91 Birthday (1/2)

The two of us left the mall not too long after finishing our meal at the cafe. Like expected, the temperature outside was pretty chilly but not anything to unbearable for it was merely autumn and not winter time. Since the time was 7:00 P.M., most people had left work. Therefore, the plaza was pretty packed. There were still the same groups of people as before, but now, there were office workers who had came to shop with their colleagues as well as couples who had came for a date.

To others... would Luna and I look like a couple? I thought as we walked past the many pairs of couples and their public displays of affection.

”So I guess we'll be heading our separate ways now.”

She turned to me as we finally arrived onto the sidewalk by the main road. She then held out a hand towards me, gesturing for me to hand her the bags that I was carrying for her all while maintaining a cheerful smile on her face. I stared at her outreached hand, and sighed. I shook my head as I took out my phone to summon for a taxi.

”What're you doing?” she asked with a slight tilt of her head.

”I'm calling a taxi,” I said as I navigated the taxi app. ”I'm not letting you take the train home by yourself while carrying all this stuff.” I then locked the screen on my phone as I placed my request on the app and a taxi was enroute. ”I'll go with you.”

”...” She blushed as she stared into my eyes. Then, she laughed and smiled peacefully. ”You're so considerate,” she whispered. ”Thank you.”

Once the taxi arrived, the two of us boarded the automobile. Then, we were off to Luna's place of residence.

It wasn't a very long drive since Luna lived in one of the tall buildings by the Helliger River. Along the way were beautiful skyscrapers and tall concrete buildings that reflected the sinking sun with their many glass windows. On the road, the street lights were on, illuminating the sidewalk as well as the main road for automobiles. As the world darkened, the light from the interior of the many stores also shined brightly on the side of the street.

After about ten minutes, the taxi arrived at the foot of the building where Luna resided in. I got out of the car with Luna while carrying the plastic bags containing the items that she had bought and allowed the taxi to drive off. As for the taxi fare, it'll be automatically deducted from my wallet.

Luna seemed to notice my intent to carry what she had bought up to her house, so she waited patiently for me by the automatic door that led into her building.

”Let's go,” she said with a smile as she entered the building with me following close behind her.

The last time I had came to this place was late at night. Therefore, everything appeared different and alien to me at the moment due to the fact that it was still dusk. However, that didn't bother me from recalling what floor she lived on.

Therefore, after entering the elevator, my eyes darted over to the smart monitor by the elevator door and watched as Luna entered the floor she lived on. Like I expected, it was the fortieth floor. The doors then closed and the soft elevator music began playing as we ascended the building and away from the ground.

Like the floor my house was on, each floor in Luna's building harbors two houses. Once we arrived at the fortieth floor, Luna got out first and headed to the door on the right of the short hallway to unlock the door to her house. She then held the door open for me as I brought the bags into her house and placed them on the floor.

”That should be everything,” I said as I let out a sigh of relief after freeing myself of the burdens that I had carried for the entire day.

”Thank you,” Luna smiled as she surveyed the multiple sturdy plastic bags that I had laid down on the floor inside her house right by the doorway. Then, she took a deep breath and looked to the side while maintaining a slight blush on her face. ”You want to stay for a cup of tea?” she asked. ”My parent's aren't home...”

Her words surprised me, causing me to lose track of what I was thinking beforehand. I stared at her embarrassed face as she fidgeted about on her feet and I immediately understood what she was implying. But... but I can't bring myself to do so.

I looked down at the floor as I fought with the devils within me. I was afraid. I was oddly afraid within myself that if I were to stay, then our relationship, this harmonious relationship that we shared will all change. I do not think I'm ready to face whatever consequences our new relationship will bring, let alone the many hardships that will lie before us.

”Nah,” I finally said with a forced smile on my face. ”It's getting kinda late and I don't want to keep my aunt waiting.”

”Is that so...” she whispered. She seemed somewhat disappointed, but a second later, a smile reappeared on her face. ”Then see you later.”

”See you later this weekend or Monday during the school trip,” I said as I turned my back towards her and started walking out the door. However, her voice made me pause for a brief second before leaving.

”It'll probably be Monday,” she whispered. ”I have to go to the hospital over the weekend to get my condition checked.”

”Alright,” I simply whispered as I closed the door behind me, leaving the girl alone to face the difficulties and torment her disease had brought onto her.

When I reached the ground floor of her house, I was extremely fatigued. I initially wanted to get a taxi home, but I then reminded myself of all the money that I had spent today. With a sigh, I forced myself towards the nearest train station. I didn't think much of what I did on my way to the station, and it was only when I was seated on the train and staring out the window as I traveled to Lumina Station that I was able to regain my ability to think.

I thought back as to why I had fled from her, why I had declined to stay a bit longer. Maybe if I had stayed a bit longer, things might've progressed similar to what we were talking about in the lingerie store. I might've been able to fulfill Noah's prophecy. However... for some reason I didn't. I decided that it would be best if I were to leave before anything happened between the two of us and our relationship loses its purity.

Why did I leave? I was afraid. I was deadly afraid like I had stated earlier about a change in my relationship with Luna. She's someone who shall die soon in the near future, so it shouldn't be as big of a deal, but to me, it was a major deal. I was afraid that if we were to have sex, I wouldn't be able to forget her once the time does come for her to leave this world. I fear that I might be tormented even more if I were to become even more attached to her. Therefore, I ran away and neglected what Luna might be thinking. It must've taken her a while to consider the situation and decide to ask me. However, because of my own fears, I ran away leaving her feeling empty inside.

I'm such a selfish scum... Someone like me doesn't deserve happiness... Someone like me doesn't deserve to have her.

***

With great melancholy, I entered my house. The lights were on since Loriana had returned home from work already.

”Welcome back,” Loriana smiled as she saw me enter through the entrance. Her gentle countenance lingered about in my brain, and served as a momentary escape for me from my melancholy. ”Did you have fun?”

”Somewhat,” I responded. Then, I started towards my room in order to change out of my school uniform.