T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 2

It's been a while.

Hanging out alone, I took a sip from my strawberry creme frappe as I glanced through the window glass on my side. It really feels so good to be back here. No homework, no piled up papers on my desk, no meetings with my profs—just me, myself and I.

I just got home yesterday, and today I wanted to roam around the city again. My fam were just too busy to accompany me, so I decided to go all alone. Besides, my hometown gals are probably busy with their own lives now.

"Excuse me," a stranger spoke all of a sudden. I turned to see a woman—I think she's the same age as mine—holding a tray of her food.

"Can I sit in kasi puno na mga table—oh wait," she said, but a hint of recognition showed on her face. "Icarus?"

I took off my sunglasses, and it turns out she's an old friend of mine. "Kristelle?"

"OMG. Literally shocked right now," she gushed, putting her tray on my table. Even other customers turned to us because of her. "You know what? It feels like I'm with a celebrity. Your works are always trending online."

"Kristelle, calm down," me trying to keep her from spilling anymore. "You're so loud—"

"I'm so proud of you! Gosh, hindi na kita nakita since then. You know what, super maraming gatherings ang na-miss mo? And remember, Denisse? She's pregnant."

She immediately started to spill everything and I am overwhelmed, but it's good to know Kristelle is still Kristelle, and she has never forgotten about me after a long time that we have never seen each other.

"Oh wait, I forgot about Annie! She'd be here actually," she said, and suddenly waved at someone who just came into the coffee shop. Annie seems different—her iconic curly hair back when we were in high school, it's wavy now.

She went to us, and when she was about to reach our table, she gasped. "No way."

"Hi, Annie!" I greeted her, and she finally took a seat.

That afternoon was filled with laughter and teas, and we exchanged stories of our lives in college. I'm glad to know they're really pursuing their careers as well, and no joke, they took glowing up seriously. No wonder I've always seen them online, hanging out with their boyfriends.

"By the way, how's your love life? I saw you with a guy in your stories the other day ha," she asked. She might've seen me with Greg, one of my closest friends in the gang. People have always thought the same as well, but we strongly denied any of the rumors circling around us.

"We're just friends. Besides, he's seeing someone else," I answered.

"Talaga? Bagay pa naman kayo," Kristelle added.

"Nah, wala pa rin naman sa plans ko magka-bf actually."

All of a sudden, we found Annie choking on her drink and coughing it all out. "Seriously, Icarus? You're twenty-two! NBSB ka pa rin?" she exclaimed.

I turned around and saw the people looking at us again. They have noticed it too. "Gosh, don't worry about them. We are not in a school library," she joked.

"But on a serious note, why? Bakit ayaw mo pa?"

I grinned shyly. "Too busy."

They rolled their eyes. "Eh nanligaw? Impossible naman if wala ring naligaw sa'yo," Annie asked too.

"Meron—"

"Ayun naman pala!"

"But he was already taken when he was pursuing me! You guys!"

They frowned. "Alam mo, Annie, kung sino pang swerte sa buhay, sila pa ang malas sa pag-ibig," Kristelle sighed.

"True," Annie agreed, and they sipped on their drinks.

All of a sudden, a notif sound caught our attention. Annie took her phone, and then she turned to Kristelle. Kristelle then took her phone as well, and they read something together. It might be a group chat, probably.

"Icarus, nasa GC ka ba?" Kristelle asked.

"What GC?"

She showed me her phone, and the name of the group doesn't seem familiar to me at all. I shook my head.

"Should we add him?" Annie asked Kristelle.

"No. Not today."

Kristelle then leaned closer to Annie and whispered something. I watched them confusingly, until they faked a cough. "You should join us tonight," Kristelle said.

"Where?"

"We will fetch you later," Annie added and they giggled together.

After our unexpected meeting, we parted ways. As Annie said, they will fetch me later to attend a special occasion. Party—that's what they hinted, but I've got no more clue to where we will be heading tonight.

Then, I decided to stroll around the mall for a while. Maybe, just to find something to wear tonight? I don't know.

There, I found a fountain at the center of the mall. I took a seat on a vacant bench near it. I have just decided to sit there and watch the water fall from the dolphin statue down to the well.

As far as I could remember, this fountain wasn't here the last time I strolled around the mall. I had so many memories coming back in my mind as I traveled my sight.

Then, my eyes caught a couple sitting on the other bench. The woman was leaning on his man's shoulder, smiling as they enjoyed the sight of the fountain. I think they are in their sixties already, but watching them makes you realize love can be real sometimes.

Hands tied, sitting beside each other, and enjoying the moment together. It's something I used to wish—being in someone's arms until we get old, weakened joints, and watch our hair turn gray. Something so genuine and real. Something so light. Something that brings nothing but true happiness.

It breaks my heart, knowing that something will never come into my life. But, I think there's more to life than having someone—

"Sorry," someone tripped on my foot. He apologized and then rushed to the exit.

His voice seems familiar. I think I've heard it somewhere.

I looked back to where the guy was heading, but I couldn't see him anymore through the strolling crowd.

Whoever he is, he might have crossed paths with me in the past.