She did leave the door open. I stumble into her flat and search for the window. I find an empty glass and a half-drank bottle of champagne. Now it's no longer a mystery why she was giggling at simply nothing. She is drunk and half-dangling in the air. I am literally panicking.

I located the window and hurried towards it. I reached out for her but she flinched. I was confused. Somewhat hurt. Still panicking. And all these feelings urged me get her inside quickly.

"Hazel, please. This isn't funny. Let me get you inside," I solicited, reaching out again.

"You know, I like this name. Hazel. It makes me feel special for some reason. Is that your Ex's name?" and she giggled.

"No, it's not. Now please will you listen to me? You're scaring me!"

"I refuse."

"Please, Hazel. You're making this hard for me. Get inside. I will get you a cup of coffee. You will feel better," the panic peaking.

"Oh, Richard, I didn't know you're such a wussy," and she laughed out loud.

"When it comes to you," I swear it came out naturally. I didn't even have to think it over. She must think I am such a cheesy playboy. But she has to know how far her influence affected me. I don't even know her name, and I'm already floating in my flowery obsession.

"Richard, what is it that you like about me?"

The question got me paralyzed. I panic.

"Everything," I say, lost in the arrays of my thoughts.

"Everything?" laughing, she says, "but you know barely anything about me. How do you know me? How do you know you like me?"

"It isn't something you know. It's something you feel. I feel like I want to spend every day with you," I say, summoning every wise phrase I know.

"Every day? Interesting. How do you think this is a normal desire when you don't know anything about me?"

"I know you," I sputtered before thinking.

"Really?"

"I know enough."

"Okay. Good. What about we play a game?"

I didn't find the words to respond. I really don't know if she's serious, and I also don't know if she's truly drunk because her eyes are too piercing and determined to be hazed. The silence becomes awkward.

"You are thinking I must be drunk, right?"

"I am," I said, glancing at the champagne.

"You should know that I am, slightly," and she giggled again.

"Then you should get inside, don't you think?" Something tells me I am losing my patience.

"And the game? Did you forget about it?"

"What game?"

"So you say you know me? Prove it. I will ask you questions about myself, and you answer."

"Can't we just do that inside?"

She shook her head.

"But why?!"

"And kill the fun?"

"What fun? I am scared to death!"

"Are you? Wait till you find out the rest of the rules?"

"What rules?" I can feel the cold sweat gathering at the root of scalp.

"Three questions. Two answer choices. Three seconds. You miss more than once. I jump. Try to touch me. I jump. Make a noise or call anyone. I jump. Ready?"

SHE IS CRAZY! I am at the verge of passing out. I am horrified.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

"Wimp," and she looked at her wiggling toes.

"Hazel, please. This is crazy! Get inside, please. Let's discuss this after you take a bath and a cup of coffee."

"It's on," she said getting on her feet. Now she's standing on the window's frame. Just the sight of this situation sent electric shots to my heart.

I, instinctively, reached out to carry her.

"Don't touch me, Richard. I made it clear that touching me has a consequence."

"Why are you doing this to me?! It's unfair."

"When was life ever fair?"

"Talk to me then! Tell me what's wrong. There's unfair shit that seems to torment you. Tell me. I might be capable of helping you!"

She stared at me for a second. She seemed to be making up her mind.

"You only got three seconds. Question number one..."

"HAZEL!"

"What is my favorite color? Yellow or Green?" and she held three fingers up for a countdown.

I am static. In so many ways. Incapable. Useless. Terrorized. My heart is screaming against my ribs ridiculing the irony of my physical composure.

2

Help me! I am at the edge of collapsing. My limbs are as weak to function as my brain is too weak to think.

1

Think. Think. Think. Think. Think. Think. Think. THINK!

Just before she exclude her last finger, I gave in to my intuition.

"GREEN!" I shouted.

She looked alarmed by my voice tone, her features surprised.

Then she softened and smiled.

"You've got a point."

What! I did it! Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can save her.

"Second question..."

And I don't know if I am ready.

"My favorite flowers, Orchids or Daisies?"

3

It's a struggle that I didn't sign up for. She's the one thing that can cause me genuine agony.

2

I don't trust myself this time. But what other choice do I have?

1

"Orchids?"

She shrugged.

"I, actually, despise Orchids. I've got my reasons."

The words came out of her mouth too smoothly like the world wasn't on fire. Like my rived heart isn't begging her in despair. Like my wrestled mind isn't too aggrieved to consider what's next.

"Third question..."

"Stop, Hazel, please!" I begged, tears arising and chest heaving.

"My favorite place in the world, Maldives or Thailand?"

3

"Hazel..." my voice cracked as a tear descended.

2

I hate my weakness. Every cell in my struggling brain told me to run away. Leave. Go hide in your apartment. Stay away. Don't open up again. Shut yourself away like you mastered. Get your past life back. Don't see her again. Don't miss her again. Don't love her again. She will jump. SHE WILL DIE! I shouldn't be here! But my heart knew that there's isn't a place I would rather be.

1

"Thailand."

I was too tired. Too scared. Too wavered. I was simply depleted.

She got to her knees, and, for a second, I thought I was about to witness her delicate body experience the consequences of physics. To my surprise, she crawled towards me instead and smiled to me softly.

"You can carry me to bed, now."

I rushed towards her, scooping her in my arms and lugging her against my chest. She was cold, but the fact that she was safe now against my chest ignited a soothing flame within me enough to warm us both. The heat was intense. I was sweating. Feeling her breath against by neck displayed a whole spectrum of feelings within me. I inhaled deeply.

"You should know I truly dislike Orchids. Don't even entertain the thought of buying me some," she whispered against my neck, and suddenly I forgot how to breathe. She still manages to be adorable even after nearly giving me a heart attack.

"I will get you Daisies, I promise."

"You should," and she laughed/sighed clumsily before closing her eyes.

I love her.

I went looking for her bed now. Acknowledging that she is safe now and I needn't worry, I remembered to examine her apartment. I need to say, I am in love. Again. She got a really impressive taste. I admire it.

I finally find her bedroom. And after I give her room an adequate look, I tug her softly. Too careful not to wake her up.

Once I was done, I realized my body was too heavy for my legs to bear. I scrambled and fell to the floor, my back resting against the wall. I sigh out of exhaustion and relief. I stare at her in awe. I didn't realize that sleep was snaking around me until I fell as a victim.