At a clinic for psychological therapy. Five months ago. “Good morning, Martin. Nice to meet you. I have read your file. So, since this is the first session and our first-time doing therapy together, I need to inform you that there is nothing to worry about. I want you to tell me more about what you are feeling, just like you are talking to a friend or writing a diary. Everything you said here is completely confidential.” A female counselor sitting at an upholstered chair in front of him began the conversation. This was not new to him, coming to see a therapist. In fact, she was the first person he talked to in a while.She looked relaxed and slightly moved her glasses as she waited for his reply. Martin didn’t look at her. He was busy reading the many diplomas behind the counselor. She was a professional therapist, alright. He didn’t doubt her expertise. But he doubted his own sanity. He never knew anyone that sought out helps from therapists, at least to his knowledge. Maybe

Celine must be confused to open the door to see him sitting in silence and stressed out alone. After hanging up the phone, he tried to read a book to relieve stress, but nothing made him feel better. “Martin…” She called out softly, and Martin looked up at the young woman who was like a light in a dark tunnel to him. In his dark world, that was what she was…hope. He hoped to be happy like everyone else. Martin forced a smile at her. His brain ordered out a smile, but his mind was too fatigued to follow through. “I only went into the bedroom for a short while. Has anything happened while I was gone?” She asked with genuine concern, but he felt too miserable to reply. Celine walked slowly towards him and hugged him. “No, please don’t do this. Is there anything I can do for you at all?” She hugged him and gently patted his back to comfort him. Martin hugged her back. He buried his face against her thin shoulder and whispered softly.“Just

Celine had a personal motto that she could get anything she wanted. And she got everything she wanted since she could remember. Sometimes, even before she asked for it.But she knew that this time was different. Relationships are complicated. She couldn’t own a person.For Martin and her, their feelings were unnamed, and the relationship was labeled with a short-term status. We both knew when it would end. She tempted fate and waited to see what was to happen.A risky experiment for her heart.Celine looked at her ‘new boyfriend’ and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Martin’s face turned red. He looked to his left and right, figuring out whether anyone was watching. We were strolling along the pier, seeing the townspeople and tourists walking past.“Isn’t kissing me in front of plenty of people a bit too much?”“Not really. Why? Are you shy? I just wanted to kiss my boyfriend, and there was nothing to be ashamed about that. We don’t have that much time together. My boyfriend is also

“Celine, do you want to take a walk?” Martin woke up the young woman sleeping next to him. She was so serene. Her eyes were still closed, and she was breathing in an even rhythm. He wouldn’t dare wake her in a normal circumstance, but after he decided to commit to this ‘relationship,’ he wanted to do it to the best of his ability; this role of a boyfriend. He felt his face going a bit hot every time he thought about it. He didn’t believe he could feel like a teenager at this age. How absurd. No matter what happened from this point on, no matter what was waiting for him, in this short period of time, he would spend every second of the life he chose with the woman that dispelled all the darkness in his head. He wanted to experience the light, even for this short time we had together. She said she liked him. He didn’t even like himself. He didn’t see anything good in him. No bright future waiting ahead. Nothing he could do for her. But in the six, no, five day

“Martin, enough! I have a severe headache from all these activities. Can we discuss this matter the other day? I demand not to go through with all this planning. Please put it off for another day. It has been too much.” He sat with her for the past two hours, being a combination of a business consultant and a life coach. She complained incessantly all the while. He spent the first hour interviewing her likes and dislikes. He concluded that with her freedom-loving soul, she had to carve up her path to authority within her family’s company. Her own product line was highly recommended. She agreed. On the second hour, he drilled down on the detailed business plan after a quick read of her company’s finances on the public database. And at this point, she had reached her last straw of restraint. Celine walked away from him, who was sitting amidst piles of papers and books. In his hand held a business plan for her own brand of apparel that was supposed to be