"Navi dear."
I heard my mother softly whispered as she kisses my cheeks and forehead.
"I'm going now. I have to leave. I'll pick you up on Monday. Okay?" I opened my eyes and smiled at her. "Alright mom, be careful," I mumbled with a still sleepy voice.
"Of course. You too honey. Make sure mom takes her medication on time," she reminded me before fixing my blankets on top of me. She waved her hands, said her goodbyes and some reminders before leaving my room.
I laid down again and was about to shut my eyes to slumber when a star visible through my window caught my attention then I heard a voice, "Your mother is as sweet as ever."
I winced and look at my desk where he's sitting backward on my chair. As soon as I looked at him, recalls from last night came back. I felt stiff and nervous.
"You! How did you get here? How did you come in?" I settled up urgently and looked for some things that can be used as a defense. I then saw the guitar that I brought with me in the trunk of the car. I reached for it and glared at him.
He smirked and plopped his head on his elbow that's lying on the top of the chair. With that limited movement, I felt my heart racing. No stop racing! That guy is a trespasser, what is this? Mama, I'm in love with a criminal?
"Who-Who are you? What do you want from me?!" I slightly raised my voice to threaten him. He looked at me and giggled.
"You're still so cute," he grinned. Is he provoking me? I stayed on guard and continuously glared at him.
"Ah, I still haven't introduced myself that's right." He paused for a second and smiled charmingly.
"My name is Jack Wade, I'm a Star Spirit. As for what I want, one thing for sure is... you," he said staring directly at my eyes.
It was silent for a second like I couldn't comprehend what he just said.
"Eh?" The only word that came out of my mouth.
"I said my name's Jack, a Star Spirit assigned to make your wish come true, and I want you," he replied.
"Eh?" I even had to tilt my head as if question marks are coming out of my head.
"What part of it did you not get? I said, I. Want. You." He smiled and I could see rays of light from the smile alone.
"Eh?" It was again silent. Once his word caught up with my brain, "What nonsense is that?" I retorted.
"It's not nonsense, I'm telling the truth it's up to you to decide if you'll believe it or not," he shrugged.
Is he crazy? I could feel my browse twitching then I heard footsteps coming.
"Navi? Are you okay? Is something wrong? I could hear you screaming." My mom rushed to my room and opened the door harshly with a knife in her hand.
"Mom!" I eyed her, I felt relieved. I then pointed towards my study table to him. She looked at it ready to attack with the knife but then looked back at me confused.
"Yes?" My mom asked. What does she mean 'Yes?'
"That boy barged in. Isn't it trespassing?"
"Boy?" My mom asked and stared at my study table and I could see the visible bitter confusion on her face.
"Yes!"
"Navi..." My mom looked at me worriedly.
"That's scary, don't scare me," she said her eyes terrified.
"No mom look a boy is sitting on my chair. Do you want me to describe him? He is incredibly handsome," I said.
"Thank you very much," He smirked not bothered and possibly enjoying what's happening.
My mom looked at me like she has solved a mystery.
"I didn't know you were desperate to have a boyfriend. Do you want me to find a decent one for you?"
"What? No!/No!" I shifted my gaze to Jack. His brows almost meeting each other as if he was betrayed. His hand was in his chest as if he was being dramatically hurt.
"Oh, then... Don't tell me," she even gasped. Both of us, Jack and I looked at her waiting for her to speak up.
"Honey, I mean it's okay to have imaginary friends but don't you think you're too old for that? But don't get me wrong. It's okay to have a creative mind, there's no discriminating in this household so you can keep it up," she smiled and gave me a thumbs-up, even winking her right eye.
I looked at her weirdly and confused. Mom, are you sure I'm the one who's being weird here?
"What? Mom no. I don't have imaginary friends," I frowned at her and glanced at Jack who I believe is thinking about something and then he felt somehow weirded out with himself.
I then heard him sigh.
"Navi there's no point. I'm a spirit, a Star Spirit. Only you can see me considering as I said I'm one of the factors that can make your wish come true." He explained with a sudden poker face.
"Just imagine that you have special powers that no one else has," he added to make it more clear.
"Then... Navi, do you need to go to the hospital? Did you have a bad dream? Or you just needed to go to a mental hospital? Or are you being hunted by a ghost, do you need an exorcism?"
I looked back at mother. She seems to be enjoying her own guessing game.
I peeked at Jack who seems to be thinking and my mom who keeps on guessing. What the heck is happening?!
This isn't what I imagined happening at all... I just wobbled my head and chose not to think about it. I have loads of other things to think about.
Jack appears to be benign if what he's saying is true then I have lots of questions to ask. He did say something last night that he'll answer my question once I woke up since it was too late that time.
"Oh or, or-"
"Mom, don't worry. It's nothing, I guess I was just tired. You can go now. Thank you for being here," I smiled at her gratefully to console her.
She looked at me and checked me with her hand on his chin, "You do seem drained. Alright honey, rest. I love you, I'll get going, I was just making food for the car ride." She closed the door after giving me a flying kiss.
After she left a question unbelievable appeared.
"Navi, since you're the only one who can see me. Doesn't that make me imaginary, since you can visualize me and there's like a core in your brain to see me or something that no one else has? Doesn't that mean I'm your imaginary boyf- I mean...friend," he said.
I gave him a weird look. Is this what he was thinking about? Because my mom asked that?
"Are you harmless? Like you said you're a spirit right? Then are you going to possess me or something?" I asked ignoring what he just said.
Just to be certain. Better be safe than to be sorry even if he is undeniably handsome, looks can kill.
"I'm a spirit not a ghost, I can't possess anyone even if I can, I won't."
I hesitantly looked at him.
"I won't hurt you Navi, I would never. If I did, I'd rather cross the underworld," I could feel his sincerity and seriousness but I was still cautious.
"I'm sorry my name is Navier, why are you calling me Navi?" I asked. Jack sighed and stood up from the chair and walked towards me. He stopped in front of me and slightly bent down to reach my eyes.
"Navi. I told you we've met before, we've been with each other long before you lost your memories," he smiled and sat on my bed beside me. I was shocked to learn about this information.
"So you're saying that I've met a Star Spirit before I lost my memory?"
He stopped for a second then answered, "No, I was not a spirit before. I'm a human just like you."
"What?" I asked still confused.
"I died, in an accident. Before my accident, I made a wish to a star but my wish wasn't fulfilled that is why I was given a chance to choose to either go to paradise so that I can be reincarnated or fulfill my wish first," he explained.
"Then what was your wish?" I asked and he looks at me and grinned mockingly.
"I can't tell you if I tell you it won't come true~" He teased. I hit him and was surprised to discover that I could touch him.
"What? I can touch you? I thought you're a spirit? And why can't I know, you know my wish," I pouted. Why am I even pouting, are we close?
"I'm a variable to make your wish come true it'll be weird if you can't touch your... Friend," he said seemingly annoyed at the word 'friend'.
What? If he doesn't want to be my friend then don't, I'm not forcing him.
"Are you being forced to make my wish come true? If you are then-"
"No of course not. I wanted this. you could say it's a part of my wish," he interrupted before I could even finish.
"Then, I clearly remember my wish saying, friends, plural. Why is it only you?"
"Am I not enough?" He asked jokingly.
"You're more than enough..."
I felt like saying it somehow but of course, I didn't. I just blinked like a cow.
"I'm joking, and yeah we'll meet them halfway."
"Do you know them?"
"Of course their 'our' friends," he said openly.
Our friends, it's weird but at the same time, I felt intense happiness. I've never even met them nor do I know who they are but I'm excited.
"Are they also star spirits?"
"Hmm yeah. They're... The best friends, the perfect one for your adventure, no for our adventure," he smiled, he was about to hug me but stopped midway and contain his composure back.
"Anyways it's still early. I can explain other things later. Even though I'm your friend, a friend needs to have rest too, and I'm a star. I don't have that much energy at day so..."
"It's okay, it's not like your my guardian angel so you can go. I'll see you soon... F-Friend," I awkwardly said.
His face showed a dissatisfied expression but soon shook it off.
"Alright," He replied and walked towards my window that's now open like he's controlling it and took a step on the window's border.
"Hey! What are you think- oh you're a spirit you can float or something right? No need to worry then shoo! Get out," I hurried him.
He looked at me in disbelief but then smirked, "Sure let's just forget how you cried for me last night, yeah, sure," he teased and I could feel my face heating up remembering how I cried in front of him. Oh right, I was about to ask about that too but he hurriedly said his goodbye.
"Then, I'll see you later... my Navi," he said and black particles surround him as he slowly fades away.
"I'm not yours!" I lowly yelled as I tried to catch up with him by running to the window but he was long gone. It was now quiet.
I glanced at the sky and four stars shone brightly as if it was greeting me. In a second another star appeared near them, it shone just as bright as the others.
I wonder, are those the stars that will accompany me through my journey. Are they going to be my friends?
Unknowingly, I smiled and the stars slightly moved as if they're delighted to see me.
Who knew this would happen to me? Everything is like a fantasy, probably like a dream though It's not like I'm complaining but...
I'm excited!
******
Hippos and horses are actually distant relatives!!
"Good morning Grandma!"
I greeted her joyfully, it is now 8 in the morning and today's sky is a blue-grey brindle with the softest accents of white.
"Oho, what's happening, my Navi? You look delighted. What's going on?" She asked with excitement visible in her tone.
I sat beside her and hugged her tightly. She kissed my forehead and patted my head.
"It's nothing, I just felt that everything will become interesting from now on."
"Oh my Navi, you truly are growing up. you can expect the future now," she said jokingly as she wiped her non-existent tears. I then took the chance to confirm.
"Grandma, did I have a best friend before?"
"Oh? Why ask so suddenly?" She asked as she got away from my hug and puffed my cheeks.
"I am just curious," I smiled, intended to hide the reason. She then leaned on me and started.
"Well yes, you do. Do you remember when you were a kid? I'd say about 4 years old, you made your first ever best friend, every day she would show up to this very house and you'll play together. You would even nag if she has to go home," she told happily.
"What's her name? Where is she now?" I curiously asked.
"Ah Navi, you see, you two grew up together though you were separated for 5 years your friendship bloomed, even in high school you two were inseparable. She's an active girl who's always by your side... Unfortunately, she died young," Grandma told hopelessly.
My hug loosened a little and I could feel her hand on top of my head.
"Even so Navi, I'm sure she wants you to live peacefully and full of joy. She knows the adventurous you after all and she is your best friend, Xy-" she said softly but was interrupted by the knock on the door and the continuous doorbell.
"Delivery!" A guy shouted from outside.
"Hold on!" I stood up and got my wallet from the shelves intact to the wall.
"The food is here grandma." I ran to the door and faced the delivery man, he gave me the food. Mom usually orders breakfast on her way back home.
"Here's the-" I couldn't finish what I was saying when I gaped at his face and oh Woah oh, is it just me or recently I've been interacting with beautiful faces.
His exceptional deep blue eyes are too attractive to not notice. He looked at me, "Yes?"
"Ah, th-the money." I gave the payment as he nodded. "Hey, what's your na-" I was about to ask his name when the door suddenly closed shut making a loud sound that made me flinched.
"I didn't know it's now necessary to ask a deliver guy's name," Jack, who suddenly appeared and shut the door in the guy's face said sarcastically.
What's his problem?
"What? I'm just being friendly and why did you suddenly pop out of nowhere," I said as an excuse and he scoffed.
"Sure," he sneered. Why is this guy like this?
"Navi? Are you okay?" I heard grandma asked from the living room.
"I'm okay grandma, it's just the wind," I replied. I glanced at him as he's making an aggravated face. He calms down before telling me with a poker face.
"I came here to tell you that I won't be able to show up for about two days," he informed.
"Huh? Why?"
"Secret, you wanna know? Kiss me first," he joked.
"Okay sure," I let out which somehow made him flinched and then frown. I was half-joking, I mean a freaking good-looking boy is inviting for a kiss who would refuse?
"Hey Navi, if someone asked for a kiss don't just say yes straightforwardly, do you understand?"
"But it's you who asked," I played. What the fuck is wrong with me?! He looked stunned for a second which somehow captivated me before smirking.
"When I thought I was the flirty one in this relationship," he shook his head. He took a step closer to me.
"I'll go... for now, don't act too hastily and stop being clumsy. I'll come back..." He whispered sounding like his promising rather than saying.
"Alright," I smiled. He stared at me for a while as I wondered if I have something on my face which would be embarrassing because I also enunciate with the delivery guy.
Soon he smiled and was about to kiss my cheek when-
"Navi? Where are you?"
"Ah! Hold on, grandma."
He looked dumbfounded and upset at the same time as he plopped his head down to my right shoulder while a hand on my other.
"Can't even kiss your cheeks now huh?" He murmured something that I couldn't quite hear certainly.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Hey you like me don't you, you have a crush on me is that right?" I teased. I'm not familiar with how friends act or behave if it's natural to kiss each other's cheek or something but I just wanna see his shocked face or flustered face.
I was even smirking thinking about his expression.
"Yeah," his head who's still laid in my shoulder didn't move as his breath touches my neck's bare skin, his voice deep and husky reached my ears.
This time around I was the one who was dumbfounded. I blinked a lot and said, "Huh?"
"I guess..." He stood straight and soon bent down to reach my level.
"You could call it..." He touched my chin and went closer to my face.
"Love at first sight," he confessed and quickly gave me a peck, and before I could even react black particles started to appear as he slowly faded away.
I was left flustered in place. L-love?! Is that what you call flirting or was it real?! I was frozen in place that I didn't even realize that grandma came to see if I'm okay.
I said I was fine and helped her walk towards the living room and we ate. His words are still lingering on my mind. It's his fault that I can't even ponder on grandma's undeniably wonderful stories. Is this the side effect of flirting?
We finished eating and I washed the dishes. After I finished I cleaned some parts of the house still unfocused.
I was sweeping the floor while still thinking when grandma spoke.
"Navi, are you still tired?" My grandma asked worriedly.
"Ah no, not at all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, why?"
"You've been sweeping the same floor for over five minutes already, sometimes while staring into space you would just suddenly fasten your phase while looking like a red tomato, look at where you're standing it's even shining now," she babbled.
I looked down and it may be an exaggeration to say but I could see my reflection.
"Ah sorry," I shortly said to the floor. Wait wha-
"My Navi you should get some rest for a while, I'll wake you up later," grandma said while pushing me to the stairs and taking the broom from my hand.
"But I'm not done yet."
"Shhh just go, it's an order," she said. I nodded and ascended the stairs. I even peaked but she gave me ominous eyes so I had no choice.
I went inside my room and lied down on the bed. What to do? I don't have anything to do now. I should've just continued cleaning.
I turned my head and felt the softness of the mattress and fabric then my guitar came into view. I sat up and walk towards it.
Even just standing near it, I felt calm. I brought it with me to the bed. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I started strumming.
My grandmother used to love this song...
"Till I met you~"
"I never knew what love was~"
"Till I met you, this feeling seems to grow more~"
"Every day, I love you more each day~"
"Till I met you~"
I opened my eyes and felt alleviated. I smiled as my heart began to beat as if it's telling me I'm alive, that it's great to be alive.
I caressed my guitar when I saw the words engraved on it. Usually, this name doesn't matter but as I saw it once more, I felt nervous.
'Wade'
"My name is Jack Wade. I'm a star spirit."
My heart battered crazily. Wade... Is he Wade?
I placed the guitar on my bed and ran downstairs. My eyes wandered desperately looking for grandma.
Once I saw a thread of hair in the kitchen I was about to run towards it but before I could even approach a bottle laying around met my feet.
I rolled downwards on the remaining steps and my right hand was downtrodden by my body and the floor.
"Ouch!" I cried. Grandma immediately came over to me once she heard noises and saw me on the ground.
"Navi, Dear G- Please be careful!" My grandma said alarmed. I stood up and steadied her down thinking about her mental and age health.
"I'm okay, I step on a bottle in hurry. I'm sorry grandma I'm not that hurt. I just crushed my hand, see?" I lifted my left hand and showed the rest of my uninjured body.
Even though I said that she checked thoroughly and touch every inch of me from the bottom to the top.
Once she confirmed I'm fine she brought me to the sofa and massage my hand.
"What are you doing running like that? Why are you such in a hurry, dear!" She confronted me. Ah right! My heart once again pumped loudly with the topic coming up.
"Grandma, who's Wade?" I straightforwardly asked. She gazed at me, her eyes filled with both anguish and solace.
"Oh Dear Navi, perhaps you finally remembered him? I should've told you about him earlier if it wasn't for the doctor's order to not tell you about anything that may trigger brain memory, I would have already described him." She said as she hugged me.
"Grandma?" I asked. Is he that important?
"Oh Wade, how did you remember?" She asks full of anticipation and happiness.
It's not that I remember, it's because I came upon someone with the same name and things have been strangely occurring and happening.
I honestly doubt someone will believe me if I tell them that they'll assume I'm crazy instead of being astounded.
"My guitar has the name Wade embroidered to it, and mother said that the hoodie I kept in my closet was also from him," I said as an answer. It's not a lie.
"Oh, how sweet! Jack Wade, that child truly is a charming youth," she said hand clasped together. I felt my breath chopped as if I couldn't breathe.
"J-Jack Wade?" I asked broad surprise in my expression.
"Yes, we call him Wade though." She continued massaging my hand. He's saying the truth. We did know each other before.
"Is he my friend?" I regain my composure.
"Oh no no no," she said shaking her head. He's not my friend? Somehow I felt disappointed, I was about to look down when she continued.
"You're more than that," she said as if she was teasing me, she was even pressing my side waist, tickling me. I felt my eyes largen at the moment. More than that?
"What?! Then is he my best friend?" I asked with full of eagerness. Grandma's face suddenly looked at me with disappointment, her mouth gaping.
I tilted my head as if asking 'what's wrong?' She shook her head and continued treating my hand.
"Navi, do you remember the story I told you about a boy named Caizel and a girl named Silvia?"
"Oh yes, of course, those two are my favorite couple," I responded and she smiled.
Wait don't tell me. I showed a shocked-realization expression to her and her smile grew larger as she slightly nodded.
"Grandma you- did you intentionally tell me those stories to trigger my memories, making the characters have different names as an alternative?" I was bewildered and lost in my thoughts, my heart still racing as if it's being chased when grandma suddenly told details about her stories.
"The girl named Silvia-no Navi, my grandchild, she was a sweet adventurous innocent girl. One afternoon she and her girlfriends decided to have a picnic at a top of a mountain, they were happily chatting when suddenly they heard footsteps coming closer to them. One of her friends screeches in excitement while you, Navi my dear, was confused."
"The two girls stood up from the picnic blanket, you were about to also stand up when they stop you and told you that you have to stay. You were confused but the two girls asked you to trust them, you trusted them and nodded, they went near down and you look at their back slowly going out of sight. You waited for them but it has been a while and they haven't returned yet but you remember that you have to stay because you trusted them thus the only thing she can do is sit and gaze at the sky," she started to tell the story again.
I felt my head slightly aching but I didn't pay any attention to it.
"While she was watching the sky, the footsteps came back. She thought it was her friends but when she turned around to look, a boy ascending slowly came into sight. The boy's right hand was in his pocket, the girl was in awe once she saw the boy's attractive face. He walked towards the girl and stopped aligned to her left about 5 meters away."
"It was quiet for a while as if they're getting to know each other's presence then the boy said 'Hey' in a husky tone. The girl's heartbeat so fast as she touches her chest. The boy walked towards her and asked 'Are you okay?', the girl smiled and said 'yeah good, you?', the girl offered the boy a sit and was the one to talk to him, the boy was just quietly looking at her smiling," she continued.
I was surprised, memories from last night slowly becoming much clearer.
"The girl noticed and asked 'Why are you smiling?', the boy smiled at her and said, 'You're much prettier up close. The girl was astonished but soon smiled back said 'Of course' bashfully and the boy just chuckled, the girl finds his smile attractive and comforting. In the middle of their conversation, a shot of camera can be heard, her friends have now come back along with another two boys, and that is how the boy Wade and the girl Navier have met on one afternoon and got to know each other through the night, the start of their loving adventure," she ended.
I was still and could not move until my grandma closed my mouth.
"Then who's Caizel and Silvia?"
"Those were the name of my favorite characters from a book back when I was just a child."
I looked at her, she was giving me a sad look, I was about to ask why when she pettily said, "I'm so sorry for your loss Navi."
I felt my heart shattering to pieces. "Oh dear," my grandma gently wiped my cheeks. "Huh?"
I suppressed the emotions that were coming up from my heart. I touched my cheek as I felt liquid flowing down. Teardrops we're falling drop after drop. What? Why am I crying?
I felt my grandma's embrace. My heart is in pain, why? I hugged her back and couldn't bottle my emotions up.
I cried loudly while still in her embrace.
******