Chapter 4 – Back to Reality
Don't tell me it was just a dream?
She was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Memories of the old man and his words running through her mind…
…Each day gone by is a lost chance…
"How can I make good use of this chance then?" – She whispered to herself.
She sat up and sighed in frustration – "He's probably still mad at me…"
Victorique stood up and walked around the room, stopping by the window. She looked outside; the weather was fine, just like any other summer day…
"What if…? That's it!"
She changed her clothes, brushed her hair and picked up two small flowers that were growing near the window, putting one in her hair and carrying out the other with her. She left her bedroom and went to the kitchen; she knew he'd be there.
And she was right; he was preparing breakfast. She watched him from the door…he seemed to be back to his normal self. He hadn't noticed she was there yet and she made sure he wouldn't, trying not to be caught before she was ready to look into his eyes. She took a deep breath and walked in slowly…
"Kujo"
A few seconds passed and yet there was no response from him. Just when she was about to call him again, he said coldly not turning around – "Good morning, Victorique"
That caught her a bit out of guard; Kujo has never acted cold toward her. Despite feeling a bit hurt, she knew he had reasons for that and decided to try once again – "Kujo, I…I need to talk to you"
"I'm listening"
"Could you look at me?"
He stopped what he was doing and turned around to face her, their eyes met. They faced each other for a while and no one said a single word. She had prepared all she wanted to say but just by looking at him her mind went blank, his eyes impatient. She wanted to speak but nothing came out. Her petite body started to tremble slightly in nervousness and her eyes became watery.
"K-Kujo…"
She bit her lip and lowered her head in order that she could hide the tears that made their way down her cheeks. Kujo was, in fact, angry. However, when he realized she was crying his heart broke into a million pieces. His impatient eyes were replaced by worried ones and his voice was no longer cold but soft as it always was.
"Victorique, are you okay?"
She didn't answer. He approached her and kneeled in front of her tiny body, trying to catch a glimpse of her face and asked once more – "Are you okay?"
"S-sorry" – she apologized as she tried to wipe her tears away – "I…I'm sorry for last night…"
His eyes widened in surprise. Is Victorique really apologizing?
She looked up a bit to meet his eyes and blushing, she extended the small flower to him – "Will you…forgive me?"
He smiled at her words and took the flower. He made a gesture for her to come closer and so she did, kneeling in front of him. He put the flower next to the other one she had in her hair and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, so that he could give a better look at her face.
"I think it looks better on you" – he said as he placed his hands on her moist cheeks. He brought his face closer to hers, they closed their eyes and then…
…their lips touched.
It was gentle, it was sweet, and it was passionate…just like love should be.
When they parted, he kept his hand on her cheeks and caressed them with his thumbs. He touched her forehead with his'. They remained like this for a while…
"I wonder why you, of all things, had to be my weakness…" – he whispered as he embraced her in a hug. She hugged him back and rested her head in his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"And still, you're the one I…" – he stopped – "the one I love…and that's pretty annoying"
She didn't protest. He stroked her hair tenderly and she allowed herself to enjoy his touch, clinging to his shirt.
"Kujo…" – she asked shyly – "Is always this good to hug someone?"
"I guess so…" – he answered, hugging her tighter – "Especially if it's someone you like…"
"I see…" – she said – "I've lost so much running away from this feeling…I hope it's not too late"
"It's never too late" – he said, kissing the top of her head – "I know you're hurt…and that there are moments you're taken by pain…but if you let me, I'll hold you until the hurt is gone"
"Do you promise me?"
"If I haven't said this yet, then listen: if it's for me, you're never gonna be alone again. Even if you weaken and let go of me, I won't let you fall"
"As if I'd weaken…" – pouted Victorique.
He chuckled – "Let me just cherish this moment with you…"
And they spent some time like this, no words, just in each other's arms.
"I'm hungry, Kujo…"
"Yeah, I was expecting that…"
They let go of their embrace and stood up. Before he could go back to prepare the breakfast, she asked – "Today's your day off, isn't it?"
He nodded. "Why?" – He asked.
"Well…I was wondering if you could take me to that river you told me about…it's a nice day after all, we could go for a picnic…!" – She suggested.
"Are you asking me out by any chance?" – He asked in a playful tone.
"C-call it whatever you want! Anyway, it was just a suggestion…stay at home is always an option" – She said embarrassed, her cheeks in a lovely shade of red. She turned around and the headed to the door.
He grabbed her arm before she could leave – "Surely, I'd love to take you there"
She gave him a smile. "You should smile more often…" – he said patting her head fondly – "it makes you look even more beautiful"
Her face reddened as a pepper and she slapped his hand, not with her usual rudeness though. He chuckled – "I see, the old Victorique is back"
"Idiot…" – she mumbled – "It's your responsibility to bring the new Victorique to life"
"You mean that now I'm allowed to do it?"
"Yeah" – she replied walking towards the door, then looking over her shoulder – "You better keep your promise!"
"It'd be an honor to become my lady's heart!" – He said courteously.
"Take good care of this Monstre Charmant, please"
"I will" – he promised – "but before, would you help me with the food for the picnic?"
"Uhum" – she cleaned her throat – "That's up to you. I had the idea, you work on it"
"Hey, that's not fair…!"
"One can't have everything in a day, Kujo!"
"So you mean that since you got a hug from me, you won't get any raspberry jam sandwiches…at least not today"
"You wouldn't do that, Kujo…!" – She said, turning around to face him.
"Maybe I would…" – he said teasingly.
"You're an idiot, really…" – she complained as she dressed an apron. He laughed at her complaints.
"Is it so bad?" – He questioned, looking at her.
"It could be worse…" – she admitted. He lifted her chin and kissed the tip of her nose and then her forehead. "At least there are a few rewards…" – she said blushing. He smiled.
They were almost finished preparing the basket, when Kujo asked – "Is there a reason for you to want to go to that river?"
"Now that you ask…" – she said – "Do you believe in miracles, Kujo?"
"We're together despite that prophecy of the great storm…I can consider it a miracle"
"You're right. We've come so far, after all…"
"Yeah…but why are you asking?"
"Well…" – she uttered – "That thing about the moonstone and all…"
"You mean the part you said it could reunite quarreled lovers?"
"In the end, it turned out to be true…" – she said timidly, taking one of his hands in hers – "I'm not perfect, Kujo… but I want to work on a forever with you"
He gave her a warm smile and held her hand, pulling her to the yard along with him. There, he picked a red rose from one of the bushes and kneeled in front of her, not letting go of her hand he declared – "My golden butterfly, I give you this rose as a proof of my love. Let's work on forever, you and me, starting now…each day a new step, a new battle, a new proof we love each other. Everything is nothing without you in my life; before you fly away, allow me to make you mine…!"
She put a hand over her mouth, her emerald eyes widened in shock. After a few seconds, just when she thought there were no more tears to shed…
"Idiot Kujo…" – she said smiling brightly – "You're supposed to propose to me on suit and tie, not in an apron…!"
She took the rose in her hands – "I've been yours ever since I was born; Just save some love for tomorrow…as you said, we're just getting started"
"Don't worry" – he said as he stood up – "Today I love you more than I loved you yesterday. Still, I love you less than I'll love you tomorrow"
"What kind of philosophy is this, Kujo?" – She asked in a tender voice.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought his face closer to hers – "Philosophy of a fool in a love…I love you, Victorique"
She stood in her tiptoes and gripped his collar, making him bend his back a little so that she could whisper in his ear – "I love you, Reaper"
He gave a light kiss on her neck and then stared into her eyes – "If this is a dream, don't wake me up…ever!"
"I wouldn't…but this is real, I know"
He reached for her lips and was welcomed by them…
Miracles are a reality; but we shall not just wait on them, but also make our moves. It's not only a matter of belief or faith but also of determination to achieve it. Life itself is a miracle…it's up to us to make good use of it.
*moe moe overdose*
Still can't believe I wrote something like this...Sorry if this was too much for you guys, thanks for reading anyway ~~ o/