The Beauty of Love

Chapter 11

Feeling heavy and wanting to breathe some air, I decided to go to RD. It's the rooftop of the condominium where I'm staying.

In my right hand is an avocado ice cream and a small spoon. I figured it will make me feel a lot better. Earlier, while arranging the groceries I bought, I had a breakdown and it took several minutes for me to calm down.

I know it's funny to think that I'm still hurt after seeing him. But growing up in a household where my feelings were always validated, I'm not scared to cry, even in front of my parents.

They taught me that crying is okay. It is not a sign of weakness. It's actually a sign of bravery. That despite everything going on in your life that makes you cry, you're still here. You are not giving up on every struggle, and that's what matters the most.

I remind myself that it's normal to feel this way and to let my feelings out because it's what I truly feel. But then again, I hate when I'm like this... crying over the same person who causes me undeniable pain.

At this point, I just want to feel nothing. Maybe I'm shocked to see him again after a long time or I just didn't expect the encounter, so I felt like my heart got ripped open again. I don't really know anymore.

I took a quick shower kanina and changed into something comfortable, my pink pajamas. I blow-dried my hair and made it into a bun before coming out of my unit. My eyes were a bit puffy, but that didn't matter to me now.

I arrived at RD and stepped out of the elevator, holding my phone in my left hand. This part of the building is usually where people come to relax, so I am silently wishing there's a spot left where I can sit.

On the right side, I saw two families occupying all the seats. They are talking with each other and eating something. So with no hope there, I started walking to the other side.

When I looked around, I saw a couple sitting at one table. I almost lose hope, but when I glanced at the back, I saw one person sitting alone at another table.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I walked in that direction. The person sitting there is a man. As I get closer, my forehead starts to crease because he looks familiar. His eyes are on his laptop, so he doesn't notice me approaching.

That's when I realized it's my neighbor again. My lips tilted into a slight smile. Watching him, I noticed he's quite busy and serious.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" I asked.

He instantly looked up at me when he heard my voice. He doesn't look shocked, but I saw how his eyes glimmered.

"No," he replied softly. "Of course, you can sit there."

I nodded in response. He shifted his weight in his seat, and I sat in front of him. I then placed my phone on the table, not wanting to make any noise that might bother him.

After setting my phone down, I finally opened my cup of ice cream and put the spoon in. His eyes darted to me.

"Just continue what you're doing. Don't mind me here."

His lips twisted slightly. "Sure. I'm just checking some emails," he answered.

"Okay..."

"I should be the one telling you that. Don't mind me here."

"Thanks," I smiled.

He avoided my gaze and went back to what he was doing. I started eating my ice cream, trying to keep my mind at peace. I stayed quiet in my seat with my neighbor in front of me, but sometimes, I caught him glancing at me.