I looked at him straight in the eyes and saw a beautiful soul. And though with imperfections, it complemented mine as much as fate would allow. It was, indeed, breathtaking, that I could not help the impending tears from flooding my eyes. I cupped his cheeks and poured my heart out as I said, “I am so happy. I am happy that you are real, you exist, and you are here with me. What good have I ever done to deserve the angel standing before me? Thank you so much.” And then was granted the most genuine and the sweetest smile I have seen my whole life.

“I love you too,” he said.

He looked at me, eyes wide in awe.

"What?" I asked, my undone, bushy eyebrows raised.

He pinched my cheek and it instantly reddened. "God, you're so beautiful," he sighed.

I only laughed at him. "I am completely make up free, idiot."

He continued to stare at me as if I was a painting in a museum. He then gave me that smile that I know is exclusively for me. "I know."

And with every blink, I fear that this overwhelming love he showers me with might vanish any moment.

It doesn't, though.

I take in his features and every memory I have with him flashed in my mind, and I finally realize what he sees in me.

"I love you too," he replies to my unspoken words.

He took both of my hands, turned them over and gave each scar an anguished look. I know that look too well and I despise it. I don't need pity. I took my hands back but he was fast to grab them again.

I winced at the reminiscent but nonexistent physical pain. Images of bloody wrists flashed before my eyes, tormenting me. Salty tears dropped harshly on old wounds, but here he is, kissing the pain away, erasing the scars with his powerful feelings of love I never thought were possible.

For once, I was thankful I did not kill myself that day.

My eyes shot open. Where am I? I panic as I try to gather my senses. Suddenly, a whiff of freshly made pancakes fill the room and I remember, I am home.

I am home.

A head peeked in from the open door, and a concerned face welcomed me. "Are you okay?" He asks.

My heartbeat quickened until it's racing more than normal, that I am dazed for a second. But I calmed down just as fast. I am reminded; I am home.

I nod and give him a shy but grateful smile, and he graces the room with the brightest of smiles I had ever seen—brighter than the sunlight that blinded me first thing today.

"Breakfast? I made your favorite." He walks toward me and offers his hand.

I take it.

I have always thought that there is no one who could appreciate, take care of and love me better than myself.

He proved me wrong.

He turned my world around. He bulled his way into my heart with no intentions of leaving. He appreciated me more than I did. He took care of me more than I did. He loved me, way too much actually. He showed me a different kind of love and loving that only he had the power to teach me.

"Thank you," I stated with conviction and passion as I caressed his sleeping face.

4 pm. 5 pm.

He was on his way from the city.

7 pm. 8pm.

He drove all the way to the province where I'm staying. I cursed plane tickets for being extremely expensive.

8:30 pm. 8:47 pm. 9:03 pm.

I waited patiently.

10 pm came. 11 did.

He arrived before midnight.

11:56 pm.

It must be really chilly outside. His cheeks were all rosy, his nose was too, and his eyes were bloodshot. It then occurred to me, he was crying. His gleaming orbs gave it away.

11:57 pm.

He rushed to me for a tight hug that I was left breathless. He kissed me after, and I felt all the love and longing pour out to me.

"I missed you so much."

12:00 am.

He kissed me once again.

"I'm a mess. You won't want me. I'm too broken, and you won't be able to fix me," I said nonchalantly, clearly tired of repeating the same thing over and over in my head for the past half of my life.

He just stood there, observing me, before he took my hand and held it close to his lips. His warmth immediately radiated from his palms to my cold heart and to the root of my misery.

"I'm not here to fix you. That's your job if you think that there's something wrong with you. I'm not here to change you. I'm here to love you."

"I don't think I can do it," I mumbled as my body quivered in fear. I looked down again and saw nothing but water and huge rocks.

He chuckled, no, he laughed heartily at me.

"What the hell?" I smacked his arm.

"Hey, hey, look at me, babe." He unexpectedly cupped my cheeks and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips that made me close my eyes instead, but not before I almost lost my balance due to my knees buckling.

Suddenly, my nerves have calmed down and I stopped shaking.

"Jump with me?" He offered his hand and I gladly took it.

"Is it going to be like this tomorrow? And the next?" I panicked as I walked back and forth the unfamiliar living room, looking for anything that might help me. I don't even have any idea what I'm looking for and where to start.

The burning in my eyes did not help my already blurred vision. I turned to him, eyes glistening, and blood rose to my face in fury.

"Hey, you! We can't go on like this for the rest of the day. Hey!" Nothing. He just sat on the couch, staring at nothing in particular.

"Hey!" Tears trickled down my cheeks. I know what he's thinking, or at least I think I do, and I know that we're just waiting for who brings it up first. He glanced at me and I caught a hint of fear in his eyes.

I grew more scared by the second. Silence shrouded the both of us and I took that time to memorize his face.

"Who am I?" He asked reluctantly.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I rummaged through my brain for a specific name.

I couldn't find any. It only triggered a painful throbbing in my head. I know him. My heart tells me so, but I couldn't pick up the right letters to form a name.

He saw the answer in my eyes. He gave me a sad, understanding smile before he said, "It's okay, babe. You might forget my name, but I know in my heart that you love me and I love you, and I will never get tired of reminding you that until the day I die."

I was always running from something. It didn't matter how small or big the reason was, I'd always be running. I had been escaping this life ever since, that there are times when I do not know anymore what I was running from. The world around me just moved too fast, and whenever I tried to keep up, I'd end up going against all. Everything was a mess until one day.

He held my hand and the world stopped, turned into slow motion, and revolved faster than ever—all at the same time—if that even makes sense. It made me dizzy and nauseous, but then it calmed me down. He just held my hand.

It was rather confusing. It was new to me, but I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything, not when things suddenly fell into place.

Because of one touch, I found a reason to stop running and stay.