Nguyễn Ngọc Quỳnh Thi

Dance in the Moonlite

The soft noise behind startles her. She turns around to find him staring at her. The blue scrub, with his shirt tugged neatly inside the drawstring pants, makes him even taller and skinnier than he actually be. He must have been on-call tonight, or at least just came out from a delivery, the way his long mane hair still ties back inside that disposable shower cap, and his shoes are still wrapped under those disposable covers. It doesn't look at all to her, that he has spent a whole night sleeplessly delivering babies, neither would she believe he has done three emergencies cesearian in one night. The fragrance of a minty cigarette blends softly on her nostrils.

She winks at him. Smiles. Nothing seems to be too difficult to this man. Nothing is to be stressful about. Nothing at all.



-Why are you up here ? I've been searching for you, honey! He muffles, behind puffs of cigarettes. His eyes never stop looking at her.

-I wanted to get some fresh air and a quiet time to think, but now you've just poluted it. She laughs mockingly.

-Appology. But really, what's on your mind, again?

-Nothing. Just need fresh air. The view from up here is always magnificiently haunting.

-Nothing? Sure? Then tell me why are you sitting on the edge of an

eleventh floor roof ? And why is that you looked like you have lost into

another world, when I found you up here ?

-I'm a dare-devil. You must know that by now, darling! Nothing,

really. I'm just a bit clausterphobic downstairs. My feet are sore from

the routes I have made this whole evening, and the air is beautiful up here

to rest them. That's all, really.

He knods, not too believe in her excuses, but quiet instead. Smashed

the cigarette bud into the ashtray, he walks to her, places his arms around

her, and buries his face into the nape of her neck.

-You smell good. He whispers. His lips wander aimlessly from her hair,

to her neck, running on her skin like millions of ants. She smiles and

shivers. Tilt her head back to rest on his shoulder, she can feel his

warmth through their scrubs and his steady beating heart on her back. She

closes her eyes, breathing in him with his aftershave, cigarettes, bleach

and disinfectant from his scrubs blending together.

-Did she say anything to you again? He whispers, soft as the wind, yet

strong like the deep blue night. He must've known.

-How did you know? Did you talk to her? She turns her head, just

enough so that she can see his eyes. In the dimlit lights, she can see

those sparkle starts in his dark blue eyes. Twinle stars on a deep night

sky. She always wanted those stars as a kid.

-No, I didn't know, but now I do. He looks at her. His eyes darkened,

like they have just sunk into a deep ocean.

-What did she say to you? He asks. Did she say hurtful things again?

-No...I mean, no she didn't call...

-C'mon now, talk to me. There isn't anything you have to conceal for

her. Talk to me baby.

-What do you think of those stars, dear? Don't you wish to be them?

Always sparkle, always bright, always happy...

-Don't change subject, but how would you know they are happy?

-They always shine...

....

-Talk to me, love. I missed you!

-I know. I do too, but you know how I feel....Her voice trails off. She

closes her eyes. Someone told her once, that if she sees the first moon,

it's supposed to bring her good luck. Somehow, she just needs it.

Desperately. The first moon is on her right, faintly shaded the sky into a

curve. She squints her eyes, wonders where the man on the moon is, if he is

able to help her at all.

-I know. I just want to let you know how I feel about you. I have

missed you when I was away, and that's why I had to return early.

-You know how I feel. It's easy for people to go away, because they

won't remember who, and what they have left behind. Only those who have

been left behind would know what it feels like, to be all alone, to deal

with day to day matters.

-I know, my dear, I know. I also know your heart is still filled with

his memories, but I am willing to wait, and as long as you don't mind, I

want to be around, and I want to take care of you. Only when you don't want

me to, then let me know. He speaks softly. His voice husky, yet

persistent. She blinks. A drop of tears falls onto her cheek and the north

winter wind dries it away as quick as it appears.

-But...

-No buts....! You came to me quietly, the way you did. When you want

to go, please go quietly the same way. But during the time, you stay strong

in my heart, and I won't let anything intefere with that. Not a thing. Not

a soul. I know you still love him. I know you still care for him. And I'm

willing to wait, for the day to come, when you come to me free, careless,

and happy. In the meantime, I want to hear your voice, I want to see you

smile, I want you to sing, like those canaries in springtime, and I want you

to be happy. Because you are my Spring.

-But I can't make you suffer just for me...She protests softly, frown

upon his words.

-Shhhhh......shhhhh....I told you. Leave the rest for me.

-But....

-Shhh....C'mhere.

-Huh?

-C'mhere with me, for a minute.

-What are you trying to do? She asks. Puzzles by his expression. The half smile on his lips, the twinkling stars in his smile, a dab of

mischievous in his eyes. He stands up, pulls her onto her feet, and drags her by her hand to the middle of the rooftop.

-What is it?

-Shhhh.....Puts her hands on his shoulder, he helds her in his arms, and starts to dance.

-Close your eyes, love. Imagine the music. And just dance. Just

dance.

-But....

-Shhh...just dance, love. He closes his eyes. She startles for a few minutes, and starts to float with him. The music of the song "Man on the Moon" starts playing in her ears. She closes her eyes and smiles. Forget about the world, forget about his mother and her harsh rejecting words, forget about the guy who has walked out of her life, let go of all troubles, and in the middle of those silvery moonlights, they dance together, embrace and happy, with eyes closed, and the world behind. Only stars in their smiles. And the fragrance of an early spring time.

In the breezy wind of the ending winter sea, she hears his voice, as softly but passionately ease the wind, calling out her name

-I love you, Meaghan!