Somewhere Only We Know

By: Jarenz J. Suminig

It was a hazy night. The humid fog shrouded the atmosphere, making it hard to see the
surroundings clearly. A trickling sound repeatedly echoed in the distance... It was
raining.
In the midst of the unending fog, a young boy, held his shoulders as his body quivered
in the cold environment. His clothes that could only be described as ripped rags of cloth
embraced his body. With his face and body full of dirt and bruises, he slowly walked in
the muddy streets looking for a place to hide under the drizzling rain.
The shops that were within the streets were already closed due to the fog. Even if they
were open, they wouldn't even think of letting a runaway looking child enter their
premises.
Thankfully, because he walked for a couple more minutes, his unfocused eyes gained a
slightest glimmer of joy after coming across a humongous tree rooted within the forest.
Its leaves were enough to protect him from getting more drenched than he already is.
He was surprised, because he was not paying attention to his surroundings, he realized
it far too late that he has already left the empty streets and travelled further than
expected.
The young boy sat down underneath the tree, laying his back on its hard and rough
bark.
He felt the earth beneath the soles of his bare feet, the ground was soft and cold from
the rain.
As he sat against the tree, he felt loneliness slowly creeping on him. It was always like
this, ever since he was little, the young boy had no one to properly talk to.
The young boy had a solemn look on his face as he thought to himself "I deserve it. I
bring out misfortune to everyone I meet."
His thoughts were dark unlike other children that are commonly happy and content with
their selves. His long twilight hair that cascaded to his shoulders was like the deep night
sky.
A subtle yet noticeable sound of what seemed to be footsteps entered his eardrums. At
the same time, a gentle breeze swept his hair to the side giving him a clearer view of
the prowler nearby.
The fog that engulfed the surroundings made it harder to see the being in front of him.
Its dark silhouette slowly shaped into a human with long hair as it inched closer with
each step.
Both of his eyes locked towards the shadow until it was only a few meters ahead of him,
revealing a girl with a beautiful long blonde hair.
She stared at the young boy with a curious look. She held her hand up to his direction,
wanting to get a handshake.
"Hello, what's your name?" Her joyful voice rang into his ears like a melody. However,
contrary to her expectations, the young boy slapped her hands away as he shouts "Get
away from me!".
A shocked look appeared on her face as she asked "What's wrong? I'm not here to hurt
you." He then replied with uncertainty "Really? But... You'll get yourself hurt if you get
close to me.
When he was little, everyone that associated themselves to him either had misfortune
on their lives or got hurt from being with him for too long.
So, he decided it was best if no one were to get close to him.
"Don't worry! I was known as being lucky ever since I was born!" Her attitude was a
large contrast towards the young boy's that only held dark and gloomy thoughts.
She sat beside him also leaning against the tree, she then asked "So tell me, what's
wrong? The weather's not great but you're resting here."
He glanced at her and eventually opened his mouth "My parents... they keep hurting
me. I try to make them acknowledge me in a good light but all they do is throw me
bottles of beer every night."
"How horrible of them!" she replied with bewilderment. How could parents who brought
out their offspring into this world hurt their kin? The girl was unable to understand their
behavior.
The two of them continued to chat with each other. Time flowed ever so slowly as they
talked to each other.
The boy he felt an indescribable feeling leave his chest. Perhaps having someone to
talk to has finally lifted the problems that he held inside his mind.
No one in the world has made him feel this way, he felt thankful towards this unknown
girl for listening to him ramble about his problems.
Not only did she listen, she also gave her opinion, saying things like "It was not your
fault." "There was nothing you could do." "They were the problem, not you."
 They were not able to realize it but they have talked until the sun has risen.
The rain and fog that shrouded the area has finally passed, revealing a beautiful forestry
with a uniquely large tree with pink leaves sticking out of its branches.
Both of the children only realized after the dazzling light of the sun temporarily blinded
them.
At the same time, they laughed. They forgot about the time because of their long chat
with each other.
The two of them felt connected to each other. They both knew each other's past and
was finally able to up to another person other than their selves rather than bottling it all
up inside.
 "Let's meet up again tomorrow? Same time as before?" The girl asked the boy who
which replied "Sure."
Contrary to their first meeting, the boy's eyes were now filled with joy and hope.
The thought of talking to her once again made him happy and for him, that was enough.
Enough to brighten his day, unlike the dark life he has had ever since growing up.
Now, he has something to look forward to. Which was her.
 They both split up to different directions, their homes that were different from each
other.
The two of them had different experiences in their life growing up, yet they understood
each other.
They may have had families unlike the other yet they understood what it felt to be in one
their shoes.
Was this the wish that they have been dreaming of?
To be understood? Have someone to listen and talk to about their problems? Yes,
perhaps it was.
 Spring...
Summer...
Autumn...
Winter...

A long time has passed ever since the two children have first met.
An old man looked at a familiar tree in front of him. He had an earnest smile written on
his face as he looked at the person besides him.
To his right also was an elderly woman who had a happy expression.
It was the two kids. They have all grown up now, living happy lives. Their complicated
childhood was now gone, replaced with a linear life that they have always wanted.
"Hey, do you ever wander what could have been if I never told you, my story?" The old
man asked with a hoarse voice
"I would have been filled with regret for not knowing how you felt." She replied.
"Yeah... You gave my life another reason to brighten when darkness is the only thing I
knew. I love you." with that sentence, he held a smile on his face.
"I love you too."
Life was not something that should be waste. Regret only comes to those who hold on
for far too long. An encounter can be so much more than just passing by each other.
So, take the chance and open up to others.