91 Birthday

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.

"Did you eat yet?" she then asked me.

"I ate something like two hours ago," I answered as I stripped myself of my school uniform and change into my indoor clothing. I carefully laid out my school uniform so that I would remember to have them cleaned later on since I'll need them during my school trip that's coming up on Monday. Then, I left my room and returned to the living room once again.

"Alevian," Loriana said as she greeted me. She was standing by the dining table which had a white box on its surface. "Happy birthday."

She smiled as she lifted the top off the white box to reveal a birthday cake underneath with candles lit already. I stared at her in surprise, but she didn't seem to be affected by it. Rather, she gestured for me to come over and blow out the candles.

"Make a wish," she said as she smiled and watched me.

I closed my eyes, but I didn't know what to wish for. Who grants wishes? Is it God? Because if so, I know whatever wish I make will not come true because that God is probably too busy playing video games at the moment to care. So why bother making a wish? I wasn't entirely sure, but I did it out of tradition.

May Luna's disease be cured... I muttered in my heart as I opened my eyes and blew out the candles.

"This cake..." I said as I observed the make of it. I took in the beautiful frosting and the chocolate decorations as well as the many pieces of fruit that rested on top of the cake in an artistic manner. Although simple in its making and design, I had saw this exact same cake on television in the past. "You've planned this?"

This cake was from one of the most famous bakeries in Palisia. Usually, one would have to make an order about a month beforehand. That tells me that Loriana didn't just buy this cake today out of impulse. Rather, she had placed an order a month ago.

"Can't hide a single thing from you," she sighed as she shook her head.

Then the doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting the wholesome moment between the two of us. Now who could this be? We never get any salesperson coming to our door due to the locked entrance of our building that can only be unlocked through the digital key in our phones. Therefore, it must not be an outsider.

"I'll get the door," I said as I walked over towards the entrance to our house, leaving Loriana to stand by the dining table and watch from afar.

I took a deep breath and swung open the door. Outside, it wasn't anyone suspicious. Rather, it was someone that I knew.

"Muria?" I muttered the name of the person waiting outside.

"Happy birthday," she said with an apathetic expression as she held up a flat rectangular box that was wrapped in wrapping paper with a ribbon.

"This is..." I accepted the gift from her. Then, I looked up and saw that she had turned around and started for her home. However, I stopped her. "Wait!"

She stopped in her steps and turned around to face me.

"You want some cake?"

***

Even though Loriana and I both had a slice and I had also given two slices of the cake to Muria to take back to her house, one for her and the other for Mura, there was still about a third of the cake left. Since we were unable to finish it all, I had placed the cake back in its box once again and kept it in the refrigerator for future consumption.

I had insisted to wash the dishes and utensils used but Loriana stole the job from me, saying that I should relax because it was my birthday. Therefore, I stood behind her as she washed the dishes in the sink. Meanwhile, I held the gift Muria had given me in hand and began unwrapping the wrapping paper.

Inside was a box containing a video game that I was thinking of buying. I stared at it in surprise, wondering why she knew this was the game that I was looking to get. Then, I remembered that I had briefly mentioned it in one of my few conversations I shared with Loyd and Zaksus in the club room.

She actually listens to what I'm saying... I thought.

I then realized that she must've went and bought the disc after school since during fifth period she didn't even know that it was my birthday. After discovering this fact, my heart felt warm inside by the effort Muria had given just to get me my gift on my birthday.

I then brought my hand to my heart and was surprised when I felt something dangling there. I looked down and saw the key necklace that Luna had given me earlier in the day. I stared at it and thought back on the day I shared with Luna. Immediately, I was confronted with mixed feelings. The day was honey sweet while also being extremely bitter in the fact that it presented me with great melancholy and sadness for Luna's inevitable fate.

"Are you happy today?" Loriana asked as she wiped her hands on a towel as she finished with the dishes.

I nodded my head in silence, knowing that if I were to speak, I would betray the fact that I was extremely bothered by something. However, I knew that no matter how hard I try to conceal it, Loriana will always sense that something was wrong with me. Therefore, with a sigh, I gave up my attempts at containing it all within me and sought comfort from Loriana.

I approached her and hugged her, feeling the warmth and softness of her body that acted as a tranquilizing medicine for me. I then breathed deeply, smelling that calming scent of her body.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" I asked in a soft voice.

"..." She stared at me for a second before smiling and burying my face in her chest. "Of course."

My face was met with the softness of her breast and I closed my eyes, feeling extremely safe and protected here in her arms.