Sea of Strangers

Chapter 9

    I got a text from Gabe in the evening saying he would pick me up tomorrow morning because he has something important to say and wanted to tell it in person. I still haven't told him that my flight to Colorado, my hometown, would be in two days from now so I think it would be great if I tell him in person too.
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It was the day that Gabe said he would pick me up. I was reading a book when I heard his car honking outside my house.
  
"Good morning, " he greeted. He flashed his usual smile and pull me into a hug. It seemed like we never had any arguments. Like it never happened at all.
  
"Good morning. Have you eaten breakfast? I cooked something for you in the kitchen."
 
  "You shouldn't have bothered, I'm full. Are you good to go?" He seemed in a hurry.

   "Yes, I'll just check and secured the house, be back in a minute, "
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The weather seemed nice compared to the previous days. We were still driving but I didn't know where were we headed to so I asked him. "Where are you taking me? "
  
"It will no longer be a surprise if I told you then, " he said that made me even more curious.
  
"You know I hate surprises, "

   "You'll love this, " he uttered and went on driving as the vicinity became more familiar to me. I could hear the sound of the waves crashing to the shores, a lullaby to my ears.
 
  "You know too well how much I love the sea. It's been months since we've been here. " I beamed at him. He parked the car into the parking lot as I stepped out of the car and hurried to the beach. Even though I could still see the sea from the veranda of my house up the hill, still there was no other joy than being this close to the sea.
   
"Hey, easy there, " he said, catching up to me.
   
"Thank you for bringing me here again, Gabe, " I said when he was beside me.

   "It's too early to thank me when the fun is just getting started."
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We did lots of fun things and tried what I've never done before. I tried surfing. Good thing there was Gabe to help me out when I tried many failed attempts but in the end, I learned to keep my balance as I conquered the waves. We also tried jet skiing, with Gabe driving at the front as I encircled my arms around him.
  
"Thank you, Gabe. I had so much fun today. " We were now having dinner at a restaurant.
  
"The pleasure is always mine, " he uttered and there was a long silence before he spoke again. "I have something to tell you, "
  
"Me too, "
 
  "You go first, " he said.

   "No, you go first, " I countered.
   
"Okay, " he sighed and went on, "I'm leaving tomorrow, to travel and explored the world as I have always dreamed. "
 
  "That's good news! " I exclaimed. I was indeed happy for him but I felt a sudden melancholy ached.
  
"Do you want to come with me? " he said, anticipating my answer.
  
"I'm sorry Gabe, but I can't, I'm leaving too. I had to go back to my home town. My best friend is getting married and I wanted to be there for her. " I said, not meeting his gaze, and continued, "And you know I never wanted to be anywhere but this place. I've grown to love this place. "

   "I knew you'd say that, " he laughed but it didn't reach his eyes.
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It was past midnight when we arrived at my house. The sky was full of stars, casting off lights through the darkness of the night.
   
"You remember the day when we're at Applebee's? When you said you found the way to get out of the labyrinth by falling in love with the world. Since then, I think about it a lot and now I have found my answer to the question. " I blurted, our backs were leaning to his car as we looked up to the stars.
 
  "What have you found then? "
  
"You, " I turned my head to face him and went on, " Before you came, my life was nothing but constant suffering. Now, I've found the light through the dimness of the labyrinth. You are that light. You're the one who put me out of the labyrinth of suffering. " he was just staring at me, his eyes were full of emotions.

   "But the light needs to go and light other people's labyrinth. So, I'm letting you go. " I continued. I felt the tears I was holding back a while ago. He pulled me into a tight hug and caress my cheeks, wiping the tears away.
  
"I love you, Audrey, "

    "I love you too Gabe, goodbye."

    "Goodbye," he said. He kissed me one last time before turning his back on me and got inside his car. I watched him go as the darkness took him away from me.

To be continued.