Butterfly

Twenty Two

The nurse was changing the IV when Hobi came in today.

The contrast of his smile to the room startled me.

He sat down on the edge of my bed, his designated seat.

"Mina! How are you?"

He looked me in the eyes, while fumbling with his backpack.

"I'm okay."

I winced as the nurse pushed the needle into my arm.

"You can tell me the truth, Mina."

"... I don't feel very well. "

I saw his eyes glance to the IV and the nurse.

The light in his eyes faded a bit.

"I wish I could..."

He whispered.

He shook his head and pulled a brown bag out of his backpack.

He set it on his lap excitedly, forgetting about the dark atmosphere.

"Do you know what day it is?"

He was slightly bouncing.

"No..."

My mind wandered, trying to think of the day.

I had stopped keeping track.

"Today's my birthday!"

My eyes went wide.

"Oh! Hobi, I'm sorry I forgot-"

"No, No its okay! I told you a while ago."

He looked into the brown bag.

"Anyways, I got you something!"

"But it's your birthday."

"I know, That's why I bought you this! It's for my birthday."

I felt my heart drop.

He handed me the bag.

I couldn't open it.

"I should get you something on your birthday, not the other way around."

"Mina..."

He twisted his fingers again, and played with the hem of his coat sleeves.

"You didn't need to get anything, there's nothing I want from you. Just you being my friend is all I need."

He mumbled that last part.

"And my favorite thing is to see you happy, to see you smile, so... can I have that for my birthday? That's what the gift will do."

I felt my heart pound.

Nobody has ever said anything like that to me.

He really cares.

"O-Okay."

My voice sounded shaky.

I looked into the bag, which was holding several objects.

I pulled them out one by one.

A few drawings.

A pressed flower.

And A little black box.

"Open it."

He had a giddy smile on his face.

I snapped open the box.

I gasped.

"Hobi..."

Inside was a silver butterfly necklace.

"Do you like it?"

I didn't know what to say.

I nodded.

His laughter filled the room, making the air lighter.

I pulled it out of the box and held it in my hand.

"Here,"

Hobi got up and took the necklace.

He went behind me and un-clipped it, wrapping it around my neck.

Then he gently clipped it back together, his fingers slightly brushing the back of my neck.

He moved and sat back down.

He looked at me and smiled.

"You're just- Ahh."

His face turned pink and the smile on his face seemed permanent.

"You make me so happy, Mina."

"I'm glad you're happy on your birthday."

"I'm glad I'm with you on my birthday."

And there it was.

I couldn't stop smiling.

I hope we can be together for a long time, Hobi.