For our 5th date… and the 4th day since we started dating.
This here was the day we learnt of each other's deepest and life-changing secrets.
We went hiking, starting as early in the afternoon.
It was hot but not too unbearably hot. We managed somehow and arrived at a good spot in the mountain where we could view the beautiful skies.
We set up camp, we had brought a good amount of survival equipment and things necessary for camping.
Our plan wasn't only to hike and view the blue skies but see the night skies at this spot.
However that wasn't only it as during this night, a beautiful phenomenon would occur. A rain of meteorites would fall and create the phenomenon called, 'meteor shower,'.
This was breaking news and many wanted to see such things even Von and Jana. They wanted to see it!
The occurrence would definitely be a sight to see.
It was 5:00 pm. It was estimated that the meteor shower would start at 8:00 pm.
The time was close, I, with the help of Jana, had already set up our tent. Now we were outside enjoying the cold and refreshing breeze of the night sky.
The tree leaves around us swayed and made some peaceful sounds.
I placed a large blanket on the plain ground just right infront of the outside of our tent.
I sat on it, gazing at the night sky that was swallowing the setting sun.
I glanced to the side sensing some movements, it was Jana.
Even now she still looked beautiful, it was even more so at this moment. She was breath-taking.
We locked eyes for a moment but she soon turned her eyes to the skies.
I also did the same…
Silence ensued with only the sounds of rustling leaves caused by the gentle breeze of wind sounding in the background.
While we waited for the hours to tick by, I asked something abruptly.
"Why…why did you agree to date me?"
…
"Why? I wonder why too…I don't know exactly. Maybe it's cause you caught my interest? Maybe because you made me feel something? Maybe because you made me experience something new in my whole life? I truly do not know."
Hearing those words, I closed my eyes.
"But what I do know is that…I don't regret the choice I made that day you asked me. With each day that passed, you insisted we go on a date and each date…you made me experience new things. Those experiences — I give importance to and consider it as the most precious moments of my whole life."
My eyes snapped open, I didn't expect those words that came out her mouth at all.
And I, even more so, didn't think she would cherish the times we dated so much that she would consider it her most precious moments in her life.
I looked at her turning my head only to see her still looking at the skies with sparkling, breath-taking beauty.
I was dazed for a moment.
Shortly after, I turned my head back gradually and looked at the skies which now had some starts twinkling now.
I was still attentive to anything Jana would say.
"The times we spent together, though short, I hope will last long in my memories. I do not wish to forget them…"
Jana spoke some vague words I couldn't quite comprehend.
However she said some words next that made me absolutely baffled.
Swoooosh.
The leaves rustled…
"I've lived a long, long time. My life has been going far longer than any ordinary person. An ordinary person can live 100 years at max but I lived my life several hundred years more. I had experienced a lot so I craved for new experiences. I discovered the app, 'Blind Match'. I tried it for the first time and we 'matched'. We met, gone on a date I didn't expect to be such filled with such unexpected events."
Hearing those things, I was greatly in shock. I was speechless. A flurry of emotions was swirling in my heart and my mind had trouble comprehending what she meant.
However, I remained silent and listened to her words.
"And you know what happened next? Another totally unexpected thing — you asked me out? You know what I felt that time? I was sad…yeah…I didn't think I needed to form any relations with anyone as you know…that like I said, I've lived for a long, long time. I've seen people I've built relations with die of old age or some other accidents. I was afraid of going through that experience again so I avoided building relations with anyone — at least that was intention. I didn't know what came over me or why I said 'yes', but now…I'm glad that I said that, even though a day may come where your life will come to an end…and I will continue to live," I could feel the melancholic feelings from the tone of her voice.
I took a deep breath and released a sigh.
After a long moment of silence, I opened my lips and looked at her.
Jana was still looking at the night skies. But something had changed, her face looked much sadder and there was melancholy present in her eyes.
"So you're basically…an immortal?"
Jana answered yes.
"An Immortal…how ironic." I muttered under my breath.
"I don't know how that works but…life must have been painful for you. Seeing people you've built relations with die, must be a very painful experience…I can't imagine living a life like this truly. Just imagining this gives me a burden of pain that I cannot simply take off…Now I understand why your face always looked glum when I first met you." I said giving my honest opinion.
"I really admire you…for being able to live through such painful experiences." I added.
Jana turned her neck towards me.
Her lips trembled, "Yo—you believe me?" She asked trembling.
"Yes, I do. Even though we've been dating for not even a week, I have learned and observed quite a lot about you. I certainly have certainty you aren't the type to lie about such things. And also, I trust you even if we have only meet for a few days, you can call me an idiot or being irrational but that is how I truly feel…" I answered truthfully.
A tear fell from Jana's eyes greatly shocking me. The pain present in her eyes made my heart feel it it was being ripped apart.
She jumped towards me and give me a gentle, but warm hug as she teared up. I wrapped my hands around her waist and patted her back…
I tried to comfort her but she didn't stop crying.
The pain she was carrying throughout the course of her lifetime, she was finally releasing it all on the embrace and comfort of a man.