Gazebo

It was that time of the year when autumn leaves started turning to their bright colors, and later turn to dark brittle ones. But it is still early for any further conclusions. I stared out at the warm crisp horizon wondering what this feeling brought out for nocturnal creatures like me. I spread out my arms to feel the breeze that the ocean waves created.

A dolphin. I faced the direction towards that splashing noise. From a distance, I saw a dolphin dancing gracefully with the waves. What an awesome sight! It brings so many memories that engulfed my whole being, and I tried to block them by looking away towards the now glowing moon.

Here, up the cliff, I claimed my territory. Night flowers were in bloom, and they surrounded my only shelter. I looked back to where I last saw the dolphin, and now, it was dancing with its found mate. They were creating eeking noises that sounded music to my ears.

I can't help but succumb to my weakness. Barefooted, I lifted up my long haltered gown, and escaped my shelter. I closed my eyes and danced a slow waltz in the field of flowers, remembering the rhythm we once shared.

By and by, salty tears dribbled down the sides of my cheeks, each landing on fair ground. Unexpectedly, your strong masculine scent assaulted my nares. I could feel your arms wrapping around my tiny waist, filling up the curves. By instinct, I locked my hands around your neck, and leaned my head on your chiseled chest. Oh, how we fit each other perfectly! Your strong arms proved to be my roof, keeping me safe and warm; while I, myself, stand as your pillar, your shoulder for support.

I smiled through these endless tears. I could really feel your presence beside me, engulfing my senses. But I'm afraid that when I open my eyes, I wouldn't see your familiar loving face. And I know that if I don't, my heart that broke will break once again. So if this is just a dream, then I'd rather say it over and over again, "I hope this dream won't last."

We were dancing on our own tune, but you broke it. You sealed our movements with a swift chaste kiss that I have to open my eyes to see if this was real, end this dream I'm having once and for all, and realizing that this dream once happened and it played a big part when I was reminiscing my memories with you. My heart ached, and its shattered pieces broke further into tiny little ones.

"How could you hurt me like this?!" I dropped to my knees and cried out to the heavens. Your kiss was a mere passing memory but why is it that the weight of your lips still lingered in mine. The ocean breeze was cool and crisp but I feel your warmth comforting me. The salty sea fragrance hung in the air mixed with fresh pine trees that belonged to yours. The taste of your lips, I savored...

"Must I be missing you so much to be this delusional?"

--o--

I shouldn't be here. I’m sorry. I’ve let you down one more time. I shouldn’t have left you before, knowing that all the rest did. But I have to. It was a promise I couldn’t break at all. Now I came back to see myself regretting my decision. You’re in pain and you’re suffering because of me. I knew this would somehow happen… but it’s been so long, I didn’t expect things to go this far. If the cause of your tears is me, then I’d rather we didn’t meet. I took away the beautiful smile on your face and left you with this tear-stricken fate.

I danced with you… I kissed you…but I panicked, so all I did is run away from you. I shouldn’t have acted on impulse, doing things with you. And yet I fled, making you think you’re dreaming. I know that if I’d come back to you, you’d accept me easily with no hesitation. I’m just afraid that I’ll leave you again, be a coward idiot just like this time.

I ran as far as I could and kept a safe distance between us. I can only look at you from afar, here above the cliff that stood next to yours. We’re down on the ground, as if side by side, the sea parting us. We could be miles away from each other but we can see each other perfectly... from a distance.

I leaned back against the hollow base of the only tree that stood on this cliff. If it’s possible to turn back time, would these things still happen? I couldn’t find other ways to protect you and save you from misery. I failed as the Prince Charming you think I am; I failed as the knight in shining armor you imagine me to be; I failed as the vampire with a shiny silver Volvo you see in the movies. I’m a big failure to you, yet you still dream of me…wish to see me… hope to be with me…

I looked up to the sky to see the star you told me that will always link us together, just as it would always link the two stars that sat on its both sides. I stretched out my hand and tried hard to hold it. I know it would always escape my fingers, but if I curled my fist and let it hang in the air, I can always imagine that I can hold the star that links us together.

And I wondered, could you be looking at the same star, and doing the same thing?

--o—

I looked up to the sky to see the star I told you that will always link us together, just as it would always link the two stars that sat on its both sides. I stretched out my hand and tried hard to hold it. I know it’s impossible, but if I try harder, maybe I still can. Perhaps I’m a foolish naïve girl, but if by doing this, maybe a miracle can happen.

--o—

‘No!’ I gasped in horror as I saw what you’re doing. I ran as fast as I could, hoping to stop you from doing such thing. Don’t you dare step any further!

I ran through the field of flowers. I searched frantically for you, only to find out you’re already at the edge of the cliff.

If I called out your name as soon as I saw you walking, your hand outstretched to the heavens, and you’re not looking to where you’re heading, you’d probably be further enticed and have jumped off the cliff sooner just to cross the space between us. If I called out your name now, you might look back at me and lose your footing and fall down the cliff, knowing that you’re someone clumsy.

I calculated ways to prevent you from falling, but none of them ever seemed to work. I can only rush at you, hug you, and shield you away from such temptation.

But I missed.

I missed you.

I missed you one second later.

“ELAINE!!!” Now that I called out your name, one second later, would you still respond to me?

--o—

‘Ethan?’

--o—

“Elaine, please. Open your eyes. Wake up please. Don’t you dare sleep for a long time on me, now that I’ve come back,” I cried as I held her gently in my arms. She hit rock bottom that was a good seven meters off the cliff, and a good thirty yards from the rock that broke her fall to the wide open sea. It was a miracle she didn’t suffer any major injuries, only a few bruises here and there, and possibly a sprain on either feet. She lost consciousness, enough to make me worry. But it is troublesome to hear her heart beating faint, and she’d barely breathing. If I assumed correct, she was already in a worse condition before the fall.

There was no easy trek when climbing up the cliff. But I’m glad and thankful that I succeeded this task. I only hope that she’d wake up.

“Please. Please wake up, Elaine.” I pleaded so hard. Can a miracle happen?

I looked around and surveyed our surroundings. This place holds so many memories for us. This was our sanctuary away from the bright city neon lights. This was our haven, our secret meeting place whenever we want to escape the stress and pressure exerted by every one. This was where we shared our dreams and made promises.

I looked wistfully at your tear-stained face, and brushed away the hair that hid your eyes from me. You make me fall in love with you again, and the most beautiful thing about you is your bright cerulean orbs that twinkle when you smile, contrasted to my sapphirine ones. Wake up, Elaine. Show me your beautiful eyes once again, and let me drown my soul in them.

“Don’t you hear, Elaine? The crashing of waves against the shoreline sings a tune for you and me. If I promise to always stay by your side, would you wake up?”

--x--

“Elaine, don’t be vindictive against Ethan. Show him you love him and you’ll never let him down even if he betrays you over and over again.”

Shock painted my face as I looked up to the person who uttered those words.

Dylan.

--o—

At that moment, the sea lulled its ascending note. Everything was blanketed with serenity. You lay me down to sleep, chased away my woes, and banished my anxieties.

A miracle did indeed happen.

--o—

I had this dream of you and me, your arms gently, but securely wrapped around me. I inhaled your heavenly scent as I smiled at you coyly. “Ethan, do you remember, this was the place where you brought me to show me your love for dolphins? I didn’t like animals then, but because of you, I came to love the animal you love as well. Just as the dolphins, I tried to dance gracefully, and sing a song to call on my mate. Did I become just like them, Ethan? You love dolphins, and if I can be somewhat a dolphin, could you love me as well? Had I succeeded on calling out to you?”

And you told me, “Hush now, Elaine. Just as all the other unbreakable promises, I’ll never leave your side again.”

I closed my eyes with a smile on my face.

It was already dawn, I dreamt of you and me, and suddenly I was bolt to reality. I opened my eyes and maybe it wasn’t a dream after all… for I can see you here with me, flesh and blood, alive and unchanged.

Now I believe miracles do really happen...