Most important thing

Most important thing

Every week, there was always time for just us. Just for the two of us to chat and catch up from the edges of our two different worlds, connected just for a few hours. Sometimes time became lazy and sluggish, and others it seemed like someone pressed the FAST FORWARD button. Thus, four years passed faster than I ever expected.

As May rolled around, my friends teased me of my apparent anxiety, but still offered encouragement and told me to chase after my dreams. I would smile gratefully in return. On that day of your graduation, nervously straightening my tie and running my hand through my hair, I squeezed through crowds to search for you.

When I finally find you, I stopped dead in my tracks. I could only stare in wonder. During the four years we were apart, we’ve only met twice during the first two years. In my absence, you blossomed and became captivating.

Then your stormy eyes strayed and met mine. Surprise flashed across on your face. Grinning, we made our way towards each other. I bowed a little and handed you the blue flowers. “Congratulations--” but my breath was cut off when you ran headlong into me, hugging me tight around the neck. I froze, not sure what to do and the bouquet plopped to the grass unnoticed. A few onlookers whistled then meandered away.

“You came, you came,” you murmured over and over into my ear.

Like a spell, the whispered chants of “you came” returned me to my senses. I encircled my arms around your waist. “Of course I did. How could I not?” Then I pulled you aside and we took a walk around the campus.

It was the same as when we visited it the first time on our college tours. I remembered how your eyes shone brightly in wonder and how your excitement could be barely held back when you told me that this was the place for you.

We strode around the small lake, glistening in the early afternoon light. We kept talking over each other in our excitement and laughed at the other’s enthusiasm.

After a while, the exhilaration of the reunion melted away and our words became clearer and more coherent. We spoke of the past four years as if we never spoke during that time apart. I found, to my great surprise, that you never took another boyfriend. Even when we were in middle school, you were always popular and I expected you to find a new love.

“Why not?” I asked, searching her face for an answer. A flutter of hope rustled in my chest but I suppressed it. “Because I already have someone special to me.” You stopped underneath a blooming tree and gazed into my eyes. The shadows fell onto your face, sending me the aura of gravity and importance. “You’ve always been a faithful friend to me. Even in my darkest times, you are always there.” You paused a moment to let it sink in, but I didn’t want you to stop, not now, not ever. “I realized that a life without you wouldn’t be possible.” Coughing a little, you blushed. “So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love you.”

I was already in front of you when those last three words were spoken. I pulled you close to me. I could feel your breath scorch my skin through the shirt briefly. And fleetingly, I remembered that afternoon when I first confessed to you.

“Are you sure?” I asked lamely.

Your chuckle was slightly muffled from the inside of my jacket. “We’ve gone through a lot together. Even if we go through more trials and tears and even if we can’t breathe anymore, just being able to be beside you, is enough for me. I think, over time, I’ll only love you more…”

“Then you were a fool for rejecting me the first time,” I said.

“Yes I was.” You responded.

I buried my nose into your long sweet-smelling hair. “This is too cruel a dream… but, God, don’t let me wake up yet…”

A tight squeeze. “It’s not a dream…” you said softly. “If it is, I am having the same dream and it is too real.”

After a long moment, I murmured into your ear, “Everything about you is precious to me. As much as the sun rises above you, I will love you. You’re the most important thing to me in this world.”

You started to laugh a little. “What?” I asked, finding nothing funny in what I said.

Pulling me close again, you whispered into my ear, “Can you hear my heart? It is singing ‘Love you (I love you).’ Only you can make my heart sing like this.” You chuckle humorlessly. “Funny, it took me four years to hear it beat.”

For a long time, we were entwined together, feeling the wind rejoice around us. Then I reluctantly let go.

“Hold still a moment,” I said. Your confused expression made me grin with amusement. “Now,” I gripped the device in my pocket and, whipping it out, said, “Smile!”

Flash! The camera caught your shocked expression with unexpected clarity. “Delete that right now!” you cried, reaching for the device that I held high above your head.

“Not gonna happen,” I winked.

After a few moments of struggling, you gave up. Plopping down onto the grass, you closed your eyes. As the early afternoon sun shone down on you, a smile gently painted your lips. “Stay with me always?” you asked.“

As long as you call to me,” I replied, reaching for your hand. Pulling you up, I gazed deeply into your eyes. “I will always be here. Because I’ve always loved you.”

More than the air I breathe.

Quickly, you turned away, but I could see a pleased beam on your face. And I couldn’t help but smile in return and, when you finally turned towards me, I took another picture, sealing this moment eternally inside glossy walls. Click!

Author's Note

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Reviews

[Lost in Wonderland]

This is a very sweet chapter. I'm happy the two ended up together:)