Maiden's Letter

Prologue

"Woah, this is amazing."

I looked at an 11-year-old guy as he was amazed by the mercury thermometer inside the science lab. His hair was messy and his eyes were widening as he tilted his head looking at the thing that he was fascinated about.

"Look, it goes up."

"... and it goes down."

He stupidly put the thermometer in hot water and transferred it to a cold one; he repeated doing those as he talked to me, and I started to get annoyed.

"That was amazing!!"

"Stop it," I said.

"Quiet it down; we're not starting the experiment yet," I said.

"What?? Look, woah!" He still looks amused doing the same thing.

Then his playful hands went out of control, the thermometer hit the side of my eye, and I started crying.

"You two, stop! You..." The teacher pointed at him.

"Find another seat," the teacher commanded.

It's not just an ordinary dream; it's a memory.

I look at him, knowing every detail of his face. I know him more than I know anyone else. He's familiarity feels so right; I know I... I miss him.

My dreams went like a moving wheel. Then it stops.

The place is different; now I'm standing in the middle of the crowds with ball gowns and masquerades. Someone lends a hand with a smile. After a few turns had passed, he caught me in his arms.

The place began to crumble, and his face became blurry. I felt my dizziness, just like on a circus trail.

It stopped as my feet were on the sand and the waves were crashing. I look at the man who is running towards me. His smiles are genuine; he has called my name countless times.

But, as he ran, he never reached me. His smiles begin to fade away. My heart starts to pound. My mind sees it as a dream, but a memory. I wanted to run toward him. Every memory of great joy and laughter is altered with sadness.

***