We met in an orphanage, back when I was still young. I had lost both my parents in an accident. Kaine was the first one whom spoke to me. I remembered how much I admired him, his matching golden eyes and hair. We became close friends, but I never realized I liked him more than a friend. Until that fateful day, he was adopted by a couple of foreigners. When I found out a week earlier I cried, not believing it. I ignored him for days. I thought that if I didn’t see him, I wouldn’t have to say goodbye. But I was wrong. No matter what I did, he still had to go.

“Kaine, don’t leave me here…”

“Crystal… America isn’t that far away. Let’s make a promise. Until we meet again, we’ll work hard to fulfill our dreams. Me, a doctor and Crystal, a singer. Promise?”

I could only nod in response. He walked towards the taxi and turned towards me one last time.

“Crystal, I love you…”

What I regretted most was I never replied. I never said I loved him too. I was too stunned at that time. I blinked, snapping back to reality. How many years has it been since then? I doubted whether he’d remember me, but I trusted him. It wasn’t easy for me to come all the way here. I had been adopted by my grandmother, a strict motherly figure whom hated music. She had her reasons. Both my parents were musicians. They were rushing to their concert when an accident took their lives. She had hated music ever since. And because of that, it was hard for me to achieve my dreams but I held on. My best friend, Kathleen aided me on my journey. She had her driver drive me around to auditions and she always backed me up. She had her mother sign as my legal guardian for me to go on records. And since my grandma didn’t listen to music, she never knew. Up until yesterday.

“Crystal! What is the meaning of this?” Grandma screamed, holding the newspaper with my picture on the front page. “You know I forbid this!”

“But grandma! I want to be a singer! Why can’t you understand that?”

“I don’t want to lose another person in my family!” Tears were beginning to well up in her eyes as a pang of guilt hit me. “Why? Why do you desire it so much?”

I knelt down beside her and whispered softly. “Grandma, you’ll never lose me. There’s a lot more to music than that. Please understand. I love music and I hope one day you’ll listen to my songs.”

And with that, I entered my room and pressed the lock.

And here I was today. At my grand worldwide concert. People from all countries were going to gather here today. I was all-ready to go. In my pocket was Kaine’s picture as well as my parents. I hugged both pictures tight.

“Mum… Dad… Kaine… I’m here. I’m finally here…” I whispered to myself.

I took a peep at the audience below, desperately searching for Kaine, hoping he would be somewhere there. It was absurd, I laughed sarcastically to myself. Well, here goes. This is my last. There was one thing no one knew. That I had a tumor in my throat. I had been begging the doctor to keep this secret till today. I had been taking medicine ever since, just to hold on till today. It was dangerous and could cost me my life but I didn’t care. I wanted to see Kaine. My cell phone rang. A familiar digit appeared on my cell screen. I answered it. It was Grandma.

“Crystal… Good luck at your concert. I accept it now. I’ll be listening on the radio. Do your best. I love you, Crystal. You’re the only family I have left. And I’ll always back you up.” She hung up.

Tears welled up my cheeks. Finally…I thought. But she didn’t know… After today’s concert, I might leave this world.

“Presenting… Starlight Angel!”

This is it. I was going to see me and Kaine’s song. I started singing as I felt my body getting weaker. Just a little bit more… I thought to myself.

No matter what… This hand won’t let go… forever… My vision blurred out.

I woke up in the hospital. I was in a room, all alone. It was dark. The lights were switched off. I sat up straight. Suddenly, the lights were switched on.

“Welcome back, Crystal,” a familiar voice said.

I gasped as I saw who it was. Tears rushed down my cheeks, overflowing with happiness. Finally, he was back. Behind him stood my Grandma, smiling warmly.

I stood up from my bed and hugged him tight. I cried in his shoulders. He saved me. He cured me. He came back for me. My tears couldn’t stop flowing.

“Kaine, I love you…” I cried. “It has taken me years to say this… but I can finally say it now. I love you, Kaine, now forever and always.”

“I love you too, Crystal.”

“Crystal, you were right about music. I won’t say I hate music now,” said Grandma, tears flowing down.

“Thank you... I finally have… a family…”

-The End-