The Secret Island
CHAPTER 32: Day Twelve

It's raining today.

The sky poured down like Trevi Fountain. The weather forecast reported that it would rain all day. And that was the reason we sat together on the sofa and watched a movie. A simple activity. But a simple activity with someone significant was rather enjoyable. Celine soaked up every minute with appreciation. But she still had concern in the back of her mind. She was not someone who could completely have her feelings under control. Although Martin cheered her up, she could not go back to being her lively, energetic self again.

Three days left...

Time is a strange concept and even more strange to experience.

Hours flowed through as if they were mere minutes. The time Celine wanted to pause here.

We hadn't talked much, but Martin loved to ask her about her childhood dreams, her university life, her favorite books, and small things about her that she never spent time talking about with any of her ex-boyfriends. Or perhaps no one cared. But that was Martin. He seemed to like knowing about her. And since yesterday, she felt he had become so caring and so different from the first days we met.

Martin tried to make her happy, but greed probably overcame her, and she couldn't fully feel happy about the present. A terrible habit she couldn't get rid of. She wanted it all; she wanted Marin to always be with her; she wanted him to be in her life; she wanted him to love her...

The time finally arrived, the time she couldn't get everything she wanted.

"You are making that face again..." Martin made an observation and poked her cheek teasingly. We sat together and listened to the rain.

"It's nothing. The rain is too loud. It's difficult to hear anything else." Celine raised her voice to compete with the sound of rain and winds outside.

The correlation between weather and mood swings is a tragic truth. When looking out at the gray sky and a small storm outside, Celine almost wanted to cry again. She really hated her own weakness.

"It's your birthday tomorrow. Do you have any plan?" Martin whispered a question near her ear. He had already turned off the TV and rested his head on her shoulder. Celine knew he didn't mean to..., but she couldn't stop herself from falling deeper. It was unfortunate, but she was helpless to stop the sensation after being close to someone who influenced her heart.

"There is one place I want to go. And I want to go with only you."

"Is there anywhere else on the island we haven't paid a visit?" He was half right. Since we were together, we walked to almost every spot on the islands; the restaurants, the famous tourist spots, the beach, the hillside-almost everywhere. "There is one place. I will tell you tomorrow." She was reluctant to give the location away.

"It's your birthday, but you are giving me a surprise. Really? This is unheard of! Can't I do something for you instead? Let me do something besides just waiting for your surprise." Partly she wanted that, but she didn't want to bother him. She had relied on him too much already.

"No. I'm breaking tradition. Besides, since you think it's absurd, you will remember my birthday for years to come. Isn't that cool?" She caressed his face softly. She couldn't get rid of this habit, not letting go. And this version of Martin didn't help either. How could she let go?

"You know that I have a top-notched brain. Of course, I remember." He said the fact that she could only shake her head in disbelief once again.

"Narcissistic."

His handsome face turned sullen. Sometimes, she wondered what he would be like when he frets and fusses over things he disliked. Probably not as dramatic as she could.

"You are always accusing me of something. No, Celine, I meant it, believe me. Just tell me if you need anything. I'm more willing to do it for you."

"Anything?" She asked with hope.

"Yes. Anything." She thought to herself and shook her head. He couldn't give her what she truly wanted.

"I will do anything for my birthday, girl." His sweet words reminded her of that forbidden question. The question she couldn't ask.

Then can we not break up?

"What is your desire, my dear Celine?" His intense eyes looked at her attentively in contrast to his sweet words. Since when had he been this caring? How could she get over him if he was this sweet? And her treacherous heart made her think of the unthinkable hope.

What if...I ask you to love me, Martin? Could that be my wish?

She didn't know how long she had been staring into his dazzling eyes. But his touch on her arm returned her to her senses.

"You are making that sad face again." He said with concern. Perhaps he knew her secret wish. Could he read her mind? Perhaps that telepathy experiment he did the other day worked. Oh, how delusional she was. Suddenly Martin stood up, and he asked her to get on her feet as well.

"What are you doing?" Celine asked tiredly. Although perplexed by his action, she just couldn't bother. Every time the thought of having to leave him crossed her mind, she had no energy to do anything else. Martin sighed. He closed his eyes and turned away.

Celine thought if she didn't misinterpret the situation. She thought she saw the sadness in those eyes. The same feeling of anguish as hers.

Could it be? Could she be right that we had the same thought?

"Celine, let's go talk outside."