Almost Isolated

Chapter 43 - The Meet Up

The owner had to leave them for a while. He received a call that he was needed back home for an emergency. The man was persistent to sell the Jones' house; he insisted that she and Robbie... or rather, 'Toby' to check the whole place until he comes back.

"I was passing by... really." Neri decided to start the conversation. She adjusted her surgical mask over her mouth. "So? Are you considering to buy this house?"

Toby had been quiet, taking a glimpse at her from time to time while they walk through the hallway upstairs, peeking at the rooms. They had been there a few times before (when Toby was still Robbie). Every corner was the same - old, dusty and sad, but the new installed LED lights had made the whole place bright, abolishing the eerie atmosphere.

"This house would need a lot of renovation." His response was a matter of fact, casual as he met her gaze. But there was something behind his eyes.

Is it possible that Toby is remembering her? What is he doing in San Isidro, in the first place? Did he somehow recall Julian Jones as well?

Neri's heart fluttered, and then there was a pang of pain. She could almost taste the bitterness in her mouth. It had only been six months and she was still struggling from her heartbreak.

She tried to get away from the person she could never blame for forgetting her and his love for her. She went back to Seattle to start fresh, find a new job. Searching for love was out of the question. Yet Neri thought she could never get away.

Eventually, she'll have to accept the fact that she and Toby weren't meant to be together and she can never run from that.

Why would have it to be soon? Neri sighed.

"I..." Toby was about to say something, he hesitated. He was sweating; he pulled his black facemask down to his chin. Wiped his face then fixed his mask over his mouth and nose.

He had been staring at her for a while; Neri found courage to ask him the question, she'd meaning to ask.

"Do you remember me?"

"Your hair."

Neri had her hair, cut short, almost to the shoulder level with no trace of the carrot hue.

"You are the nurse back at Don Juan Medical Hospital," he added.

Neri's heart sank. Of course, he remembered her but not the way she wanted him to think!

"Yeah, that was me. My hair is all better now, thank you."

It was hopeless! Neri could feel her heart bleeding; she started to walk away from him. Toby suddenly grasped her arm.

"Wait!" He sounded breathless. "I... Do you want to eat something?"

~oOo~

Toby didn't expect to meet Neri again so soon. He wasn't sure if it was spark or all prejudice since he already knew they had a thing. Nevertheless, at that moment, he can't possibly let her go.

They went out and found a nearby burger stand. The place were crowded, they agreed to go back and eat at the Jones' front porch steps.

"Doc Zoila told me so much about you." They were both sipping on their drinks when Toby opened up.

It was his first time to see Neri without the facemask. She'd seemed plain and ordinary. Fair skinned, dark wavy hair. But looking at her from time to time, he realized she got beautiful eyes, her nose seemed delicate and her lips -

Neri caught him staring, her cheeks turned pink. She then, managed to say, "What did Doctor Zoila say about me?"

"She... she said," he stammered, unsure with his next words. "We.. we had an... an adventure together while I was in a coma.... that you were my girlfriend."

Neri's eyes widened, surprised by his revelation. He could almost feel the longing in her adoring look.

"Unfortunately, I can't... I can't remember you. Even after I found the letter."

There was a moment of silence between them. The beautiful glimmer he saw in Neri's eyes had quickly dissolved. Then, she gave out a tiny smile and nodded her head.

"It's okay. I'm just glad that we survived it all." she said. "Let's just consider that everything had been a dream and I was just a part of it."

Neri had already finished her drink; she got up, carrying her empty cup. For some reason, Toby felt his heart racing; she was going to say good-bye and leave, maybe forever.

He couldn't find the affection for her that he might had lost, he couldn't remember her. Still, he couldn't let her go.

"Can I see you again?"

________

I'll see you tomorrow guys for the fin :D

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- Maylen