Cherry Blossomed in Love

Chapter Three

"How long have you been here?" I looked at him, he is staring at the full moon. It glows so bright that the features of his face was being emphasized...

His pointy nose... That soft thin lips... Those eyes that I feel like I'm being hypnotized...

"Hmm... I can't remember exactly. I just know that I've been hanging out around here since I was... 8? I guess."

"8?!" I stated in shocked.

"May taning na ba buhay mo and you've been staying in the hospital since you were young?" I asked genuinely. He suddenly laughed as if I was joking or something...

It's actually concerning tho... Maybe he's mentally ill?

"Hahaha. I'm not so sure about it. Actually, I have no idea about my illness. And I'm not a psychopath, okay? I know that look on your face."

"What look on my face?" I innocently asked while batting my eyes. Cringe! He laughed again and it took a minute this time to even finish.

Grabe... Even his laughs sound so manly... It's so full. I don't think I have encountered such a voice like his.

"It's just that, I don't want to learn what is the cause of my body to fail like this. Like they said, ignorance is a bliss," he said and then we fell silent again.

"Isn't that sad? I mean, you wouldn't have the idea who your enemy was inside your body. How can you get well from it?"

"I don't think I'll ever defeat this." His eyes shifted on me and he stared at me there.

Gulping... I feel like something's going on with my stomach with those stares.

"Kanina ko pa napapansing nakatitig ka sa 'kin simula pa kanina. I wonder how many data about me you've gathered based on your observations?"

Suddenly... It feels hot. The blows of the wind almost break the small limbs of trees but why am I sweating over here?

"T-Tinititigan your face! It just happened that my... my eyes landed on your face 'no!" I exhaled. Having my fingers crossed that he would bite that alibi.

He just shrugged his shoulders and stood up. I did as well and realized to look at the time... It's already 11:20pm! I should be resting by this time!

"It's really a fresh-air talking with you... And I want more but I think we should rest for now. Let's just meet again tomorrow, perhaps?" His sweet voice lullabied my ears... 'Let's meet again tomorrow' sounds like an assurance that someone is willing to wait for me.

It feels new... It feels as if I suddenly found someone who would hold me gently like how a painter grips on his brush.

My heart starts pounding hard... Making it aches. Aches to have this conversation much longer than how it took tonight. Aches to be loved despite my remaining hours.

"Sure..." I smiled. I wanted to say 'Can we stay just for a little longer?' but who am I to tell that? It's not as if we've known each other for so long.

I noticed that he was staring at me as if he was waiting for me to say something... or so I just assumed?

"W-Why? Is there a dirt on my face?" I tried to wipe it off because maybe I do really have something on it.

He chuckled.

There, I melted. Who the effin' folk chuckled so handsome as he?

He stopped chuckling after a longer second and inhaled. My chest is racing so hard that it feels like any moment it'll be ripped off on its own.

"Do you want to stay 'til midnight?"

The harsh wind awhile ago suddenly calmed down... And the nature's noises became inaudible and the beat of my heart is the only thing I could hear while we are exchanging gazes.

It was as if nature is telling us that they wanted us to stay longer together...

I inhaled deeply, trying to calm my mind and my chaotic heart right now to have the voice of answering his question that I'm expecting to hear awhile ago-

"I love to..." I whispered.