December 20, 2006

I saw him again.

After a month of no communication, not a single 'how are you?' from a text message or an email, I saw him again. He was standing in front of a bookstore, his back facing me. I can tell that it was him even from a mile away. Guys with his height aren't uncommon but there was something about the way that he stands that differentiates him from the rest. It's probably how he carries himself with pride and self assurance or how he squares his shoulders, chin raised in the air, back straight and eyes unwavering. He always does that without noticing it himself.

I stood there frozen in mid-step, my eyes widening and my mouth going slack. He was tapping his foot against the concrete, hands in his pockets as he examines the stacks of books on the new arrivals section. He was wearing a red coat with dark green corduroy pants, its hem bunched loosely on top of his shoes making his legs look much shorter than they already are. If I weren't so surprised I'd laugh at his choice of colors.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to blink away the tears that formed in my eyes unwillingly. He's here, in front of me, just a couple of blocks away I can reach him, grab his shoulders and turn him to face me. My heart raced against my chest as I struggled to fill my lungs with the chilly air of December. I can do this. I coaxed myself to move but as I took the first step towards him she chose that exact moment to appear.

A mop of long blond curls swayed in front of her face as she ran to him breathlessly. She was smiling at him as she waved her arms vigorously to catch his attention. She seems to be telling him something funny because I see his shoulders shaking with mirth. She joins him as she released a girlish giggle of her own and slapped his arm playfully. He gave her a sheepish smile as he raised his hand to scratch the back of his neck. Her smile fades slowly, a blush tinting her cheeks as she cautiously brings her face closer.

My breath hitched as I watch her meld her lips with his. I was not going to believe it. I wasn't, but all the evidence was screaming at my face, begging for me to believe and witness it for myself. She tilted her head to deepen the kiss and I swear I heard something break inside me when I see his arms reach for her shoulders.

I tore my eyes away from them as I abruptly turn on my heels, my braid whipping at my cheeks painfully from the sudden movement. I can't breathe. It hurts. My chest hurts like someone literally shoved a knife in my chest and twirled it around me like a screw driver.

My vision blurs as hot tears fell from my eyes. I slipped my thumb under the strap of my bag and pulled it higher against my shoulder as I made my way across the street.

I thought he loved me. I thought that what we had was something special? He told me it wasn't true, that I was the only one he saw and cared for. Was that a lie?

Was he lying to me all this time?

"Why?" I asked no one in particular, my lips trembling as more tears escaped me. As I rounded up a corner my knees gave out completely and I stumbled into the snow, hands down in front of me. I let out a whimper before my body gave way to a fresh wave of sobbing. My fists balled the white snow under me as I cried.

December 20, 2013

"Hey mister! Can't you go any faster? I mean seriously, my grandpa's truck runs faster with a flat tire than this," I yelled behind the car.

"I can't go beyond the speed limit, son," replied the cab driver as he maneuvered the car to a sharp turn.

"Do you know any shortcuts to the church?" I asked impatiently as I gripped the sides of his chair tightly that my knuckles are turning white from the effort.

"No such luck, as far as I know this is the fastest way to it." The driver craned his neck to take a peek at the edgy passenger.

"You look tensed, son. Are you going there to stop a wedding or something?" his laughter shooting vibrations on his chair as he slapped his right hand on his thigh.

My eyes grew larger for a second as I whipped my head back to look at the driver, his expression amused. "H-how did you know?"

The driver shrugged, "I've been doing this for ten years now and I've had my fair share of passengers. You're easy to read."

I gave him a small smile, "You're not the first one to tell me that."

"So are you?" he raised an eyebrow as he eyed me again from the rear view mirror.

I sighed as I run my fingers across my hair nervously, "Yeah."

"You must really love her if you're willing to do this," he stated as he kept his eyes on the road.

I do, I love her. I'd do anything for her. I thought to myself but opted to just silently nod at the driver.

The road ahead was littered with cars honking through the busy pre-Christmas streets of Tokyo. People of every age are crowding every corner of the shopping district as they made their way into the stores going through their lists of things to buy before the season begins. The shops around were decorated with garlands along with signs painted with vibrant colors of red, green, gold and silver. The air inside the cab is warm, a stark contrast to the bitingly cold breeze that fills the atmosphere. A couple of teenagers sauntered beside the stores near the street as they examine the merchandise on display. They laughed as one of their friends tripped and he began hitting his friends back in the head. I felt a hint of longing as I watch them behind the window. How I miss those days of innocence and naivety where youth can be used as an excuse for mistakes and that something as simple as tripping on the street is enough to wipe away all the stress and sadness from you.

I returned my attention back towards the road and released another sigh as no changes happen on the heavy traffic ahead. I let my head fall back on my seat and tilted my head up towards the blue sky. White fluffy light snow came falling down the sky, leaving trails of random patterns within the air. My eyes catch on the particular descend of one flake as it settles slowly on one of the wreathes above a bakery store. My gaze fluttered on the cakes laid out on the display cabinet. My eyes automatically searching for the strawberry shortcake placed at the top row.

Maybe I should bring a cake. You know, to cushion the blow. I mused.

Idiot! Who brings a cake to a wedding you're about to destroy?

Well, who knows, it's her favorite.

I shake my head disapprovingly. Great now I'm talking to myself. I brought my head down to my hands as I propped my elbows on my knees.

Whoever is out there, if you can hear me, please, please… Let me be on time.

I was jolted from my prayer as the driver suddenly hit the brakes followed by the blare of his horns, "Stupid kids," he hissed.

"Hey! Get out of the way!" he yelled as he waved at the girls who were running in front of the car. I heard him mutter a curse under his breath and for the nth time I let out another sigh wishing that the car could be faster and that time could go slower.

A/N

Hello! I had another urge to write another story and this time for Lovely Complex. I am not really good at this so you might catch a lot of grammatical errors on my writing or you might find the things that I write boring. I just hope that my works are interesting enough for you guys.

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