My eyes are closed, but I felt the cold breeze kissing my face. I heard the rumblings of leaves around. Where am I? I feel like I'm outside. But why am I sleeping outside? Suddenly, I felt movement under my head. That made my eyes open widely.
"Hey, love, you're finally awake." She said.
I looked at the surroundings. I am definitely outside. Under a tree in the park, to be exact. I looked at the girl whose voice belongs to.
"Yue?" I muttered. I realized I was actually resting on her lap, but I didn't dare stood up.
"Yes, love? Are you still sleepy?" she answered.
Did she just call me love?
"Love?" I asked.
She laughed. "You're definitely still sleepy. Yes, Dylan, love."
"Why are you calling me that?" I asked, still confused.
She frowned. "Because that's what we decided to call each other? And because I love you."
"Really?"
"Love, do I need to slap you to wake you up?" she laughed.
Instead of answering her, I stared at the blue sky that is right in front of me.
Shen Yue is the girl I have loved for a very long time. But I couldn't do anything. She's my best friend and I do not want to ruin our friendship. No, I am afraid that I will ruin our friendship once I tell her that I love her.
I don't remember when I started to have feelings for her. I just remember we were sitting face to face from each side of the monkey bar, in the same park we are right now. This place has been our refuge. Whenever we feel down or has something to say, we go here and talk about things.
But it was different that day, she was so happy for no apparent reason and she decided to go to the park. She was telling me stories. Of how her day went, how she was feeling so spirited since she woke up.
She was telling me a lot of stories, but somehow I couldn't grasp all of them. Every word that she utters feels like a spell that's telling my eyes to stare at her passionately.
I heard her say my name, "Dylan". And it melted my heart. When she said it again a little louder, that was the only time I came back to my senses. And that made me wonder, since when did my heart beat for her?
Days went by after that park incident. And I couldn't see her the same way anymore. It's like everything she does has meaning, or I assume them to have one.
And her voice, I haven't noticed it before but she has such a sweet voice. I usually get annoyed when she sings, but now, it's like music to my ears. She has an angel's voice. I also remember asking her to sing me to sleep one night. I thought she was going to ignore me and my request, but she did. And that night, I had the most peaceful sleep.
"DYLAN!" she shouted and that brought me back to reality. I was still lying down on the grass with my head on her lap. I decided to sit beside her.
"Tell me, love, how did we end up like this?" I asked, still not able to digest the truth in front me. "Or am I just dreaming?" I continued with hesitation, I'm afraid she'll answer yes.
"You seriously forgot? Or you just want me to tell you our story?" she teased.
I smiled. "Let's just say, this seems like a dream to me. And I don't want to wake up."
"Silly, you. Asking for that story already when it just happened yesterday?"
"It's just that, every day with you feels like a dream and I want to know what reality is."
"Sweet-talker." She said with a smile. "Fine, let me tell you a story, Mr. Wang."
I faced her and made myself comfortable on the grass we're sitting.
"Well, it all started last month. We were here, at this park. I was telling you how worried I am about a project I am working on. But you weren't listening. You just kept staring at me." She stifled a laugh. "I even got pissed off. I was so anxious and then you're just there looking like an idiot. But when my emotions got the best of me, you were quick to notice. When my tears started to fall down, you wiped it quickly, and kissed my cheeks. I was surprised during that time. But when our eyes met, I suddenly uttered the words."
"What words?" I asked. My mouth, all smiles.
"'You are the best thing that happened to me, I couldn't live without you.' That's what I said. And it all started there, Love."
Everything that happened during the month that passed dawned on me.
I started courting her since that day. It was so surreal, I never thought she feels the same way towards me. My one-sided love isn't one-sided at all.
Going to the park had been an everyday routine for us. Sharing our stories with each other. Mostly her, because I just love listening to her talk all day. It feels like her voice calms all the storms. Whenever she tells me that she's happy that I'm with her, my heart jumps. It's crazy how in love I am. I seriously think, my case is serious but I have no plans on doing something about except fall deeper into love.
And yesterday. Yesterday was the most special day. It's the day that we became official. I honestly didn't expect it. I was happy being with her and knowing she feels the same. But out of the blue, she suddenly said yes. I didn't get it, at first.
"You can call an ambulance now, you might faint. Yes, Dylan. I am answering you." That's what she said. Believe me, I almost did call an ambulance. I felt like my heart is so full.
***
"Love, you're smiling like a dog." She said.
"I know, I don't care. I'm still reminiscing everything that happened yesterday." I told her.
"It's fun to see you smile genuinely, you know? I'm really lucky to have you in my life. And not just as a best friend."
"You are seriously making my ears red, Yue." I told her mischievously, but it was half truth. I can feel my ears getting hot.
"Let's turn it into a tomato, then." I was a bit puzzled by what she said but then she suddenly kissed my right cheek. "I love you," she whispered.
At that moment, I lost it. I really became a tomato.
"Tell me, love, am I just dreaming?" I asked her.
"No, this is reality." She answered with a smile.
"Really?"
"Yes, Dylan. Really. We're together."
"Really really?"
She sighed. She looked straight into my eyes. Her hands slowly raising. When it was at the same level as my face, she suddenly pinched my cheeks.
"Ouch!" I groaned. I looked at her with questioning eyes.
"It hurts, right? Now you know, it is not a dream." She laughed and I just had to smile upon hearing it.
Who would have thought, the dream that I once thought will be just a fantasy turned into a reality. A sweet lullaby while I am wide awake.
***
Author's Note:
I was listening to GOT7's Lullaby English version earlier today, and this one shot came into my mind. It's really short and sort of meh.
Anyway, listen to the song! :)
~g.
