The Moon Symphony

Third

I know I was in the temple, but what happened? Why am I back here in my house? 

"Peter? Are you up?" I heard my mother calling me. 

I ran down as fast as I can and hugged her so tight. I can't help myself and started crying. 

"Are you okay, Peter? Why are you crying?" Mother asked, rubbing my back to comfort me. 

"No, I just had some dream. I'm sorry. I'll take a bath first." 

I rushed towards my room and lay down on my bed. Is it a dream, but everything felt so real. I looked at my arm, but the mark is still there. 

What's happening? 

I took my phone to check the date and time, and it was April 26, a day before I got into the accident. I still can remember clearly the time that I lost my life. 

What is the meaning of this? Did I got sent back by the Moon Goddess? Thinking about things made me crazy. 

I closed my eyes and tried to clear my thoughts. Everything that happened so far in the Orient Seas keeps running on my mind, especially that one person. 

Of all people, why Apo? 

I just stayed in my room for a couple of hours and did nothing but think. Then my phone rang suddenly. I did not bother checking the name that appeared on the screen and answered it immediately. 

"Hello," I said. 

"Hello Peter, can we talk?" The man on the other line said. His voice was so familiar to me. 

"T-third?"

"Yes, are you okay, Peter? If not, we can talk some other time." He said, his voice sounded worried. 

"Uhm, I'm okay, sure. I'm free this afternoon. We can meet at the cafe that we usually visit." I said. 

"Okay, I had something to tell you, but I want to say it to you personally." 

"No problem. Let's talk about that later. Okay?" I said, my voice trembling. 

"Okay, thanks, Peter. Take care, see you."

Everything started to flashback, the things that happened between us. Third and I was childhood friends, and we both know each other for a long time. Our parents are best friends, and that's how we met each other. 

We have been together for a long time, and we had the same school, same interests. I did not notice that after such a long time, I will develop feelings for Third. I don't know how it started, but if just felt it suddenly. I hid the fact that I like him because I don't want to ruin our friendship. I even dated girls to get my attention to other things, but It did not end well. I know what I did was not right.

As time went by, after graduating college, my feelings for Third got even more solid. That's why I decided to confess to him about my feelings. It took me a lot of time to gather up my courage. 

To be exact, before I died and got transported to the Orient Seas, this was the same day I confessed my feelings to Third. I guess I have no choice but to go through rejection again. 

Later that night, I went out of the house and went to the cafe I suggested to Third. I miss this feeling, the city lights, the everyday things. I was seeing people moving around like busy bees. It was nothing compared to Bulan. After all, this was the place that I grew up from ever since.

It was 7:30 in the evening when I arrived at the cafe. I ordered my favorite drink, caramel macchiato. I moved to the second floor and sat down at the table near the window. I wonder if how will my friends in Bulan react if they see this. I wish I can take them here too, or my family to Bulan. 

I still don't know why I am back here, and I'll go with the flow. 

Three, two, one. 

Third appeared from the stairs, wearing his favorite red jacket and a black cap. He waved and walked towards me. The scent of his cologne entered my nose, and even he was not near me yet. It was the smell of the dawn, and it's calming. 

"Hello, Peter. Did you wait for long?" 

"No, I just arrived here," I said and smiled at Third. 

"Do you want anything to eat?" 

"No, it's okay. I ordered coffee already. How about you?" I asked while looking at him. 

"I'm good, and I'll have coffee too." Third raised his hand and called the waiter, ordering some coffee. 

Third removed his cap, revealing his features. He still looked handsome, but why does he look like someone I know. Third's prominent nose, his charming eyes, and his red lips. 

Maybe this is the reason why I feel so familiar with Apo. Apo and Third looked alike! The difference was Apo's tanned skin from the sun, his hair with streaks of gold, and the shade of his eyes. Apo's eyes were golden, while Third has a shade of dark brown. 

What's the meaning of this? Why do they look alike?

"Peter, are you okay?" Third asked and reached out for my hand. 

I immediately pulled out my hand, and he showed a confused expression.

"I'm sorry, Third. I suddenly felt dizzy." 

"Do you want to go home now?" Third asked. 

"No, I'm fine. So what do you want to tell me?" I asked. 

He looked at me in the eyes and reached out for my hand again. He held it gently, and I felt the warmth of his hands. 

"I've made my decision, Peter."  

Here it goes, I'm ready for the second heartbreak. 

"I don't know how to respond to you after telling me that you loved me. I was afraid at first of what will happen between us, or I might end up hurting you. But after thinking for some time, I realized that I was looking for you too. Something in my heart tells me that I should not let you go. I did not notice my feelings for you, but I love you too, Peter." Third said, his voice cracking up, and he was about to cry. 

Wait? What is this? It should not be like this. Third should have said sorry and left me now. 

I felt my heart was beating like crazy, and I don't know how to react. I looked at Third, and I can feel his sincerity. I'm getting confused by the turning of events. 

"Third, sorry. I'll go to the washroom first, okay?" I said and hurriedly stood up. 

I walked as fast as I can and closed the door of the restroom. My heart was still beating so fast, and I can't explain my emotions. I don't know if I should feel happy or what? 

If this is real, then this is so good to be true. I scratched my head because of the confusion.

What happened now is not real! This confession is not valid. I suddenly felt dizzy, and everything around me was swirling. I fell on the floor, and my consciousness is starting to fade. 

I can hear someone knocking on the door. 

"Peter, open the door! Peter!"

-

I don't know what happened next, but I can hear a familiar voice. 

"Ayari, wake up! Yari."

I opened my eyes, and I saw Apo, his face close to mine, looking worried. He was holding me in his arms and touched my chest to feel my heartbeat.  

"Apo, I'm fine," I said and touched his face. 

Thank goodness, I thought something might have happened to you. Apo said and hugged me tightly. 

"Hey man, I can't breathe," I said and tapped Apo's shoulders. 

"I'm sorry," Apo said and let go of me.

He helped me to sit down after that. I suddenly remembered that before I lost consciousness, I was wearing nothing. I fell, my face flushing, and looked down there. I cloth was covering that part, and it was Apo's cape. 

Thank goodness. 

"Can you tell me what happened? " I asked him. 

"I saw you were bathing in the moonlight, and the surge of energy was going strong. I sensed a fluctuation in the flow of moonlight, and your body started to reject the light. That continued for several minutes until the flow began to move back to normal." Apo explained. 

"I thought you were okay at first, but I rushed towards you when I saw you fell. You must have passed out because of the absorption of the power. While you were sleeping, I can hear you calling someone's name." 

"Wait? Who am I calling?" I asked. 

"You kept on repeating Third. Who is that?" He asked.

I almost choked after hearing that name. I told him that it was now nothing. Apo believed in what I had said.  

I stood up and properly wrapped the cloak on my waist so that it will not fall. I don't want the thing down there to be exposed. I moved back to the gem and pulled out the necklace. The pendant turned black, and I can't feel anything from it. 

"It must have exhausted its energy, and it looks like your cultivation was successful," Apo said. 

I closed my eyes and felt the flow of energy. Apo was right, and everything was stable. Let's try my abilities now. I put my hands up and aimed at the open area of the cave. I concentrated the moon energy, and I felt the pressure was incredible. 

Moon Array!

A beam of light exploded at my hand and exploded in the night sky. It was too bright, and the energy was too powerful, shaking the foundation of the cave. The spell I used was only a low tier, but the output was unbelievable. 

"Apo, I did it!" I shouted and ran towards him.

I hugged him so tightly because of the happiness that I am feeling right now. After a few moments, I realized that Apo just stood there, letting me do what I want. 

"Oops, I'm sorry, Apo. I was delighted with the improvement I had."

"It's okay, Yari. As long as you are happy." Apo said and patted my head. 

"So, do you want to go home now?" Apo asked. 

"Sure, let's go," I said and gave him my sweetest smile.