"When I grow up, Melody, I'm going to marry you," Young Maverick declared with a hopeful smile, his eyes sparkling as he gazed intently at Melody.
They were perched on the block in front of her house, their bare legs splashing in the puddles that lingered from the recent rain, droplets of water dancing around them like little fairies.
Melody puffed out her cheeks playfully in response. "You wish," she teased.
Maverick's eyes remained fixed on her, shining with a deep affection that made her heart flutter, while she remained unaware of the emotions crashing within him.
To everyone around them, it was clear they were destined to be together.
Maverick, being six years her senior, understood his feelings while Melody was still processing their friendship, her innocence clouding her perception of love.
"Melody, Maverick..." a familiar voice called from inside the house—Melody's mother, whose warm presence in the doorway cast a welcoming glow.
She smiled at the two children, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "The food is ready, come and eat," she announced, her tone inviting.
"Wow, I've been starving!" Melody exclaimed, clutching her stomach dramatically as she hopped off the block, her footsteps splashing through the remaining water as she dashed toward home.
Maverick watched her with a smile stretching across his face, his gaze filled with a mixture of longing and tenderness that went far beyond mere friendship.
He followed her inside. Though he was a guest, the family treated him like he was their own.
As they settled around the dining table, Melody's father, Gary, joined them, taking his place at the head of the table. "Papa, did you hear what Maverick said?" Melody asked eagerly, her eyes filled with mischief.
Gary looked at her, his smile widening, "What did he say, darling?" His affectionate tone caused her heart to swell with joy.
"He said he's going to marry me when he grows up! That's only his wishful thinking, right?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Sure! How dare he dream of marrying my Melody?" Gary replied, humor dancing in his eyes as he shot a playful glance at Maverick, who felt his cheeks flush under the teasing scrutiny.
Turning back to Maverick, Melody pointedly said, "Right? You hear that? You're not going to marry me."
Maverick could only chuckle softly, enjoying her spirited banter as she chattered on, her words bubbling forth as her mother, Hannah, breezed through the kitchen, gathering the plates for eating.
Maverick stood to help but halted as Hannah waved him back with a radiant smile.
"It's fine, Mav, I can handle this," she reassured him, and he settled down again, watching as she expertly placed the plates on the table before revealing the tantalizing meal they were about to have.
The aromatic rice steamed invitingly, paired with rich, flavorful stew and a vibrant array of omelets and veggies. Melody's eyes sparkled as she admired the spread, her stomach rumbling audibly, eliciting a chuckle from her mother.
"Don't rush your food, Melody; you could get indigestion. I know you're very hungry," Hannah cautioned gently, a knowing smile gracing her lips.
Maverick watched them earnestly, taking in the family dynamic with a sense of warmth.
As his gaze drifted to the table, he suddenly remembered something he could do. "I'm coming, Aunty; I need to go get water," he announced.
"How thoughtful of you," Hannah said, her tone filled with appreciation as she nodded, allowing him to step away while she continued dishing out the food, and Melody kept up her playful chatter with her father.
As Maverick made his way to fetch the water, Melody turned to her mother. "Maverick said he's going to marry me!" she exclaimed.
"I know. I heard that," Hannah replied, rolling her eyes playfully at her daughter before taking her seat.
Melody crossed her arms defiantly. "I don't want to marry him, though. I want to marry a prince, so I can live like a princess," she murmured with a hint of longing in her voice.
"Maverick is a prince too," Hannah said thoughtfully, her heart swelling with pride for the young boy who had always shown good manners and respect.
Melody furrowed her brows in confusion, "I mean someone who can give me plenty of things. I don't think Maverick is capable of that; he doesn't have any—"
"Okay, that's enough, Melody," Gary interjected gently, wanting to steer the conversation in a lighter direction.
"No one is going to force you to marry him. Besides, you're still very young, and he's probably just teasing you. You'll meet your true soulmate in the future," he reassured her, his gaze flickering to Maverick, who had paused a few meters away, his heart heavy with the weight of her words.
Tears began to prick at the corners of his eyes, the ache in his chest growing, yet he blinked them back, unwilling to let his emotions spill.
He wasn't teasing her—he had serious intentions when he said he would spend his life with her. She was his one and only.
A silence enveloped the room, and Hannah's brows furrowed as she noticed Maverick hadn't returned from filling the glasses.
She turned toward the back to see him standing there, she gently called out, "Mav, come here, we are waiting for you."
"A... Alright, Aunt, I'm coming," Maverick called out.
He pushed his leg forward, navigating the familiar path to the dining room.
As he filled the cups with cold water, the sounds of rushing water accompanied his movements.
Once he returned to his seat, they gathered for a brief prayer, the aroma of the meal wafting around them, heightening their anticipation.
Throughout the meal, Maverick's gaze often drifted to Melody, who was lost in the joy of her food, her laughter ringing like music. Unbeknownst to her, each bite she took pierced his heart with a bittersweet ache.
When the last morsels were cleared from their plates, and with a satisfied sigh, the family finished their meal.
Hannah gently collected the dishes, and Maverick joined her in the kitchen to clean them up.
In the sitting room, Melody fanned her father gently, the warm air swirling around them, a soothing gesture amidst the stifling heat.
As Maverick finished up in the kitchen, he made his way toward her, the anticipation of their conversation pulling him forward.
"I'm going home. Are you not coming to see me off?" he asked, a hint of hope tinging his voice.
Melody raised a finger to her lips in a playful gesture. "Shhh," she whispered, pointing towards her father, who had succumbed to sleep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.
"You're free to go, Melody," Gary's voice broke through the silence, laced with warmth.
"Okay, papa," she replied and then turned to Maverick. Together, they made their way toward the door.
Just as they reached the door, the wooden door creaked open unexpectedly, revealing a weary figure. Melody's heart sank slightly as she recognized him as her father's friend, his face etched with worry, eyes darting nervously.
"Hi, Melody. Where's your father?" he asked urgently, a tinge of panic in his voice.
"He's in the sitting room," Melody answered, concern weaving through her words. The man nodded gravely, his stiff smile betraying his unease as he hurried past her, intent on finding Gary.
"What do you think has happened?" Melody asked Maverick, unease settling in the pit of her stomach.
Maverick shrugged, an expression of confusion crossing his face. "I don't know," he replied, his voice low.
Instead of stepping outside as they had intended, the children lingered, curiosity pulling them back. It was then they heard the troubling news: the fund intended to develop Milltown—a project crucial for their community, built on the hopes and dreams of its residents—had been stolen. It seemed, the hope that Milltown was going to be a better place for them vanished as well.
"That's sad," Melody murmured after a moment, her voice heavy with disappointment.
"When I grow up, I'll become a banker to help people secure their funds properly," she declared, her small fist clenched in determination.
Maverick's expression shifted. "And when I grow up, I'll fight crime so that nothing like this ever happens again," he vowed, clenching his fist as well.