GOOD NIGHT, SLEEPYHEAD

Happy Reading! 'As usual I was about to go to school when I see him again, sleeping in the waiting shed of the apartment. I don't bother myself to look at him but something in my body that makes myself move towards him. I look at him clearly and touched his nose to know if he is in a deep sleep. I moved gently so that I won't disturb him from a deep sleep. I bowed a little and stare at him. "What kind of trip is this huh? You have your home but you keep sleeping here. You're making it as your hobby huh?" I just shook my head and turn away to go to school before i get late. The class has started, I saw him entering the room without saying anything and not even greeting our teacher. He's kind of person without emotions or even facial expressions, so that you won't be able to know anything about him. He's not close to us, he has no friends, and you can't see him talking to anyone too. He's such a loner, not actually loner. He had nothing to do inside the classroom, even writing notes, and even doing any activities. All what he did is just sleeps all the time of the class, but you know what's amazing? He can answer the questions of our teachers, when they call him to recite. Yeah, that's unbelievable. The issue that I've heard is that Lime is sick, they're saying that he has a problem in sleeping. I don't know if I will believe in that issue. I've always wanted to talk to him before but the last time I've tried, I failed, because he really don't want to talk to anyone. But every time I'm approaching him, I feel something that there's a part of him that he needs someone to talk to. I feel something that bothers him, something that he can't tell to anyone. I'm in deep thoughts when someone hits my head. "Ouch! That hurts!" I shouted. "You bastard--" "Ms. Gasendo!!" Voice of our terror subject teacher. I'm dead. I didn't noticed that she is now discussing. I smiled a little to her, and turned back my attention to Lime. He's the one who hit me. I glared at him as Ms. Platon called my surname again. "Gasendo!" "Yes, ma'am?" I replied as I looked back at her. "Answer this!" She said in calm voice but emphatically. I remained silent because I don't really know what the answer is. The silence remain in our classroom because all of us are afraid to be called by that teacher. Unluckily, I'm now in my almost death and it's because of that freaking Limer Mortejo. We will reckon later. The class dismissed, I immediately look for that freaking Limer. I will hit him too, at least to revenge for that embarrassments because of him. I saw him under the tree. Guess what he's doing? Of course sleeping. I went near him and look at his innocent face. He's always sleeping here under the tree, because it's the most peaceful place here in the campus. While I'm staring him, I remember the day that I saw him outside the apartment. He had his bruises on his face. Flashback... "Lime? What are you doing here? Your dad arrived awhile ago, why you're still here. You should go inside and greet him." I said even we're not close. I noticed that his wounds and bruises are serious. Where did he get that? Did he fight with someone? "Who cares? Don't even interfere in life of others. It's none of you business!" He replied coldly. He walked away and left me dumbfounded. It never came in my mind to stop approaching him even I know that its hard to be with him. Knowing that he really needs a friend. End of flashback. It's already eight in the evening, but still I'm not eating dinner. I lost my appetite when I heard someone outside my apartment. They're talking seriously. It's Mrs. Feli the owner of the apartment and Lime who's having a conversation outside. They're talking about something, I can't hear clearly so I walk towards the door to hear them. "Lime, why don't you go in States with your brother if he came back here next month. At least there is someone who'll take care of you there, unlike here." Mrs. Feli said. They remained silent for a few minutes when Lime speak. "Tell me a reason why should I?" "Look at your face, your body it's full of bruises and wounds. Is that what you want for the rest of your life Limer?" She said heavily. "Lime I promised your mom that I'll take care of you." She added. "That's why you want to send me in US? How will you take care of me, if you were here and I'm on US? Just tell me that you don't want me here anymore!" Lime shouted to his untie. "No Lime, I just can't tolerate your dad anymore. He is abusive, He's hurting you! I won't allow him to hurt you again." She said with her painful words. He's dad was hurting him? All of his wounds and bruises are all because of his dad? "No! I wont go in US. If you don't want me anymore, I don't care. I don't need you, all of you!" He said, then I heard his foot steps as he walks away. I'm still thinking of what kind of life did Lime has. He badly needs someone to lean on. When i felt hungry, I wear a jacket and go outside to buy foods to eat. I was about to go back on my apartment, when I saw him sleeping again. As usual, that's his hobby. I haven't even stepped on the first rung of the ladder when something came to my mind. I turned to him. "Did he ate already?" I asked myself. "Hays, I shouldn't think of him. He's nothing but a neighbor and classmate to me." No more words came out from my mouth, so I've just decided to take my one sandwich and soda in my eco bag and leave it behind him. In case he woke up, he have something to eat. I always bought foods for two, in case that I get hungry I have my stock foods to eat. The next day, Since I left the apartment and arrived at school, I haven't seen Lime and the food I left for him hasn't even been touched. He did not attend class until after the day. This was the first time he had missed the class. Even though all he does is sleep, I still miss his presence. Until the next day I still didn't see even a shadow of him, "Where was that man?" I whispered. Today is saturday so that there is no class. As usual, I visited my Mom and Dad's grave. I spend the whole day with them. At exactly 5pm of the afternoon when the taxi arrived infront of the apartment. There was an ambulance parked in front of the vacant lot next to the apartment, so I hurried in to see what was there. I caught up with Lime who was pale and as if he wasn't able to breathe well, he was leaning on the bench of the waiting shed and his eyes were closed. I approached his untie, aunt Feli, I call her Aunt because that's what she told me to call her. "Auntie, what's wrong? Why is there an ambulance outside? What happened to Lime?" I asked a series of questions. "Just one question please, we were from the Hospital, I took him there yesterday. I caught up with Lime yesterday morning, barely able to breathe. He was fast asleep and didn't want to wake up so I took him to the Hospital." She said worriedly. "I'll just ask, what's wrong with Lime?" I couldn't help but ask the question I've been wanted to answer for a long time. "Didn't I tell you before? Lime has a sleep disorder." She answered. "Sleep disorder?" I asked. "Yes, Sleep Apnea. I thought Limer was dead, because he would wake up when he couldn't breathe. Limer was sleepless every night because of his illness, he can't sleep well because he has difficulty breathing." Aunt Feli said. "It's noisy at night because of his snores, so I gave him his own apartment. But I always check on him to find out if he is okay." She added. "Sleep apnea?" I quickly typed on my cellphone to research what kind of disease it is. "Why is it that when he's at school, he's okay when he asleep, and then he can even answer in recitation. But research said here is that his memory is weak when he's sick like this?" I said. Aunt Feli just stared at me and smiled. "The doctor can answer your questions and I'm not a doctor, that's really good that he is in good condition when he's at school. So that I don't have to worry for him, and I hope you always keep an eye on him." She said. "It's very difficult to talk to Lime, he's avoiding people around him. I really don't know how to sympathize with him, especially now that I know he's really sick." I said. "Don't give up on him, Nadia. I know someday you two will be friends, a close friends." She said with her sweet smile. That day was over and I didn't bother Lime anymore because I knew he was tired. The next day, I came to his apartment. I cooked breakfast for two. I slowly open the door of his room. His scattered belongings opened up to me. I looked for him but he wasn't around. I immediately went outside to look for him but he is missing, not actually missing. I let him and went back to my apartment. The days had passed, I always do what I used to do. I bring Lime a breakfast every morning. We also go to school together. I don't know why this man suddenly changed his perspectives in life, he talked and ate with me. He always feels at home inside my apartment, He enter anytime he want even without my permission. But nothing changed when it comes to school, he's still sleeping in class. Sometimes his loud snoring disturbs our class, and I'm the one who apologize for the interruptions. "Hey, wake up there! We're going out somewhere!" I shouted to him as he lay down in the sofa. "Where?" He replied coldly. I heaved a deep sigh before I speak. "I enrolled you in a yoga class." I smiled a little. "What?" He asked again. "Yoga, it can help to lessen what you feel about your illness! What do you think?" I answered with a confident smile. "Hell no! You wish!" He said. "Why not?" I replied. "You know what, it's good for your health. Don't you want your illness to be cured?" I added. "I no longer believes that I can still be cured. This disease is gonna be the cause of my death." He said. "No, I know you will be fine. You have no choice, you're going out with me whether you like it not!" I said seriously. He had no choice but to prepare himself. Right after I went outside, he also came out. He's wearing a blue t-shirt pairing a jeans, with his white rubber shoes. He looks good, as if he wasn't sick. The surroundings seemed to slow down as he turned to me. The smell of him hitting me along with the wind, his round eyes, red lips and his muscular posture. It was the first time I saw him like that, he seems to be a perfect ideal man. "Hey!" His voice brought me back to sanity, I quickly fix myself. I immediately averted my eyes. "Did he saw that I'm staring at him?" I whispered to myself. "Oh yes, I saw that." He said. "Do you have a crush on me?" He asked mischievously. I bit my lower lip, "Let's go?" I said to avoid answering his question. "You're not answering my question yet!" He said as I was about to walk down the stairs. "Of course not!" Yeah he look handsome now, but I don't like him. Isn't it? "Really huh?" He said, as if he doesn't believe. His yoga session went well and after that we went for a walk around so that he could enjoy at least once in his life time. Its good that I made him agree to go with me, because he said he was sleepy. When we arrived to the apartment, he immediately went to sleep. The days had passed, the every week session of Lime resulted. He doesn't get tired often anymore, unlike before even when he doesn't do anything he always feels tired. Today is the day before Lime's birthday. I decided to surprise him tomorrow, and celebrate his birthday even just the three of us. I've been waiting for him outside his apartment, minutes passed but there's no Lime came out. I got worried, so I knocked on his door but no one answered. I went to Aunt Feli's house and asked if where is Lime. She just told not to worry about Lime. I went to school without getting worried about him, just like what Aunt Feli told me. I am complacent that Lime can handle himself. The class ended without Lime coming, so I couldn't help but worry because I knew he wasn't absent for no reason. "Even though Aunt Feli told not to worry, I felt that there is something wrong about." My heartbeat suddenly quickened. The last time I saw Lime was the other day because he left that day. I couldn't ask where he was going, because I was also in a hurry to go to the cemetery because I woke up late and I don't want to be stuck in traffic. I thought he was coming back today because he told me that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with me. "Maybe he was just in traffic, maybe he'll be home tonight or maybe he's in the apartment now." I hurried back home, as if I was eager to see him again . As I was walking home I really felt something was wrong. When I arrived in front of the apartment I stopped and heaved a sigh before I enter. But I didn't see him or even any trace that he had come. I looked at his room but there was no changes. I was saddened when I realized that he was still not here. I go back to my apartment, I lay down in my bed and stare at the ceiling. "Why he's still not home? Is he okay? What could have happened to him? There was nothing I could do to make sure he was okay. I would go crazy thinking about him." I said to myself. Minutes passed. Then suddenly there's someone knocking on my door. I was suddenly relieved that it might be Lime. "Wait a minute!" i shouted. He stopped knocking on the door. I hurried over here to see who was outside. When I opened the door there's no one, I went around but there was really no one. I was suddenly terrified when the wind blew very cold then I hugged myself. I go upstairs to the rooftop because I saw the light is on, but no one is there. I was about to go down when someone speak behind me. "So, did you missed me?", Lime's cold voice. I immediately confronted him, I don't know if I will hug him or what. "What? Are you just going to stare at me?", he said. "Lime, you're back! I was worried, I thought something bad happened to you.", I said frownly. "Nothing bad happened to me, I'm okay, I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about.", he said. He asked me to sit in the chair facing the sky. The sky was clear, full of stars and the moon was perfectly rounded and bright. "Would you miss me when I'm gone?" My eyebrows met as I look at him. "What do you mean?" Is he leaving to join his elder brother in the US? I noticed that Lime seems like having a trouble of breathing but he didn't show it to me. He remained silent, I just waited him to speak. Minutes passed but he kept not speaking . "Why did you asked?" I broked the silence. I looked at him again, he was just staring out of nowhere. "You know one day we won't meet again, or maybe tomorrow when you wake up, I'll be gone. Nadia tell me, did you ever loved me?" he asked then he looked at me. I was shocked by his question but I answered him quickly. "Lime, I love you and I will love you even more." I'm not yet done speaking then he suddenly interrupted me. "No, no, that's not what I want you to do. Don't love me, I don't want to hurt you." "I don't expect you to love me back, Lime." "I don't really want to hurt you, Nadia. You made me feel that I am still worth to be love. I don't want to give back your love because .." he said, "c-cause I will leave you soon." He continued as he heaved a deep sigh. "I don't understand you." "You won't understand, Nadia. Just stop loving me, I don't deserve that. You deserve someone better who'll be with for the rest of your life, and that wasn't me." He said without looking at me. "Is it hard to love me, Lime? Because that's what you mean, that I don't deserve the one that I like, the one that I love, and the one that I chose to be with even if I know it's impossible." I sighed. "If you are doing this because you want me to know that you're leaving then go ahead. I understand that you need to go to US, for sure I'm gonna miss you. This is life, there are people who come but there are also those who leave, usually it's just who they come they're the one who also leave." I continued. I can't help but let my tears flows down in my cheeks. I felt his hand touched my cheek. "Stop crying, this is not what I want before I leave you. How can I leave if I know you will be left like that." He kissed my forehead. "Nadia, I'll be back promise. We will meet again and on that day I'll make sure that I'll fight for you until my last breath." He said and smiles sweetly to me. " Maybe on that day we could finally find our happy ending." He added. I heaved a sigh, "I will wait for that day, Lime." I smiled bitterly. I notice that Lime is very short of his breath. "Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. He just nodded in response. "Let me rest, Nadia." he said weakly then he lay down into my lap. "Can we wait exactly twelve midnight? I would like us to celebrate your birthday. It's so romantic, isn't it?" we waited for a minute when my phone rung. Telling that it's 11:58 already. Last two minutes when Lime spoke again, "I can't wait, Nadia. I'm sleepy." He said. "Lime, just last two minutes then after that I"ll let you rest." I said while holding my cellphone. "Always remember that.." he stopped speaking and forced himself to breathe properly. Exactly 12 midnight. "Happy Birthday, Lime, I love you!" I said and kissed him in his forehead. He didn't bother to reply, "Good Night, Sleepyhead!" I added and took his hand to hold when i thought he was sleeping. His hand was cold as well as his whole body. I thought he was just resting but I was wrong, that was his last word, I didn't even hear from his mouth that he loves me as much as I feel . Even I'm really weak, I still check his wrist, he has no pulse. Lime was gone. The day he was born was also the day he left me. After we fixed Lime's funeral, I went to his apartment to clean and to reminisce our memories in this room. I took his things and place it properly. His room is a messed. One thing that caught my attention was the small box under his bed. I took this and look what's inside. An envelope containing a paper and moon necklace. I took and wear the necklace as I see my name in the paper, 'To: Nadia' a cursive hand writing of Lime. I can't help but my tears start flowing again. Since last night my tears aren't stopping. Even I try not to cry, it's still flowing. Nadia, I know this time your crying like a baby, and I know it's because of me. I'm sorry if didn't tell you that I'm not taking my yoga sessions anymore since my third week. Please don't get mad, I just don't want to make myself suffer anymore. My doctor told me not to give up, because he knows how much you' re willing to make me fine. You did everything and that's great. You know what, I'm getting fallin'. You're so beautiful, and genuine. You never give up on me, but I did. Don't get sad my love, I'm always beside you. Watching over you, just like what you did to me. My life became more worth and happy and it's all because you came into my life. You gave color in my life. I'm sorry if I have to leave you, I'm so sorry. I want you to wear the necklace incase you miss me, that's near to your heart. For you to always remember that I am always in your heart. I will never ever leave you again. I love you, Nadia. Love, Limer. "You will always be in my heart, Lime." I said holding the moon pendant of the necklace. "No one can replace you in my life. I love you too." °°°° I came back to reality when I felt the rain drops in my hands. Here I am standing infront of his grave, still wishing that he was still alive today. I wish I hadn't counted down at that time. "Lime, just last two minutes then I'll let you rest." A line that I hear over and over again every time I remember Lime, because I feel like that count down is for Lime's death instead of his birthday. Until now I blame myself for Lime's death, even though I know he won't be happy if I blame myself. "It's your birthday, of course your death day too. I still love you Lime and I'm still waiting for the day that we will meet again." I said and turned to walk away. Nadia turned and walk away from Lime's grave, and she did not notice a speeding motorcycle as it ran into her. END. ?️: yourimaginarypen?