Late one night, during a lull in the hospital's activity, Celine found herself sitting by Alexander's bedside. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the moon, casting an ethereal light on Alexander's sleeping form. Overcome with a wave of tenderness, Celine reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

As if sensing her touch, Alexander's eyes fluttered open. He looked at her, a sleepy smile gracing his lips. "Celine?" he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"Go back to sleep, Alexander," Celine whispered, a warmth spreading through her chest. "I'm just checking on you."

Alexander reached out and took her hand, his grip surprisingly strong. "Stay with me for a while," he pleaded, his eyes filled with a childlike vulnerability.

Celine hesitated for a moment before giving in. She pulled up a chair and sat beside him, their hands still intertwined. A comfortable silence enveloped them, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor.

"I had a dream," Alexander said softly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I dreamt of Corazon. We were dancing under the moonlight, surrounded by fireflies. It felt so real."

Celine's heart ached for him. She knew the power of dreams, the way they could transport you to another time and place, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

"She sounds like a wonderful woman," Celine said, her voice gentle.

Alexander turned his head to look at her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "She was," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "She was my everything."

Celine squeezed his hand, a silent gesture of comfort. She couldn't promise to erase his pain or fill the void left by Corazon, but she could offer him her presence, her friendship, and a listening ear.

"Do you have people in your life whom you treat as your everything?" He asked.

"I used to." She replied. "But they all died when a cyclone hit our state." Alexander was saddened as the woman he loves is still losing the people that she cherished the most in this lifetime. Celine noticed his saddened face so she smiled at him brightly, trying to mask the loneliness she feels whenever the topic of her family is brushed upon discussions like this. "But hey, that's life. People come and go... Besides, I'm okay now. I have my own place, a job, and I get to take care of those who are in need."

"I agree with the part that people come and go; but then again, no man is an island. There will come a time where you won't be alone anymore." He said as he yawned. "And you, Celine, will never be alone anymore. I promise you that."

Alexander's statement startled her, "Sorry," she said, chuckling a little bit to herself, "what do you mean by that?" He didn't answer. He had already drifted back off to sleep.

As the night wore on, Alexander slept soundly on his bed, his hand still clasped in Celine's. Celine remained by his side, a sense of peace washing over her. In that quiet hospital room, under the watchful eye of the moon, a bond was deepening, a bond that held the promise of healing and a love that could transcend even the most impossible of circumstances. A few minutes later, Celine decided to leave Alexander in his bed to do some charting on her other patients.

While she was busy doing some charting, Peter, who had been watching her all along, cleared his throat as he approached the station. "And you said that you didn't believe in this whole reincarnation stuff, huh?" He said while wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Celine looked up, "I still don't," she said, while smiling in disbelief, "I just feel bad for the guy. That's all."

"Honey, we're nurses. We respect every belief that every person has. It's not a bad thing if you believe in this kind of stuff as long as it's not interfering with your practice as a nurse." Peter took an empty seat beside her. "I saw the way he looked at you and vice versa, and all I can say is that that look is the gaze of love."

Celine snorted, "Yeah and John Nash is a spy from the FBI."

"Seriously Celine?" Peter raised an eyebrow at her.

Celine sighed, "Look, the guy only probably likes me because I look like this random woman in his past life. Let's say if we were to date after his stay here, do you think that would make me happy? Living in someone else's shadow?"

"But what if you really ARE Corazon? What if you just don't know it yet?"

Celine gave him the 'really?' look. "Sweetie, just give it a try. I have a shaman friend. Maybe she could help you in reconnecting with your past self." Peter suggested as he gave her a white card with all the details of his shaman friend.

"No offense, Pete, but getting scammed for a few bucks is the last thing I want to happen to me right now." She laughed while holding the card.

He shook his head, "She does not accept cash as payments. She would love some fresh fruits and vegetables, though." Celine fell silent as she looked earnestly at the details on the card. "We can go during our day-off, if you'd like."

Intrigued by Alexander's claims and the undeniable connection she felt, Celine decided to take a leap of faith. "Are you sure about this?" Celine asked, eyeing the dimly lit storefront with a hint of skepticism. A faded sign above the door read "Madame Zora: Psychic Medium and Spiritual Advisor."

"Honey, we've been friends for 10 years now. You, out of all people, should know that I wouldn't suggest any dodgy people or places as I am a woman with a taste." Peter said as he flipped his imaginary long hair.

Celine took a deep breath while gripping at the basket of fruits to offer for Madame Zora, a nervous excitement bubbling within her. "Alright... here goes nothing."

With a shrug of his shoulders, Peter followed Celine inside. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the walls were adorned with mystical symbols and tapestries. A woman with piercing eyes and a warm smile greeted them.

"Welcome," she said, her voice melodic and soothing. "I am Madame Zora. How may I assist you today?"

Celine exchanged a nervous glance with Peter before taking a seat. "We're here to explore the possibility of past lives," she began, her voice hesitant.

Peter cleared his throat, "Just so you know, my friend here," he gestured towards Celine, "is a bit skeptical, but I'm open to the idea."

Madame Zora's smile widened. "Skepticism is healthy," she assured Peter and Celine. "But remember, the universe is full of mysteries and wonders that we are only beginning to understand."

She turned her attention to Celine. "Tell me, child, what is it that draws you to the concept of past lives?"

Celine took a deep breath, her thoughts swirling with memories of Alexander, his words, and the inexplicable pull she felt towards him. "I met a man," she began, her voice barely a whisper. "He believes we were lovers in a past life. And... and I can't shake the feeling that he might be right."

Madame Zora's eyes twinkled with interest. "Tell me more about this man," she urged, leaning forward.

And so, Celine poured out her heart, recounting her encounters with Alexander, his claims of reincarnation, and the strange familiarity that lingered between them. Peter listened intently, his initial skepticism slowly giving way to curiosity.

When Celine finished speaking, a thoughtful silence descended upon the room. Madame Zora's gaze remained fixed on Celine, her expression unreadable.

"Your story is intriguing, child," she finally said, her voice filled with a knowing wisdom. "But the answers you seek lie within your own heart. The truth will reveal itself in due time."

Celine's heart sank. She had hoped for a definitive answer, a confirmation of Alexander's story. But Madame Zora's words, though cryptic, resonated with a deeper truth.

As Celine and Peter left the shop, a sense of uncertainty hung in the air. They had no concrete evidence, no proof of past lives or eternal love. But they did have a lingering sense of wonder, a spark of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, there was more to their existence than they had ever imagined.

"I swear, she always gives definitive answers. I wonder why you got that kind of response." Peter said as they drove back home; he was also confused with Madame Zora's vague response to his friend. "Maybe you had an energy block, or something."

"Or maybe, she really is a scam." Celine sighed. She blew off the last of her earnings for that fruit basket and now, she has to touch her savings to survive during these last two weeks of the month. "Look, we went there, hoping to find answers, but all we got was a vague one - and mind you, least helpful. That woman is a scam."

"Oh c'mon Sweetie, if she really wanted to scam us, she would have us pay by cash upfront." He assured her. "We'll try again next time. I'll be the one to bring a fruit basket this time."

"Peter, there's no need for you -."

"No, I insist." His voice was now much firmer. "If this is the only way to make you happy, then I'll gladly do it for you."

Bewildered, Celine looked at him, "What do you mean? I AM HAPPY!"

"Oh cut the crap, Celine! Ever since your family died in that cyclone, I never saw that spark in your eyes again until that Alexander guy came into our hospital." He pointed out. "You were always alone. Yes, I was always there, but we both know there are things that I couldn't give you 'cause I'm gay as fuck. Let's be real here."

They come to halt at the stoplight. "Dearest, I really think this Alexander guy might be the key to your happiness. I just feel it." Peter told her.

Back at Madame Zora's place, Aisha, the assistant, served her lady mistress a cup of chamomile tea. "Madame, did you really see anything in that girl's eyes?" She asked.

Madame Zora flipped one of her tarot cards open, "Yes. A lot. It's very intriguing, to be honest." She replied in a matter-of-fact manner. "I have never seen so much suffering and pain in my years of practice... and yet so full of love."

Aisha, still confused, decided to ask more. "What do you mean Madame?"

Madame Zora's gaze turned distant, her mind replaying the encounter with Celine. "A soul burdened by a love that transcends time," she murmured, her voice laced with a hint of melancholy. "A love that has been tested and challenged, yet remains unyielding."

Aisha's curiosity deepened. "Do you believe her story, Madame? About the man who claims they were lovers in a past life?"

A gentle smile touched Madame Zora's lips. "The universe works in mysterious ways, Aisha," she replied, her voice filled with a knowing wisdom. "Sometimes, the threads of destiny are woven across lifetimes, connecting souls in ways we cannot comprehend."

"But what about the pain in her eyes, Madame?" Aisha pressed, her voice filled with concern. "The hesitation, the fear?"

Madame Zora's expression softened. "She carries the weight of past wounds, Aisha," she explained, her voice gentle. "The pain of loss, the fear of betrayal. But there is also a flicker of hope, a yearning for a love that can heal and transcend all boundaries."

Aisha nodded, absorbing her mentor's words. "Do you think they will find their way back to each other, Madame?"

Madame Zora's eyes twinkled with a knowing light. "Only time will tell, Aisha," she replied, her voice filled with a quiet confidence. "But remember, love is a powerful force. It can overcome any obstacle, bridge any gap, and ultimately, lead us to our true destiny." She flipped another tarot card and smiled.

"But Madame, why didn't you tell her?" Aisha asked. There were times that she witnessed Madame Zora give definitive answers to her clients who were seeking for the truth.

She shook her head, "It's not my job to reveal those things. Those things that I saw were very painful and disturbing. I only saw a glimmer of love and hope in her. I can't bear hurting an innocent soul."

"Do you think they will come back? They probably think that you're a lowkey scammer now." Aisha asked to which Madame Zora burst out laughing.

"Of course they will." She replied with confidence in her voice. "I'm sure of it. Those three will seek concrete answers. Peter... or should I say Manuel... had already met Corazon in this lifetime and it's Celine. In due time, I will meet not only Manuel, Corazon... but also that man they call Alexander whose name in his past life was Akihiro."

Aisha couldn't help but to be in awe of her mistress's psychic abilities. She hopes that one day she could also be as great as her in spiritual practices like this one.