Chapter 16

Scenarios swirled on my head, the same scenarios my mind played when I saw the keyring and the picture.

Same clothes, the same voice, and the same man with a vague image.

"Take this, this is your favorite, right?" the man whispered.

The same line my partner muttered this night.

"Hmm, that's my favorite, but that's yours. When I take that, you have nothing to eat" I saw myself pouting like a kid at him that made the man chuckled.

He pinched my cheeks, "Silly, I still have a lot of food and it looks like I won't run out of it so eat it" he said and put the chips and pesto on my plate.

I still see myself thinking twice but then proceeded in eating the food.

Who are you? Why are you able to hurt me with that memory even though I can't see your face?

"Hey, are you okay?"

I repeatedly closed my eyes and saw my partner reaching for the water while anxiously looking at me.

"Yeah" I rasped and I took the water and quickly drank it.

I excused myself for a while to go to the powder room. I removed my mask and wiped the edge of my eyes that were slightly shining because of the tears brimming.

I rubbed my chest when I felt the pain caused by my suppression of emotions.

I was about to go back inside when I heard faint voices from the men's cr. Based on their voices it seems like they are arguing.

"Spare her. Don't hurt her anymore, just hurt me if you want but not her, not my princess"

I smiled when I heard and recognize from his voice the love and care for someone maybe dear to him. She is lucky because there is a man who is willing to accept the pain for her just to save her from hurting.

I decided to leave the place but my steps halted when I saw a serene and tranquil garden, instead of coming back I chose to just stay there while waiting for the event to end.

I don't want to get a headache and see vague scenarios in my mind anymore, it makes me desperate to know who that man is and I am afraid of what I will know and find out.

From here I could hear the music that made the garden even more beautiful for it sounds like a mellow one in soft music.

If I will dance with the person I love, I will choose this place. The vibe is more romantic. I love the tranquility and serenity of this place.

I was in a daze when fireworks bombarded the sky with its colors and played in rhythm and sync with the mellow music reverberating inside. I closed my eyes and savored the moment but then I stopped what I was doing when I felt a soft fabric wrapped against my eyes preventing me to see how beautiful my surroundings as of the moment.

"You're here " he started and whispered in my ear and I felt his hand caressing my shoulder that made me shiver in excitement and it sent a voltage of tingling sensation all over my body.

"Who are you?" I calmly asked the reason for I do not feel any fear towards him.

I felt him hug and swayed me, "Is that still important?" he answered with his disembodied and brittle voice.

"Of course. How can I meet you if you don't introduce yourself?" I was right but I did not hear an answer from him instead I felt our body getting closer and his head squeezing my neck.

"Even if I introduce myself to you, you will not remember me" I felt sadness and pain in his voice.

Did I also hurt him? Like Theo?

"Can you please remove this? My boyfriend might see us, I don't want him to be jealous and hurt"

I could feel the heaviness of his breathing and the dripping of hot liquid on my shoulder.

Despite he is crying, I heard his slight laugh.

"I wonder, how does it feel to be cared for? It feels like centuries had passed the moment you cared and worry about me" with that his voice broke more.

He hugged me even tighter as the acoustic version of Say You Won't Let Go soared.

"I don't know how I can accept to myself that you belong to him now" I remained silent because the lyrics of the song and even his words sank deeply into my heart.

"From the beginning, you promised me that you are mine and you will not let go"

"But now? I don't know if you are still mine or you are now his"

I felt the urge to face him and remove this blindfold but every time I do that, his hold tightens.

"Don't peel it off of your eyes, I know you will be hurt by what I am doing especially that I am telling you this"

Silence mediated between us but the romantic vibe plus the erratic beating of my heart never fade. When the chorus of the song played, he uttered the words I once wished to be told to me personally.

"Wherever you are,

I will always be there,

Watching you from afar,

Ready to be your savior,

And your one and only knight in shining armor, my love" he kissed me fully on my lips as I turned deaf to my surroundings but I could hear how my heart sang in joy and contentment.

After a minute, he let go of my lips and held my face before kissing my forehead, and with that, he let go.

I quickly removed the cloth from my eyes as I was freed from his grip and searched for him but I could not find his shadow.

I fell to the floor weakly and like a child, I grabbed my knees and cried.

Why is it like this? Why do I feel right being close to him even though he is not my boyfriend? Why is it emptiness is rooted deeply?

I cried harder out of frustration when vague scenes started to play in front of me.

The same man I longed to know and meet.

I see myself smiling at him as if there is no tomorrow and the kind of stare I have on him is as if he is the only person who is important to me.

"Happy birthday, Ishi" I saw myself rolling her eyes when he greeted me.

"I thought you already forgot about my birthday" I saw the latter wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Why would I? I will never forget everything about you and especially I won't forget the only princess in my life" once again, I saw myself smiling widely before hugging him.

He supported my child version and they dance happily even without music, I can see the joy and happiness on my face as if I was given my favorite food.

Why did I forget him? Why do I seem to be reluctant to remember that thing? Those scenes? The scenes I can say I am happy with?

I felt weak again and even before I completely lost consciousness I saw a man rushing towards me.

I smiled bitterly, I thought you were going to be my savior but why didn't you come to me now? Now that I need you?

I tried to shout to ask for help but I failed when pain suddenly struck me and darkness completely took over me.