Unchained Heart

3. Sunday Blues

Today is Sunday, so Ania is just at home. Mitch invited her to hang out, but Ania sensed it was a blind date. Mitch's cousin liked Ania and asked Mitch to set them up. However, thanks to Elaine's chatter, Ania found out. So now, she's at home playing online games instead.

Unexpectedly, Ania saw Lay online in the game. She had blocked him on all social media, but not in the game, and she only realized this because this was the first time she'd seen him play again. Lay was her ex-boyfriend, and their breakup was still fresh in her mind.

Lay Slayer (Lay's username in the game).

"Lay Slayer invited you to join." 

Ania was shocked to see Lay inviting her to play.

"Is this real?" she said, wide-eyed.

After accepting the invite, she was kicked out immediately. She tried to join the team again but wasn't let in. She wondered if Lay had invited her by mistake and began overthinking that maybe the other player was Lay's new girlfriend. Her heart sank at the thought, and she felt a mix of disappointment and jealousy.

Ania, overwhelmed by her emotions, didn't attempt to rejoin the game. She logged out, turned off her PC, and lay down, staring at the ceiling. The longing for Lay was palpable, and when she felt the tears welling up, she resorted to a physical slap to snap out of it.

"Stop it, Ania. You and Lay have been over for a long time," she scolded herself, her voice trembling with the weight of her tears.

She got up and decided to go on the blind date with Mitch's cousin.

"Mitch, I'll go to the date you set up, but you and Elaine have to be there," she messaged Mitch.

"Go ahead, sis. We'll meet at Elaine's cafe. Just show up, or we'll be waiting forever," Mitch replied. Ania laughed at the message.

After getting ready, she left.

Ania's POV

"Hello Mitch, where are you and Elaine? I thought you were at the cafe," I asked Mitch over the phone.

"Sorry, Ania. My stomach's acting up, so I can't come. Elaine has errands related to their cafe's new branch," Mitch replied. I could hear music in the background, sounding like he was at a club.

"I knew it, and they tricked me, "Ania muttered, her voice tinged with a sense of betrayal.

"Okay, Ania, I have to go. I need to get to the restroom. My stomach's hurting again. Take care of my cousin. Bye," Mitch said.

Before I could respond, he hung up. In the distance, I saw Mitch's cousin waving at me. I walked over to him, feeling like I couldn't escape. I felt terrible not showing up since I had said I would come, thinking Elaine and Mitch would be there. Now that I'm here, I might as well go through with it.

"Hi, Ania. Have a seat," he said, pulling out a chair. I sat down in the offered seat.

"You probably know me, but I'll introduce myself anyway. I'm Yuan. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his hand.

"Ania," I replied, shaking his hand.

I was a bit nervous, but he seemed nice. We talked, and unexpectedly, it wasn't awkward. He's into the same game I play, so we bonded over that. But still, I didn't feel like flirting. After coffee and snacks, I said goodbye to Yuan. We talked for almost an hour, and it was already afternoon. He insisted on giving me a ride, but I refused. I enjoyed talking to him, but I think this will be the last time we go out.

From the cafe, I decided to walk to the park where Lay and I used to hang out. I sat on the bench, waiting for the sunset. The sky before sunset is a beautiful mix of warm colors like deep orange, rich gold, soft pinks, and gentle purples, blending into more fantastic blues higher up. Clouds catch the sun's light, glowing with vivid hues, creating a dynamic and tranquil scene that often includes a gentle breeze. The sky was stunning. I watched the sun gradually set.

As darkness fell, tears streamed down my face. I thought I was okay. But remembering how Lay and I used to watch the sunset from this same spot, and now I'm alone, made me cry. My face was red and puffy, and my makeup was smudged. Luckily, there weren't many people in the park so that I couldn't stop my tears. My tears, saliva, and snot were all mixed together. Unfortunately, I didn't bring a handkerchief.

"Maybe you need this," said a familiar male voice.

I looked up and saw a hand holding a handkerchief. I tried to hide my face, feeling embarrassed about my tear-streaked face. I couldn't see his face clearly because he wore a cap and mask, but I took the handkerchief.

"Thank you," I said, wiping my face.

Embarrassed by my breakdown in the park, I suddenly ran off. I didn't realize I hadn't returned the handkerchief. I didn't look back at the man and kept running until I was far from that place.