6 I Can't Breath

The atmosphere these past few months were stiffling. The winds were blowing strongly with a harsh raging blizzard and even the days were dark and gloomy.

You would not be able to see anybody walking up the streets like the previous year. The people kept to their houses due to the cold but mostly due to fear.

He woke up feeling grim after only a few hours of sleep. He got up thinking that things were really not happening as he expected. He got dressed and proceeded to the hall for the war council.

The discussion this time was more on the evacuation of the people to the island. However, the din of the council dicussion was like buzzing to his ears. He can't concentrate on what was being reported as he was thinking more of her and the remaining days left that they can be together.

The council members understood his preoccupation. Majority of them also have family that will be evacuating but they all knew that this was the best they can do as of now. The council for that day ended after a few hours.

Once he entered his room, he was almost knocked over by her. They didn't talk. She just kissed him and started unbuttoning his clothes.

He immediately locked the door so they wouldn't be disturbed. She jumped up to wrap her legs around his waist and he proceeded to carry her to the bed.

He gently laid her on the bed while still kissing her lips. Raising his head, he stared at her for a few seconds feeling anguished of the future, and then he kissed her again as they removed each others clothes.

There were no words of comfort or promises exchanged in the few hours they were together. They both knew their futures so they showed all their pent up feelings through action. They got less sleep that night and come morning, they got dressed to proceed to their respective tasks.

He stared at her for a long time while they were at the door of his room.

"I know", she said and then hugged him tighter.

The hug got tighter and tighter and was getting suffocating until he really can't breath.

Cheng Yan suddenly opened his eyes. He was in his apartment, in his bed, panting because of the heavy weight on his chest. He looked in the dark and saw two eyes eerily glowing.

"Meow", it was Leaf on top of his chest scrutinizing him.

"Wh-what?!" Cheng Yan tried to speak and stared back bewilderedly at the cat. He kept gaping, confused on why the landlady's cat was in his room until he felt the cold.

Cheng Yan then noticed that he forgot to close the window last night before he slept. Cold air was seeping in his room and he shivered.

It seemed like Leaf decided to explore again outside and entered again via his window. The cat was probably mad because he didn't listen to what it's master had told him.

"But then you wouldn't have a way to enter again." Cheng Yan reasoned but the cat just glared at him.

"Okay, let me up." Cheng Yan said, still slightly panting.

He stood up to close the windows first and went to open his door so Leaf could leave. At the door, the cat stared at him for a few seconds before it turned and went down the stairs. He didn't accompany the cat this time as it can scratch the landlady's door so it could go back on it's own.

Cheng Yan sat back on his bed contemplating if he should still get some sleep. He was afraid he'd have the dream again. He turned on his bedside lamp and lied on his bed to read to pass the time. Maybe due to the past few days' tiredness, he fell asleep again immediately.

___

Cheng Yan woke up when his alarm rang. He was relieved that he had slept peacefully. He didn't want to dwell on his dream so he immediately got up and took a shower.

In front of the mirror, he thought of some things last night and his plan to change for the future. He decided to wear his contacts today for a different look and resolved to ask Wendy for another haircut. He was not yet ready to try a salon.

Wendy reprimanded him again of his open window last night. It looked like she knew of it because of Leaf but it was a good thing Cheng Yan didn't get a cold because of this. After the haircut, Wendy also adviced him on his clothes before he left.

It was already 11am so he decided to have lunch first before getting on the bus to his office. He went to a nearby restaurant that was owned by an old couple. He usually ate there as the food was really good and he often got discounts. The couple also treated him as family.

As this was still an early time for lunch, Chen Yan thought that he wouldn't have to wait for long for his order. The door chimes rang when he entered the restaurant and he could already smell the delicious food. Upon entering, he was surprised.