Between Dreams And Distance

The moon floated low in the night sky,displaying a silver glow across the rooftops and branches of the mango tree that stood like a guardian at the center of Anthony's house. The world had gone silent, the kind of silence where every chirp of crickets and distant barking of stray dogs were heard loud and clear,it was like the night itself was holding its breath. The stars glowed faintly,spread like abandoned diamonds across the dark sky above. Anthony sat at the edge of the long wooden bench beneath the mango tree. His hands rested on his knees, looking restless,his eyes stuck to the faint glow of his wristwatch. 9:pm. “She would soon be here,” he whispered to himself,though his voice killed more hope than affirmity and certainty. The sound of footsteps reached his ears,it was as if the wind had answered his thoughts. The small gate gave a little creak and Anthony's chest beat when he saw her. Sophia walked in like a shadow,her reflection and shape was illuminated by the moonlight glow. She wore a red top scattered with tiny white stars and diamonds,it was as if she had plucked the night sky and tied it around herself. Her hair was neatly arranged into a loose bun style and it made Anthony stare, even though she didn't wear makeup,he had never seen her that beautiful and he hadn't seen anyone more beautiful than her. He rose quickly to his feet. “I thought you weren't coming again,” he said, trying to act cool but relief came out from every word. Sophia smirked. “I almost didn't. My mum was deep in prayer and I had to sneak out before she noticed.” Anthony laughed silently. “One day, she's gonna catch you during one of these night adventures.” “She won't,” Sophia said confidently as she walked toward him. She sat down beside him on the bench,the distance between them was far too small for his racing heart. “I told her I was tired and went to bed, but I couldn't just sleep,not tonight. Not when you are leaving tomorrow.” Those words hit him harder than he expected. He had thought of Stanford,the admission and scholarship,the joy in his parents eyes,his future awaiting him across the ocean but sitting here under the mango tree and the moonlight,the only thought that truly mattered was Sophia. Anthony had known her since childhood. She had been the laughter and joy that broke through his silences,the smile that spoke louder than words can express. The world always felt a little lighter in her presence. For a while,they said nothing, just listening to the crickets' sounds and the croaking of frogs from a distance. The moonlight painted the dusty floor around them, making it shimmer like scattered glass. “I'm going to miss this,” Sophia whispered suddenly. Anthony turned,his voice was low. “This or me?” They paused,a silence so thick it made his heart beat faster. Then she said softly, “Both.” Her eyes met his and time stood still. The fragile wall they had built between friendship and something deeper began to crumble. “I don't want us to drift apart,” Anthony admitted. “Distance changes people.” “Only if we let it.” She straightened,her eyes holding his firmly. “Let's make a promise.” “A promise?” His eyebrow raised. She stood and stretched her hand,her palm open in the air between them. It was the same gesture she used to make when they were 10yrs old, whenever they swore to keep each other's secrets. “Promise me that no matter how far apart we are,you won't forget this, Tonight, Us”. Anthony's chest tightened as he slowly stretched out his pinky fingers and locked it with hers, sealing the memory with a gesture that had carried them through childhood. “I promise,” he said softly. “Say it like you mean it,” Sophia teased him, but her voice trembled a little. He breathed in. “I swear, Sophia. I'll never forget you. I'll call,I'll text, I'll do everything to stay close. You are not just a friend to me,you are..” He stopped himself,his heart was already pounding,the words he wanted to say was too dangerous to finish. “I'm what?” she insisted gently. Anthony chuckled to cover his slip of tongue. “Too important to forget.” Sophia smiled, although there was something fragile about it. She looked up at the sky, focusing her gaze at the moonlight. “Then let the moon be our witness,every time you miss me, just look up because I'll be looking too.” For a brief moment, Anthony really wanted to tell her the truth that she had already become the most important person in his life. That he wasn't sure if Stanford or even the world could mean so much to him as she did. But he swallowed it back and he thought some feelings were too heavy to set free under the moonlight sky. Sophia eventually pulled away,she glanced towards the gate. “I should get going before my mum wakes.” Anthony nodded reluctantly, watching her disappear through the gate, leaving behind only the faded echo of her words. He lingered under the tree,his mind replaying every second of the night. He thought of her laughter,her promise,the way her eyes has held his as though they belonged to each other. “Why do I feel this way about her?” He whispered into the night. “Why do I feel like more than a friend?” His thoughts were interrupted by a soft tap on his shoulder. It was the maid. “Sir, your dinner is ready.” “Dispose of it,” Anthony muttered. “I don't feel like eating this night.” She nodded and left. Now he was alone again,his gaze drifted back to the moon,the same witness Sophia had spoken of. Before he could dig deeper into his thoughts,his father's voice called from the house. “Anthony,come inside.” Anthony obeyed, stepping into the warm glow of the living room where his father sat with a glass filled with wine. “You've grown,” his father began, studying him with serious eyes. “At eighty,you are no longer a boy,life will test you now,at the university,out there in the world. It won't be easy , you'll meet temptations,dangers,drugs,gangs even people who live in darkness. But I trust you will not fail us.” Anthony straightened. “I won't, Father. I promise.” His father's stern face softened. “Good, remember, your mother and raised you with values so hold on to them.” He paused, sipping his wine again. “It's late. Go rest,my boy.” “Thank you, Father,”Anthony said quietly. Upstairs in his room, Anthony showered and lay on his bed ,his phone in his hand. No message from Sophia,he placed the phone down, switched off the light and whispered into the darkness; “Too important to forget.”