Our Story

Chapter 12 - Closure

Early weekend morning, Maze phone started ringing. She saw the screen and it's Jewel calling.
She picks it up with an anxious feeling in her stomach. "Hello Jewel" "Hello Maze, How have you been?" "I'm doing okay and will start on my new job soon." "That's great to know and maybe distancing yourself from me creates better opportunities for you." "What do you want, Jewel?" "I want to spend one last time with you. I miss you, I miss us." "You were always clear that there was no Us." "I told you that this was not a love story but it's Our story." "You're just breaking my heart Jewel over and over." Jewel let out a deep sigh and said. "By now I was hoping you know me well. That you see that I am a selfish person. I want you, your time, your company and your adoration. I don't find the need to reciprocate your feelings. I just want to take it all selfishly." Maze felt sick to her stomach hearing her words. "Do I really mean nothing to you? Just someone to take advantage of and hang out with when you're bored?" "I was honest from the start with you. I am selfishly asking you now to have one last date with me before I go. My flight is a week from now and I don't want to see anyone that day. Let me break your heart one last time by asking you to freefall one day with me. I'll wait for you tomorrow at 9am at my house." Jewel hangs up and Maze is a wreck.

Next day came and Maze woke up early. Opens the radio and Tom Petty's Free Fallin song is playing.
"Now I'm free
I'm free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for awhile"

She decided to go crazy and went on this last date with Jewel. Drove to her house and sees her waiting on their favorite bench. She walks up to her with a sweet smile and sadness in her eyes. Her sister Anna teased them saying how sad their eyes look. But regardless, just enjoy this day and forget about the sadness. Maze took her by the hand and they drove off the village. "Where do you want to go today Jewel?" "Anywhere with you is fine but I planned this day for months" Maze continued to focus on her driving. "Let's go to a chapel near Eastwood" Maze continues to drive towards Eastwood. Jewel holds her hand and says. "Please don't be cold. Let's forget that this is our last date and forget how I keep breaking your heart. Please today just remember how much you adore me." At a stop light, Maze looks at Jewel with a longing look. "I do love you, you know. I don't just adore you, I love you with every ounce of my being right now. That's why I am here with you, allowing myself to love you one last time."

They arrived at the Padre Pio Chapel as Jewel led them to the candle area. "Remember I told you that you get to ask for one wish." She hands her the candle and silently lights hers as she prays. They walked hand in hand away from the candle area. Jewel asked Maze "What did you wish for?"  "I selfishly wished for you to stay and love me back. What's yours?" "I wish that your wish won't happen. Instead I pray that you look back on our story with a smile. I pray that one day you will be genuinely happy and successful." They both walk silently hand in hand. "I'm hungry Maze!" "You're always hungry!" "Good thing you're always there to feed me. Let's eat somewhere that has loads of cakes." They went to this new trending restaurant called Banapple. Jewel's eyes were excited to see the variety of cake choices. They enjoyed lunch, sharing happy stories and laughing at each other's silliness. They went on a drive again and found themselves back to the sunken garden where they once hung.

Sitting under the three and enjoying the breeze. It felt like a good day for the both of them. There was nothing for them to talk about anymore. The past has gone and there's no more future for them together. All they can do now is to enjoy each other's presence silently. Living at this moment where it seems like a scene from a romantic movie that never made it to production. Time went by quickly and it's already night time. They decided to order take out and go back to Jewel's place.

They are back in their favorite bench enjoying their dim sum take out. "You know what Jewel, when you leave can I take this bench home with me." "This is our bench right?" Jewel took out a cigarette stick. "One for the road?" Maze smiled "This will be a painful drive back home" Both of them enjoy their cigarette while consistently staring at each other's eyes. "Did you ever once have feelings for me Jewel? If you're not leaving, would you and me be possible?" "You know what I like about us Maze. I have no what ifs, because it felt easy with you. You never pushed me into a relationship, you just let me let you love me." Maze gave a deep sigh "I do hate that I love you so." "Thank you for the love and the memories. Our story was beautiful and meaningful. It may not be categorized under romance for me but it was special. I hope it will be for you too. You are too kind and I see people like to take advantage of you. Best example is me, I drag your feelings along with me because I know I can." Maze starts to get teary eyes but tries to contain it. "My difference with them is I respect you enough to give you closure. I won't be like Heart who keeps you in the clip hanger nor other girls who constantly make you feel that you have a chance. I'm your Jewel who cares for you, misses you and has always been honest with you. After tonight, please stop loving me. I want to keep in touch but please don't have any hopes that I will reciprocate your feelings. Drive home with a happy heart focusing on the days that we shared with laughter. I was happy to open up your heart again as your friends told me how closed it was." Jewel moved closer to Maze's heart and whispered. "Thank you heart for choosing to love me. Sorry I hurt you but I hope one day you feel happy when you remember us."

Maze hugged Jewel tightly as she knew this was really goodbye. Tears are starting to come out but she shakily tries to keep it together. Her heart felt light. Maybe this was what closure felt like. There was no second guessing if there was a continuation, as this is clearly the end. She drove away from her love as she waved goodbye.

A week had passed since Jewel left for the US. They are casually in contact and send I miss you messages from time to time. Maze is back to work at her new office in Eastwood. She likes to walk around in the morning and take photos of the park there. She remembers the time that they visited this place. Her heart was happy looking back to how they were. She smiles and thinks to herself that one day this is a good story to write. It may not be a romantic story but as she always says "It is Our Story".

-The End -