In the Moonlit Square

Tossing and turning, Philip tried to sleep but he couldn't. He got up from his bed resting his forehead on his palms. For some reason, he couldn't sleep that night. A soft breeze was blowing through his bedroom window. He could hear a faint sound of a nightingale singing somewhere.

Enchanted by the sound, he smiled walking to his window as he listened to the sweet singing of the bird. He felt peace growing in him. He went back to his bed and slept soundly till the next morning.

Every night, he would sit by the window and listened to the nightingale’s sweet singing before going to bed. One night, he felt restless. The nightingale’s song could be heard faintly. He glanced at the clock on his bedside table. Its hands showed it was half past midnight. He decided to take a late night walk in the square. It'll be peaceful there and he could forget about his restlessness for a while.

He put on his coat and stepped outside his house. A full moon was out that night. Walking on the seemingly glowing pavement towards the square, the song of the nightingale became clearer. He finally reached the deserted square.

In the center of the square was a fountain flowing. Its sculptures were breathtaking moreover now that these sculptures were illuminated by the serene moonlight. The whole square seems like a place in a dream. Everything was so beautiful in the moonlight. The pavement looked as if it was dotted with the twinkling stars above. The nightingale's sweet singing was clear now though he couldn't make out where it was coming from.

Resting on a stone bench, Philip closed his eyes. A soft rustle aroused his senses. He looked around the square. It was still deserted. The nightingale had long stop singing. Then he noticed a figure with its back facing to him sitting by the fountain. He couldn't make out who it was. He walked quietly over to the fountain in curiosity. He was surprised to find it was a girl. The girl heard him coming and turned to see who it was. They stood staring at each other in silence.

The girl was breathtakingly beautiful. Her soft features illuminated by the moonlight have hints of royal lineage in it. Her long dark hair flapped in the gentle breeze. Her hazel eyes stared deep into his. She smiled at him. Philip could feel his heart beating faster. If only she had wings, I would have thought God sent me an angel, he thought. He smiled back and sat beside her. A gentle breeze blew.

“What are you doing out here on such a night?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“I couldn’t sleep…” Philip softly replied.

“Really? We’re the same, I guess. I can’t sleep either,” she laughed. “It’s really beautiful tonight…”

“Yeah… aren’t you feeling cold?” he asked.

She was shivering slightly in the breeze. She shook her head in reply but stopped when she saw he looked concerned. She chuckled and waved her hand in dismissal.

“I experienced much colder nights than this,” she said, “what’s your name?”

“Philip,” he replied, “What’s yours?”

She kept quiet for a moment. Philip looked at her. She seemed to have trouble answering him. He decided to change the subject since she felt uncomfortable about it.

“I must say, you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen,” he said truthfully.

She blushed. The two talked and laughed as they shared their thoughts together. He came to know that she loves to come to the square late at night to stare at the sky. She also loves to sing. She sang a song for him. Philip sat there enchanted by it. The song sounded familiar though he couldn’t figure where he heard it before.

Silence settles between the two as they stare at the night sky. The clock in the square chimed. Before he could say anything, she said a sudden goodbye and fled. All he could do was stared after her. She seemed to disappear into thin air when she rounded a corner.

Philip left the square and trudged back to his house and into his bed. He stayed up all night thinking about the girl. Everything about her was mysterious. The following night, Philip went to the square again hoping that he could see the girl from the night before. Since he met her, he can’t stop thinking about her. She was the most beautiful thing that happened in his life. She was there as he had hope. She was glad to see him as he was to see her.

They talked for a long time for the second night. Philip realized he was falling in love with her. They lay side by side on their backs as they gaze up at the starry sky. Then she sat upright. Philip slowly sat upright too. She leaned in and kissed him gently. Philip looked bewildered at the kiss.

“Thank you, Philip,” she said, smiling like an angel. Blushing, she stood up and turned to leave. He jumped up at this. He then realized he never knew her name. He wanted to go after her but she was almost at the edge of the square.

“Wait! I do not know your name!” he called after her.

She slowed down slightly, turned and called back, “You don’t need to, you already know...!”

Philip stared, puzzled at her. He looked back at the place where they sat. He noticed a folded piece of paper on the pavement. He picked it up and opened it. Inside were the words;

“Dear Philip,

Thank you for the wonderful times we spent together. I’m glad I met you. No one has treated me so special like you did. I love you for who you are and how you made me feel good about myself. Do not despair; I’ll always be by your side, watching you. Listen for a song, and you’ll know I’m there.

Love,

Nightingale”

Nightingale. He looked again but she was gone. Was it a dream or was it true? He thought. As the thoughts ran through in his head, the nightingale’s sweet voice filled the square again. He touched his lips. He could still feel her gentle lips brushed against his. He then realized she was the nightingale that sang every night as absurd as it may sound. But the note is his hand made it clear and all those things she said were no longer a mystery. Every piece of the puzzle is fitted into place and the picture clear. Closing his eyes, he savored the sweet sound and whispered,

“Thank you, too, Nightingale, wherever you may be.”

-The End-

---

Author's note: Yeah, I know > It is rather rushed and my character Philip has no development. This is my shortest fic & the fastest to complete ever! Please do review for me .