Selenophile.
That's what they call it. That's what they call someone like me. Someone who loves the moon.
As a child, I always get what I want. I never have to say things twice. Being the only kid, I was treated like a king. They said our surname Wang which means king says it all. Once I pointed my finger to something, I'll definitely have it.
But the moon. No matter how many times I point my finger towards it, I could never have it.
I think it was around that time when I started having dreams about the moon. I would often fall asleep and dream of being there. Running around, crate to crate. I would lie down on it's rough floor. Not minding the small rocks around me. Because, aside from that fact, the moon is beautiful. The most beautiful thing in the universe. It lights the the darkest of nights. Giving off that yellow color in the middle of the purple sky. No words can describe it but magical.
I'm all grown up now. But my dreams never changed. Until last night.
I was looking at the window beside my bed. I could see clearly the full moon from here. I stared at it for a long time, looking at the glow beside its circle. Beautiful. It's such a sight around the small stars that twinkle around it. As if praising the lovely moon.
I didn't know when my eyes closed. I just realized I was already walking around the the biggest crater the moon has. The Aitken-Basin.
This has been, I guess, the hundredth time that I have been in this part. It never fails to amaze me. I walked out of the crater and started wandering around until I saw a figure on the north pole. I hurried towards it. I blinked thrice to make sure my eyes aren't lying.
They're not.
There's a girl. Running around in circles. Enjoying herself while doing so. Her shoulder-length hair waving around as she twirl, her yellow dress seems like it's dancing.
I was frozen on my feet. I couldn't move. Her smile was such a lovely sight to see.
When she turned around once more, she saw me. She stopped. We stared at each other for a second or two. And then she started running.
"Wait!" I shouted. My voice seemed softer. I never thought it would sound like that here. I never tried talking before in my dreams.
She stopped and looked at me. I walked towards her way, but she started walking backwards everytime I stepped.
"Hey, don't be afraid. I haven't seen you here before."
She clasped her together and bowed her head.
"I won't hurt you. I love the moon and always dream about it." The moment I said the second sentence, she lifted her head. I think I got her attention.
I took the opportunity to walk towards her direction again. This time, she stayed.
"My name's Dylan. And you are?"
"Y--Yue."
"Yue? What a beautiful name. It fits you." She blushed. And I think I did, too. "I haven't seen you here before."
She looked sideways. Avoiding eye contact. "I have seen you." Shocked by the fact, I was unable to speak. "Ever since we were kids."
"Why haven't I seen you? Why didn't you come talk to me?"
"I was afraid I'd ruin your dream."
My mind is having hard time catching up with the information. So, there's always been a girl in my dreams but I never knew. How could I not know?
"Are you a dream? Are you just part of my dreams or are you someone like me?"
She smiled. When she was about to open her mouth, I woke up.
***
At around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, my classes were finished. I'm glad they are.
The image of the girl in my dream last night is still very clear to me and I have a lot of questions.
I decided to go downtown and just roam around. My mind is thinking and I can't focus on anything. I stopped at my favorite café to order some hot choco.
Hot choco is my comfort drink. It helps me think things through and always calms me down.
I sat down at one of the tables outside the store.
I imagined the way she looks like. The way her hair sways with her. I wonder how it feels when I touch it, I bet it'll be so smooth. And her eyes. They twinkle everytime, showing exactly what emotion she has.
She was like a child who's happily playing.
I wonder how it feels like to hug her? When she's in between my arms?
Yue. I smiled thinking of her name. A perfect name for her.
Oh no, what am I doing? Am I seriously imagining these things right now? I shaked my head to compose myself.
It's just a dream, Dylan. Nothing more. You couldn't possibly fall in love with someone from your dreams.
I took a final sip on my hot choco, which is now cold, and went home.
***
I've been walking for at least ten minutes looking for Yue when I found her sitting on a rock. Staring at the universe.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" I was slightly taken aback when she spoke. I was still a meter away from her, I didn't think she'd notice my presence. She looked at me, "Don't you think?"
I sat beside her and looked at the direction she's looking. The view from the moon is different from the earth in a sense that everything is much clearer. No pollution to hinder one from seeing the stars lucently.
"Are you just someone from my dream?" I asked her. Not taking my eyes off the sky.
"No." Her answer made my head turn towards her direction.
"You mean you're someone like me? A human?"
"Yes, I am." She looked my way. "Just like you, I'm a selenophile."
"You mean... You're a real person, too?"
She nodded her head and smiled. "I was named after the moon, I guess that is what drew me close here. This is my safe place. And from the earth, just by looking at the moon's direction, I seem to get hope."
Seeing her like this, my heart feels happy. I didn't know it was possible to have a happier feeling than just being here. And it was being here with her.
I guess it's because I met her here that makes everything special. If not, then I don't know why my heart is content. Like I've found the something that I've been longing for my whole life.
"That means we can meet in person and not just in dreams, right?" I don't know what came into my mind but I suddenly blurted out the question. She stared at me. "Why?" I asked her.
She smiled and looked at the stars once more. "Nothing. I've seen you for how many years, but I never got the courage to approach you. I've always admired you. I never thought the day would come that you'd ask me that question. But yes, it means we can meet in person."
My heart started beating fast. I suddenly felt energetic. I couldn't wait to wake up and see her in flesh.
"Then, can we meet tomorrow? I mean... wait a minute. Where do you live?" The thought of her being far away suddenly occurred to me, and the energy I felt began to drain.
"Beijing."
"Beijing? Beijing??" She nodded. "I live in Beijing as well!"
She stood up and faced me. "Then I guess, we can meet at 798 Art District South Gate tomorrow at 12 noon."
She smiled and started skipping away. That girl. I should be the one saying that.
***
I think I'm a bit excited to see Yue. It's only 11:30 in the morning and I'm already here. But hey, a guy shouldn't be late for events like this.
I'm pacing back and forth. Thinking of what I should say when I see her.
"Hi Yue, I'm Dylan. Nice meeting you." I shaked my head.
"Hello Yue, rememver me from you dreams? Dylan?" No. It's still not it.
I stopped at the center of the south gate when the thought of her not showing up came.
What if it's just my dreams? What if she doesn't have the same dreams as mine? Does she really exist? Or am I just desperate to see her that's why in my dream, she said yes?
I was still dumbfounded when somebody suddenly jumped in front of me, leveling her face to mine. I was awaken from my deep thought.
"Thought I wouldn't come?" A girl in white shirt and jeans, wearing a big smile, asked me.
"YUE!" I exclaimed. It's really her!
"You were so deep in thought, I was standing in front of you for three minutes. You hesitated in whether I'll show up, right?" She said giggling. She had such a bubbly personality. I can already tell.
"Noooo." I denied. "I was just thinking on where we should eat."
"Xiao Wan Shi Tang!" She said while jumping like a little kid. I smiled.
"Is food good there?"
"Yes! I came from Hunan, they offer Hunan cuisine there. Also, Hubei and Sichuan. There are more!"
"Whoa! You could be an advertiser!" I teased her. For some reason, I already feel at ease with her. "But did you say Sichuan? That's my province. We definitely should dine there!"
I was shocked when she grabbed my wrist. I looked at her tiny hand holding me. I wasn't able to move.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Let's go?" As soon as I nodded, she started running, pulling me behind.
***
We spent the whole afternoon going from gallery to gallery. We took a lot of pictures. And she did these really weird poses, I had to laugh. Not once did she get offended.
It was nearly 5 o'clock in the afternoon when we decided to slow down and just roam around the place while eating ice cream.
She suddenly stopped walking and faced me. "Thank you for this day, Dylan."
I felt my cheek hot when I saw her smiling face, her eyes glowing.
"There's really no need to say thank you. I enjoyed today very much."
She pouted. "Hmm, you don't know how long I've waited for this day. I'm really happy."
I patted her head. "Silly girl, then you should've talk to me sooner! We would've met earlier."
I stared intently at her. I can feel the urge of hugging her coming at me. I restrained myself.
"There'll be a second time, right?" She asked.
"Definitely! That is if you want to."
"Of course!"
When she curved her lips this time, I couldn't help myself.
"Yue, can I hug you?"
"Huh?" I didn't wait for her response. I wrapped my arms around her small body. Resting my chin above her head.
So, this is what it feels like to hug her. It feels like I'm on the moon. Enjoying the view, dancing and hopping around. I think it was fate that led us together.
Yue. Her name means moon. And with her in between my arms it really feels like I've finally reached the moon. Not just in my dreams, but in reality.
