Rain. I loved yet I hated the rain. I loved the dark cloud that brought a sense of comfort to my heart, but hated it when I need the sunlight as the electricity in my house was cut off. I loved the cold breeze that caressed my skin when it hot, but hated it when my laundry didn’t dried up. I loved the gentle water that trickled down but hated the heavy shower as there was no umbrella. I could not afford one, and even when I had one, it was stolen. I hated that day even more.

Today was one of those day where I came to dislike it slightly more than before. The roaring thunder only added more to my anxiousness as I kept waiting for him. Clasping my hands together, I prayed for his safety. When people were driven by hatred, there was nothing to stop their lunacy. Truly, I can’t help being worry. What if they do something to him as revenge?

Just as I bent on going to pick him up, the entrance door flung open. Drenched from head to toe, he slumped his head on my shoulder. “Sorry. I’m a bit tired,” he mumbled softly, pitifully.

What in the world had he witnessed for him to be so defenseless, powerless, helpless. I wished I could relieved his forlorn heart. It wretched my inside to see him dejected and weak. Never once before in my life have I comforted someone in their distress. All I know was to stay silently by their side. What should I do to lessen his grievous?

The water soaking his clothes permeated into mine. Was there nothing else I can do other than tightly embracing him and patting his back? “Come here. I’ll give you a warm bath. Can’t have you catching cold,” I said, pushing him away and have a good look on his dejected face.

Sitting by the edge of the bathtub, I kneaded the top of his head. Bubbles formed. His tense shoulders relaxed as he leaned his head on my lap. “You see, I was scrolling on my phone then I saw this simple recipe for tiramisu. So I copied it down and, wow, the recipe was not only easy to follow but the result was fantastic. Even I was able to make something delicate. I’ll give you a taste after bath.”

His eyelashes fluttered as he slowly open his eyelids. The corner of his lips perked up. He muttered, “really? Have you taste it for yourself first?”

“Of course I did! I swear it’s good!”

Chuckled, he said, “then I must have a try.” He grabbed my hand, and tilted his head, looking up straight into my eyes. “Don’t you have anything you wanted to ask?”

If he doesn’t want to talk about it, he won’t ever uttered a single word. I guess, he really wanted to let it all out. “How was the trial?”

“Guilty of charges. They received a lifetime imprisonment.”

“How about you?”

“Me? I applied to transfer out my name from the household registration book. Wen Zi Qi. How does it sound?”

“Handsome.”

“Little Ning…”

“Yes?”

“Will you be my family?”

That caught me off guard. Blinking my eyes, I replied, “right now? Seriously right now? You made such proposal while having me washed your hair?”

Splash! Waters splashing all over the tiles as he suddenly rose and turning around. He pulled me into the water. His face that looked like an abandoned puppy was quite adorable. With foam still on his head, he said, “you don’t want to?”

“No…”

“!”

“Of course I wanted to. I was waiting for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But, do ask me again when we are both clean.”

“Ah~” His eyes shifted left and right, only to realize the mess he had made. His gaze stop at my face. Smirking, he whispered right in my ear, “we both already wet. Let’s just take a bath, together.”

He purposely used the kind of sweet honeyed voice. Knowing well how my face would go red every time he does so. Covering my face was no use as I saw the curved on his lips became more obvious. He pulled my waist closer and rubbed his finger on my lower lip. His gaze intensified.

“Alright! Alright! I’ll take off my clothes by myself,” I quipped, pushing him away. That was embarrassing. I felt my heart was about to leap out from my mouth.

Living with someone was exciting at first. Gradually, the differences in values and ways of life form a crack. Misunderstanding, miscommunication. All sort of issues rise up the more you learn about each other. However, when we shared a path together, with the same goals in life. We learn to tolerate, to understand, to accept, every little things. That was how he and I became closer as the time passed.

Teasing was a routine. Bickering was only few times in life. Because he doesn’t like it when we slept with our back against each other. Cuddling became a habit. As we became each other family, we invited another as our family. That was how our family grew.

“System.”

[Yes, host?]

“Is this really a mission?”

[Yes. Why would you ask?]

“It doesn’t feel like one. We met, live together, vowed to each other, and even after years of living, even after wrinkle and spot come peeking, I am still here. By his side.”

[Host, these missions doesn’t have due date. Your task was to love. To love until the day your soul is ready to depart from the world. Of course, taking your own life would not be counted or permitted.]

“I see.”

Turning my head, I saw his wrinkled face smiling. I would never had thought that I would lived this long with him. My lips perked up and I clasped his hand with mine. We sat by the willow tree to savor the morning breeze. Our leg could not handle the long walk anymore.

“My little Ning,” he called out with his hoarse voice. Old and weak. That he became.

“Yes, my dear?” I have gotten used to calling him like that after decades of being together.

“Let’s be family again. In our next life. Even next life, and next life. Again and again, as we keep living. Don’t let go of my hand.”

“I will.”

He was the first person whom I called a family. He was my ray of light in the dark sea. Because of him, I knew life could be so peaceful, so serene. I was not alone, and so does he. Together, hand in hand, we walk our path. For so long, I was in peace. I hope, just like he became my comfort, I could be his. I do not knew if there was next life, but I knew, if there were, I will surely ran toward you. See you soon, my darling.

[Initializing home portal… Transition in 3… 2… 1…]