do my best for her. Let's stop crying."

But we cry at that night to release all sad feelings. I keep interrogating Nicolette to go with me at the Maven's parent to tell my surprise. I can't imagine this! And at last, all was came to my hands. We stop on crying and become strong for our friend. I will do this to prove that I care. And yes I really care because, I am starting to . . .

And then,

"Nicole, have a ride." I gave the spare of helmet but she won't wear for it's only few streets away, and we go to the Maven's house.

We saw the Maven's dad still vending on their Tofu store even at night. Nicolette came to him and I follow her.

"Good evening uncle." Nicolette's greetings.

"Oh hi. Good evening too." He greet while doing some works and he saw me too. "Hi little boy." Then he greet me. I'm just smiling. "Are you now both okay?" He continue his asking.

"A sort, uncle. This guy wants to tell something about."

"Oh. Have a seat, have a seat." Maven's father said. Then he quickly brought a wooden bench and we sat there.

"How's your daughter, sir?" My opening question.

"She's sleeping now." He answer. He still calm.

"I want to tell you and I wonder if you forgive me."

"What is that?" He asked. Nicolette is listening, no comments in our conversations.

"One night-that was Christmas." I start the story like this, "Your daughter tells me that she really wants to ride on a Ferris Wheel and I tell her that it will happen someday. We didn't had a ride because of many people at that time. I just wanted to fulfill what I've said to her. She said that she really wants to perform in a concert and I had plan about that. I almost pawned one of my treasures, my black Yamaha guitar made from Vietnam to earn money. I'd been short in expenses to do this plan."

"Oh Arkin, why you spent many for this?" The father exclaimed.

"Sir, this is for the worth of your daughter. To do rights on my wrongs. And to prove that she's very important to my life. She gave me many lesson in everything she said that's why I do this for her." That time, her mother went to the store and she saw three of us sitting and having a topic.

She said, "What's the topic tonight?"

Her husband answer, "Arkin wants a favor."

"What's your favor son?" She ask and her eyes turn to Nicolette who didn't speak and just listening to the plan.

Then I said, "I want to bring her at Ayala Grand Carnival and have a concert with my band mates. She said that she really want to ride on Ferris Wheel and she wants to perform a concert and now, I'm here to say this to forgive my favor. This is gonna be a surprise. I hope that you all will help me."

Then she stop for a moment, thinking about my offer's verdict.

"When do you conduct this for her?" She asked and thinking about the plan.

"Before New Year's Eve, ma'am." I answer with chin up. Hoping for forgiveness, and trust-worth.

She ask Nicolette, "Should we forgive his favor?"

And I felt nervous when she ask Nicolette if she agree in my surprise to her bestfriend.

"For me . . ." She said. I feel nervous on her two first word. Then she look on me. "Forgive his favor, I saw the regrets on his eyes then give him a chance." After I heard her answer, I breathe my nervous and I smile.

"Please, what she was said is all true. I regret and I'm looking for a chance. Come and help me to surprise your daughter."

"Okay." They agree. "We will ask first her doctor about this, I will sent to you what's the doctor said." And my heart filled with glad and happiness. I hope so that it will happen. Then we continue our conversation while eating toasted tofu freshly cook from the tofu store.