23.

We walked for a couple more minutes, the night absolutely still and silent, and had a such peaceful and healing vibe, that I momentarily forgot about the voices.

I stared up at the sky.

I absolutely loved star-gazing. It was just so calming and mind blowing, how such huge masses of luminous gases were always burning in a nuclear reaction so far, far away from us, yet we could still see them, harmless, tiny balls of light, unknowingly comforting everyone who looked upon them.

Usually, all I could see was a dark, dirty shade of orange, due to clouds upon clouds of pollution. As we were walking, the pollution was slowly clearing. I could see a few bright stars twinkling down at me.

I didn't know where you were taking me, but I suspected that that place was remote, and didn't have many vehicles that ventured there.

And then, I heard it; the sound of blades whirring rapidly, the air not so gentle anymore. We turned round a corner, and were met with the sight of a black helicopter, its door open, as if waiting for someone before it took flight.

I had stared at you, to see if this was the gift you had gotten for me. Your smile was the confirmation I needed. I was filled with joy, which multiplied tenfold when you simply said, "You said you loved stargazing. Let's go, stargazing. Let's fly, my love."

x x x