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The moon was high up in the night sky shining brightly down at the earth below. It’s light shines through directly at a window where Oliver is currently studying. Books stack on top of each other, with the only source of light coming from his desk lamp and the moon.
His eyes scanned over the book he was reading, making sure he missed nothing of sorts when suddenly he heard a knock coming from his door interrupting him and making his head look up toward the direction of the door. He took off his earbuds where he heard his father's voice from the other side.
“Son? May I come in?” He heard from outside where his father was standing, waiting for his answer. He was wondering what his father wanted to talk about.
“Yeah,” he replied and watched as his father enter his room quietly and carefully to not make much noise. He stepped inside his room, closing the door behind him.
“What you are up to this late?” He asked, curious about why was Oliver still hadn’t gone to bed yet. “Just catching up with some studying, that’s all” he answered turning back to his books.
Oliver’s father hummed and nodded before slowly walking toward Oliver’s bed and sitting on top of it. It was silent for a moment in the room before his father broke the growing silence. “Tomorrow is a big day, are you sure you should stay up this late?” His father had asked with a slight concern in his voice for him. “I will be fine” Oliver replied, his eyes not taking off from the books in front of him.
He hears his father let out a sigh “…You will be off to university tomorrow” his father said, propping both his arms on the bed. Oliver can hear a tinge of sadness coming from his father's voice as he said that. “It feels just like yesterday when I first held you when you came to this world” He can hear the smile coming from his father's voice as he starts to reminisce.
“It’s not like I will be gone forever,” Oliver said, holding back to roll his eyes at his father being dramatic. “I can still call, and visit from time to time”.
Throughout his life, it was only both of them when he was growing up. His mother had died from childbirth. Leaving his father to raise him alone. His father tried his hardest to make sure he had a good childhood. Making up time for him despite his busy schedule. Trying to make Oliver feel less lonely growing up. And Oliver will always be grateful for that.
“Yeah, but without you here, it will start to get pretty quiet around the house” his father chuckles softly but he can hear again the sadness in it.
It was another silence between the father and son when his father started to look out outside of the window at the moon. “…The moon is shining brightly tonight” Oliver heard his father say making him stop at what he is doing to turn his head over the window where he can see the moon itself. Amazingly, over the night during his time studying, he never once looked out at the window.
“Yeah it is…” he whispered. Looking over the moon. It always takes him back to his childhood where whenever his father had the time, he took him to stargazing at night. When they both set up a telescope so they can see the stars from far away, they will lie down on the open field to watch the stars above shining down at them. That’s where his love for the space comes from.
And yet over the year, Oliver start becoming too busy. Focusing on his study and other things rather than to go out stargazing with his father. Realizing that it has been so long since they have gone out to look at stars.
“…Hey dad?” His voice rang out through the quiet room. His father’s head turned towards him, wondering what his son was about to say “…Do you mind if we go out to look at the stars? One last time before tomorrow” he said softly and he could see his father's face turn soft at him. “Of course, I won’t say no to that”.
The cold air breeze through them as they both lie down on the field staring directly at the stars above. It has been too long since Oliver was out in the open field at night like this. Enjoying the quiet night, the cold air hitting him, while he just lay there thinking nothing but the stars shining down at him.
“You know, I was starting to think that you were becoming too old for this” his father chuckles beside him, turning his head to look at his son. The telescope has been left unattended.
“Of course not” Oliver quickly replied “I’m just… too focused on my study” he muttered feeling guilty at all the time he rejected his father's offer to go out at night. His father only chuckles in response before turning his head back to the sky.
Oliver had always admired his father. Growing up wanting just to be like him and that still hasn’t changed for him. Everything his father does, Oliver will always wonder if he can be just like his father.
“I still can’t believe you will be leaving for college” he hears his father's soft voice through the quiet night.
Deep down, Oliver always dreaded this moment. Having to leave the very place he called home. The one where he grew up with and one with many memories left with it. The thought of the outside world excites him. Wanting to see what is waiting for him out there. Trying to navigate his life without his father guiding him for the first time.
His father who had taught him how to walk when he was a baby. Who taught him how to write and read. His father who had accompanied him whenever he had nightmares during the night. Who had taught him how to be compassionate. Who had taught him that no matter what life throws at you, to never give up and always keep trying.
So much he learned from his father alone. But this time instead with his father beside him, for the first time he will be alone.
He quickly sat up, starting to feel a sense of dread in him as the realization dawned on him. That he will be alone.
“Son?” His father worriedly asks as to why his son abruptly sat up before following suit. Before his father had the chance to ask if he was alright, Oliver immediately spoke first “I’m scared” he muttered quietly. His father was beside him looking at him confusedly.
"What-"
“I’m scared that… I won’t be able to make it dad,” He said shakily.
“Hey...” his father tried to reach him, his hand on Oliver’s shaking shoulder. His father starts to become more concerned when he realizes that tears start to come out Oliver eyes.
“Oh, son,” His father said softly, pulling him close to wrap both his hands around Oliver. Hugging him close as Oliver starts to cry on his father’s shoulder. “There, there,” his father said soothingly, rubbing Oliver’s back to calm them down.
After a moment, his father spoke up “I know it’s scary, being out there by yourself for the first time” his father whispered in his ears and Oliver could hear the crack in his father's voice. “There is so much out there waiting for you son, whether it be good or bad. but always remember that no matter where you go. I’ll always be right there by your side.” His father said tears finally coming down from his eyes.
Time flies so fast for him that he feels like everything has gone too quickly in the blink of an eye. He had watched his own son grow up from a little boy who was eager to learn new things to now grown adult ready to start a brand new chapter in his life.
His kid, his boy, his own flesh and blood.
Both father and son continue to sit there as they both embrace each other closely under the moonlight. After some time, when the tears finally dried and stopped flowing from their eyes, Oliver’s father kissed him on the forehead “I’m proud of you son” his father pulled back to look at him fondly in the eyes.
“Always remember that I’m a call away” His father smiled softly and gently at him, his hand still on his shoulder “And I will be waiting here for you”.
Oliver nods and smiles back at his father, unable to form a word as he wipes tears from his face.
“I love you Oliver” his father still smile softly toward. “You are my pride and joy, and I’m lucky to have you as my son”.
Oliver's voice choked, shaking his head unable to hold back the tears that threatened to come out from his eyes again. His father only chuckled in response as he gently wiped away the tears on his son’s face. Oliver hugs his father again, wrapping his arms around his father and burying his face on his father's shoulder.
After a while Oliver finally managed to find his voice.
“I love you too Dad”
No matter where he is, no matter where he goes. He knows that he has his father by his side.