I Love You But...

XX

It is the first day of the month, and it's been two weeks since I last saw Jamie. Now here I am in one of her events, not knowing how to approach her.

"Hi Al!" There she is, smiling like an angel.

"Hey." I said, but I kinda feel aloof or uncomfortable.

"Uhm... Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I am."

"Really? It seems that something is different about you." She said with a questioning look.

"Hmm... I visited my mother's grave the other day, and I missed her a lot." Of course, I won't spill the beans.

"I got it. You must have missed her every day."

I'm glad that it's finished, for I can't wait to go home. I was heading my way to the exit when Jamie stopped me.

"Al, you're going already? Can we talk for a bit?" She led me towards the balcony, so it will be only the two of us.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, feeling a little irritated.

"Is there something wrong? The way you sang and how you act today, it's different. It's not the usual you."

"So, what are you trying to say?" I said without even looking at her.

"Ehm... I don't know."

"If you have no idea, then why did you even bother?" I can see the astonishment on her face.

"Al, I - "

"Just leave me alone." I began walking away from her without even looking back.

I was walking towards my house when I saw Jimmy.

"Hey man! How's your day?" He greeted.

"Nothing special." I replied and continued walking. If Jamie told Jimmy about what happened, he should have talked to me. But he didn't say anything. And as I walk towards my house, I've been thinking why I acted like that. I might have been rude; I know I needed to apologize. I behaved like that without reason.

Hey. I'm sorry if I snapped on you earlier. I didn't mean it.

I'm thinking of sending this text message to Jamie, but I'm also thinking of calling her. Maybe she won't answer my call. Okay, I'll just send this.

A few seconds later, my phone is ringing. I picked up the call hurriedly.

"Hey, I - "

"Hi Al! It's me, Harley. How are you? It's been a long time." I was surprised by his call, for I am expecting it to be Jamie.

"I'm good, Harley. Thanks. How can I help you?"

"I will just remind you that in five weeks, it will be the wedding."

"Wedding? Oh, Mr. Jeane's daughter, right? The one we've agreed on."

"Yes. Please make yourself available on the sixth of October."

"Sure, I will."

"Thank you, Al. See you in five weeks."

"Thank you also, Harley. See you, too."

October six. There is an occasion that we always celebrate in October. What was it? October... A birthday? Yes, it's a birthday. It's the birthday of... Jimmy. Yes, it's Jimmy's! How can I forget?! We always celebrate it since we were kids. The fifth of October. Wait. Jimmy's birthday is on the fifth; the wedding is on the sixth. Okay, at least it's not on the same day.