Utopian Fold: overture

OVERTURE

It was raining hard. The wind blew cold. She hugged herself as she looked around the hall. He was late. He was twelve minutes late. Maybe, he would not come. He might have changed his mind without telling her. She sighed deeply, fought her tears back and stood hesitantly. When she turned around, she was surprised to see him standing at a distance, and holding a single red rose. She must have been dreaming, she told herself. He walked towards her, handed her the rose, gave her a kiss on the cheek and greeted her with a wide smile on his face, “Happy birthday my hot fudge sundae.” She was caught off guard. Butterflies somersaulted in her tummy. She felt electrocuted. Auspicious, really auspicious. Momentarily, no words came from her. She just smiled and looked into his eyes. She stared at him full of doubts, full of questions yet full of love. But with a blink of an eye, her smile became a frown. She was still holding her tears back, trying to look as calm and controlled as she can. She wouldn’t want to ask anything about his former girlfriend. It would just kill her inside. Yet she knew that there’s no place for her in his heart. She remained awkwardly silent for a few more minutes and decided to talk, bursting in a blissful voice, “Hey! What took you so long? I’ve been here for a couple of minutes. How dare you make me wait during my day?” He has no time to answer for she threw her arms around him and gave him a tight hug, whispering, “Can you be mine even just for today?"

Love

The gradient scent of Christmas filled the air as we walk around the downtown. I was wearing a red floral dress and he was in his white polo shirt and pants. We were like a living Christmas decor at this sight but we did not care.When he fetched me from home we were ridiculously laughing at each other. But it's not important. I was with him. He was with me. That matters most.

We decided to take our dinner in a cozy restaurant near the city park. The food was great. We had some small conversations in between our meals. He even cracked a joke and I laughed so hard that he tried to cover my mouth because an old couple was already glaring at us. I gave in and started to calm myself as I lovingly pinched his arm. He always makes me outburst of laughter whenever I'm with him.

It was now the time to go to church and hear the Yuletide mass. He payed our bill and gave the waiter a cheerful greeting of "Merry Christmas". He held me near him as we walked passed the crowded streets. We were walking with our hands clasped as we approached the majestic church. It was ornamented magically. The lanterns that welcomed the church-goers were brightly lit. It was a breath taking night. I closed my eyes to feel the season; I wanted to remember every detail of this night. I kissed him lightly on his cheek when I opened my eyes. He was caught off-guard then simply gave me a wide grin in response. We felt the Christmas breeze on our faces and heard the leaves rustled peacefully. We entered the church and listened intently to the mass.

We haven't left the church even after the mass. I needed a few moments more of silence with him in front of our Creator. I knelt and prayed hard to Him to give us many more Christmas together. If forever's impossible, a lifetime will be good enough. I noticed that he was staring at me with tears rolling down his handsome face. I wiped it and smiled at him. He knew what I prayed to God. He knew it will happen not for long. He wrapped his arms around me, so tight that I felt his warm body engulfing every nerve of my body. I hugged him, too. I ran my fingers through his velvet hair, looked him deep in the eyes, touched them, and finally caressed his nose and lips. I will never forget his face.

This is my last memory of him. I passed away a night after this. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago. It went from worse to worst. That day was miraculously the most normal day of my life since I was diagnosed with this tumor. I have no regrets. I love him and I will always do. Two years had already passed and though he hasn't found another girl I always wish him to find one. I even bugged Him to give my beloved someone who will take away the pain. I was surprised when He told me that he had already tried to give him one but he refused to accept it. Our Creator said, "He will love you up to his last breath. He swore this to me the very minute you told him your condition."