Thirty-three - Tyche

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I felt bad for leaving Lethe like that, but I didn't know what to do. It was like I had a panic attack, and everything felt like it went downhill. 

I walked around the area, following the parade's route. And while loitering around, I got myself some mint chocolate chip ice cream. Again, I still wasn't a fan of it. But I really didn't miss her. Ever since Lethe mentioned her, I was wondering where she was right now.

Maybe she was one of the dancers that led the parade.

Or a newly-hired gallery staff.

In any case, I hoped that she was well. Because other than the old man, she was the one who I couldn't stop thinking about.

I was wandering around, letting my feet take me wherever they wanted.And unconsciously, my feet led me to the apartment. Where I met Neoma. It felt like a forever ago ever since I helped her move into this building.

The brick walls surrounding it were still there. But it didn't feel nostalgic, because this time, it was covered with colorful graffiti. I was so stunned by it that I had to grab my phone to take a picture.

"Yeah, I could paint this," I whispered to myself.

It was indeed gloomy weather, and the clouds started to make some rumbling noises. I could also hear the parade approaching when I caught a familiar scent that stunned me.

I looked around but saw no one that had the same scent that she had. That province-air scent. I tried to ignore it and just continued to take pictures of the graffiti before it started raining.

Then a flash of light lit me up, distracting me from taking pictures of the street art that caught my attention. It was as if someone had taken a picture of me. I was about to get pissed off, but then I looked at the person who had taken it.

I never uttered a word.

It was her, and she only smiled at me with her head tilting slightly. I didn't know if she recognized me, but even with that domino mask on, I knew it was her.

But I was tired. I knew she would have a new name. Because she looked like she didn't even know who I was again. No words were spoken between the two of us. Only the smiles. Those contagious divine smiles were still the most beautiful curves I had ever seen. The smiles that shined like the crescent moon on a gloomy afternoon.

I was starting to have second thoughts about introducing myself to her. Or even just saying goodbye to her. But still, I never uttered a word.

The crowd started to grow in numbers as the parade approached us. And slowly, while watching her take pictures of the same graffiti, I walked backward. 

Step by step slowly walked away from her. All while fixing my eyes to her beautiful existence.

It started to rain softly when I saw her get lost in the crowd and I turned around.

How could this be?

This morning I was the happiest person ever.

But this afternoon, it made me sadder than ever, knowing that I would never meet her again.

It was partially my fault for not introducing myself, but I knew how this would end again. How she would say the line "I've seen the Moon," and then show herself with a new name without any memory of me.

I started walking away hurriedly. The rain flowed heavier, and winds also started to blow stronger. My hair and clothes were getting drenched.

From tears of joy to just tears.

A mysterious little kid tapped me from behind, wearing the same domino mask she wore.

"That kind lady over there said you should stay dry," he told me, then he handed me an umbrella. I was starting to feel anxious, but then I opened the umbrella he gave me. An umbrella with writing on it.

The rain has offended me a hundred times when I invited the Moon to come in.

I ran back.

I ran as fast as I could, going through the crowd that were also running around to shade themselves from the heavy rain. And as I did, I screamed her name. All of it.

"Neoma!"

From the top of my lungs, I screamed all her names.

"Artemis!"

"Selene!"

Goddesses of the Moon, bring me back to your child.

"Rhea!"

"Bea!" 

Dear universe, give me one last chance to just say goodbye.

"Niki..." I stopped running on the wet sidewalks as the crowd continued to run around, bumping me while hurrying to protect themselves from the rain. 

The parade still continued to follow their route, but there was no more loud music. No more lively dancers.

Each truck had its own tents, but there were no more colorful paintings as the staff hurriedly covered each one up.

I closed my eyes and I pleaded.

I prayed to the Moon to hold my hand,
Then she brought me to you.
I prayed to the Moon to paint me one
Midnight Art,
And it was you.

I prayed to the Moon to never leave me,
then on a new moon, I'd still have you.
You were that celestial being who always accompanied me.
Through my darkest nights.
Through my most frightening fights.
The one who heard all my cries.

From the celestials above, you made me believe.
And even if I can't make you feel the same,I will never leave, and know that:

Before and after I close my eyes,
In my good mornings, and in my sweet dreams.
And everything in between,
It's always you.

And now I pray to her again,
hat if you touch my lips, I'll pledge that I'm yours.
I will wait for the eternal eclipse that I've been waiting for.

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