Michikosama

Episode 3: Maturity Kiss.

(Age 13):

As time went on Ruben started visiting me less frequently, until he didn't come at all. Dad, was on the same path as him. Going off to attend important business, and leaving me to fend for myself. As usual I waited, and waited for someone to rid me of this boredom. No one ever came. I was sad for awhile, but that feeling diminished. Sad turned into anger, and anger turned into loathing. Why? Ruben said he was my friend, and he was going to stay by my side. He lied, so I was starting to hate him as well as my own father. 

The day I turned 13 was the day he reappeared. He hasn't age a bit, meaning he still looks the same. I knew demons couldn't age, but somehow I hope he would look a little different like me. I wasn't the same 5 year old girl he met 8 years ago. I was now mature enough to hold a decent conversation, to know right from wrong, understand my feelings, etc. And, everything that comes with my maturity was suppressed in my mind, but was immediately released in the sight of Ruben.

"Why did you leave me?" I didn't give him the time to get comfortable on my bed like he usually does. I was not going to act like him being MIA was alright. He started to walk closer, and I lost it. The tears flows out of my eyes. "It's been 6 years. Why'd you come back?" I grabbed a pillow off my bed, throwing it at him.

"Forgive me." He utters, continuing to walk closer to me.

"Stay back!" I yelled, while sobbing at the same time. He doesn't listen. Instead, he ignores me, and walks closer to me. Ruben kneels down with his face close to mines, and with all the emotion inside me...I slapped him. "You left me..." I whispered. "I felt alone. I'm tired of being alone." I sobbed.

He grabs my right hand placing something in it. "Forgive me." He repeats.

I wiped the tears away, opening my hand to reveal a crystal necklace, and my tears stopped flowing. I regretted slapping him, seeing that he brought this to me. The necklace he promised me.

I rubbed his cheek. "I'm sorry." It was my turn to be apologetic.

He places his hands over mine, smiling. "I deserved it." I can't help, but smile awkwardly as he tries not to forge being affected.

"I thought you forgot about..." I looked at the necklace, dangling in my hands.

"I wouldn't forgive myself if I did." He sounds genuine.

I pull him into a hug, taking in his scent. "Remember the deal we made?" I knew it was the greatest sin anyone could make, but I didn't care.

"Forget it." He said, shocking me from how his voice went cold. I pulled out of the hug, staring in his eyes filled with conflicting motions swirling in them.

"I will not." I state.

"You will. I don't want you to be my servant."

"And I won't, but I still want to bear your child in exchange for love." I say clearly enough for him to realize how I cherish that childish deal in my heart.

He flicks my forehead. "Don't be so naive."

"Ouch!" I rubbed my forehead in pain. What is his problem? "Why did you do that?"

"Because I can't help, but feel guilty to make a deal with you. You we're only 5 and agreed stupidly."

I was somehow offended, but understood what he meant. "Are you saying to forget about the deal?"

"Yes." He gives me a dry reply, and that's when I notice he has change. Not physically, but mentally. It's like he was trying to persuade me not to do the wrong thing, but as I look at him now. I know it wasn't the wrong thing to do, because when I look in his eyes I feel relived. He came back even after leaving me alone for 6 years, and it didn't matter. He was here right now with me, and not my dad. I longed for someone to at least show me that I wasn't a ghost, but at human being.

"Why are you staring at me lik-"

I cut his sentence short as I wrapped my arms around him. I missed his smile, our conversations, his scent, the way he makes me feel, but most importantly I missed him. I missed Ruben. 

"Michikosama?" He calls out.

"Hm?" I looked into his green eyes, and I realized how close our faces are together as he looks down at me. I can feel my face heat up, and butterflies entering my belly.

"Michikosama." He says breathlessly this time. I don't say anything, but he does something that even I knew was wrong. He kissed me. As his lips touched mine I realized the sadness, anger, and loathing that's been pent up inside me was there to keep me occupied from saying I loved him. I guess maturity produces new feelings, because I honestly could say I love Ruben. Maybe this was the warmth I felt that night. My own love I felt for him.