MY NAME IS DALE

My Name is Dale: Chapter 25

***DALE’S POINT OF VIEW***
I woke up past ten o‟clock. It‟s not my regular routine but maybe because of
what happened yesterday made me too lousy to move around or do some paper
works. Before I forget, today is a holiday.
I went to the kitchen to prepare some breakfast when suddenly an old box
caught my attention. Even though, I still continue brewing a cup of coffee and
toast some slice of bread and dropped an egg in the pan. I turn on the television
for a morning news and at the same time checked my emails and chat messages
from last night.
After sending some e-mails to my team about the progress report of the recent
project, I visit my chat box. It‟s all about work but after scrolling to the last
conversation, I was surprised to who messaged me. It was the dean of the school
we previously visited and now asking me to be one of the speakers during their
campus journalism seminar next week. I released a deep sigh. I thought it would
be my last visit there except for my family and vacation. It took me few hours to
decide whether I will turn down the offer.
I tried to reach out for my secretary regarding my schedule next week.
“Hi Lain. I‟m sorry if I disturbed you.” I told her via phone.
“No, it‟s okay. I‟m free anyway. Do you need anything?”
“Yeah. I‟m sorry, I know its holiday but can you check my schedule next week?”
“Sure. I have it here. Wait.” She said. I guess she‟s watching a movie from
Netflix.
“Sure, take your time.” I replied.
It took for a while before she phoned me back.
Your schedule next week is quite light except for our monthly meeting by
Friday. We‟re almost done with our latest project as what you‟ve seen in the
progress report I sent to you last night unless, if you want to monitor every
details of it, you‟ll surely have enough time.” She said after checking my
schedule.
“ I see.” I simply replied.
“Why Dale? Do you have an important travel or something?” she asked.
“Yeah, but I‟m not fully decided yet.” I replied to her.
“You can share to me if you want in case you need extra hand for your
presentations or accommodations.” She suggested.
“Yeah. I think so. You see, I received an invitation from the previous school
we visited last time. I didn‟t send an approval yet but I‟m thinking about it.”
I said slowly.
“Wait, does it concerns about Dylan?” she sheepishly asked.
“Not really. But, honestly I‟m still not comfortable in case I happened to
meet him again.” I simply replied.
“Well, I can‟t blame you. So what‟s your decision?” She asked.
“Well, if I can decide by today, I‟ll send you a copy and make a presentation
about it. Make it simpler this time. My audience is students.” I asked to her.
“Okay. No problem.” She assured.
I eat my breakfast and go back to my phone. I decided to send my approval
via email. Fortunately, I still have contact with the secretary. After that, I
send the copy to Lian.
I decided to take a morning shower when suddenly my doorbell rings. I throw in
the towel and run to open the door. Only to find out, it was Dilann.
“Good morning…Dale.” He shyly greeted.
“Good morning. Come in!” I decided to act normally as if nothing really
happened last night. After all, I‟m still calculating and weighing things from our
past. Deep inside I‟m happy because I found out that he likewise searched for
me. But, everything changed after what happened in the party. Gabby is his good
friend. I don‟t want him to experiencing losing a friend this time for the sake of
me. I approached him normally as I do.
“Here, have some breakfast!” I said. He tried acting normally as well. So, I
decided to continue my act.
“I actually had my breakfast but if you want I can still join you.” He said.
“Yes, please.” I shortly replied.
I prepared the table while beyond my back I know he wants to say something or
to talk about something.
“You want juice? I only have orange.” I said to him.
“It‟s okay.” Again, he replied.
I prepared another slices of bread to pair with his pasta. I also pour out two
glasses of orange juice from the pitcher. I tried to make our conversation lighter
as possible. I hate dramas.
“You visited too early today? Do you need anything?” I asked while preparing
the plates.
Out of nowhere, I was surprised he is already hugging me from my back. I
was startled. I almost drop the plates I‟m handling from my left and right
hand.
“I‟m sorry.” He just plainly uttered. His hug became too tight as he lean his forehead on my shoulder.
Though I‟m not seeing his face, but I can sense that he‟s a bit emotional. I‟m
still trying to act normally but I was carried away. His sorry is too much to
handle. It wasn‟t the sorry I‟ve heard to Dylan few years ago. It‟s different
this time. It‟s heavy and too deep.
“I‟m sorry.” Once more, he said.
Maybe he‟s waiting for my reply so I tried to turn around. I tried to face him
but he refuses to. He‟s still hugging me from my back. So, I decided to talk
to him from behind.
“It‟s okay. I understand.” I tried to pay the deepness of his apology.
“No it‟s not. I should tell you about it earlier the moment I knew it was you.
But I got afraid revealing everything to you.” He said.
“Seriously, I understand now.” I said once more.
“Can we be friends again?” He asked awkwardly afraid that I might turn
down his offer.
“I‟ll think about it.” I teased him.
“What? Are you serious?” He asked with a serious face.
“I have one condition.” I said seriously.
“What is it?” He asked.
“I need you to convince your friend to meet me tomorrow before dinner
time in the coffee shop. I have to explain something to her.” I said.
“Are you serious with that?” He asked.
I just passed him a blank reaction.
“I mean, Gabby might still be upset after what happened last night, about
her grudge towards you about Liam and about how I hide you from her. Do
you think she will show up?” He explained and asked.
“That‟s why, I need you to convince her.” I said.
“And that‟s my ticket to regain our friendship?” He asked disappointedly.
“Yes! Why not? Come to think of it Dilann. If I and Gabby will be in good
terms, then we will have no problem. She won‟t let you choose to her over
me. She won‟t argue with you always seeing me. She won‟t stop you from
getting close to me. Lastly, she won‟t turn away from your friendship once
we‟re both good to each other.” I explain to him.
“Yeah! Sorry not to consider that. Alright, I‟ll convince her.” He finally said.