BORROWED FROM GOD (FAN FICTION) (CHAPTER 2)

Picture Of You - North

CHAPTER 2               

 The next morning . . . .              

Mukades slowly opened her eyes. She then yawned and looked at the other side of her bed. Hikaru was still sleeping soundly. She smiled and stared at her sister. She had been missing her sister for months now. Somehow whenever she was beside her she felt such an unexplainable feeling of comfort and being complete. She loved Hikaru like a real sister and she loved her in return with the same feeling. Somehow just thinking that they will be separated permanently already brings her pain that she can't seem to bear.              

Mukades carefully slipped out of her bed. She was very careful not to wake Hikaru. She then went to a cabinet that had pictures on it. She had noticed it last night, but she was already too tired so she didn't have the chance to look at it. She slowly looked at the pictures, one by one. She couldn't help but smile. There were many pictures displayed. Some were pictures of her and Hikaru, some were pictures of her and her friends, while some were pictures of Hikaru and her friends. She suddenly stopped and carefully looked at a single picture that immediately caught her attention. It was a picture of five young men.              
"Who are these guys?" she started to ask herself.              

She picked up the picture frame and closely looked at the picture. All the guys were handsome, but one particular man instantly caught her attention. She slowly traced the man's face with her finger. She liked the guy's eyes and lips. Somehow she felt like she could stare at the man's face for hours.              

"You have such beautiful eyes. . . Who are you?" she said with a low voice.       

Mukades stared at the man's face for several minutes before placing the picture back on the cabinet. She then went to the window. She stared at the sky. The sun was just starting to show. Somehow she couldn't help but experience a comforting feeling that she hasn't felt for a very long time. Being in her room again made her reminisce. She then remembered that she will be leaving again after two months . . . and this time will be final. She will be gone for a very long time. And surely the next time she returns, she will no longer be the same Mukades who was free.                        

She slowly sighed. "Is this really what I want?" she started to ask herself.

Somehow she was starting to have hesitations after seeing the guy's picture. She knew it was forbidden for her to like a man, but she couldn't help it. She was really attracted to that particular man, even if she only saw him in a picture. She then brushed away the thoughts that were filling her mind. "I am just experiencing a small temptation. I can overcome this . . . I don't want to commit a sin. I am going to be faithful. I know I am just being tested. . . I need to erase that guy's face from my head," she said to herself.              

She started to walk away from the window and sat down beside Hikaru who was still sleeping. Sadness instantly filled her heart as she watched her sister sleep. She knew that Hikaru didn't agree with her decision. But because she loved her, she just allowed her to do what she wanted.              

Hikaru suddenly opened her eyes. She felt like someone was watching her and she was right. Mukades was already awake and was looking at her.              

"What are you doing? Why are you up already? It is still too early," Hikaru slowly uttered.              

Mukades smiled. "I am used to waking up this early. And besides I slept too early last night. . . How about you? Did you sleep well last night?"               Hikaru smiled as well. "Yes, I slept like a baby. . . I slept so peacefully since you were beside me. I wasn't worrying about you anymore. I knew you were safe beside me. . ."              

Mukades' heart ached. "Hikaru . . .are you angry that I am following my dream?"              
Hikaru slowly sat up on their bed, then she faced her sister.              

"Muko, I can never get angry with you. . . But I admit I am very sad that you're still continuing your so-called dream even if you know that both Father and I disagree with your decision. We both think that you're making a mistake. You're very beautiful, smart and you have so many qualities that make you extraordinary. You belong in the outside world . . . with us," Hikaru said with sadness in her eyes.              

"I am sorry, if I am making you sad. I am sorry for bringing you pain," Mukades said slowly.              

"Mukades, what can I do to change your mind? I am willing to do anything just to have you here with us," Hikaru said seriously,              

Mukades suddenly looked away from Hikaru. She didn't want to see the tears that were forming in her sister's eyes. She was weak and was easily hurt whenever she saw the sadness in Hikaru's eyes. She tried to ignore what she saw and the pity that she was feeling.              

"Come on . . . I want to cook breakfast for Father," she said to her sister with a low voice.              

Hikaru stared at Mukades for a few seconds. She wanted to say something, but just decided to keep quiet. She then just nodded her head.              

Mukades slowly stood up, and was about to go out of the room when she saw the picture of the five young men she was looking at before. She quickly turned around and went near the cabinet where the pictures were placed. She then faced her sister. "Hikaru, can I ask you something?"              

"Sure, what is it?" Hikaru answered.              

"Who are these guys? Are they your friends?" MUkades asked while pointing to the picture frame she was holding before.              

Hikaru got out of their bed and slowly walked up to where Mukades was standing. "Guys? Who?" she asked again.              

"These guys . . .Are they your friends? Or is one of them your boyfriend?" Mukades pointed to the picture.              

As soon as Hikaru saw what her sister was pointing at, she suddenly laughed. "Boyfriend? . . . Oh my stomach is hurting! That is so funny."              

"Why are you laughing?" Mukades asked curiously.              

Hikaru tried to stop herself from laughing. "Sorry, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. . . Those guys are not friends."              

"Then who are they?" Mukades asked again.              

"They belong to a boy band called Dong Bang Shin Ki. They are very popular here in Japan and in Korea, and other parts of Asia. I am a big fan of their group," Hikaru tried to explain.              

"Oh, I really thought that they were your friends," Mukades uttered.
             
"Why?" Hikaru asked curiously. She saw the disappointment in her sister's eyes.              

"Nothing," Mukades replied as she slowly stared at the face of one of the boys in the picture.              

"Why? What's wrong? Who are you looking at?" Hikaru asked with curiosity.              
"This guy . . . he seems so familiar to me. I don't know why but I just feel so strange after I saw his face," Mukades answered honestly as he pointed to the man who had caught her attention.              

"Really? Don't tell me you fell in love with Micky," Hikaru teased her sister.              
"Micky? Is Micky his real name or just a stage name?" Mukades asked with a glitter of interest in her eyes.              

Hikaru couldn't help but smile. It was the first time that her sister had showed an interest in a guy. It was a big surprise for her to actually see Mukades get interested in a man.              

"His real name is Park Yoochun. He's 22 years old. He really has a wonderful voice. You should hear them sing. Their voices are just like heaven," Hikaru said with a sweet smile on her lips.              

"So who do you like among the five group members?" Mukades asked with a smile as well. She knew her sister had a special favorite among the group since she can see the glitter of admiration in her eyes.              

"Well I really like all of them, but I like U-Know the most," Hikaru answered.             
"U-Know? Who is he?" Mukades asked.              

"He's the last one on the picture," Hikaru replied.              

"Oh. . . Hikaru . . ." Mukades uttered.              

"What is it?" Hikaru asked.              

"Can I listen to their songs? I want to hear them sing," Mukades said eagerly. She couldn't control her curiosity anymore. She wanted to learn more about him. She wanted to hear his voice.              

Hikaru laughed lightly. "Wait . . ." she said as she slowly went to her laptop and opened it. "I have all their songs stored in my laptop. I know you will surely like their songs."              

Mukades patiently waited as her sister carefully selected the songs she wanted to play.              

"Listen to this song first. It is a song sung by Micky. It is entitled "One Last Cry." It is a live version so you can hear the fans screaming in the background, but it is still very good," Hikaru explained as she started to play the song.              

Mukades' heart suddenly skipped a beat after hearing Micky's voice. His voice was so soft and soothing to hear. . . and there was this distinct quality in his voice that just made her feel like she could listen to him singing on and on . . . non-stop. "His voice is so soothing. But there is sadness in his voice . . ."              
"Well frankly all of them are very emotional whenever they sing . . . Maybe that is the sadness that you are noticing in his voice," Hikaru said.              

"No . . . I can sense a feeling of sadness and loneliness in his voice. My heart feels sad for him," Mukades uttered.              

Hikaru stared at her sister for several minutes. It was very unexpected that Mukades had taken an interest in a guy. A glitter of hope suddenly appeared in her eyes. "Maybe it isn't too late after all," she said to herself while staring at her sister. An idea quickly entered her mind.              

As Mukades quietly listened to Micky's voice over and over again. A strange emotion was slowly filling up her heart. She couldn't explain it. She knew it was a forbidden feeling. But she couldn't stop herself. This was the first time that a man had actually gotten her interest. She didn't want to pass up the chance to feel like an ordinary girl . . . even for the last time. . . .              

At the same time . . . in another part of Japan. . . . .              

"Hyung, what are you doing?" Max asked as he sat down beside Micky.              
Micky who was busy listening to his ipod suddenly looked at Max with a blank expression on his face.              

"Hyung," Max repeated.              

"Aaahh, nothing," Micky replied as he slowly lowered the volume of his ipod.              
"You have been staring blankly at the sky for more than half an hour now. What's wrong?" Xiah suddenly asked as he also sat down beside Micky.              
Micky stared at Xiah, then tried to smile. "Frankly I don't know what's wrong with me. I just feel so blue all of a sudden."              

"How about we go out for a stroll tonight?" Jaejoong suggested with a smile.              
"Yes, that would be fun," Xiah also said as his eyes quickly lit up with joy. "I haven't been out for some time now."              

Max suddenly laughed. "And where are we supposed to go? The grocery again?"              

"Yes, the grocery. I need to buy some stocks," Jaejoong answered.               U-Know laughed as well. "Well nothing new with that. The grocery is the only place we can all go to at night."              

Max sighed. "Sometimes I keep thinking being a celebrity isn't really fun at all. We can't even go out and buy our own food when we want to. We just have to wait when all the fans are already gone and that leaves us with the only option of buying stuffs at night."              

"Hey, that's the price of stardom," Jaejoong said as he gently placed his arms around Max's shoulder as if to comfort him.              

"Yes, I know," Max said again with a sigh.              

Later that night . . . .              

"Mukades, I am going to buy some snacks at the grocery. Would you like to come?" Hikaru asked.              

Mukades who was busy reading a book, looked up and nodded her head. "Sure. I want to buy something too."              

Half an hour later . . . .              

"I need to buy some things. Just go and take a look around the place. Don't disturb me okay," Jaejoong said with a smile as he jokingly pointed his friends to go to another direction.              

"Hyung, what are you going to buy?" Max asked curiously.              

"Secret," Jaejoong replied with a smile.              

Micky just shrugged his shoulders and quietly walked away from his friends. He then went straight to the cold drinks section. He was busy picking what drink to buy when . . . .              

"Oh. . . what should I buy?" a girl was also looking at the drinks. She was already holding a can of beer and a soda.              

Micky suddenly stared at the girl before him. She was obviously a foreigner. She was very beautiful, simple yet so captivating.              

The girl wasn't wearing any make up, but her cheeks were still rosy. Her skin was so smooth and flawless that somehow Micky felt like he could look at the girl forever.              

Slowly the girl looked at Micky who was also busy staring at her. She then smiled at him sweetly.              

"Uhmm. . . excuse me. Do you think you can help me?" she said with the most beautiful voice.              

"Yes, how can I help?" Micky asked with a smile.              

"I am really . . . sort of new with the kind of drinks girls my age like nowadays. Do you think you can suggest what kind of drink I should buy my sister?" the girl said politely.              

Micky was surprised. "Where have you been? Don't you even know who I am?" he suddenly asked the girl in his mind. He was instantly fascinated with the young girl standing in front of him.              

The girl stared at Micky for several minutes, then smiled again. "Look, if you don't know either. . . it's all right. I'll just buy all the different drinks here," she said with a light laugh as she slowly started to fill her basket with assorted drinks.              

Micky couldn't help but laugh. The girl was truly fascinating and extraordinary.              
"Mukades, there you are," another girl's voice called out.             

Micky and the girl suddenly looked at where the voice came from.               Hikaru immediately approached Mukades and took the basket she was holding. "What are you doing? Are you planning to get yourself drunk?"              

"I didn't know what to buy for our drinks . . . so I just decided to buy all of them," she innocently answered.              

Hikaru laughed, then she lightly pinched her sister's cheek. "Oh god, I really miss your innocence."              

Micky just continued to stare at the two girls as they talked. Somehow he wanted to introduce himself but he became a bit reluctant after seeing the other girl.              

"Sorry, I don't know anything about things like drinks and other stuffs. That's why I asked this kind man here to help me out," Mukades said to her sister.              

It was only then that Hikaru looked at the man standing before her. Her heart immediately stopped after seeing who Mukades was pertaining to.               "Micky?" Hikaru uttered in disbelief. "You're a member of DBSK right?"              
"Yes," Micky replied with a smile. "How do you do?"              

A sweet smile instantly appeared on Hikaru's lips. "Hello, I am Hikaru and this is my sister . . . Mukades."              

Micky stared at the other girl. She then smiled sweetly at him that his heart suddenly skipped a beat.              

"Hello I am Micky," he said as he slowly offered his hand to Mukades.              

Mukades looked at Micky's hand, then she stared at his face again. Somehow she felt like she had seen him somewhere. "Have we met each other before? You look so familiar?" she asked.              

Hikaru laughed. "He's a member of the group that you just listened to a few hours ago."              

Mukades' face suddenly lit up with joy. "Ah yes! Now I remember. It's nice to meet you. I am Mukades," she said happily.              

As their hands touched each other, a sudden feeling of warmth instantly filled their entire bodies. They both couldn't explain what they were feeling. But all they could think of was that they were happy just staring and smiling at each other.              

Hikaru silently watched Micky and Mukades as they held each other's hand, while a plan was quickly forming in her mind. "You can no longer return to that place Mukades. . . Now I am sure that even fate is on my side. I will never let you continue with your plans." 

A RACE TO MY HEART (FAN FICTION) (CHAPTER 12)

Trust - Keyshia Cole

CHAPTER 12                            

In Norman's hotel room . . . .              

"What are you planning to do now?" Norman asked as he quickly drunk all the contents of his glass in one gulp.              

Michael continued to play around with his glass of wine. "What am I supposed to do?" he asked back.              

Norman slowly stared at the man sitting beside him. "You're really unbelievable. Imagine you have been in love with Fate much longer than I have . . . but you're just letting her go so easily. Why is it so easy for you to see her with another man? If I were in your position, I would have already taken advantage of my friendship with her. Do you really like her? Or are you just saying it so to confuse me?"              

Michael drunk all the contents of his glass in one shot as well. "Do I look I am fooling around with you?" he asked Norman with a serious expression on his face.              

Norman slowly shook his head. "Well it's too late now. She's really fallen for that guy. I can see it in her eyes. She has never been this bold with anyone before."              

Michael lightly laughed. "She has always been a strong girl. I never imagined she can be so bold even when it comes to love."              

Norman nodded his head. "That Max guy is truly very lucky. I just hope that he knows how to take care of her."              

Michael took the bottle in front of him and poured himself another shot. "Don't worry. Max is very serious with her. I know he will surely take good care of her. The thing I am worried about now . . . is their way of life. They are both very busy and they have their own priorities in life. I just hope that they will be able to work everything out."              

"Yes, they are really different from each other," Norman uttered. "Imagine a racer and a singer . . . such an unusual couple."              

"I am quite mad with myself right now. Somehow I can't stop myself from feeling like I just did the most stupid thing a guy could ever do. Do you think I really did something stupid?" Michael confessed and asked.              

Norman couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, you just did the most stupid thing. You just gave away the only woman you have loved for years."              

Michael stared at Norman. He was trying to deny the fact that Norman had already stated. He was trying to justify to himself what he had done. But his heart was already telling him another opinion.              

"I just wish that Max really loves her with all his heart or else I will surely make him regret it for the rest of his life," Norman said with a serious tone.              

"Why do you keep saying that? Max maybe young. . . but he seems to be quite responsible and straight with everything he does," Michael said.              

Norman shook his head in disbelief. "How can you still have the heart to defend that guy? You're truly remarkable."              

"I am just being fair," Michael answered.              

"Fair? You're being fair with him? But can you say that you are fair with yourself?" Norman asked sarcastically.              

Michael looked at Norman seriously. Somehow he knew he had a point. He knew he was right, but he was just too afraid to admit that he was wrong.              
In the DBSK's hotel room . . . .              

"Do you think it is wise that we left Max with Fate? He is still drunk," Xiah asked U-Know.              

"What can we do? Fate wanted us to leave him there. Do you want us to stay there too?" Micky asked with a grin.              

"But . . ." Xiah said with hesitation.              

"We will just be a bother to both of them," Micky uttered.              

"What's wrong? Are you afraid that something bad will happen to those two?" Jaejoong asked Xiah curiously.              

Xiah just lowered his head. Somehow he was embarrassed with what he was thinking. "He's drunk. We might never know what will run through his head," he tried to justify himself.              

"Trust him," U-Know uttered. "He's not like that. He can handle himself."              

"I just hope so. But he's still young . . . and this is his first relationship," Xiah said with concern.              

"That's another reason why we should respect his decision and his actions. He is already mature enough to be responsible for his deeds. If he does decide to do something . . . then I believe he is already man enough to be accountable for his acts."              

"Hey, we're talking about Max here. He's not like Micky," Jaejoong said with a laugh. "If it was Micky that was left with Fate . . . then we should be worried," he said with a laugh.              

"Hey, and what do you mean with that kind of a remark?" Micky asked with a raised tone.              

Xiah and U-Know couldn't help but laugh. Somehow the tension and concern they were all feeling suddenly disappeared.              

"I was just joking. I just mean . . . Max is harmless. . . compared with you," Jaejoong answered with a loud laugh.              

Micky started to laugh as well. "Let's just forget about Max and Fate. I believe they are already having a wonderful time together."              

And after several minutes of talking, they had already forgotten about Max and Fate being left alone in a room. All their worries had finally disappeared.            

While in Fate's hotel room . . . .               

"So are you happy now?" Fate sweetly asked Max. They were both sitting on the couch. Max was tightly holding her in his arms while she was playing around with his hand.              

"Very happy," he answered. "How about you? Aren't you regretting that we already announced our relationship?"              

"Why should I regret it? I love you Max and I'm not afraid to let everyone know about it," she answered.              

"Fate. . . thank you," Max uttered.              

She looked at him for a few seconds. "Thank you for what?"              

"Thank you for loving me . . . inspite of a lot of things," he replied.              

Fate lovingly stared at Max's face. Then she cupped his face her hands. "I should be the one saying thank you Max."              

"Why?" Max asked, quite confused.              

"Because . . . because you returned my love. Frankly I don't know what I would be feeling right now if I was in love with you and you didn't return my feelings. I believe I was the first one who fell in love. So I am very lucky that you felt the same way I did," she answered.              

Max gently took Fate's hands and sweetly kissed them one by one.              

Fate felt like a certain electricity was traveling through her entire body. "Max, I love you."              

Max stared deep into her eyes. "I love you too Fate." He slowly covered her waiting lips. Their kiss was more passionate and more exploring this time. They didn't care about anything else but the emotions they were feeling. They were finally in each other's arms and their hearts were telling them to let out all their hidden desires.              

Somehow everything stood still as the two lovers continued to kiss each other. All they could think about was they loved each other and there was nothing that could ever separate them apart. As Max started to become more daring with his moves, Fate's mind was starting to have doubts.              

"Max . . . aren't we taking this too fast? Don't you think we should slow down?" she asked with concern. She was trying to stop Max from what he was doing. She was trying to tell herself that Max was just acting weird because of the wine he had drunk before.              

"You love me right? Please. . . I need you," Max begged as he held her tighter. Somehow he couldn't stop the desire that was taking control of his entire body.              

Fate didn't know what to do. She could hear and feel the longing in Max's voice. Somehow she didn't want to make him feel rejected. She wanted to give him everything . . . everything. . . just to make him happy.              

Slowly Fate just closed her eyes. She was willing to do anything just to prove her love for him. As Max continued to kiss her, a tear slowly escaped from her eye.      

                       

3RD ASIA TOUR MIROTIC CONCERT

These are the pics that I gathered from different sites. Credits to SharingYoochun and TVXQSoul.

[ONE SHOT] A DREAM

A DREAM  
                       

I sadly stared at the computer, something kept on playing in my mind. Slowly I closed the computer and continued to look at the black screen in front of me.              
"Come to bed," a man's voice said. I immediately stood up and went straight to bed.              

As I slowly felt his hand touch my waist, a frightening feeling traveled all over my body.              

Somehow the man who held me, sensed the unfamiliar feeling that I experienced. "What's wrong?"              

"Nothing," I quickly replied.              

He knew what I was really feeling but just decided to stay quiet. He was afraid that if he continued to ask, he might end up getting an answer that he will never understand.              

"Jae," I uttered his name softly.              

"Uhmm...what is it?" he gently asked.              

"We need to talk," I said as I tried to gather all the courage I had.              

"About what?" he asked as he slowly shifted his body and gently held me closer to him.              

"I, I..." I started to mumble.              

"What?" he suddenly asked curiously.                       
 
"I think we should break up," I replied hastily.              

He suddenly sat on the bed. "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly breaking up with me?" he asked with his eyes filled with confusion.              

"I'm not happy anymore," I simply replied as I also sat on the bed and faced him.              

"What?" he asked with anger. He was now standing in front of me with his eyes already red. I know his tears were about to come out any minute now. "Tell me, what's really wrong? Is it another man? Are you having an affair?"               

I quickly shook my head. "No, that's not it."              

"What then? Have I done something wrong?" he asked again.              

"I'm already in love with... someone else," I answered.              

"Who?" Jaejoong asked with tears already streaming down his face.              

"Someone..."              

"Who?" he shouted.              

I tried to put on a smile. "Even if I tell you it still wouldn't change the fact that I am no longer in love with you. Let's just break up."    "No!" he angrily shouted as he grabbed the figurine he had given me on our very first date and threw it at the wall.              

I started to sob uncontrollably. "I'm sorry," I uttered.              

"Why? Why are you doing this to me? I thought you said you loved me?" he asked as he cried uncontrollably. Somehow my heart was already bleeding. I wanted to embrace him and comfort him. But it was better this way. He needed to learn how to live without me.              

As I slowly left the room, my heart was already shattered into a million pieces.              
I lied.              

Five years later              

"Jaejoong, what are you looking at?" Yunho asked.              

Their van was passing by a house that somehow looked familiar to him. He didn't know why but his heart and mind was telling him that it looked so familiar. He quickly asked the driver to stop. He was already staring in front of the house for more than several minutes when a man came out of the house.              

"Can I do something for you, young man?" the man asked.              

"I was just admiring your house sir. Somehow I have the feeling that I have seen it somewhere," Jaejoong politely answered.              

The old man smiled. "It is possible that you have seen the design of this house online. This was done by a famous painter. "                        

Jaejoong shook his head. "Sorry, but I don't look at house designs online," he quickly replied. He then politely excused himself and thanked the old man. He was about to go into their van when…              

"I remember the painter's name is Lena," the old man tried to tell Jaejoong.              

Eyes wide with shock, Jaejoong quickly turned to face the old man. "Did you say Lena?" he asked with disbelief.              

Jaejoong felt his world was slowly turning and then it quickly stopped that he lost his balance. Yunho, who was standing beside him immediately grabbed him and helped him to his feet.              

Yunho looked at Jaejoong. He was obviously not himself anymore.              

"Sir, we would really appreciate it if you could give us the details of that site you are referring to," Yunho said politely to the man.                        

The man stared at Jaejoong, as if wondering what was going on. He then nodded his head and went into his house again.              

After several minutes, the old man came out with a piece of paper in his hand.              

"Here. I hope that you will be able to find whatever it is you're searching for," the old man uttered to Jaejoong.  

An hour later in the boys' apartment              

Jaejoong was already staring at the site that immediately melted his heart. Even if his mind had already forgotten, his heart was still able to remember.              
Flashback              

"Lena what are you doing?" Jaejoong asked as he lovingly embraced her.              

"I am making several designs for our future house," she replied with a laugh.              
Jaejoong carefully looked at the painting that she was currently making. "This is a great design and so are the others. You should try to post them online. You might never know... Someone might actually like your designs and paintings and buy them," he said with a smile.              

"You think so? And what would I do with the money? I know," she suddenly said with a beautiful smile on her lips.              

"What?" he asked curiously.                        

"Secret," she then replied with a laugh.              

Reality              

Tears were already streaming down Jaejoong's face as he continued to click on the mouse. He was looking at the paintings and designs that Lena had made. He remembered all of it. He had watched Lena as she spent countless nights making them. He suddenly stopped... and started to think... all of her paintings were sold and bought...5 years ago.              

Flashback 5 years ago              

"Hyung, where did this money come from?" Jaejoong asked his friend after seeing the large amount of money that was placed in an envelope.              

"You should be the one answering that question. I just found this envelope in the mail box with your name on it," his friend answered.              

"What? My name is on it?" he asked as he turned the envelope and looked at the handwriting. He couldn't recognize the handwriting, but the name was certainly his.              

His friend smiled. "There's a small note inside the envelope, read it."              

Jaejoong hurriedly opened the envelope and took out the note.              

"Use the money to follow your dream."              

Jaejoong stared at his friend for several minutes. "Who could have sent the money?" he continuously asked himself.              

"Well that money totally solves your problems. At least, you won't need to work yourself to death for a couple of months. You can just concentrate on your training. The person that sent that money is your guardian angel," Jaejoong's friend said with a smile.
 
Jaejoong nodded his head. "Whoever he or she is... I will always remember this for the rest of my life."                

The memories suddenly stopped.              

Jaejoong slowly read what was written about Lena. Slowly... he understood. Slowly... he finally broke down into an uncontrollable cry. The anguish was too unbearable. The forgotten hatred that was locked in his heart was instantly replaced with unending guilt and shame.              

He shouldn’t have hated her. He should have understood her. He should have been with her. But it was too late.              

"I'm sorry.... I thought you just threw me away. Now I finally understand. You truly loved me. You're my guardian angel. You're the one who sent me that money that helped me in achieving my dream. Thank you. Now I know you sold all your paintings just for me. And… I am sorry. I wasn't by your side when you needed me. I'm sorry," he continuously uttered as his eyes were already blurring with his tears.              

"Hyung," Max said with concern. He then slowly read what was written on the computer monitor facing him.              

"Lena Kim, a young and famous painter from Korea, died of a rare blood disease at the age of 21. Before her death, she sold all her works that instantly made her into an overnight success. When asked what she was going to do with the money she received, she simply replied that it was all going to a friend's dream."     

        

[ONE SHOT] MY DREAM WITH YOU (DTL 1ST PLACE ONE SHOT WINNER)

MY DREAM WITH YOU                    

“What are you doing? You’re writing letters again?” Michelle shrieked after seeing what her sister was doing.              

Gloria quickly gathered all the letters that were scattered all over her study table. Then she tried to act innocent in front of her sister. “I wasn’t writing any letters. I . . . I was just reading some letters of my friends.”              

Michelle glared at her sister. “Don’t you dare lie to me. I know you were writing letters again. My god Gloria! Have a life! I mean a real life.”              

Gloria lowered her head. She knew her sister was right. But what could she do. She had only one dream. And she was willing to do anything just to have that dream.              

Michelle saw the sadness that quickly covered her sister’s face. She slowly went to her side and lovingly embraced her.              

“Hey, don’t be sad. I am sorry, if I was too harsh. But I really think that you’re just wasting your time and all your energy on writing letters . . . just to get a chance to be noticed by someone that will never even know your name. I really pity you. Sometimes when I see you staying up all night just to write those silly letters . . . it really breaks my heart. I know all your hard work just ends up being trashed in someone’s trash can,” Michelle tried to make her sister understand why she was being that way.              

“You know that I’ve never wanted anything in my life . . . except . . .” Gloria tried to say.              

“Except meet Xiah Junsu . . . Gloria, that is a dream that will never happen. He’s a well known star. . . And you . . . you’re just an ordinary girl. And you’re thousands of miles apart. How could you ever dream of meeting him in person?,” Michelle said with a low voice. She didn’t want to hurt her sister’s feelings. But she knew she needed to be frank with her just to wake her up from her day-dreaming.              

“But Michelle . . .” Gloria wanted to argue with her sister but she knew it was just going to lead them into another argument. So she just decided to keep quiet.              
Three days later . . .              

“Happy Birthday!” Michelle happily greeted her sister with a warm hug and a big smile on her face.              

“Thank you,” Gloria replied. She then noticed the small envelope that her sister had placed beside the gift she gave her. “What’s this?” she asked curiously.     

“Look and see,” Michelle said with a grin on her face.              

Gloria excitedly opened the small envelope. She was already expecting it was a card with a cheque which her sister often gives her as a gift. But her heart immediately stopped after seeing what was inside the envelope.               “Michelle? How? Why?” Gloria somehow couldn’t start to say the things that were running through her mind.              

Michelle lightly laughed. “I know how much you want to see him. And I also know that you can’t possibly afford to go there on your own. Think of this as an advance birthday present for the following years to come. I already spent my entire savings just to buy those tickets.”              

Gloria quickly embraced her sister tightly. “Thank you. . . Thank you. . . Thank you. I will never forget this. I promise I will treasure this gift of yours as long as I live.”              

Michelle laughed again. “Just make sure you come back in one piece okay? Or else Mother and Father will surely hang me if they ever find out that I allowed you to go to Japan alone,” she said as she cupped her sister’s face with her two hands. “Take care of yourself okay?”              

Gloria nodded her head continuously with happiness written all over her face.              
“Gloria, remember. . . this is our little secret. Don’t you ever dare tell our parents that I gave you a plane ticket to Japan and a concert ticket too. You know they are also against your obsession with that boy band of yours. But since it is your birthday . . . and they’re off on a vacation, I decided to give you the one thing that you have been dreaming of for so long,” Michelle said seriously.              

“Don’t worry. I won’t say a single word. And I promise I will take good care of myself,” Gloria said with a big smile on her face.              

“Good . . . I already included your pocket money in the envelope. Have some fun while you’re in Japan. Go out and do some shopping. Just remember to call me everyday while you’re there okay?” Michelle said with concern in her eyes. Somehow she was afraid that she was making a big mistake in letting her sister go to Japan alone.              

“Thank you Michelle. I love you,” Gloria said happily.              

“I love you too sis,” Michelle uttered as she continued to stare at the overflowing joy on her sister’s face. She then lightly pinched her sister’s cheek. “I already included the details of your hotel reservation in the envelope and I already paid it too. So you don’t have anything to be worried once you get to Japan. Remember . . . Mother and Father will be back by Sunday. So make sure that you follow the schedule on that envelope. You must return before our parents find out that they are not the only ones on a vacation . . . okay? You must return by Saturday morning.”              

Gloria nodded her head again. “Saturday it is then . . . At least, I will have 3 days to enjoy my visit to Japan,” she said with a big grin on her face.               Michelle couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Yes, you have 3 days to enjoy. Just make sure that after you see that Xiah Junsu . . . can you please leave all your day dreams with him? I don’t want to see you day dreaming about him anymore. And I certainly don’t want to see you writing fan letters to him in the middle of the night just like what you do almost every night,” she said as she slowly shook his head in disapproval.              

Gloria was too happy to say anything. She certainly didn’t want her sister to get angry. She didn’t want her to change her mind on letting her go to Japan.              
“Do you understand what I am saying young lady?” Michelle asked with a high tone.              

Gloria smiled and just nodded her head. Somehow she still couldn’t believe that she was finally going to Japan to watch the DBSK boys in their upcoming concert. She was finally going to see Xiah Junsu. She was finally going to fulfill her long time dream.                

-------- Right at the same time in Japan . . . .              

“Hyung, what are you doing?” Max asked Xiah curiously.              

“I am just looking,” Xiah answered as he tried to sort through hundreds of letters that had come from different fan clubs.   He was looking for a particular letter. It wasn’t a single letter. Sometimes he would get several letters from different clubs, but the sender was the same person. He was searching for that particular person’s letters. He easily recognized it because the sender used a special envelope. It was very unique. The envelope was hand made and hand painted as well. Somehow it was the main reason why he suddenly took notice it the first time he saw it . . . that was three years ago.              

“He’s looking for his dream girl’s letters again,” Micky teased.              

“It’s been more than two weeks . . . She still hasn’t sent me a letter. Something must be wrong . . .” Xiah said with worry.              

“Don’t tell me that you’re actually falling for a girl who you haven’t met?” Micky asked with a raised eyebrow.              

“It’s not like that . . . It’s just that whenever I read her letters . . . I just feel so renewed . . . so happy. Whenever I read her letters . . . I feel so happy that someone is actually enjoying the music we are doing. And I am able to feel her happiness through her letters,” Xiah tried to explain.             
 
“But the girl hasn’t mentioned her name even once right?” Max asked               Xiah nodded his head. “No, she just uses a made up name. Maybe she’s thinking that her real name isn’t important.”              

“Have you written her back even once?” Micky asked again.              

“I wish I could. Believe me . . . I would have written to her personally . . . if I knew her address. She never mentioned her real name or where I could send her a letter. Such a pity . . .” Xiah said with sadness.              

“Maybe you can try leaving messages to the fan clubs where her letters come from,” U-Know suggested.              

“That would take forever. I already sent a message to a fan club asking where her letters are coming from . . . but since I can’t really divulge who I was. They just declined to give that information to me,” Xiah replied.              

“You have actually looked for this girl huh?” Jaejoong asked with astonishment.              
“Tried to look . . . but failed,” Xiah replied sadly. “Right now . . . she is the reason why I try to keep up with everything. . . She is the reason why I am living my life with a smile on my face. Whenever I am sad, I just try to think about her . . . and her letters. I just try to imagine what she looks like and that I am with her. . . then all my sadness just goes away.”              

“Such a sad fate. You’re actually in love with someone that you will never have the chance to meet,” Jaejoong said with sadness in his voice.              

The other DBSK boys just shook their heads. Somehow they pitied their friend. 

“Don’t worry, hyung.  Maybe one day . . . the two of you will finally have the chance to meet each other,” Max said with a smile. He was trying to cheer up his friend.              

Xiah tried to smile. “I know that is something that would only happen in a dream.”    

--------Two days later . . . .                

“Ahhh. . . Japan . . .” Gloria uttered as she slowly walked out of the airport. She was finally in Japan. She then looked at her watch. She needed to hurry. She only had a few hours to prepare before the concert. She hurriedly called a taxi, and went straight to the hotel that her sister had arranged for her.              

While she was heading to the hotel, Gloria’s mind was running in different directions. She was thinking about so many things that somehow she was getting dizzy. She feeling different emotions . . . She was excited, nervous, scared, happy, worried and confused.              

She suddenly sighed. She never expected that she would be like this after waiting so long. She slowly looked out the window of the taxi. Japan was such a beautiful country. But it was thousands of miles away from her own country. Even if she wanted to . . . she would never be able to visit it again.              

So this was the perfect time to say hello and goodbye to the one thing that was connecting her to this place. . . . Xiah Junsu.              

------ Time of the concert . . . .    

Gloria hurriedly went to the long line of fans that were entering the dome. She was so happy that she was finally going to watch her favorite DBSK perform live on stage.  

Time passed by quickly . . . .   

She looked at her watch impatiently. It was already an hour before the concert, but she was still outside. The line was still so long.   “Aaahhh . . . is this going to last forever?” she muttered to herself. She started to stretch her already aching body. She had been on an airplane just hours ago . . . and now she was getting tired of waiting in line.  

Gloria sighed again. She never thought that her first trip to Japan would be so tiring. She then remembered to check the concert ticket. She remembered she had placed it in her pocket before going out of her room.   She started to search her pockets. . . then her bag. Her heart was already beating very fast. . . Her ticket was gone.   “Where is it? Where is it?” she started to say in total panic.   The other girls waiting in line were already looking at her curiously.   “Where is it? I remember I placed it here,” she uttered as tears were somehow starting to form in her eyes.    

------Time passed . . . .    

A girl was crying on one side of the main entrance gate of the dome. The long line of fans was already gone and the concert was about to start in about 15 minutes.  

Gloria sadly stared at the big banner in front of the dome. She started to sob. She had lost her ticket, along with her wallet. She didn’t what to do. She had to Japan for nothing. She started to cry again. She didn’t know what to do. She wanted to call her sister, but she knew she would only scold her once she knew what had happened. And she would certainly get worried about her.  

The music inside the dome started . . .  

Gloria sadly looked at the dome.   “I guess I’m really stuck with just seeing you on a monitor. Sorry . . .” she slowly uttered as she continued to cry. She felt like she wanted to kick herself a million times. She was so angry with herself. How could she possibly be so careless to actually loose her ticket and her wallet. She wanted to wail out loud. She wanted to just hit her head with a rock. She was so mad with herself.  

“Young lady . . . are you all right?” an elderly man asked with concern.   Gloria tried to slowly wipe her tears away.  

I . . . . I am fine,” she replied in fluent Japanese. She had been learning the language for more than a year now. She wanted to be able to communicate perfectly with Xiah . . . if she ever had the chance. She had worked so hard for the chance to meet him. And now . . . now she just threw it away. She was so stupid, she thought.   “Xiah . . .” she uttered as she remembered him again. She couldn’t her tears falling once again.  

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” the man asked again after seeing the girl’s tears.   Gloria shook her head. “I . . . I just lost my ticket for the concert and my wallet too.”  

“Oh . . .” the man uttered. He carefully stared at the girl. He was somehow thinking if she was really telling the truth.  

Gloria’s tears just seemed to go on forever. She wanted to stop crying but her tears just flowed out continuously.  

“You’re not Japanese are you?” the man asked again.   Gloria nodded. “I came all the way from Brunei. . . . just for nothing,” she uttered with tears in her eyes.  

The man stared at Gloria from head to foot. She was beautiful and she had that innocent look in her eyes. Somehow the man felt pity for the girl. He then thought of something.  

“Would you like to watch the concert?” the man asked with a smile.  

Gloria looked back at the man with confusion in her eyes. “What? How?” she asked with a trembling voice.  

The old man smiled. “Just come with me. . . But first, wipe those tears away.”   Gloria quickly took out her handkerchief and wipe her tears away.  

“Good. . .Now listen to me carefully . . . Once you enter that dome with me . . . You will try to act normally. No screaming or panicking . . . and I certainly don’t want any problem. You will help me with my work. In return, I will help you to watch the show. Do you understand?” the man said with an authoritative voice.   Gloria somehow felt scared. But she was willing to do anything so that her trip to Japan wouldn’t go to waste. She wanted to see Xiah so badly.  

She slowly nodded her head in agreement.   “Good. Let’s go,” the man said with a comforting smile.    

----- Inside the dome . . . .    

The old man led Gloria to the personnel’s area. Her heart started to beat very fast as soon as she realized where she was.  

“Hyung, you’re late. The concert is about to start,” a man said to the older man.  

“I know, sorry. I got caught up with something,” the old man replied.   The younger man kept on looking at Gloria.

“Who is she?” he asked when he couldn’t control his curiosity anymore.   The old man stared back at Gloria. “Oh… she’s the daughter of an old friend. She’s helping me out. Her name is . . . what’s your name again?”  

“Gloria,” she tried to utter.  

“Sorry . . . have a bad memory. Her name is Gloria. I promised her father that I will take her to see a real concert. This is her first time in Japan,” the old man said to cover up for Gloria.  

“Oh . . . Well, the boys are already waiting in their room. Better show your self to them first,” the younger man said with a smile.   The old man nodded his head. “I will, thanks.”    

----- A few minutes later . . . .    

The old man slowly entered the DBSK boys’ room, with a young girl right behind him.  

“Hello boys,” the old man greeted the DBSK boys.  

“Hello hyung . . . You’re late. We have been wondering where you were,” U-Know replied with a smile.  

“Sorry, I needed to do something,” the old man said.  

Gloria gasped in total shock after seeing the DBSK boys in real life. They were just a few meters away from her. Somehow she felt like she was going to have a heart attack. Her heart was pounding very hard. She was finally face to face with the real DBSK boys . . . and especially her dream . . . Xiah.  

Xiah noticed the girl that was looking at him. She was very captivating. Somehow the more you looked at her, the more beautiful she became. He suddenly smiled at her.  

“So hyung . . . who is she?” Micky couldn’t help but asked. He had already noticed her the moment that she stepped into the room.  

“Oh. . . She’s . . . it’s a long story. Better get ready for the concert boys. I’ll just answer that question later,” the old man replied.  

“She’s from Brunei. Hmmm. . . So I guess she doesn’t know how to speak Japanese. I was hoping I could talk with her,” Max said with disappointment.   The old man lightly laughed.

“She can speak fluent Japanese. So you can all have a chat with her . . . if you like.”  

“Really? How are you? I am Micky,” he said with a big smile on his face.   The other DBSK members couldn’t help but laugh.  

“Hyung is acting all weird around a girl again,” Max commented.   “Hey, don’t scare the girl Micky,” Jaejoong warned.  

“Down boy . . . Down . . .” U-Know said as a joke.  

Xiah just continued to stare at Gloria. “What’s your name?” he asked softly.  

“I am Gloria . . .” she replied shyly.  

“Gloria, what a nice name. But is it a Bruneian name?” Max asked curiously.  

“No . . .” she replied.  

The old man couldn’t help but smile while looking at Gloria and the boys.

“Hey, all of you can have a talk later. We still have a concert to start and finish.”  

The DBSK boys looked at the old man and all nodded their heads in agreement. “Yes, hyung.”  

“Let’s get ready,” the old man said again.  

“Yes,” the boys uttered as they hurriedly went out of their room.  

“Let’s talk again later,” Micky said to Gloria as he passed by her side.  

“Nice meeting you,” Jaejoong said with a smile.  

“See you later,” U-Know said with a smile as well.  

“Don’t be scared of hyung . . . He’s really a nice guy,” Max said (pertaining to Micky).  

“I hope we can talk again later . . . Gloria,” Xiah said politely with the most beautiful smile that immediately melted Gloria’s heart.    

------ The whole concert went by without any problems.    

Gloria was able to watch the whole concert up close. She was allowed to watch the concert in the VIP section of the concert dome.  

The old man that Gloria had accidentally met was no other than the production head for the concert. He had asked the other staff members to allow Gloria to watch the concert without any restrictions.  

It was a total dream for Gloria. She never imagined that she would be able to meet the boys face to face and watch their whole concert in the VIP section along with other famous personalities.    

------After the concert . . . . .    

The old man walked up to Gloria with a smile on his face. “So did you enjoy it?” he asked. 

Gloria couldn’t hide the happiness on her face. “Yes, totally. Thank you. If there is anything I can help you with. Please do tell me. I want to repay your kindness.”  

The old man smiled. “As a matter of fact, there is something I need you to help me with.”  

“What is it? Tell me . . . I am willing to help,” Gloria said with a smile.  

“Just help some of the staff in the boys’ room. They are already finished with the concert. So the DBSK boys will be packing their things in a little while,” the man replied.  

“Sure,” Gloria said with a smile.    

------As soon as Gloria arrived at the boys’ room. . . . .    

She was totally overwhelmed with shock and embarrassment. There were a lot of people in the boys’ room that she suddenly felt like she wanted to just ran and hide.  

As Gloria tried the other staff members with packing and arranging things, Xiah just continued to stare at her with amusement in his eyes.  

“Hyung, you’re going to make Gloria melt with the way you’re looking at her,” Max teased.  

Xiah couldn’t help but smile. “She’s cute,” was all he could utter.  

Micky who was nearby suddenly shook his head in disbelief. “You like her don’t you?” he asked Xiah with a low voice.  

Xiah gave Micky a warning look. “Hey, be careful. Someone might hear you.”   Micky suddenly laughed so loud that everyone in the room looked at him.   Xiah suddenly felt embarrassed. He slowly tried to look like he was busy with something.  

Jaejoong and U-Know who were just watching in one corner of the room laughed lightly. They knew Xiah had a crush on Gloria. But he was just too shy to admit it.   

 -------Time to say goodbye . . . . .  

It was already time for the DBSK boys to leave. Gloria couldn’t help but feel sad. Her time with the DBSK boys was finally over. Somehow she wanted to have a special memory of her time with them. This was her first and last chance to be with them. She suddenly thought of something.   She drew in a deep breath. Then she slowly walked up to the boys.   “Uhmmm. . . excuse me,” she said with a trembling voice.  

U-Know quickly turned around to look at Gloria. “Yes, what is it?”  

“Uhmmm . . . can I have a picture with you guys?” she boldly asked while holding her phone.   The other DBSK members quickly gathered around Gloria.  
“Sure,” Micky said with a smile.  

“Hey, excuse me… but can you please help us out. Can you please take a picture of us together with Gloria?” Max had already asked a staff member.   The man immediately took Gloria’s phone and quickly took several shots of Gloria with the DBSK boys.  

After the DBSK boys had already taken several pictures with Gloria, Max hurriedly took the phone from the staff member.  

“Hyung, Gloria . . . Smile,” he said with a teasing smile.   Gloria didn’t know what to do. Xiah had already placed his arms around her shoulder. She felt like she was melting while he was holding her.  

The few seconds seemed like eternity for both Xiah and Gloria.  

Micky suddenly tried to clear his throat. He was trying to attract Xiah’s attention.   Xiah’s hand was still around Gloria’s shoulder even though Max had already finished taking their picture.  

Jaejoong turned around quickly to hide his face which was already red. He was trying to stop himself from laughing.  

“Hyung . . . you can let go of Gloria now,” Max said with a maddening grin on his face.   It was only then that Xiah realized that he was still holding Gloria. He hurriedly took his hand off Gloria.   Gloria who was already red with embarrassment just lowered her head.  

“Thank you for a wonderful night,” she uttered as she turned to face the boys and she slowly bowed down in front of them.  

The boys couldn’t explain what they were feeling after seeing Gloria bow her head down to them.            

“Thank you . . . I will never forget this  . . . for the rest of my life,” she said.

“Please take this . . . this is my gift for all of you.” She then gave each of the boys an envelope. “This is my way of saying thank you for everything.”   Xiah suddenly felt like something struck his heart. Somehow what Gloria had said made his heart ache.  

As Gloria slowly turned and walked away . . . her heart was already saying goodbye.   “Thank you for a wonderful memory. I will never forget this night for as long as I live. I have to say goodbye now, Xiah. I already had the chance to meet you face to face. Even though I wasn’t able to tell you how I really feel about you. . . I am still happy that I was able to spend some of my time with you. Goodbye, Xiah. I will always remember you and I will always pray for your success.”    

------- Too late . . . .  

After all the staff members left the boys’ room, they all decided to open the letters that Gloria gave them.   Xiah’s heart immediately stopped after seeing what was inside the envelope he was holding.   Inside the envelope that Gloria gave them was another envelope. The smaller envelope was hand made and hand painted.   His heart was already screaming. He easily recognized that letter. It was the same letter he had been continuously waiting for each and every day . . . for the last 3 years.  

“Hyung . . .” Max uttered as he also recognized the letter he was holding.  

Xiah quickly ran out of the room. He needed to catch her. He had been waiting for this moment for the last 3 years. He couldn’t possibly pass up the chance.   The other DBSK members also ran after Xiah. They knew they needed to help their friend. They knew they needed to find Gloria for their friend.  

Xiah ran as fast as he could. He ran so fast like his entire life depended on it. He searched everywhere. He searched every room in the personnel area. He even went to the grounds of the dome.   The other DBSK members were already helping him as well. All of them searched and searched. But failed . . . . She was already gone. . . .  

Somehow tears were trying to escape Xiah’s eyes.  

The other DBSK members saw the desperation in Xiah’s eyes.  

“Hyung, we can ask the head of the production team . . .” Max said to Xiah.   Xiah nodded. He quickly ran to where the production team’s room was. He found the old man still fixing his things.  

“Hyung,” Xiah immediately called out.  

“What’s wrong?” the old man asked the DBSK boys.  

“Gloria . . . Gloria . . . where can I find her?” Xiah asked while trying to catch his breath.  

The old man looked at Xiah curiously. Then he slowly shook his head. “Honestly . . . I don’t know,” he replied.  

“But you said . . . that she’s the daughter of your friend,” Max said.  

“Sorry . . . I just said that so not to cause any problems. The truth is . . . when I came here I found her crying near the gate. She said that she came from Brunei just for the concert. But she lost her ticket and her wallet . . . So I decided to help her out. She seemed like a nice girl. And I really pitied her so I just made that story up so she could enter the dome for free,” the old man explained.   Xiah felt like his heart was going to explode.  

“Sorry . . . I wasn’t able to help you,” the old man said as he slowly turned and walked away.  

Xiah felt like his entire body was weakening. He suddenly fell down on his knees. He then cupped his face with his two hands. He couldn’t accept that he already had his dream, but it just slipped away.   Slowly his tears started falling one by one . . . .  

“Hyung,” Max uttered.  

Xiah screamed. He was so angry. He wanted to release the anger in his heart. He was so stupid not to notice. His dream was already standing in front of him. But he just let her go . . . .    

-------- Six months passed. . . .  

Gloria silently stared at the picture that she took together with the DBSK boys. She then sighed. Just like what she promised her sister, she had already stopped writing to Xiah after she returned from Japan. She had stopped all her connections with the DBSK fan sites she used to go to. And she had buried everything that was connected with the DBSK boys and especially Xiah. She wanted to forget her silly dream of 3 years. But no matter how hard she tried . . . she knew it was going to take a lot longer than just a few months to be able to forget the only man she had ever loved.  

“Gloria . . .” Michelle called out.  

Gloria nervously hid the picture she was holding. She didn’t want her sister to find out that she was still thinking about Xiah.  

“What is it?” she asked back.  

“You have a package . . . .” Michelle shouted.  

“What?” Gloria asked with curiosity. “Who could possibly send me a message?” she started to ask herself.  

“It’s addressed to an Eiko . . .” Michelle shouted again. “That’s your username isn’t it?”  

Gloria quickly went out of her room. “Where is it?” she asked.  

“There,” Michelle pointed to a huge box near the door.  

“What?” Gloria asked with shock.  

“Maybe someone sent you an elephant,” Michelle said as a joke.  

“Funny,” Gloria replied.  

“Come on . . . Open it. I want to see what’s inside,” Michelle said excitedly.  

Gloria quickly opened the box with the help of her sister. Her heart immediately stopped after seeing what was inside.

The whole box was filled with different letters. She carefully picked one letter and opened it.   Her heart almost stopped after seeing what was inside . . .

Her fingers started to tremble as she slowly took out what was contained in the letter she was holding.  

Inside the envelope she was holding were two letters . . . one was her own letter sent to Xiah years ago and the other . . . she slowly opened the other one. It was a reply letter. It was written personally by Xiah himself.  

Gloria’s heart was pounding very hard and was beating very fast. It seemed like she was running out of air to breath.  

One by one, Gloria opened all the envelopes in the box she received. Xiah had actually read and made a reply letter to all the letters she sent him. Then she noticed an envelope. It was hand made and hand painted. But it wasn’t her letter. She quickly opened and read it . . . .    

Gloria, 

 I am sorry for not being able to reply to you sooner. But you never gave me the chance. You never gave me your real name and where I could reach you.   During the passed 3 years, I have continuously read and answered your letters. But since I didn’t know where I could send them to, I just decided to keep them and store them until the time came that I could give them all to you personally.   Do you know that your letters made me smile whenever I feel sad or tired? You kept me going during the times that I thought I couldn’t go on anymore. Your words of encouragement gave me a never ending strength that I could always rely on in times of trouble.  

There are times that I wished I could see you and talk to you face to face. It’s like whenever I read your letters I grow more and more close to you. And as time passed by, it was only then that I realized that I was already in love with you.  

I know you might say that I am being silly with what I am saying. But it is the truth. I love you. I love you no matter who you are and what you are. I love you for the gentle and sweet nature that you have. I love you for the comforting words that you have continuously showered me for the passed 3 years.   Honestly I am quite sad now. You were already standing before me but I didn’t know it. Why didn’t you tell me who you were? Do you know that I have been searching for you for the passed 3 years? I have been in love with you for a very long time now.   Please tell me honestly. Why did you suddenly disappear? Do you know that I was going insane just thinking about why you suddenly stopped sending me your letters. I was so worried that something bad might have happened to you. I wanted to know where you were, but I didn’t know where to start searching. I was so desperate to find you that I ended up going to every site that you registered on. I was looking for any information that could lead me in finding you.  

I missed you Gloria or Eiko, whatever name you want me to call you. What is important now is I finally found you. I have been going crazy without you. I have been longing for you for the passed few months.  

I need you. Please say that you will accept my love for you. Or am I already too late? Do you have someone new in your life right now? Is that the reason why you suddenly disappeared from my life. You made me depend on you for the passed 3 years and you unexpectedly went out without even a goodbye. Do you know how much I am hurting right now?   I love you, Gloria. Please come back to me.                                                                                          

Waiting for you,                                                                                    

Xiah      

Gloria’s eyes were already filled with tears after she finished Xiah’s letter. “Xiah, I’m sorry,” was all she could utter.  

Michelle took her sister into her arms.  

“Michelle, I need to go and see him . . .” Gloria said with a trembling voice. “I still love him. I am sorry. I know I promised you that I will try to forget him. But the truth is . . . I can’t. I love him too much. He is already inside my heart and soul. Please understand,” Gloria said as tears continuously flowed from her eyes.  

Michelle tried to calm her sister. “It’s all right. I understand. The only reason why I kept on stopping you from falling in love with him was because I was afraid that you will just end up hurt. But I never realized that I was already hurting you in the process. I am sorry. You can do what your heart tells you. Follow your heart. I know that you have been unhappy these passed few months. And I am making you do something that you didn’t want to. From now on, I am going to support you in whatever you want to do.”  

“Michelle, thank you,” Gloria said as she embraced her sister tightly.   

 ------The next day . . . . .  

“Gloria, you have a guest,” Michelle shouted.   Gloria who was busy packing her things suddenly stopped. She didn’t want to be disturbed. She was going back to Japan. She was going to find a way to talk with Xiah. She needed to clear some things with him. . . very important things.  

“Gloria,” Michelle shouted again. “You better go down this instant . . . or else you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.”   Gloria looked at the door of her room. Then she just continued to arrange her things. She didn’t want to see any visitors. She was too busy.  

Suddenly . . . . her door started to open.  

“Are you going somewhere?” a very familiar voice asked.   Gloria quickly turned around. She was so surprised to see who was standing before her.  

“Xiah,” she uttered.  

“Hello . . . Gloria. How are you?” he asked with a certain sadness in his eyes.  

“What? . . . What are you doing here?” Gloria asked again.  

Xiah started to walk closer to Gloria. “I came here . . . to see you. . . to talk to you,” he replied.  

Somehow everything was just like a dream . . . Xiah was already standing next to Gloria and they were already looking straight into each other’s eyes.  

“I . . . I am sorry,” Gloria started to utter.  

“Sorry for what?” Xiah asked.  

“For not writing to you anymore . . .” she simply answered. 

“I missed your letters . . . I . . . missed you,” he said with the most charming voice.  

Gloria looked deep into his eyes. “Are you really here . . . or am I just dreaming?”  

Xiah smiled. Then he slowly lowered his head. He searched for Gloria’s waiting lips. Their kiss was short but full of sweetness. Gloria felt like her entire world was spinning. Somehow she couldn’t explain what she was feeling.  

“Would a dream kiss you like that?” he asked with the most beautiful smile.  

Gloria didn’t know what to answer.  

Xiah smiled again. “Your sister already told me that you’re going back to Japan to find me.”  

“Really?” Gloria asked shyly.  

Xiah lightly laughed. “You’re totally cute. You don’t have to go back to Japan. I am here already. I already asked for a vacation for about a month. We can just go to any country you want.”  

Gloria looked at Xiah as if thinking about what was happening.   Xiah laughed again. He then embraced Gloria. “I already asked your parents’ permission . . . I already asked them for your hand in marriage.”  

“What?” Gloria asked with shock.  

“Do you really think that I am going to let you get away from me again? I have already suffered enough for 3 years and 6 months. I don’t think I can go back to Japan peacefully without you by my side,” Xiah said sweetly.  

“But . . . we haven’t known each other that long. How could you possibly think about marriage?” Gloria asked again.  

“We already have known each other for 3 years. And besides, we will have more time to know each other once we’re married,” Xiah replied.  

“But . . .” Gloria wanted to say something but Xiah had already placed his finger on her lips.  

“I promise I would do everything just to make our relationship work. I promise I will love you and make you happy for the rest of our lives. Please say you’ll marry me. . .” he said with a begging tone.  

Gloria smiled. Somehow she couldn’t bear to let Xiah be hurt again. She slowly nodded her head. She loved him and she was also willing to go through anything just for him.

“I love you,” Xiah uttered lovingly.  

“I love you too Xiah,” Gloria replied with the love and happiness in her eyes.  

Xiah quickly gave Gloria the most beautiful smile that she had ever seen. He then lovingly took her into his arms again. And this time he gave her the most longest and sweetest kiss that both of them will remember for the rest of their lives. They had finally achieved the dream that they had been longing for. . . They had finally found the love that was going to last for a lifetime. .  . .