Under the chilly breeze of that night, he knew he had fallen for her.
He validates this idea in the way her smile sends a mini electric shock in his system.
The way her hair gently grazes her cheeks, how the pitch of her voice soothes him, and the mere idea of simply being near her... was enough to knock him upside down.
She had been with him for as long as he could remember.
They shared popsicles and scraped knees. They dug out worms and seashells. They practically did everything together.
'Why just now?' he pondered.
She was glowing. Her stride somewhat like bubbles, bouncing and very light. Those eyes of hers held him with a silent promise as she dragged him away from the crowd.
Like a sucker that he is, he gave in and let himself be led to who-knows-where.
Then, her stride came to a halt. He followed. Eyes too focused on how her body spun in front of him.
"Ready?" she asked.
"For what?"
Her lips formed into a cute pout as her brows furrowed.
"Impatient, aren't we?" she said succinctly.
He fought the urge to lean down at her teeth worrying her plump lower lip.
"What is it?" His voice coming out to more of a hiss.
She beamed and in that milisecond, he lost his breath. Slowly, her hands took his and entwined their fingers. He was fixated at the sight.
"I---"
"There you are! I was wondering where you guys went!" another voice floated behind him.
Abruptly, she freed her hands from his and bowed her head. He looked back to the girl approaching them, a wave of irritation threatening to surface.
"The guys are putting off the bonfire. We're about to leave," the newcomer informed them with a smile. They just stared at her.
"Uh? Am I interrupting?"
"No, oh no, It's fine." She was the first to speak with her hands linking on the other girl's arm. She faced him, her eyes lost the glow she had a few minutes ago.
"Let's go."
...
"Where is she?!" he screamed, as he saw her. His eyes wild and cheeks red as he came to her. His hands reached out shaking her shoulders desperately.
"I went to her room. It was empty. There was nothing. No note," he rasped.
Before saying anything, she took a good look at him. He was crazed like a kicked puppy and it broke her heart to be the one to break things to him.
"She left," She spoke as gently as she can.
"No! She didn't!"
"Yes, she did," She willed herself not to wince at how hard his nails were digging on her shoulders.
"You're lying! Tell me where she went. I'll go to her. Tell me where----"
"Can't you understand?!" She said in a voice that was louder than her liking.
"She left us! She didn't want us to know where she went!" And with this, she couldn't help but to let the silent tears drop one by one. The trembling she fought so hard to still conquered her. Her knees felt weak underneath her.
His hands let go of her shoulders and she crumbled on the floor in a weeping mess.
...
"He misses you," she whispered.
"I know he does."
"You know you could make him better."
"I know."
She coughs. Then, it turns into sporadic hacks.
She was contemplating if she needed to buzz for a nurse but her right hand raised up.
"It's fine," she manages to say. Another gulp of oxygen steadies her. She pauses.
"No, You are not."
"It's for the best."
"He's turning into a mess."
"Then, why did you stop us? That night... At the beach?"
She lets go of her frail hand, suddenly repulsed by it.
"I------" She bowed her head low as she was at a loss of words. Frail hands took hers and squeezed weakly.
"You, too, knew it was for the best."
There was no contempt in her voice. Her head shot up.
"I was selfish," She sobbed.
"We both are," her dried lips ghosted in a smile.
...
"I'm sorry," she spoke.
"I understand," he said dully.
His eyes focused to the girl lying on the bed. He observed numerous tubes with liquids jotting to and fro her body. Her hair limp and scattered under a bony head. Her eyes were closed. The translucence of her skin made her glow. It reminded him of her bubbly stride, her playfulness, her high-pitched voice, and her signature smile in that beach on that night a few years ago.
For the second time, he realized how far he has fallen.
"Please forgive her," the girl behind him broke him from reverie.
"There's nothing to forgive."
"Why are you saying this?! This is too much! This is----"
"I love you, too," he spoke.
She ran out of the room.
He felt a lone tear fall on his left cheek.
The heart monitor turned into a flat line.
