His Sweetest Dream

I was walking around the campus. I remember watching couples walking around as if that’s the only reason they were there. It was sickening. But I met her there, too. The wind picked up when she walked past me, and she smelled so sweet. I still remember the moment when time seemed to stop. Her hazel eyes were the death of me. How my eyes met hers was the moment I knew why people love romance.

I’m unsure, but I think I greeted her with a simple, “Hi…”

She was so confused, but she responded, “Hello… Do you need something?”

I was naive.

I mean, I was scrawny, there was no way someone like her would notice someone like me. I didn’t even know what to say to her, but I struck up a conversation with her. Crazy? Yeah, I probably was.

I took a deep breath as her eyes looked deep into my soul. I was so nervous that I forgot we were outside, given how silent that moment felt. My hand was shaking, and my voice cracked.

“Uh… sorry, I just… never mind, I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

I think she snorted when my voice squeaked. That was embarrassing. I wished the ground had eaten me.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to laugh. I’ll go now.” She was giggling. It was cute, so I didn’t mind.

She turned around, and I knew she thought I was a weird person, no doubt. What was I even doing?

I thought that was the end of it, but I guess not. During one of the courses I was taking, she was there, sitting beside me. She just walked in and sat beside me. I thought the world was playing a cruel joke; maybe it was. My ears were burning from embarrassment and the thrill of having her near me. She’s just that beautiful.

I looked away, hoping she wouldn’t remember me… She did.

“Oh, we meet again.”

I turned, slowly, and I think I was smiling weirdly. But the moment my eyes met hers, I forgot about my embarrassment. She was so close, but also so far. I was wishing that it would last. The worst was that I was staring at her. I didn’t notice her waving her hands in front of me.

She asked so softly, her voice was heavenly, “Um… you there?”

And mine? It was the earth cracking, “S-Sorry—”

She chuckled, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh.”

Honestly, I didn’t care, because if making my voice crack will make her smile that cutely, I’ll do it again.

Then the professor walked in. I didn’t even listen to his discussion; I was lost in her presence. Then it ended. She just said goodbye and left. I waved her goodbye, too, but she wasn’t looking. Honestly, I’m glad she didn’t, because if she did, she would’ve seen my stupid grin. But watching her walk away… All I could do was wish to see her again.

I just sat there, feeling so stupid for not asking her name. I still couldn’t believe I didn’t think of that. Foolish, that’s all I could say. I mean, it’s not like there wouldn’t be another chance. But I just wished I knew sooner.

Then a couple of days passed. I thought to myself that this is the day I’ll ask her her name. What a crazy day that was. She walked in with a new hairstyle. I still think of how she looked with her hair resting on her shoulders and her red lips. I bet my stupid self was blushing just seeing her. I mean, who wouldn’t?

The most shocking was when she greeted me, “Hi, we meet again.”

Her smile is so unfair. The room lit up, and every colour seemed bright.

I remember the way I stutter, trying my best to compliment her. I couldn’t believe I told her, “Y-You’re so p-pretty…”

What was I doing? I think I was crazy, no, I think I went beyond that. But she just smiled at me… She’s such an angel, no doubt.

Then, I remembered to tell her my name, hoping she would remember me, “Um… I’m M-Matt, nice to m-meet you.”

She reached out her hand, and I was too stunned to speak, “I’m Diane, nice to meet you, too.”

I grabbed her hand, and my ears glowed bright; I knew it did, no question asked. I knew she noticed it too. I mean, she stared at my ears and saw how her ears glowed bright too. I wished I had teased her… but I probably couldn’t even talk to her properly.

That happened a couple more times. Then, we were assigned to a group project. I thought to myself, “What a blessing.” I was so happy at that time. If I’m not wrong, we created the project at her house first. Her parents were so kind to me, I’m not sure though. I couldn’t believe I was shaking just thinking about going there before; then, suddenly, I was there. We went to her room and just sat on the floor. Instead of creating the project, we just ended up chatting with each other. She told me a lot of things, such as how she loved reading poetry, her affection for old romance movies, and her childhood as a taekwondo player. Me? I was scrawny when I was a kid, so all I could tell her was how I like to play games on my phone…

I think this was the time I asked her for her number. That was the bravest I had been, if I’m being honest. That moment felt so long; it felt like a minute passed before she answered. She agreed to it, probably because we needed to do the project. But I took that as a sign, because I was stupid… Maybe she meant it like that—yeah, no way.

I think she said, “Sure, here’s my number.”

My stupid ass was probably trembling at receiving the very first number of a girl.

I really thought that we would hang out like that, but it became a project focus meeting after that first day. But we still enjoy our time together, probably. We worked on that project for two weeks in her house; her parents even know me and treat me like their son.

His father once said, I probably mess this up but he said, “I support you.”

Man, that was the best encouragement I received. So, I asked her out on a date… because my dumb mind thought her father’s support meant she told him something. Now, looking back at it, that was a dumb move. But to my surprise, she agreed. I still remember her smile that day and how I walked home smiling from cheek to cheek.

Then we kept talking ever so often before the date day happened. The day arrived. I think that day I wore the lamest shirt I could think of… I wish I had thought more about it. She came to the meeting place all dressed up. The time slowed down, and everything went silent, like the first time I met her. I think I was regretting dressing the way I did… because if I didn’t, then I’m beyond help.

I vividly remember how she looked on our first date. I was probably whispering to myself about how beautiful she was. She looked like a celebrity, and everyone was staring at her. I couldn’t believe I got to go on a date with someone like her. It was awful to imagine a scrawny boy and this beautiful lady walking around…

That day we watched a movie, ate in a restaurant, played in the arcade, did some window shopping, looked through a bookstore, and I escorted her back home.

I guess it was true, I should’ve kissed her back there. But honestly, I’m glad my stupid ass didn’t. I mean, if someone like me kissed me from the first date… yeah, I’ll cut connections.

I think she whispered something before she entered. It was something like, “I had fun today. Let’s do this again.” Or something along those lines. That was a clear sign. I should’ve invited her right then and there, but I didn’t. Of course, I didn’t…

I think it took a week of chatting on campus and messaging each other on weekends before we set another date. The second date was the same as before, but I think that was the first time I held her hands. It was the softest hands I held. Not like I held another girl’s hands beside her before. I think she knew I liked her, but my shy self couldn’t confess to her.

Then months passed by, just us talking and going out on dates. I think it was our 4th date when I told her I liked her. It was, I think, in the park near the campus. It was an after-class date. We were sitting on a bench watching the sky turn dark; it was so romantic.

The confession went like this. I called her like, “Diane…”

My voice was trembling, but now that I think of it, she probably liked me back then, too. I mean, who would go on 4 dates with someone you don’t like at all?

She looked into my eyes. Those hazel eyes are so pretty as they reflected the sky. I knew they would be the death of me.

I grabbed her hands and told her, “I-I like yo…u.”

I think it took her 5 minutes to answer, or at least that’s what it felt like. She just looked into my eyes as if telling me she knew. I mean, at that point, no one would doubt that I like her.

“I know.” Then she paused, for a long time. I think my heart broke that time. How dare she do that to me? But she smiled and confessed that she liked me too.

I couldn’t explain how happy I was that time, but I felt the world spin a little slower. That was the first time I kissed a girl. Well, it was she who kissed me, then we held that for like an hour or so… I might be exaggerating, but that’s how long it felt. Then, when she pulled away, her eyes slowly opened, meeting mine. That moment felt so magical.

We dated for 3 years and graduated from college. In those three years, nothing much happened. We hang out most of the time in her house, but never fool around like how people our age do. Maybe it was because I wanted to treasure her, and besides, she wanted to do it after our wedding. We weren’t engaged during that time. I didn’t mind, it’s not like I dated her for that.

We started working, and I was saving for a ring. I wanted to propose to her because I knew I wouldn’t be able to find someone like her. I think it took me a year and a half just to buy a decent ring. I wanted it to be special, so I invited her to where I first confessed on our anniversary. We sat underneath the three; she was sitting there. She looked so beautiful, I still couldn’t believe she was dating someone like me. During that time, I was building my body, so you could say that I am fitted to be her boyfriend, but she was just… I can’t explain how beautiful she was, but she just is.

I got on my knees and proposed to her. I think my voice trembled. That time, it just sank in how big that decision was. All I remember was that she nodded and hugged me; she was crying as I put the ring on her. Later that day, we told our parents. They were so happy for us.

We started planning our wedding, and the planning took forever. I think it took us a year to plan our wedding and save for it. Besides that, we were also planning on moving in together. Like in the middle of planning, we move in together. Our very first living space was a small apartment, but it was big enough for the two of us. That was also the first time we took a bath together. We just thought to try it out, and it was the most intimate we had ever been. That time, it sank in both of us that our lives were beginning to change. During the 2nd month of living together, not sure, but I think this was the time we fought, like fought. It was the time I got scared, because I felt the world spin faster. It was overwhelming… I understand myself back then, but now that I look back, she was probably hurting more.

I ran away that night. I couldn’t handle telling her how I wanted to cancel our wedding. I still hated how I thought back then. I went back home early morning. I saw her waiting in the living room, just sleeping on the couch. I cried back then; seeing her like that broke my heart. I think even back then, I was hating myself.

Before we fought, I was already indecisive, and she probably felt me drifting away. How I didn’t hug her when I got home, or how I slept on the opposite side of the bed. She probably wanted to talk to me, but I felt so unavailable to her. I should’ve known that she said that because of my action.

Her words went like, “Are you regretting choosing me?”

That’s the time I realised how I was acting like an asshole. I owe her an apology… I should say sorry.

Then it turned into a heated argument, where it was obvious who was wrong… it was obviously me.

But when she woke up, she just looked at me as if I had done nothing wrong. I think that made me feel worse. I told her all the things I felt, and she just accepted it. She also told how she felt about everything. She told me, “I’m scared, but I’ll trust you.” Or something like that.

I should’ve known that, but I… there was no excuse. We made up after that, and somehow we felt closer than before. I guess it was true that fighting brings people closer. I wished I held her longer and tighter.

Before we even knew it, our wedding day arrived. Our families and friends were there. I think my hand was shaking even before the event. Then she walked in, and her wedding dress was dragging behind her. She looked like a goddess. How sweet that time was. I still remember how we laughed before we kissed each other in front of our family and friends. I think she said something funny, but I couldn’t remember what it was… It’s something about how I looked before and how shy I was… and something about me being unable to kiss her in front of my parents.

After that, we spent our first night in a luxurious hotel… I mean, we were too broke to have an expensive honeymoon, so we decided to have a grand first night. We were so shy, not like we hadn’t seen each other naked, but the thought of doing the deed was something we weren’t prepared for. We had been dating for a long time, and that was the first time we would do it. I think I messed it up, too. All I could say is that it was the sweetest first time and the awkwardest one.

Then 2 weeks passed and we found out that we were pregnant. We were so excited to be parents, but also scared. It was our first pregnancy, and it was filled with challenges. I always tried my best to support her whenever she needed me. They say that woman look their worst in pregnancy, but I doubt that’s true. She looked her prettiest when she was carrying our child. I think I told her that, too. She even replied to me, saying I was lying, but I could tell that it made her feel happy.

Then the day of her labour arrived. Our family gathered in the hospital. I remember standing next to her; she was squeezing my hands so tight. Just hearing her struggle was the worst experience… I just felt like crying for her pain. I think I was wishing to relieve some of it. I knew it was painful, but I never thought it was like that. After 14 hours of labour, our son was born. We were the happiest in our whole lifetime. It was tough at first, but the warmest moments, too. If I could relive those moments, I would. I always will. Just thinking about those times…

I wish I could see her smile again, but I know she’s in a better place now. She’ll always be the muse I would choose, from then till now, and till the next life. She must be waiting for me up there. I can’t wait to see her again. My eyes… feel… heavy…

—beep————————————————————————————...

Name: Matteo D. Florence

Age: 85

Time of death: 07/28/2025, 10:30 pm.

Cause of death: Natural Causes/Old age.

—The End—