When the flowers gaze at you, they're not the only ones who cry when they see you,
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Engfa’s POV:
I exited the cab, handing the fees to the driver through the driver seat’s window. As the cab drove away, I sighed and tucked my hands inside the pockets of my pants as I started to walk inside my cold and empty apartment.
I was about to enter the elevator door when I heard Freen’s familiar voice from behind me. I quickly turned around, only to see Freen rushing towards me. She stopped in front of me, her hands resting in her knees as she tried to catch her breath.
“Come with me,” she said to me, breathlessly. “Let's go,” she grabbed my arm, not giving me any more chance to ask for questions. She ushered me to enter her car. Her face screamed problem so I didn't resist and just did what she told me to do.
When we got to her car and she started to drive through the busy streets of New York, that's when I finally decided to ask her.
“What’s happening? Where are we going?”
Freen looked at me for a moment, her eyes flashing me a confused expression before turning to focus on the road once again.
“I knew it's because of you,” she muttered under her breath, but I managed to catch it.
“What?” I asked her for clarification, and she answered me without sparing me a glance.
“Pich resigned as our manager.” Freen started, her voice flat, “And the fact that you didn't know is enough confirmation that you're the reason behind it,”
A feeling of guilt and shock coursed through my whole being upon hearing what she had just said. My eyes went wide and an uncomfortable feeling began to stir inside of me. Pich was leaving?
“But... how am I the reason for her leaving?”
“Where were you just now, Mook?” Freen asked me with her most serious tone, still not sparing me a glance.
“W-what—”
“Pich really cared for you, you know.” Freen’s voice went soft as she said those words. A hint of understanding could be heard in her tone. “And I wasn't trying to make you feel bad about this, but I was just sad for Pich. I knew and I saw it with my own eyes how much she cared for you,”
I felt really bad upon learning that Pich had suddenly quit. It made me sad and guilty. Listening to Freen didn't help; it just made me feel even worse.
“I saw her before she told Nawat that she's quitting. And she told me that you went to your ex-girlfriend’s wedding,” Freen continued.
Hearing that Freen had spoken to Pich before she handed in her resignation hit me hard. It was like a punch to the gut, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that washed over me.
Realizing that I indeed have hurt Pich in the process, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my actions or words had somehow contributed to her decision to resign. It made me question myself, wondering if I had been too insensitive without even realizing it.
But I knew I was really bound to hurt her no matter how hard I tried not to. Just the fact that I couldn't reciprocate her affection towards me had hurt her already. And I couldn't do anything about it.
“I didn't intend to hurt her, Freen. It will be unfair of me if I told her that I could love her, because even I wasn't really sure if I could.” I explained with my voice trembling.
As I stare out the window, watching the buildings pass by in a blur, I can't help but feel completely submerged in my own misery. The world outside moves on, indifferent to the turmoil brewing within me. Each passing scene only serves as a reminder of how trapped I feel in my own sadness.
“I know,” Freen whispered, “And I want you to know that I understand you.” As Freen held my hand and gave it a squeeze, I felt the sincerity in her words wash over me like a warm embrace.
In that moment, I realized how lucky I am to have her as a friend. It's comforting to have someone who understands me, someone I can rely on during tough times like these.
“Where are we going anyway? You didn't answer my question earlier.” Freen didn't answer, instead she just gave me a knowing look.
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As I wandered my eyes over the river park, it was like stepping into a peaceful oasis, even in the darkness of night. The lights shimmered and danced across the water, casting a gentle glow that soothed my soul. Despite the late hour, there was a sense of tranquility in the air, interrupted only by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hum of city life.
I was walking side by side with Freen, still unable to figure the reason why Free dragged me here in the first place.
Freen stopped walking just in front of the metal railings that separated the grassy ground from the river. She paused, and I followed suit, curious about what caught her attention.
The ducks were swimming peacefully on the river. Freen was following their movements with her eyes, as I observed her in silence.
I leaned to the railings as I decided to watch the ducks as well, a comfortable silence enveloped us both as we shared a moment of peace.
Freen suddenly spoke, turning to me a little. “You once told me that you wanted me to open up to you. Can we do that now?”
I was shocked by Freen's statement, but I quickly masked it and replied, “About what?” my voice soft when I asked her.
“About Becky,”
As Freen shared her situation with Becky, I listened intently, hanging onto every word she said. It was a window into Freen's world, revealing facets of her personality I hadn't fully grasped before. Through her words, I learned that Freen struggled to express herself verbally, often saying the opposite of what she truly felt. It was a revelation that deepened my understanding of her, shedding light on why she sometimes seemed guarded or contradictory in her statements.
As Freen bared her soul to Becky, I felt privileged to witness this intimate moment of vulnerability. It strengthened our bond, affirming the trust and friendship that had blossomed between us. And as I continued to listen, I made a silent promise to always be there for Freen, to offer my support and understanding, no matter what struggles she faced.
“You know, Becky is really lucky to have you,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “You should confess to her soon.”
Freen looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite read. For a moment, I wondered if I'd said too much, but then she spoke, her voice soft and sincere.
“Mook, you can open up to me too. I’m here to listen, just like you’ve been for me.” her words caught me off guard. I had been so focused on my own thoughts that I hadn't considered how much she could see through my facade.
I felt the weight of my heartache from Charlotte pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. For a long moment, I didn't know what to say. I had been carrying this burden for so long, trying to keep it all inside, but hearing Freen's words made me realize that maybe I didn't have to do it alone. Maybe, just maybe, I could let someone in.
With a heavy sigh, I began confiding in Freen about everything that was weighed me down. I shared to her the pain of my heartbreak, delving into my past with Charlotte and recounting the events that transpired between us. Freen listened intently, becoming the confidant I so desperately needed.
Despite the devastating events I witnessed today, there was one thing that helped me realize it wasn't all bad: having a friend like Freen.
And for the first time in a long time, I couldn't help but think that life wasn't that bad after all.
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a/n: I just wanna explore Freen and Engfa's friendship in this chapter before we finally jump to the present. Are you ready for it? 👀
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champagne problems
Fanfiction"Will you marry me, Charlotte?" the woman before her asked, her eyes full of hope. Unfortunately, Charlotte didn't know what to say. Sometimes you just don't know the answer 'til someone's on their knees and asks you. "Engfa, I can't," --- A journey...
