Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
after that, you brought me everywhere you could think of on your twin brother’s motorcycle.
how many times– i’d complain, swiping long strands of chestnut out of my mouth as i removed the helmet, –do i have to tell you to not drive so recklessly? jerry drives safer than you do.
you’d laugh it off and reply: sorry, you know how much i love the adrenaline.
we’d banter back and forth like that, like an old married couple, and i’d always find myself lost in the worlds that you brought me to.
why did you bring me here? i asked, indicating the pine forest landscape that lined the scene, having already been to a couple other places i have already forgotten about.
you smiled, a gentle hand around my shoulder. i want you to see this. every day. or at least, until i grow old or i somehow can’t ride queen anymore.
i bet queen can’t wait to get rid of you. i joked, glancing at the slim black Harley. she’d be happier with jerry.
the glare you sent my way made me laugh and buckle over as you smacked my arm repeatedly.
don’t be mistaken. you scoffed playfully. i just think that you should at least have something to remember me by.
why? i asked, puzzled. i didn’t tell you that i had alzheimer’s, did i? or did i forget about that?
oh great, you forgot. i told you that i’d bring you places that should remind you of me. you sighed, leaning on queen, and catching my expression, you snorted. and yes, you told me about you having alzheimer’s already.
oh. i blinked, and pursed my lips. sorry.
you flicked my forehead, making me reel backwards, holding my head. that’s the twenty-eighth time you’ve apologised for forgetting something today. and yes, i was counting.
i let my hands fall. it just sucks that i can’t remember almost everything anymore.
your gaze softened. it’s okay. you’re still you and honestly, that’s all that matters to me.
the butterflies surfaced in my stomach again, and i felt the flush creeping up my ears. i guess you’re right.
the sun was starting to set, and the both of us swung our legs over the mountain cliff, watching the birds fly over the evergreen trees and hearing the waking of the nocturnal life as night settled.
hours passed like that, and i couldn’t help but to settle into an illusion that i could, perhaps, live like this forever. at times, i’d catch myself looking at your side profile, at the gentle slopes of your cheeks and at the small curves of your lips.
i can’t stop myself from feeling this way. i can’t forget the way i felt about you. why?
i heard you sigh, and watched you brush your jeans as you stood up, offering a hand to me. let’s go, it’s getting late.
i stared up at you, at the worlds that swirled enchantingly behind your eyes, and diverted my attention to the beautiful pine forest below as a squirrel scurried into a bush.
it’s beautiful here. i smiled. i don’t want to leave.
laughing, you ran a hand through your hair. we’ll come back tomorrow. come on now, before your mum scolds my ears off.
thank you — i want to say. thank you for showing me your worlds. thank you for being my shoulder to lean on. thank you for just being here for me.
