The stars are shining

"I've finally found you!" Xuan Ti exclaimed, Happy. He hugged Phoenix tightly. Happiness filled his whole body. Longing that has been hidden for so long, bursts to the surface. There are no words that can describe the joy he is feeling right now.

"Xuan Ti, I can't breathe" Phoenix said struggling to breathe, Xuan Ti hugged her too tightly, making it hard for her to breathe.

Xuan Ti snorted and instantly loosened his embrace. "Sorry, I was so happy and excited, because I finally found you. I've been looking for you all over the universe." He replied still hugging Phoenix, his face hiding in the crook of her neck.

Phoenix, breathing a sigh of relief, she smiled then stroked Xuan Ti's back. "Yeah, I'm back" she added in a wet hoarse voice.

After a few minutes they let go the longed, both of them let go of the hug. Big smiles appeared on their faces.

Xuan Ti cupped Phoenix's cheeks, with his thumb he wiped the tears that rolling down her cheeks. He wanted to say something, opening his mouth but no words were heard. He didn't know what to say. There were so many things he wanted to talk about that he was confused about where to start.

The sparkle in her eyes that he had wanted to see for so long was now in front of him. His thumb still caressed Phoenix's cheek even though there were no more tears there. He just wanted to feel the soft skin of her cheeks that he has long not touch it.

Phoenix's eyes were puffy, her vision was blurry, even though she had stopped crying but there were still a few tears welling up in her eyes. She was happy to see Xuan Ti standing in front of her.

Xuan Ti finally managed to control himself and broke the silence that had been hanging between the two of them. "You want to go back to your residence?" he asked in a voice that had returned to normal, firm and authoritative.

Phoenix shook her head which made Xuan Ti, frown. "Let's go back to the palace" said Phoenix, her voice sounded soft and melodious. Like a bird singing in the morning.

"But Hai Zian said you had promised him to play with the birds from this forest in the backyard garden of your residence" Xuan Ti reminded. Actually, he wanted to spend time with her. There were many things he wanted to talk to her about. Just like before. Every time he met Phoenix there was many things for stories to be told to her.

"Let him come, pick me up later" she answered simply, not wanting to waste any more time in this forest. Because the cold night wind made her body cold.

"Come, then." Xuan Ti gripped Phoenix's palm and intertwined their fingers. with a smiling face at her. The next second they were back in the palace, not in the dining room but in the guest room where Phoenix was staying.

***

The night sky was dark, but not so dark because it was filled with stars that adorned the night sky above the palace. As if adding to the happiness between Phoenix and Xuan Ti. The stars shine brightly on each other. It's like a race to see who can shine the brightest.

People thought that tonight the sky would be dark, cloudy. Because it was a rainstorm that happen is the contrary. The people of the yellow kingdom stood at the windows of their respective houses enjoying the beautiful night sky. Because this rarely happens.

People wonder, what the hell happened that tonight the sky the stars appear and shine brightly.

Phoenix and Xuan Ti, standing on the terrace of the guest room. Just like other people. They looked up at the sky. Smiling happily at each other. Enjoy the night sky.

Xuan Ti hugged Phoenix from behind, both arms wrapped around her waist. Even though he had put on extra clothes to escape the chill of the night, he thought the night breeze was still cold and he didn't want Phoenix to feel cold.

"I think the stars are happy for your return" Xuan Ti suddenly exclaimed and chuckled. Warm breath, as it blew out of his nose. Causing a wisp of cold air to float in the air, but in an instant, it disappeared into the night breeze.

Phoenix didn't reply to Xuan Ti's words, she just smiled a little, her eyes still on the stars in the sky. Like a child screaming happily while trying to count how many stars are in the sky.

"You know, I drank the dew of dreams and hopes, twice, even though I have recalled my past life, but I still feel something is stuck, like there are still parts that I don't fully remember," Phoenix's words sounded cold in her ears herself. She had hoped for a reply from Xuan Ti, but after a long time no sound came from him.

"Do you know how I left my life as a Phoenix? what caused me to leave?..." Her voice paused for a moment. "I don't think my time was up yet." This time the words sounded like a dagger that flew hissing in the air and then pierced the target that was aimed at by the sight.

Xuan Ti, gritted his teeth. His jaws tightened, holding back his emotions. That was also what he had wanted to know all along, and he had not gotten the answer until now. he couldn't even ask her. Because he knew Phoenix had not fully remembered her entire past life as a phoenix.

In between his thoughts Phoenix voice sounded again "How long I had been disappearing?"

Xuan Ti's brow furrowed. 'Disappearing' does she remember what she did before she disappeared? No way!' for now he just wanted Phoenix to spend her days full of happiness during her stay in the palace. He will give whatever she asks to make her Happy and forget the darkness. Because after she drank the dew drops from it, in her eyes he still saw a glimmer of darkness.

"What do you mean disappear?" he asked more clearly.

"You said earlier that you had searched for me all over the universe, and you were so happy that I could remember you again, after drinking the dew earlier. that's a sign I didn't leave my life as a phoenix according to my life spend time. So, it can be concluded if I disappeared. Do you know why I disappeared?" phoenix explained with the last sentence she asked. She was still standing with her head held high looking at the stars.

Hearing Phoenix's explanation, Xuan Ti only transfixed, he didn't know the answer. So, he couldn't answer the question.

"Qing-qing, you just come back I'm very happy, how about we spend time together like we used to, tell me, where do you want to spend time with me, I will take you there" he said carefully so as not to make the phoenix suspected that he was avoiding the topic she was discussing.

"I haven't told you either, there are many stories I want to tell you." Xuan Ti let go of his hand that was wrapped around Phoenix's waist. his right hand holding her wrist "Come, the wind is very strong tonight, I don't want you to catch a cold later".

Phoenix's feelings were raging, she wanted to quickly solve the bad feeling that was bubbling up in her heart. Like shards of glass shattered on the floor, the shards if pierce by the feet or hands, would stab into the flesh, making it bleed and ache. She wanted to put the pieces of glass together but how? If it can be fused, it will not be as complete as before the glass was broken.

On the other hand, she also didn't want to make Xuan Ti sad, because she knew that he had already gone through many obstacles while searching for her. Not to mention that he has a duty to fulfil from the celestial emperor.

In the ends he gave in, but for now. She will definitely solve this problem. She made a determination in her mind. She followed Xuan Ti to lead her back into the guest room.