Into the Enchanted forest -nanmac-

| Part 7 | A letter

Dear Mac,

                 How have you been? It seemed like you had already grown taller when you read this letter. Time flies in just a blink of an eyes and I can say 9 months feel like yesterday when I carried you inside me. And I remembered it was during a summer when you came into my life. I held you closer. A little boy who was born into our small house, you're so tiny back then.
                 Your loud cry was the first thing I heard when I delivered you. Your dad was there being on my side, holding my hand so tightly. He helped even until the end when I couldn't pay for everything he did. We raised you with full of love. There are so many things I wanna show you. But I guess the universe wasn't on our side. And the time was too short for me to hold you a bit longer. Don't let your pretty eyes well up with those tears sweetie. Let go of those bitter pasts and live your best.
                 You're such a strong boy. You were born with a strong heart. I thought that I would lose you forever when we couldn't find your heartbeat. But you showed me a sign that you still wanted to be here. Be with us all together. That was when I braced myself, keeping my head up just for you. Because you proved to me there is a reason to live. A worthy reason to fight for. A strong belief that I learned from you.
                 Sweetheart, you're a precious thing that has ever happened to me. A beautiful blessing that God ever shared. You always be the apple of my eyes, a muse to my lonely heart, the bright light that guided me throughout my dark journey, a valuable and lovely present. I love you. Thank you for being born into this world. And last... Happy Birthday Mac♡ 

Sincerely,
Mama

Those written words made him sob. His eyes welled with tears. His pretty face was messed up by the rain that rolled down his face. He cried in muffled holding himself from letting out a loud sound. He couldn't breathe. His heart was too weak for this. His mind was not built for a thing like this. He was a mess. He felt disappointed in himself that he couldn't do anything about it. So he let them out. As much as he can. Until there are no tears left for him to cry.

"Mama..."

He laid down on the carpet floor, curling himself like a fetus with the letter in his hand. He closed his eyes letting the tears fall to the side before drowning into a sleep. And when he opened up his eyes, it was still dark outside. His eyes were swollen from crying the entire night. Breathing out, he collected every strength picking up all those things and putting them back into the box.

Mac was doing his stuff when his eyes laid on a black wooden cardboard. He immediately picked it up taking a better look. A small note stuck to the cardboard with a few scribbled words.

Sweetie, there's a thing I didn't tell you about... Do you wanna meet me?

Mac arched his brows as he read out loud the words to himself. He frowned. A lot of thoughts lingering behind his head. He doesn't understand what his mother meant by those words. Is there any possibility for him to see her again? If it was true then how?

The cracking branches at the back make him realize that he had been staring into the air for quite a long time. He turned his head to the side before getting on his feet. Mac walked to the open window where the curtain was blown by the night zephyr. He raised his hand in the mid-air pulling them back so he could see through it. And it goes just how he expected. A guy with a grey hooded-up hoodie appeared in his sight.

"Come in," Mac said as he stepped back.

He gave out his legs and took a sit at the edge of his bed. Nan was by the window when he laid his eyes on Mac who had been silent until now. He wondered if there was a thing that made the latter upset. If it was nothing then why would Mac not even dare to look in his direction?

"What with the long face?"

"It's nothing."

The sculpture's face was not satisfied enough with the answer. Nonchalantly, he brought his hand closer, giving a gentle stroke on top of the latter's head. He let his long fingers brush down those silky dark-haired. But Mac seemed lost. He had been staring at the floor forever. And for a certain reason, Nan doesn't like it. He hated this kind of atmosphere where it felt empty. He saw the sadness written on the other's face.

Looking at those teary red eyes Nan instantly realizes that the latter was crying earlier. He couldn't help himself but to bring his hand cupping Mac's face and tilt them using his thumb. Which makes them meet eyes at the first glance Mac breathed out but still kept his straight face.

"Is it too much for me to ask if you want to stay here? Just for tonight. But if you..."

"I'll stay."

Mac only gave him a tight smile in the response. Nan saw that and took it as a good sign. He could at least do something and be a accompany for him. He stroked the latter's head before letting them fall on his abdomen where Mac peacefully laid his weight on him. Closing his eyes, Mac lets the tall figure give him a gentle stroke from time to time. He did not understand why would a person like Nan could make him feel something different.

It was not about having comfort in this kind of unspoken relationship but more like Nan could make him feel safe and secure whenever he was around. And Mac found himself in Nan's embrace. He was confused but all he knew, was he was dying for those simple gestures; his light touch, the way how his voice changed when he assured things, his significant smell, and those crystal eyes sending a deep meaning to Mac. Or is this because he was craving for the love that he never gets after so long?

The next day, Mac went out for a quick walk. There was a small hill in his backyard. He remembered when he was still a kid, back then he would go around and pluck some berries. And for sure, his mother will be scolding him for being naughty. It had been for a while since he paid a visit. A place where it kept thousands of memories. He went around taking a deep breath of the fresh air. And the breathtaking view from up here was so beautiful that it kept reminding him of the old good days.

Nan was nowhere to be seen this morning. So he thought that the latter already left since he woke up a bit late. It is common for Mac to never see Nan during the daylight because he used to see him after sundown. How worse it could be when you are allergic to sunlight? Despite being curious, Mac restrained himself from asking for a thing that may hurt him.

Why? Because he knew that everyone has their reasons. He knew how it felt when he didn't want to even talk about it. Avoiding himself from a certain topic. He just wants to forget those painful things. If only he could do it, he would choose that option. But the thing is, he couldn't. And all those things ended up being his nightmare where it kept haunting him. And became a part of his life.

Hey, I'm leaving. You'd better eat that cake. I made it with love. I might've killed you for keeping it only as a property. Bye.

"I did eat it okay." He mumbled.

It was almost lunchtime when Mac saw a note stuck on his fridge. Who else wrote a threat telling him to eat if it was not his own best friend? Shaking his head, Mac opened the cabinet taking out a bowl. He planned to make a simple meal with the ingredients that he got from the fridge. Then after a while, he served a table for himself before taking a sit. He is enjoying his lunch meal when a guy suddenly makes his appearance out of nowhere.

Mac almost didn't believe his eyes when he saw the smoke on top of the latter's head. Now his kitchen reeks with the smell of a burning shirt. Mac was in disbelief that he forgot to close his mouth. His hand was on the mid-air holding a spoon. While his body is frozen. He couldn't help but give such a weird look to the man who was now standing in front of his eyes.

"H—How did you...?"

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*1k?!! Yall, thank you so much😭💞✨