Me Llamo Tokio (My Name Is Tokyo) - A Money Heist Prequel

Chapter 29 - Happy Birthday

It's almost unbelievable when you think that I succeeded to survive for thirty years on this planet despite everything that I went through.
My birthdays were never happy while I was home and, after I moved, nothing changed too much as I never afforded to make such a big fuss about it. So, for most of the people, my birthday was secret, but, apparently, Juan wasn't among them.
I still don't know how he found out, yet he discovered it. Something tells me he has known for a while, since he kept that pendant with him ever since our first robbery, only to offer it to me now.
Some might think it's a small gift comparing to all the things he could get me or, better said, steal for me. But, this tiny silvery cross means everything to me, because I see beyond the object itself.
That night, when he was pretty tensed because going out with me to my first robbery isn't an easy thing, he still managed to keep in mind what I showed him and take it. And that's equivalent to hundreds of presents in my mind.
I'm caressing the silvery surface of the Egyptian cross while I'm sitting in the huge living room, facing the next surprise Juan has for me.
He's now playing the piano, his hands touching the keyboard in such a beautiful way that it seems like they're just moving in the air and the sound is coming from heaven.
After he gifted me the pendant in the balcony, he took me by the hand to the living room and told me he's having another surprise. I was already overwhelmed after I had seen the tiny silvery thing, but what came after didn't help at all keep my eyes dry for the day.
Besides the fact that he knows how to play better than I will in my entire life, the song choice is making me shed a few tears. "Clair de lune" by Debussy, this is what he's divinely playing for almost a minute.
I can't stop staring at him and, even if my vision is blurred by some tears, I can still wonder about how someone can be so perfect. His beautiful features are indicating the fact that he's not only playing, but living the song too. Juan's eyes are closed and his lips are united in a smile.
He can feel me even if he's not looking at me because he whispers a short "shh" through the notes.
I try to calm and use the feathery sleeve of his mom's robe to wipe my face. Another gift that made me feel really emotional.
The song ends and he opens his eyes, uncovering the fact that they weren't too dry either.
I go next to him on the piano bench and take his face in my palms.
"Thank you." I whisper. "It was amazing."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." he replies.
Then, our lips unite in a long and deep kiss. At some point, I can't control myself and let the tears pour out of my eyes freely.
"Silene." now it's his turn to take my face in his palms. "Why are you crying?"
"Because..." I try to formulate my phrase. "No one ever made me feel that special before."
He hugs me tightly and covers my face with small kisses meant to wipe away the tears that were uncontrollably streaming down my cheeks.
"Things changed now." he says after a while. "I'm here for you and I swear I won't let you feel unappreciated anymore."
"Thanks." I whisper burying my face in his shirt, inhaling the smell of citruses and musk that always had the power to calm me. "It means so much."
"It's okay." he's now caressing my hair, playing with his fingers through the strands. "I'll always be here by your side no matter what."
"You will?" I ask taking my head out of the hiding to look into his eyes.
"Yes. I swear that I'll always be with you." I sense a hint of melancholy in his voice and I'm not sure why, but he adds. "Even if, let's say, we'll have to separate to do a robbery, like we did in the night with the jewelry store, remember that I'll always be there for you."
"Juan." I say looking at him with a sort of fear combined with confusion. "And if I won't feel you? Like in that night when you fooled me, but let's say this time won't be a joke made to train me, but something real. If I won't feel you by my side what am I supposed to do?"
"I told you." he says and points to the pendant in my hand. "I'll always be there with you. That's why I took this thing from that store and in that night. It's a small token to remind you that you'll never be alone."
I can't stop thinking about the worst case scenarios and the endless possibilities that one day I might lose him. This also makes me cry for I don't even know what time tonight.
"Please don't leave me." I whisper as I'm too afraid to use the other word. "You're the best thing that happened to me."
"I won't." he says calmly. "I promised you. Even through the darkest of nights, I'll still find my way back to you."
"Thank you." my lips are greedily going for his. "Thank you so much."
He responds to the kiss with the same passion and intensity. In a way, this small thing calms me as I take it as a sign that he's here with me and he's not going anywhere.
I look into his eyes and see how they're glimmering with joy just by seeing mine. Yes, he's right, the flicker in these eyes will never die, it's too alive to even fade.
A scream goes out of my mouth as his hands go around me while he lifts me up in his arms. I wasn't really expecting him to do that, but I can't say that it didn't amuse me.
"I think it's time for us to go get some rest." he says.
"And you thought I can't walk to the bedroom?" I laugh.
"It's your birthday, you won't walk anywhere." the sound of his laugh calms me for good.
He goes through the dimly lit corridors, then up on the stairs with me laughing in his arms.
I feel like Cinderella after midnight when her carriage turned back into a pumpkin and now the prince is carrying her in his arms. Only our story is better since Cinderella and the prince are almost married and they're now in his palace of a house enjoying their perfect night together.
We arrive in his room and he lets me down slowly on the bed.
"How did you know?" I ask while he's taking out some sheets from a chest.
"Know about what?" he's a bit confused.
"My birthday." I reply. "I never told you when's my birthday."
"Well..." he starts. "Rodrigo did."
"That motherfucker." I whisper and he laughs. "I had a feeling it implies you seeing my documents."
"I never saw them." he sounds genuine. "Rodrigo told me your birthday is soon, August 9th and that I have to get you something nice. You know how he does."
"I know." I really can't contradict Juan, that brat is meddling his nose in everyone's business. "But now you'll have to tell me yours."
"Alright." he says. "November 11th."
"Noted." I say with a smile.
His birthday isn't coming too soon, but I really have to try to get him something nice after everything that he's done.
He comes in the bed, next to me, covering us with a sheet. It smells like violets and roses and I don't think I've ever noticed such a discreet yet strong scent in my entire life.
Juan's arms wrap around my body, holding me tightly in his arms. His warm lips are touching mine in a sweet goodnight kiss while his fingers are slowly caressing my back.
"I think we should rest." he whispers on my lips.
"Yes." I agree with him. "Thank you for everything, Juan."
"It's nothing." he replies. "I wish I could've offered you more."
"No." I say a bit scared. "Please, don't worry about it, it was perfect."
"I'm happy you liked it. I have something for you for tomorrow too." he says smiling.
"I can't believe that you're still doing stuff for me." I exclaim. "Juan, I never celebrated my birthday before, I'm not even sure how I should react."
"How you feel." he replies. "Maybe you'll see how nice your birthday can be."
"Alright, I'll try to give it a chance, but just for you." I admit.
"Thank you." Juan seems genuinely happy and the last thing I wanted was to make him feel bad about the entire birthday thing.
I hug him tightly and put my head on his chest.
"Do you want me to sing you something?" he asks.
"Yes." hearing him sing was making me so happy.
And he starts singing one of those fado ballads that he knew I loved so much. If I'm not wrong, this must've been the first fado song I've listened to, in the small bar in Lisbon, in the same night when we had our first kiss.
I let myself fall asleep, imagining how me and Juan are staying on a cloud far from this mad world, with no worries and only an endless love for each other that was stronger than any bond in the world.