Awake

Part 8: Recalling you

The flashback ends, and I feel tears drip down my cheeks. "Hey, why are you crying?" He looks at me, concern in his voice. "Is it... is it because I said something that upset you? Or are you crying because of my super special compliment?" He says teasingly. I don't answer.

I just saw that the man standing in front of me was someone very dear to me. More than that. I had missed him. All this time I didn't really know who he was, but now I know clearly. I remember. I gently cup his face with my hands and kiss him. I kiss him passionately, feeling all sorts of emotions. He holds me tightly in his arms, I look into his light brown eyes, tears still running down from mine but a smile on my lips.

He smiles at me and wipes my tears away with his thumb. "What's going on? Where did all that passion come from?" He says with a teasing tone as he looks back into my eyes, a slight smirk on his face. I smile at him. "You told me that you loved me under the rain when I was trying to end it all." "Why are you bringing that up?" He chuckles. "Wait... you remember that?" I can see his eyes widen as he realizes. I smile at him and kiss him softly. "I didn't tell you, but I wanted to tell you, I love you too."

He tears up and hugs me tightly. "I thought you would never remember me. I thought... our past would be lost forever." I wrap my arms around him and hug him tightly. "I never forgot you. You were just lost somewhere, deep down within my heart." I feel his tears dripping down onto my shoulder. He softly whispers in my ear. "I love you so much, Elizabeth."

That night (the night I tried to take my own life) if he hadn't been there, I can't tell what would've happened to me. To be honest, I was scared. Scared that all my dreams would never come true, that I'd keep living under my parents expectations. They always seemed fine with what I was doing... how I was living. I never thought of them as strict or stern, but that night they asked me what I was going to do with my life. They were worried that I'd take on a path that wouldn't stand up to their standards.

I remember now, telling them about my dreams of wanting a life in the countryside. Telling them about my passion for nature that they always knew about but never really cared for. I was happy, I was... passionate about telling them every bit of how I wanted to have a small business and work from home, taking care of the children I'd have with someone I truly love and how we'll have animals and a small ranch. But for the first time they yelled at me, saying I was dreaming too small and that this wasn't what was best for me.

At that point, I didn't recognize my own parents, they had always been supportive, but I had finally seen all the high expectations they had set upon me. I came from a wealthy background, and of course they wanted me to excel in something that would continue their legacy. I felt trapped, like my dreams were shattered into a million pieces.

Everything seemed pointless. I got out of the house even though I had nowhere to go, and the dark night sky was pouring rain. It felt like the sky was hearing me out. Like it understood my pain, my sadness and my misery. I looked up, the rain pouring harshly on my face, the expression on my face drooping, tears running down my face. At some point, I couldn't even feel my own tears. Like the rain was so harsh and cold that I couldn't feel my face.

I walked and walked until I saw his house... Eric's house. A good friend of mine in high school and my crush. I looked at his house, thinking about all the good moments we had. I remembered that he'd left to achieve his dreams to travel the world. "If only you were here. If only... I could see you again." I looked sad as I said those words. I could feel a lump in my throat from crying. I kept walking until I had that thought; "Wouldn't it be nice to be free?" I laid down on the pavement without a worry.

Looking up at the starry sky, I saw a bright star looking back at me as if it was asking me to make a wish. "I wish... that I could see you." I said clearly thinking about Eric. As I said those words a shooting star made its way down into the sky, my eyes followed it until I saw a figure at a distance that looked just like him. The light of the moon shined onto his face. He wasn't carrying an umbrella, but he had a bright smile on his face.

It was chilly, but his smile made me feel warm. I smiled back, thinking I was hallucinating. That's when he said; "What're you doing, Lili?" His tone was calm, but I could feel his concern in his eyes. When he came towards me and got me out of the road, taking my hand, I realized that he was actually there with me. It felt like the stars and the sky were listening to me and granted my wish. Seeing him made me feel like there was still hope for me. Still hope for my dream to come true.