Take Me With You (Donny X Kisses)

Starry Night

I waited for my mom to leave and then I hurriedly changed my hospital gown with my clothes. I covered the lower part of my face with a mask.

I cannot make an exit in the hallway otherwise I’ll get busted, so I jumped out the open window.

I found Kisses seated on the bench. I walked towards her and put the hood of her sweatshirt over her head. It almost covered her entire face. 

She jokingly hit my arm when I sat beside her. She's wearing a pajama and an oversized hoodie and those hello kitty slippers are ahm cute?

She pulled the hood upwards and then zipped up her hoodie.

“You’re a minute late.” She said looking at her wristwatch. She had this serious face on but then she started laughing. 

"Let's go!" She grabbed my arms and then she started walking. She was actually dragging me.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" I asked as I noticed that we're traversing the path at the back of the hospital. 

"Basta." She answered back.

Kisses pointed at the big hole on the back fence, it was so big that I can actually walk through it. It was covered with hanging leaves.

She parted the leaves and she walked right through it. I followed.

"Surprise!!!" She almost vociferated as she showed to me the place. Her arms, widely open.

Just behind the fence, is an old playground. Tall grasses everywhere but it was actually nice. 

It was full moon and somehow the place was illuminated by its dim light. 

Metal swings, see-saws, monkey bars, metal slides and some kind of animal stringers had my childhood memories flashing right before my eyes. It almost felt like travelling back in time.

I sat on the metal swing and there was Kisses, spinning loosely on the ground. She looked so happy and energetic but at the same time, so frail.

I called her and patted the empty metal swing beside me. Right now, we're both looking at the starry sky. 

"Let's make a deal." Kisses broke the silence.

"Whoever goes up there first, will make a request to the Maker." She uttered still looking at the night sky. 

I clenched my fist. She sounded almost irrelevant. 

"Kapag ako ang na-una, I will ask Him to grant your wishes... Same goes with you." I glanced at her face only to see crystals rolling down her cheeks. 

"Ssshhh. We'll both make it." I held her hand; it was cold and a bit shaky. I rubbed the back of her palm using my thumb. 

"Can you be my boyfriend just for tonight? I never had one." She said as she tried to laugh-off her tears.

There was something angelic about her face and the tone of her voice was somewhat soothing you just can't say no. 

"My pleasure, miss." 

Under the moon and a sea of stars, we slow-danced. My arms wrapped around her waist, her hands, around my neck.

My eyes were fixed at her and then my heart started beating fast. I don't know if it’s my illness spoiling the moment but my heart beats rhythm unknown to me.

The coolness of the night made me shivered. I pulled her closer then I felt her hands tighten around my nape. She tiptoed as she whispered something to me. Her lips touched the tip of my ear.

"It would be more romantic if you’d sing a song." She teases.

I cleared my throat before I started singing Easily by Bruno Major.

Don’t you tell me that it wasn’t meant to be
Call it quits, call it destiny
Just because it won’t come easily
Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try

She rested her head on my chest as we swayed along my raw voice.

We had a good thing going lately
Might not have been always a fairy tale
But you know and I know that they ain’t real
I’ll take the truth over the story

The evening lull turned into something magical. I closed my eyes as I tried to embed this scene in my memory. I hope that when the day comes, we will not forget.

You might have tried my patience lately
But I’m not about to let us fail
I’ll be the wind picking up your sail
But won’t you do something for me

I can smell the fragrance of her hair. This moment is perfect for a kiss but I’m afraid I won’t pull off if I tasted her lips. D*mn!

Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat.

Thank God I was able to control myself.

Don’t you tell me that it wasn’t meant to be
Call it quits, call it destiny
Just because it won’t come easily
Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try

Before the night went deep, we decided to head back to the hospital.

"Good night." Kisses' said before she went inside the room through the open window. There I realized, we're just a room away from each other.

"You okay?" I asked. My eyes wandered around her room, her mom wasn't there yet. I waited for her signal (an okay sign) before I left.