Collaboration with: Genesis

“Goodness, I’m running late!”

I hurriedly make my way through the crowded train station. As I began to sit near the window, my mind already racing with thoughts of my next patient.

I look at my watch and then look around to kill time. But then, someone caught my attention.

He’s just standing in my opposite direction amidst the chaos, his eyes fixed on the outside specifically at night sky as if he’s lost in another world.

What a familiar figure.

As I arrived. Napatigil ako ng konti nang sumunod siya sa pagbaba ko. I shook my head and began fixing myself.

Ngunit hindi na talaga kinaya ng kuryosidad ko nang malaman kong sumusunod pa rin siya sa ‘kin.

And so, I turned my back to face him.

“Excuse me, sinusundan mo ba ‘ko?” agaran kong tanong.

He’s taken a back.

And I gulped at his gaze piercing yet strangely gentle.

“And why would I do that? I’m heading to the clinic of Dr. Sofia.”

Napalunok ulit ako sa kahihiyan. And the thing is my name is Sofia, I’m the doctor he’s talking about.

“I’m Dr. Sofia. So, you’re probably my patient tonight.”

As I looked at him, I can see that there’s no something wrong about him. He seems normal and how possible he becomes my patient.

Oh maybe, maybe there’s something strange about his mind.

“Oh, Is that so? Nice meeting you, Ms. Sofia. Maganda pala ang magiging doktor ko.”

I wasn’t able to respond with his sudden compliment. Kaya agad akong tumalikod para itago ang sariling mukha. Actually, hiding my reactions.

“Okay follow me to my clinic,” nasabi ko nalang.

As we head inside to my office room. I began to asked some common questions. And my lips parted after our conversation.

“So, let me get this straight. You claim to be an alien from another planet?”

Wth.

He’s literally a patient.

“That’s correct. I come from a distant galaxy, sent here to fulfill my promise to a certain person.”

And what? Distant galaxy?

Oh, he really needs immediate medication.

“And what exactly is this promise of yours?” I asked first, curious about his mind.

“To come back to her.”

He said it seriously.

And I don’t know why I listens intently, torn between disbelief and fascination of this Matteo, and yeah that’s his name.

“And why reveal all of this to a psychologist?” I asked promptly.

“Because that person is you.”

After that conversation of ours. I literally left hanging and found myself searching for something around my room.

And later, I found something I couldn’t believe I will be found.

So, I call him still not in my normal self to talked to him again.

“I’m here, Dr. Pretty!”

After he showed up. Our eyes meet in silent understanding, a bond forming between the past. I teared up. Began shaking while my hand’s holding our picture we took before when I was still 10.

“I’m back, my little Pia. As what I have told you. I’ll come back at the right time.”

“Big M-mat...” my voice cracked.

He smiled and that makes my heart cry again.

“You’ve grown beautifully, Pia.”

I closed my eyes and started hugging him. I smiled as I reminisce our memories before.

I was 10 and he was 18.

Now I’m already in my 20s and still his looks don’t age.

He’s totally an alien.

“I’ve missed you, bakit ngayon ka lang!” I cried in his arms.

As we head outside. Beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, the stars twinkling above us in silent reverence.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The way the universe stretches out before us, it’s infinite and unexplored.” I suddenly mouthed, really glad of what is happening.

“Just like our love, Pia. Boundless and eternal.”

And I smiled for that thought. As we embrace beneath the celestial canopy, a shooting star streaks across the sky.  And that memory vanished.

Nagising ako sa biglaang pagtigil ng tren. Nakarating na ako.

I stand on the platform of the train station; my heart began to heavy with sorrow as I remember him again.

Boundless and eternal.

Tsk.

But why he’s not here?

For that second time, I’m waiting again.

I’m already in my 30’s. Still single, dahil pinanghahawakan ko uli ang pangako niyang babalik siya after years.

I’m stranded with a question.

Kailan?

As I was about to head at my clinic, a sudden shooting star streaks across the sky, a silent reminder of the love that once burned bright in my heart.

He’s still here, I’m feeling it.

And so, I smiled.

“Until we meet again, my love.”

And with that smile on my lips, I walk into the night.

“You’ll forever have a place in my heart, Matteo. My love for you is beyond the stars.”