A young lady was crying. I can hear her voice.

I opened my eyes and then I saw her again. Why are you crying in this lonely garden, at night, and in this cold and rainy mountain city? Yuna? 

Why? Did someone hurt you?

I saw myself with my wrinkled skin, and weak body, and sight, as an old man this time. I was lying in one of the benches of that garden or park—the one that was concealed by the dark of the night, and where she, as a consequence, she cannot see me. She, on the other hand, was sitting on a bench some distance away from me—the one under the burning lamppost that bravely fought the darkness and the coldness of the night. I saw that your countenance matured a little bit, Yuna. Some of the childlikeness that you once had, left you, and I’m not sure whether it made you more beautiful or not. But I’m sad to see you like this.

“Why are you crying child?” I said to her when I was already near her.

She was surprised. But she hastily wiped her tears also, in order to hide her sadness. Why do we do that?

“Nothing.”

I sat beside her.

“Nothing? Don’t lie to an old man or to anyone else child.”

She then began to cry again.

“I’m sorry grandpa… It’s just… It’s just…”

Her tears got in the way, but I didn’t tell her to stop crying. Let it out, Yuna. You can unload what burdens you to me under this lamppost. Let me just accompany you for a little while.

....

“Am I not lovable grandpa? Why can’t I be loved like everyone else? Am I not lovable?”

“Dear child, you are lovable more than you can ever know.”

“Then why can’t I be loved like them? Is there anything I am lacking or not doing?”

“You are you, child. You don’t have to do something or change to be lovable, and more, to be loved.”

“…”

She didn’t reply. I sensed that she was not convinced by what I told her, but was afraid to tell that to me.

“You are loved by your dad, right?”

“Uhmmm. Yes, and I love him also… very much.”

“Did you do something for him to love you? He loved you ever since you were born, right? Ever since you’re just a little girl. You did not have to do something for him to love you, you just existed as his daughter, and that was enough for him to love you forever.”

“…” she fell silent, as if happily recalling some memories from a long time ago. Maybe that included that moment when they had a picture together.

“You are always loved, Yuna. You are always loved. Please remember that.”

She smiled at me and said: “Thanks, grandpa… thank you for helping me realize that. My father… I miss him so much. He’s working hard there… back in our country, and I haven’t seen him for a long time now… Maybe I’ll call him now? Oh, my phone! Wait a little while grandpa! I think I left it in my room! My house is just nearby so I’ll be back in a jiffy!”

She then ran and faded into the darkness. And soon, as I was watching for her return at the same direction where she disappeared, the darkness gathered all over me again. 

I’m sorry Yuna. I cannot stay.