She held him tightly, resting her head on his chest. While he stroked her hair and they both looked at the sky, silently. Letting the soft gentle breeze blow pass them. Time passed, and Ryan looked at his wristwatch. It was midnight and the air was cold.
"Aria" he called her, but didn't get any response. "Aria" he called her again and she let out a low sleepy rumble. "Are you asleep?"
"I'm very sleepy" she mumbled with her eyes closed.
"Let's go home"
"I'm tired. I don't want to go back, this place is very nice" she mumbled again.
"It's late already, so let's go" he stood up but the girl still kept her eyes closed, muffling sleepily. He made her stand but she fell on his body and wrapped her arms around him. Going back to sleep.
Ryan sighed. She's acting like a child now. "Aria, you can't keep holding me like this. We need to go back" he told her, but she didn't say a word. But he knew she was listening. "Should I give you a piggyback ride to the bike?"
She immediately lifted her head to look at his face and then she smiled. "Yes"
He gently removed her hold from him, and crouched down. She just stood there blushing like she wasn't the one being sleepy just now. Ryan craned his neck to look at her. "Hurry up, Aria" he told her, and she immediately climbed his back. Wrapping her arms around his neck. He lifted her up, and walked away up the slope. He was slow and careful so they wouldn't fall. Though she didn't have much weight, he didn't want to hurt her.
Aria sighed, she was smiling while her eyes were closed. She loved this moment. Being carried like this by her boyfriend is so beautiful. "Ryan..." she started talking sleepily "Mum use to carry me like this from school, and I would always sleep on her back until we get home" she said "She..she was my only family. But then she left and never came back. He took her away from me"
"Who.. took her away?" Ryan asked.
"A demon" she answered. "He took my mother away. He killed her before she could come back to me" his jaws clenched. Knowing a demon killed both their mothers. Why do they have things in common anyway?
"I really miss my mother. I miss her so much" she mumbled again. And then she craned her head to look at the side of his face "Ryan, do you miss your mother?" she suddenly asked. He hesitated, he didn't know what to say.
"I can't miss her, because I have no memories of her. I could only wish I could spend time with her, even if it's just for a minute" he answered, and then put her down since they have already reached the bike. He wore the helmet for her, but she just stared at his face.
And then she opened her mouth to speak, "Ryan...you... you would never leave me right?" she suddenly asked again. And his hands stopped. He looked at her. "The demon in my nightmares said... you would leave me. He's lying right? You won't leave me too, right?"
He stared at her, he knew she was scared of going through pain of losing someone you loved. "I won't. I always be with you" he answered.
"Promise me"
"I promise" he didn't hesitate to make a promise to her. She smiled and then kissed the side of his lips. Before she climbed the bike. He too climbed after wearing his helmet and she held him tightly. Going back to sleep again.
Once they reached the house, he gently carried her in his arms and walked towards the house. He then leapt from the ground to the balcony, and then walked into the room. Gently, he placed her on the bed. He took off her shoes slowly, afraid to wake her up. And then he tucked her under the sheets. A few stray strands covered her face, so he gently moved them away. He stared at her face for a long while, while his heart thudded slightly.
Stupid! Stupid, stupid! He cursed himself. Imagine how he ruined a love confession. All because he has no courage, jeez! The great Ryan has no courage to say those three words to the woman he loves. The meteor shower and the buckwheat which meant gentle love, and....the soft breeze.... It all went for waste. Damn you, Ryan! You're such a coward.
His face had turned sour as he cursed himself, so he took a deep breath. It's not too late yet. He can always say it some other time. He sighed, and then his phone vibrated. Pulling it out of his pocket, he checked the message. And then a wide smile went to his face. He looked at the sleeping Ari, already anticipating her twinkling eyes when he gives her the surprise he has been planning. Just you wait.
*...*...*..*
The sun peeked through the curtains and her eyes fluttered open. Aria rose up and rubbed her eyes and then a smile went to her face. It's today. That special day of the year. It's today! She looked by the side, Ryan was not in bed. She wondered if he even knew.
She climbed down the bed and hurriedly rushed to prepare for the day. She happily styled her hair and applied makeup. Today was her day, she had to doll up. As she dressed, a knock was heard and quickly went to open it.
"Happy birthday, Anna!!" the duo outside wished her with a wide smile.
"Oh my," Aria covered her mouth, overwhelmed "You both remembered"
"Of course, of course. There's no way I'll forget your birthday" Zariel spoke.
"Come come, we got a few things for you" Leonel said as they pulled her outside. She was smiling widely and her eyes twinkled. Waiting in anticipation to see what they got for her. They went down the stairs and into the living room, and her eyes grew wide like saucepans. The living room was decorated with red and white balloons, and tiny red bulbs, giving it a dark but bright interior. There was a cake on the table, and few bottles of wine. On the dinning table, so many foods were arranged. Including her favourite juicy steak, and even fried chicken.
"Oh my god" she exclaimed, her eyes seemed to get misted. "Are all these for me?"
"Yes, of course. It's our Anna's day today. Surely, we have to do a lot" Zariel spoke.
"Oh...thank you. I have never celebrated my birthday this way. I'm so overwhelmed" her eyes had long crescents and her mouth watered. But then she remembered something.
"But... where's Ryan?" she asked.
"Oh, he got a call so he went out to get something. He'll be back very soon" Leonel told her, and her smile widened. She assumed he knew about her birthday, so he went to get her a gift.
"C'mon now, it's time to make a wish" Zariel said. They walked to the table where the cake sat, and after singing the birthday song, she made her wish and blew the candles. Of course, they both heard her wish, and it was still the same as being with Ryan forever. They both had a huge smile on their faces when she made her wish. They cheered after she blew the candles, and just when she was about to cut the cake, they heard the beeping sound from the door as the password was keyed in.
And then Ryan walked in. His steps slowed down to nothing when his eyes caught the scene. The cake, the lights, the foods, the design....His gaze darkened, the air went stuffy.
His voice came. Dark and cold "What is going on here?"