Dear Caroline

Dear Caroline 8

"Hey," I approach him after he dismissed the class.

"Hi," he replied scanning me from head to toe. "Didn't know you were in this class."

"Didn't know that your name was that expensive." I chuckle. Nobody's here in the room except us two. Nica was on the rest room, retouching. "So, you're Sir Conrad's assistant, huh?" I said mockingly.

"Just for this sem." he said with his serious face. I laugh remembering his name. Wow. What a coincidence! He has the same name as Caroline! "Why are you laughing?" I look up to him and saw the ghost of smile on his face.

"You have the same name with my bestfriend." I said out the words that supposed to be on my mind only! "Sorry—I-I mean... Your name... uhmm?—"

"Lia?" we both turn our heads when someone calls my name. I saw Nica peeking her head at the door. "Oh! Hi, Sir Ramirez!" she waved her hand to Devin while chuckling. The latter just nodded at her and turns his head back to me.

"Wait me on the outside, please." I told Nica. Nica gave me her warm smile then show her thumb. She even wink at me before closing the door.

"I'm sorry..." I uttered after I took my bag. "You and my friend had the same name."

"May I know your friends' name?" his voice was filled of confusion. His brows furrowed and his lips were tightly close.

"Caroline..." his eyes widen in surprise, his lips parted after he swallowed hard. "What's with the reaction?" I said while giggling. "Don't tell me you know him. His name was Caroline Gabrielle Echavez."

"I knew." my smile faded when I heard his words. "I knew him." I scanned his face, looking for traces of joking. But he actualy has his reactions serious.

"No, you don't..."

"He was from Bahay Kalinga and was exchanging letters from his girl best friend." He was speaking like he knows everything. Like he did know me and Caroline. "Lia, I am Eviel... his best friend."

My eyes widened! I felt the sweat in my hands and my heart beats for the anticipation. He is that boy. Eviel. Caroline's best friend after the adoption.

"Why...?" my face shows nothing but confusion. There are many questions I need to ask. One of those is what happened to Caroline for the past years that he didn't replied.

But first of all I need to know the reson of his presence here.

"Later, at the basketball court. Meet me there. I have something to tell you."

I was astounded when his phone rang and left me alone. I was shock and scared. Still sceptic by his words and statements. If he was Caroline's best buddy then why is he here? Is there any possibility that Caroline is here too? And he's not replying to my letters because he's here. He is here. He is near. We don't need letters to communicate.

But Eviel's words were not enough. What if he has something awful behind his facade? What if he'll kill me? What if he's a monster?  Damn! The third one was a little bit over. But still! I can't trust him! And how am I able to meet him when I'm going to celebrate Caroline's birthday later? Caroline would be turning twenty two. But maybe... Caroline would meet me later at the court?

The class was ended smoothly and exhaustedly. The teachers had their different creativity when it comes to introduction. My other classmates decided to go early because our last subject was not around.

After the class I went to my favorite bake shop to buy my favorite cake. It is Caroline's favorite cake also, and I want him to eat it with me later. I also went to the flower shop. To buy my favorite sunflower. After buying the stuffs I pass by the store to buy some gifts.

When I get home I prepared the things. The cake, the flowers, the gift and my last important gift for him...

Dear Caroline,

Happy birthday! It's been a month since I never wrote you a letter. I was a little disappointed that you're sending back my gifts and letters. Even Gabby. I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll always write you a letter every occasions even you can't read them. I hope you can contact me or maybe you'll meet me later at the court. By the way, I met your best buddy. Devin Gabriel Ramirez or Eviel. I remember you told me about him. You said he was a bit stiff, strict and serious. You even said that his parents were doctors and was inspiring you to become one. I saw that you're very close. He even knows that you wrote me a letter. But what is he doing here? Or... Should I say...  What are you both doing here?

Excited best friend
Aurelia C. Fretser

I prepared all the stuff. But I leave the flowers, the cake and even the gift here in the house. I want Caroline to come here and have a dinner with Mom and Yana later.

I was walking in the street, the lamp post was lighting the way. With my hands in my sling bag and a jacket covered my body I scan the whole place. Even he was Eviel, I assure my self to be prepared, for extra precautions. Inside my sling bag was a paper spray and a phone that was already on the contacts with my sister.

I enter the basketball court and disappointed because Eviel was the only person I saw. He was holding something on his right hand and on his left was Freya who was sleeping.

Freya... wait...

"Hi." he greeted while walking close to me.

My holds became tighter in my bag everytime he takes a step towards me.

"What about now, Eviel?" I spoke laced with nervousness. Afraid of what would happen.

My instincts told me something might happen but I can't sort it if it good or bad.

Eviel stops five steps away from me. "Here," he extends his arms and offer me the blue envelope.

"It's from Caroline." his voice is laced with sadness when he uttered Caroline's name.

"I don't think it's from him—" I stop when I saw the familiar penmanship outside the envelope.

"Caroline wrote that letter four years ago." with my trembling hands I accepted the envelope and opened it. "He said I must give that to you on your eighteenth birthday. But I didn't have an idea on where to find you."

His voice was firm, like a brave and mightest warrior who came back from the war and was delivering a sad news to his majesty.

"Caroline wanted to see you but... " he trailed off and observing my reaction. I saw the hesitation in his eyes when he saw me crying while holding Caroline's necklace. "He wants to be your prom date but..."

I cried hard. Not minding the peaceful night was listening. I cried my heart out when Eviel's next words stabbed me to the pieces.

"He was not able to reply for the past years, because he died, Lia. Caroline was already dead."