The Moon Hiding at Dawn

Chapter 22: The Tribute of a Fake Sun

An army of unfortunate events must have mustered and marched towards my life, raining a barrage of bad luck and misfortune ever since the past, rallying even in the present, and will probably continue until the future.

The nearest place of solitude I was expecting is cramped with customers. I wished for peace as I know wishing that everything is nothing but a fraction of a dream is nearly impossible. It was rain while wishing for daylight that incidentally turned to a storm as well as Riz was also in her shift and spotted me almost in the instant. I guess I have no choice but to go home.

I turned my back and shuffled slowly to the stairs until someone tugged the back of my uniform. I glanced to see Riz with a concerned face. She snatched my hand and placed a key.

"Behind the cashier, employee-storage area. I'll meet you there." She said before darting back to the job and taking the orders of a queue stretching beyond the lateral limit of the store.

I, on the other hand, made my way to the storage area that she mentioned, used the key to open the door, kept it unlocked and stayed inside. It was quite bigger than what I expected my damp eyes to see. Rows of shelves lined the left and right walls. In the far end were lockers. Sitting in the middle was a table with three chairs similar to the ones outside.

I made my way to the chair facing the door and cupped my hands in front of my face. The afterimage of Clyde and Kallen still burned inside my head as I reached breaking point. I can't hold it back anymore.

Tears streamed from my eyes as mixed feelings of hate and defeat swirled within my heart, turning my damp eyes into a messy overflowing lake.

One week... It only took one week for her to move forward to someone else. One week to forget all that we have been through.

I cried. A silent cry as to not disturb anyone outside but as watery as a flood streaming from a raging storm. I felt as if this was the most heartbreaking thing life has got in store for me. As if it is the end of the line. No hope for relief, no hope for salvation. The sole thing that I have desired has now been deprived of me. What else is there to look forward for? Ignorance might have been bliss.

What made it more painful was the fact that if it was not a matter of speed, it was a matter of treachery. A matter of her loving gaze that whispered blessings to my heart but apparently gazing at another while hidden under the veil of our relationship. Whichever is the case, the fact remains that she's moved forward, walking away from the pitiful state that she left me in.

If only I haven't known that she already moved forward, then my life might have slowly progressed as to a life without her: slowly detaching like crippled leaves falling from a tree.

Nothing could probably be more painful yet satisfying than that.

But no... I had to chase sunsets without knowing that what awaited was an eclipse. I stared too hard and for far too long that I lost my own sight.

I wiped the tears but they still continue to flow. They have now calmed down from a storm to a mere drizzle so I let them be.

As embarrassing as everything may already seem, apparently Riz is already sitting in front of me without as much as a word from her mouth.

"This is hopeless" I laughed off what remained of my tears. "This is probably the second time you saw me in this pathetic state."

Riz smirked. "Then you have no more face to lose in my presence. Go on and let it all out. I'll just be here."

Damn her for being the caring friend I never thought I'd need as I suddenly burst to tears once again, popping my tear ducts like a splash from a water balloon that landed on a lone needle. It was extremely messy.