Disclaimer: I do not own Daa! Daa! Daa! (UFO Baby)or any of its characters.

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WHITE PASSION

As she reached her gentle but bruised hand onto his noble ones, with my little fingers clutched into her shirt closely tighten in her warm embrace, I just knew back then that it was the start of a new life.

Mother and I were forced to leave our once happy home. Father died months ago and so, we didn't make it pay our debts for Mom doesn't have a source of living.

Memories of the past still linger in my mind. The very time I first rode in his engine-drawn carriage, I felt the gust of breeze whispering softly into my ears the words of hope; thus, putting up my spirit onto limits. All felt so good.

And then there was I with my very own mother, standing by His Señor's large domicile. She entered first, led by one of His Señor's maid. I watched the whole scenery with awe until my mother call out my name. She offered her hand to mine while wearing that placid smile of hers.

7 years have passed and the day was very special. It was His Señor's birthday and a dozen handfuls of guests had come. I stayed in the flower garden along with some young servants like me for we'd been given less work than the adults.

It felt like paradise doing my cycle of life as a child in the garden. Then all of a sudden, someone caught my eye; a young man in his teens imitating a knight in shining armor. By that moment I started to admire the shade of contentment showed in his umber eyes, and his walnut-dyed hair flowing rhythmically with the every gallop of his horse. I thought it was love at first sight but remembering that I was still a child, I considered it as something everyone who would have heard my story say so, a teenage crush.

Later did I found out that he was His Señor's son.

Time went by and here I am staring at the morning scene in the city. I became an influential elite in the society educating those little ones about the world itself. Yes, a teacher as humanity call it. I was blessed for His Señor answered all the expenses so I can finish my studies.

Yesterday night, I received a call from His Señor telling me that I should take a break. Acoording to the director, request was permitted. It was hard for me to leave the children for I became so close on affectioning them, but a week isn't that long, is it?

His Señor is a down-to-earth man, ten years older than Mom. I knew from the day he acccepted us as a part of his family that he had this feelings for my mother. He more than once attempted to reveal it but never did he opened it because Mother had and always haved loved my father. She had proven it through the years.

I'm on my stay at the countryside when I noticed that Mom became weaker than ever. Many times did I recommended her to consult a doctor, but she demands that there's no need for her to do that. But then, my dreadful day has come. I woke up with a heavy heart the next day. I rush to her room only to find out there was no sign of her breathing. She, like my father, was gone by the wind.

I soon realized that it was my mother's request to His Señor for me to come back to his mansion. She was greatly affected by the disease though she didn't show for she knew I'll worry much on her. Like what a tale said, every spirit knows when will he or she leaves the world.

I mourn, forgetting my other duties. I eat less and the next thing I know, I was lying in bed with a fever. The next day, I managed to stand up and went to visit my mother. It looked as if she was peacefully sleeping. Tears gently flow down my cheeks. I was lonely by now. Then, I received a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and saw a beautiful man staring down at me with his eyes of worry. He was the boy I once admired for years. He sat down beside me, comforting me like a child.

I frequently saw him, much on special occasions. But this day is different, he came by heart. More often, he went to special occasions due to his obligation as His Señor's son though at times he fail because he was very busy. Soon he will replace his father's authority as the heir of their great estate.

I remembered overhearing from the other maids that he has a girlfriend but he broke up with her a couple of days before my mother died. She is an aristocrat, a beautiful lady pampered like a true princess. She acts modestly they say. No wonder why he likened her or maybe loved her. While me...how I wished he'll take notice of a klutzy commoner girl like me. I feel so low.

A week passed by but still I can't return to the city for work. It was the day of my mother's burial and many had come to bid their last goodbyes.

She was such a nice person, no doubt she had such good friends. Then, I took a glimpse of 'him' with this girl. Maybe they stick to be friends but, 'Why does it hurt me so much?', I ask myself. There was a mixture of jealousy and angst.

The day after, His Señor called me to talk about something important, and it has to do with my late mother. His Señor tell me that my mother's final wish was for me to take the money she had saved for years. I start to cry realizing what she had done to preserve for my future. I turn down immediately for what His Señor had done for me and my mother was much compared to it. First, he kept us in a safe home, then he gave us work, and more, he took the obligation on educating me.

He understood me decision but he insist that he promised Mother that I'll take it no matter what. So he decided that the only way I would take it is to marry his son. He would very much like it to be that way for he had treated me like his own daughter. I didn't say a word after then. The conversation ended up as though I accepted his offer. A part of me felt so happy for, I guess, I have loved his very own son but the other refuses to feel that way for I'm afraid he'll hate me after that. Maybe he'll think that I pursue myself to him eventhough I knew he was still in love with his girlfriend.

The next day, he came home from work due to his father's request. Maybe His Señor is going to tell him about the marriage plan. As he come out of the room, he coldly glared at me. 'Was he mad at me?' I asked myself. I hide myself and softly cried awhile.

I returned to the city thinking about the job I abandoned. Many things had happened so lately for these past few weeks and I thought my spirit was all used up. First, my mother died leaving me an orphan. Then, His Señor decided to make his son marry me. Now, I enjoy myself teaching the kindergartens, happily chatting with my co-instructors, and going out much with my best friends.

It has been three months of preparation and the much awaited day has finally come. It was a church wedding as my late mother dreamt it to be when my turn has come. It was such a fun participating myself on the upcoming occasion though deep inside my heart, my soul was full of gloom.

As we exchange our vows in front of the Lord, I can't help but notice how low he look. 'He isn't happy' that was registered on my mind. After the priest had said the final words, he knelt down before me and kissed my hand. He stood up, then when I was about to imagine that sensation felt as his lips touches mine, he kissed my cheek instead.

Then the crowd started to applause thinking the emotions were for real. The reception had followed. While we were in the middle of the party, he left his place. I thought he was going to rest. I waited until all the guests have gone and I, too, planned to rest.

As I passed by the mansion's library, I heard some noise. With my curiosity bogging me, I took a glimpse inside, only to see something I shouldn't have. Him kissing his ex-girlfriend right through her lips.

My heart was shattered and then once my tears start flowing down my cheeks, which seem like endlessly. Before I knew it, I was running through the corridors of the hallway, clueless about where to go or when to stop. Then a thought rushed into my mind, 'I shouldn't be here'.

I left the house without anyone noticing me. I went straight to an apartment far from his place.

As I take a stroll at the busy night of the city, I saw couples of partners happily chatting and walking down the street. I envied them. I sit down to a bench under a tree beside the streets and look dreamily at the star-filled sky. Then I remembered my Mom and Dad. I knew they're one of those glittering lights at night. I wished they were with me.

Then I felt pain. I was coughing really hard and blood was spitted from my mouth. The next thing I knew, I was lying on a hospital bed remembering nothing. Then the nurse came in, wearing a smile in front of me. I asked her what exactly happened to me and she told me that a cop spotted me unconscious on the streets so he picked me up and sent me to this hospital. The cop tried to look for my identification card but finding nothing, he left the duty to the medical personnels to take care of me. Then the doctor came in and by his looks I can tell that he'll bring bad news. And it actually happened.

He told me that for months I've been suffering from acute myelogenous leukemia, a disease in the blood that results to the reduction of white blood cells that serve as human's defense mechanism next to the skin. What was worse is that he told me that my days are counted.

I sat down at the corner of my room letting myself be eaten up with sadness. Then I heard the door bell rang. As I opened the door, I saw him standing before me soaking wet. He was cold, so I let him enter the room.

We stayed there in silence. He was sitting at the bed side with me drying up his hair. 'Why did you left?' he said in a very cold voice. I stopped, lowered my head and replied, 'I am a stranger'.

He hesitantly stood up and said, 'We should return'. He gripped my wrist and pulled me but I refused to go. He glared at me. I look up to him, smiled and speak up, 'Tell His Señor that I'm very thankful for everything good he've done to me and my mother. Tell him that I'm very sorry if I disappointed him. I know that I'm as weak as a twig.' and I paused with a chuckle. But it's no use, I can't help spilling out my emotions. I cried. With a pint of guiltiness I said, 'I'm not worthy of your life; besides, she's waiting for you'.

As I thought that I'll receive a smile of joy from him, it was neither of what I expected. He showed no emotions. Instead, he handed me a note and immediately left me sobbing. I simply opened the note and read it.

"I am but a human,

All I can give you is love for eternity."

I rushed to the door wishing that he'll leave me no more. But my body refuses to comply as to what my mind and heart tells. And then everything goes in slow motion. As I reach the front door, I turn to look sideways and see him pressing the button of the elevator. I'm down on my knees and tried to shout, but not a single voice came out from my mouth. Tears were running down through my cheeks and I feel so weak. I started to crawl reaching for him though he's quite far away. Everthing goes blank.

I opened my eyes and started to realize I was in a hospital. I tried to stood up though my side hurts more than ever. I saw His Señor sleeping in the couch by the bedside. I turned and put a blanket over him.

It was late in the evening and I overlook the city glittering with lights. I stood in the rooftop thinking what will become of me. As I headed down to my room, I saw a doctor talking to 'him'. I overheard that I undergo a surgery for chemotherapy couldn't help restore my health. But the worse thing is that, my surgery failed.

The doctor noticed me and in his face I knew he wished I didn't hear them conversing about my almost dying state. But I acted still as if I just stepped in, and greeted the both of them a pleasant evening. The doctor slyly smiled while he showed no emotion. I was hurt.

I was backed again in His Señor's domicile and I was feeling a lot more better. I planned to go fishing, thinking of making the most of my life while I'm still above this world. He accompanied me as ordered by his father. We sat there at the riverbank in silence, hoping there's a way to break it somehow. At last I caught my first and maybe last fish. After that very moment, he quickly stood up and headed home. I was disappointed.

Most of the times I've been thinking, 'Was the note a made-up dream?' I stood there at the veranda outside my room, blankly looking at everything. He was very stubborn indeed, but that's the reason I've loved him. My once calm face was replaced with a frown.I resume to my desk and started to scroll down something.

It was the first week of spring, my favorite season. This is the time when all welcomes the warmth of the year after the coldness have melted away. The festival will be held this night and I started to make myself pleasing. I look so pale, but I always try my hardest to look as if I'm alright. I always give each of those people surrounding me with my warmest smile. I was at the little bridge when the fireworks display had started. I watched with awe as those lights brighten in greatness.

I planned to join the others at the party downhill when I came face to face with him. He was standing a meter away from me as he gently holds a paper lantern with his left hand. I looked down until he spoke, 'I ask of you, will you let me be the arms to carry you on?' I was shocked, unknowing of the answer I would reply, but a thought of me responded, 'I fear that you'll never be, I'm a burden.'

He took a step closer to me, and a few more to break the force separating us, but I stepped back fearing he'll hate me more. He looked straight to my emerald orbs. I was feeling uneasy by that moment until he slipped his arms around me and tugged me close to him. He rested his chin upon my shoulder and I felt his breathing through my blonde locks. He whispered 'Sorry', and that's when I started to weep.

I was sitting beneath the cherry blossom tree by the meadow. I closed my eyes and started to breath the air around mine. The leaves started to fall as they swirl around and land softly in my palm. I held the letter closed to my heart when suddenly I felt his aura. It was warm and full of glow. He greeted me with a sweet smile and I returned the same.

Spring will soon end and the breeze starts to blister. He sat next to me as I lean my head on his manly shoulders. I handed him the note and he immediately opened it. It says

"Without you, I have no reason to survive and no reason to live.

I'm fed up with life here without you…

Everyday, I ask the Goddess

To give me strength to face another day of void…

The length of suffering does not make me any stronger

Instead, I come to realize the reality of my weaknesses…

I thought I had cried enough.

But every beginning of a day is an excuse for tears

Amidst all these, the days go on,

Life continues…and I persist…

If only to pursue this love for you continually forever."

He slowly returned the letter to the envelope and put it right beside him. He embraced me and softly but sweetly kissed my forehead. From that moment on, I feel contented and started to close my eyes. And for the first time I heard him cry, it was soft yet in my heart I felt those tears were filled with happiness, the true feeling of love. There afterwards, I breathe my last.

Owari

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allura pearl