Chapter 6 : Missed

I am currently looking at the scenery in front while listening to the peaceful sound of the leaves slowly falling from the tree's branches due to the cold wind. I've been recently going to this place whenever I needed some time alone. It also really helps with letting my mind go through all my memories calmly. I sat on the edge of the cliff while looking at the dark sky. I never knew there was such a very beautiful place. And I never would have thought Joshua to be the one who loves this kind of places.

Speaking of Joshua, I haven't heard anything about him in the past two weeks. At the first week, I was pretty glad that he was no where to be found because I actually had a few things that I wanted to do. I was able to finish my books and draw a few sketches and sing a few songs with no one interrupting me. But when the second week came, I was really bored and was looking forward everyday to feel his presence.

I sighed and glanced at my watch when I finally saw a hint of bright orange on the other side. 5:41 am. The light from the sun slowly devours the darkness that the moon left. I just looked at them until I felt a very familiar feeling that I've been running away from. I felt bullets of sweat forming on my forehead. I quickly held my head tight and closed my eyes when I felt daggers of pain hitting my head. They were slow but deep, making me almost scream when I had a sharp memory passed through.

"Klaire, please.." He said. His voice was so familiar yet so unknown to me. He grabbed my hand and bowed his head. Something about him is wrong, which makes me wonder why I can't figure out his face. He was a tall man, I thought about that when he hugged me tight. My head was resting on his chest, while his head was resting on mine. I felt his tears fall down my hair. I heard the waves crash on to the sand. I thought that sound was about to calm me down, but when I heard his sobs, it felt like my whole world fell apart. To add up to his pain, I just shook my head. I also felt my tears when he kissed the top of my head. I pushed him to see him clearly but it was a fail. I looked around me and took a deep shaky breath to try and stop my tears. The place wa so clear to me, everything was. Everything but him.

He held my hand again to get my attention. I saw him smile a bit while looking lovingly at me.

"Klaire, please.. Take the drug for me."

I opened my eyes when I felt like I'm running out of air to breathe on. My heart is beating wild with the thought that I might die here because of lack of oxygen. I felt tears and sweat run down my chin as I try to catch for air.

A sudden question crossed y mind making me cry more.

Who are you? Why can't you show your self?

I cried my heart out as my head is asking so many questions. I just decided to get up when I knew it was time to go back because Carlo would look for me and I don't want another fight considering my current state. Going back to the hospital was not as easy as it used to . I get to stop whenever I felt sudden dizziness. When I saw the door to my room, I made sure I looked okay, without any traces of crying. I combed my hair using my fingers and tried to straighten my clothes that was a little crumbled out due to me sitting down so long.

I almost froze when I saw my curtains wide open and so are the windows. I'm pretty sure I left this room with all the windows, curtains or blinds closed. But that wasn't the main thing that surprised me. What left me wondering was the huge box that was laying down beside my bed. I slowly made my way towards it even though I'm scared that something might pop out when I opened it. Like a paper clown or something. I touched the lid and was about to open it when it moved that made me jump from where I am.

Damn! What the hell? I took a few deep breathes to calm myself down while touching my chest to feel my heartbeat. Calming my self took at least 3 minutes when I almost screamed my heart when I heard a small wimping sound inside. I gathered my remaining bravery I had and opened the box with my eyes tightly closed. I slowly opened my eyes when I felt that nothing happened.

I froze from where I am once again while looking at the creature inside the box. It was also staring at me with his tongue out while his head was slightly tilted to the left. I felt like my heart was gently touched as I look at the beautiful small creature in front of me. I reached my hand to pet it but I haven't reached it's head when it licked my finger. I think my eyes are all shaped like hearts now.

Bark! Bark!

It was a Siberian husky puppy that looks like it was only three months, more or less. It's (because I still don't know it's gender) fur was all white, like a baby albino lion. It has a bright red collar with a shiny silver pendant that was hanging on it's neck like a squished coin. I picked him up and like a cat, ( I got my hands under his armpits while the rest of his body was just floating in the air.) and took the chance to sneak a peek to see it's gender. "Oh, you're a boy! Is that why you're so cute?" I said and hugged him for a second before I looked at his collar when I noticed that there was something written on it. "Breeze." I read his name. He barked at me like he knew I just said his name.

I put him down so that he can sniff around my room and so that he can find his comfortable spot. I looked at his box to see if there are anything in it and right then I noticed a sticky note that was a little bit crumpled because it was under the spot that Breeze was sitting on earlier. I picked it up and smiled when I saw what was written on it.

My way of saying sorry

-Kuya

I never knew he would make such effort after he wrecked my guitar. He was so busy with meetings, appointments and other stuff regarding their album that is yet to be released. He hasn't come by in the hospital in three days and given his complicated and full schedule, I understand it if he wouldn't be able to visit me. This little thing he gave me was more than enough.

I called Breeze towards me and it took me a while before his attention was on me. He ran towards me happily and went and lay down on my thighs. I smiled with what he did. I have always been so soft when it comes to animals. Even if they did something bad, I would still think of the bright side of what comfort they give me that makes me forgive them easily. Each type of animal has a very large space in my heart that makes me so close to them even if they want to kill me like wild ones. I played with his ear gently as he drove his self to sleep.

"Carlo left you here all alone? That's not very nice of him, don't you think?"

"Wow, I just gave you that pup and now I'm the bad guy? You're welcome by the way."

I turned towards Carlo that obviously looked like he just got out from their practice. He went in and got Breeze away from me as he carried him in the same posture I did earlier. He looked at Breeze like he was something that stressed him out while the poor dog only let out his tongue and looked at Carlo innocently.

"You. You're a descendant of the soap factory right? You better take care of your master right there and keep a keen eye on her okay? She goes to far places without even telling me so if ever she will do it again, accompany her and tell me where that place is, understood?" Carlo lectured Breeze. The latter only barked twice like he knew what was their topic and like he understood it well. While I, on the other hand, squinted my eyes and tried to figure out what Carlo just said. Soap Factory? Did he got Breeze from a soap factory? Carlo looked at me like he knew that I had questions and he just smirked as an answer. "I named him after a soap factory, you see. Breeze. I was supposed to name him Pride but it just doesn't sound right."

I rolled my eyes at him while he let out a small chuckle. God, I should not have asked. I wonder where Carlo get those ideas. I looked at him again when I realized something. "I thought animals are not allowed?" I asked. It is written and said in the hospital rules that any type of animals are not allowed within the hospital premises. He looked back at me again with a shocked expression and then a curios one later.

"What? Why are you here then? Aww!"

I threw him something that I grabbed when he said those. Luck was just wasn't with him because what I threw him was a toy slash theeter for Breeze. It was a bone shaped toy that was made out of thick ropes. Good thing that Breeze wasn't the one that was hit because with the force I gave on that thing, I'm sure it hurt. Breeze suddenly went alarmed when he noticed that things were flying and suddenly wants to get down from Carlo's grasp as soon as possible. Carlo put him down and gave me a death glare. He looked at the small mirror on the wall and looked back at me with the same glare. "If I got a bruise, I'll tell my manager you're at fault." He threatened. I'm not scared at all, is it because I'm not scared of him or because I'm pretty sure that his manager won't believe him when he tells. Hello? That manager has a crush on me.

"Psh. Like you can." I said. "As I was saying, what happened? How did you manage to sneak a huge box that contains a dog without being checked?"

"Well, I had a little chat with the head of the hospital and told them that you could lessen your stress if you have a stress reliever. A pet, I said."

"And they agreed?" I asked again.

"Duh. Of course." He said, his voice full of arrogance and confidence as he did. I rolled my eyes because of his tone. Now that I realized it, Carlo is a bit bossy when it comes to something he wants, so a thought of him maybe threatening the hospital staff to allow him to get Breeze came to mind. But I also just shrugged when I remembered that no one (besides me) would dare reject something that is said by Lovelost's famous lead singer. My attention went to Breeze when I felt him lick my fingers. I smiled when he looked at me and barked then went chasing his tail.

Carlo, on the other hand, jumped on my bed face first after removing his sweater. He groaned in satisfaction when his he felt the comfort my soft bed gave him. He seems tired. He only changed his position, I mean he changed the way his face faced the pillow but his body was still hugging my mattress. His eyebrows were furrowed as his face says the word "Annoyance" as he try to sleep with Breeze's loud noise.

I got up from the floor and went inside the bathroom for a quick shower. Carlo's voice was louder than the shower noise when he tries and disciplines Breeze. I just found my self laughing as I enjoy to hear every word he's saying.

"Breeze! You're too loud!"

"Let me sleep, please!"

"Hey shut up! You're not the one up all night for three days just finish a damn album!"

Breeze did no stop though. He continued barking at Carlo in the thought that the latter was playing with him. When I was done laughing, I decided to wear my clothes go outside to

Naligo ako saglit bago kinuha si Breeze na paikot-ikot sa kahon niya. Binuhat ko ito at lumapit kay Carlo na natutulog.

Gigisingin ko na sana siya para mag paalam. But I saw how tired he is from working on that new album so I just left a note like I always do.

'Just call'

The guards must have known of Breeze, because some of them are nice to even pat his forehead while I was walking through the hall. I just simply smiled at the nurse who opened the back door for me and went out.

I sat on the cold metal seats of the swing and put down Breeze. Buti nalang at dala ko ang dog treats na nasa box nya. I looked around the playground when I felt the wind.

This is my kind of peaceful. Quiet place, fine weather, many trees, oh how I love this kind of place.

I stayed there until 10am. Thin clouds block the sun's rays as if they knew I didn't have anything to cover my head from the heat. Breeze was a good conpany. I tried to train him basic tricks, like, 'sit', 'lay down', 'roll over', and 'shake hands'. As expected, Breeze is smart. Madali niyang nagawa ang mga tinuro ko. It was getting a little hot so I decided to go back inside.

I stood up and let Breeze follow me along the way when I saw a part of the playground that I've never been to.

"Hindi pa naman ako nagugutom. Gusto mo ba tumambay muna Breeze?" I said as I walked towards the huge mango tree. The branches are spread so wide and the huge roots is as tall as Breeze.

I chose to rest there, since it was a great spot. I sat quietly while Breeze went behind the tree, probably searching for a place to pee.

Bark! Bark!

"Breeze, come here." I said as I close my eyes. I felt him lay down on the right side of my legs.

Nanigas ako sa pagkakaupo nang makaramdam ng isang tao na tumabi sakin. I remained my eyes closed and let him think that I am sleeping.

He rested his head on my shoulder while I tried so hard not to move.

"Klaire." He said. I opened my eyes and a deep blue one appeared in my sight.

He was looking at me, head remained on my shoulder and back against the tree.

"I missed you."