We played for about an hour until his father arrived. Aaron didn't say anything about the medicines and drugs that was inside his bag nor did I asked him about it. He probably doesn't want to talk about it so I didn't say anything.
"Ah..I can never get tired of playing with you, Lou" he grins as we make our way to the living room.
Unsure of what I'm suppose to respond, I replied, "..Do I compliment you too?"
"—Oh he always gets compliment, so don't. It gets in his head" his father joined the conversation, preparing for food.
"Really?" I chuckled. Aaron was getting embarrassed, gesturing his Dad to stop teasing him but his father's really enjoying the topic.
"One time, an adult praised him for being a great violinist and the next day, he boasted it to his classmates" we both laughed while Aaron was giving death stares.
"It's worth to boast. He is a great violinist" I smiled. "Indeed he is"
"Well then..you should eat with us, Louella. Food's about to be done" his dad continued.
"O-oh no..I'm afraid I'm bothering you.." becoming shy all of a sudden.
"Please stay. You've been with Aaron for a while, right? I want to thank you for staying with him.."
I looked at Aaron, he was nodding with his thumbs up. I sighed in defeat.
"Sure.."
"Great!" his father clasp his hands.
We all sat on the table. His father served us meaty steaks, potatoes and salad.
"Steaks are his favorites" his father whispers as I giggle. We sat in front of his father, he would always start the conversation. I cannot even remember our specific conversations, whether it was music or sports or politics, but I know that we actually talked to each other, about something.
"I'll just wash the dishes" Aaron said, leaving me and his father alone.
"So..Louella" I flinched when he called me, "..Yes?" as I smile.
"I'll be straightforward with you..Do you know about Aaron's illness?" in a serious tone.
"Yes..He won't last a year" gripping my arm, with my chin down.
"That's right. Does it bother you?"
I furrowed my brows, "Eh?no, no. I'm actually amazed he can still smile and laugh even though..." I paused.
He sighed, "Does he really?"
I bit my lip, "Actually..No. Whenever I see him talk to other people, he smiles yet it always fails to reach his eyes.."
The look on his father made my heart ache.
"Ah, but when we hang out he always smile the prettiest so you don't have to worry" shaking my hands to not make him feel devastated.
"Please..stay with my son more" he bows his head making me flustered.
"Eh..Ah..please..please raise your head" but he wasn't raising his head at all. Oh, whatever, this will be embarrassing as heck.
I bowed my head, "I..I promise to be with your son forever!"
He reached for my hand, holding them tightly, "Thank you" he mumbled. We both smiled at each other.
We started talking about different things and when it was time to go home, I wanted to stay more. I've never known what it was like to have a father. I didn't know it was like this. When we talked about music, he was showering me with praises that mom never did. Once again, I was happy.
"..Where's your mom, by the way?" I asked. We were walking on the way to my house which was a 10 minute walk.
"Oh..my mom..Uh. Probably somewhere" he chuckled. I wasn't supposed to ask him, was I..
"She left us with a guy she just met for two months"
"Two Months?!" I shrieked, "Don't shout, Lou. People are sleeping" he scolded. I put my hand on my mouth to shut it. "Sorry.." in a lower voice, "Two months? That's deranged!"
"I know right..She calls me from time to time, asking if I'm well..And she told me that I'm going to be a big brother.." he smiles painfully.
"As much as I hate my mom, I'd be nice to my sister or brother"
I pat his shoulder, "That's nice. You're so kind"
I always wonder what it feels like to have a younger brother or sister. We fight because of the smallest things, eat together, laugh together, and do everything together. My house is too big for my mom and I and I wonder if having a sister or brother can fill the emptiness of the house.
Oh, I never got to ask him about the medicines inside his bag. As much as I don't want to ask, I want to know what his condition is.
"Um..I saw..medicines..and drugs inside your bag earlier" playing with my fingers to avoid eye contact
He sighed, "..So you saw that huh.."
"How are you, really?" in a more serious tone.
He pat my head, "I'm fine, Lou. Don't worry, I'm kinda strong"
It wasn't convincing at all. I looked at him my brows furrowed.
He exhales deeply, "..I got my illness because my mother's side has this illness too. Though, my mom didn't have it.." he started talking all of a sudden.
"..I was diagnosed when I was in middle school. I started to be extremely tired whenever I play basketball or do hard labor and eventually fainted..Funny story, right?" he giggled. "..No..You don't have to force yourself to laugh, Aaron.."
He stopped walking and stared at me, "..You really know me best" he smiles. But I don't.
"Anyway..I was hospitalized and they said it was just fatigue..But it kept happening and it turns out it wasn't just fatigue.." scratching the back of his head. "The doctor told me to stop doing hard labor or play basketball..That really broke my heart. So I took all my emotions out on the violin..I played and played until I lose myself. And then, the doctor suddenly told me it was severe and I wasn't going to last a year..I thought I'll just accept it as it is inevitable..but.." he continued, stared at me once again. "You came..You showed up in the most unexpected time of my life"
He ruffles my hair, "You said that you'll stay with me until the end..And that..That's keeping me move forward. I feel like I can reach the stars if you're with me" as he reaches his hand at the sky. I wasn't moving an inch. I can feel my body burning up, I don't know if it's the cold or just me. I took a long look at Aaron, he's smiling more than usual.
"I'm not going to leave you. You're never going to have to suffer by yourself again, I promise"
He laughs lightly and he said, "I look forward to be with you more"
I'm knowing more and more about Aaron. I wonder how many things more there is to know about.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lou"
We arrived in front of my house
"You always see me" I giggled.
"Yes..I do" he smiles, "Goodnight" ruffling my hair.
"Goodnight"
I watched him walks away until he can no longer be seen. I look up and stare at the stars shining brightly. In every direction there is a star, should I fly into the universe any way would be the right way. I tilt my head, gazing upward, eyes more open than they can be in the fullness of day, not looking at one star, yet somehow seeing them all at once. The wind was chill and I thought to myself, I'd be nice to watch the stars with him.