He lights up a cigarette

He lights up a cigarette, lean himself to the balcony. His right fingers touch the cold water drop on the railing. Rain in the midnight. He thinks. He uses those wet fingers comb his hair, and turns his body to another side.

He glances Faye through the gap of red velvet curtain. She’s still sleeping. He stares at her curly, disarray brownish hair. That’s the only part he can see through the gap. He recalls the first time when he smells her hair. He could never forget, it was also in a rainy night, they were all wet, but her hair smelled like a lemon in summer.

Suddenly, he hears the bell’s first ring from the cathedral two blocks away.

It’s 5 o’clock. He guesses, puts out the smoke and get back to the room.

Faye is still sleeping. The duvet covers most of her body, but he can still glance her skinny shoulder line. He also glances the flicking lights from the electronic clock on the bed desk. It’s 6:00 am.

Damn. He walks hurry to the bathroom and turn on the faucet of the sink.

“Are you leaving already? ” Faye murmured reluctantly.

The air remains silence, except the sound of running water.

Faye crawls herself to the bedside, her hazel eyes stare at the direction of bathroom.

After few seconds, he steps out the bathroom with his face wet. He grabs a towel in the cabinet, dries his face.

“I am asking you…” Faye speaks again.

He turns his head toward Faye, smiles. Then he places the towel aside, walks to the bedside, kisses her shoulder, her neck and comes to her lips.

“I will come back soon this time.” He says, kisses Faye again, lightly.

“Once my new scheduled flight has been settled, I will let you know.” He touches her hair softly.

Faye kisses his fingers, with a satisfied smile.

He then leaves the bedside, gets his pilot uniform from the clothes stand. Faye just stares at him on the bed. After he dressed up, he grabs a pen and a piece of paper and starts writing something down.

“You have to back soon. ” Faye talks to him, although he’s still writing.

“Love is a matter of timing. I probably will forget you.” She then smiles mischievously.

He finishes writing, turns his head to Faye.

“Yes, I know.” He smiles.

He puts on his pilot hat, grabs his luggage and leaves the room.

After the door closed, Faye gets off the bed, walks toward the mirror in front of the desk. She glances the message he just left: Destination: California

Return date: unknown