Together/Not

6 The Goodbyes ⏳

"Ooh, this is my favorite street food—qwekqwek!" I had exclaimed, excitement bubbling over as I pointed to the vibrant stalls. The night market was alive with colors and flavors, and I was eager to dive into the familiar tastes of kikiam, tempura, and fish balls.

I wanted Carlos to try them too. He hesitated at first, but after a few bites, I saw his eyes light up. We bought another round, and another. We wandered through the market, sampling many other delicious treats—sweet corn on the cob, baked scallops, and more. Each new flavor brought us closer, laughter spilling from us as we discovered new favorites.

One time, I convinced Carlos to ride a jeepney, eager for him to experience the vibrant chaos of commuting in the Philippines. After a few attempts to hop on, we finally squeezed into a packed jeep. Carlos's tall frame nearly brushed the ceiling while his long legs took up most of the space.

All eyes turned to him, intrigued by the sight of a foreigner navigating this local experience. I couldn't help but chuckle as I explained how to pay the fare and pass it along. "Just shout 'Lugar!' when you want to get off," I said, watching him flash a shy smile that made my heart flutter.

As we bumped along the road, our shoulders brushed, and I reveled in the joy of sharing this slice of my world with him.

The ride was more than just a commute; it was a moment of connection that made everything feel right.

Our conversations flowed effortlessly, ranging from travel tales to family stories, blending happy and sad moments as we got to know each other. We decided to hit a public karaoke bar, the air thick with laughter and the sound of off-key singing. We grabbed a few beers and took turns belting out our favorite songs, and when "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" came on, we dove into it together. The moment felt electric, our voices mingling amidst the cheers and clinking glasses. That song became ours—a melody that would forever remind us of our fleeting time together.

I was grateful for Carlos; he inspired me to embark on my own solo adventures and embrace life's uncertainties.

But as all good things must, our time together began to slip away. I felt a heaviness in my heart, knowing he would leave and continue his journey soon. The thought of returning to my daily routine without him felt like a dull ache.

We said our goodbyes.

Sometimes, people came into our lives for a fleeting moment, leaving behind a lesson or a cherished memory.

It was just another day, and I was caught in the rhythm of my routine when suddenly, my phone buzzed.

"Where are you?"

Those three words sent a rush of excitement mixed with confusion through me.

Carlos.

He said that he wanted to meet. I thought he had already left.

I am so happy he is still here.

I rushed home to prepare, my heart racing at the thought of spending more time with him. He explained that he missed his boat but would be leaving tomorrow. I clung to the moment, reminding myself to savor today while he was still around.

As the evening unfolded, we roamed the night city together, sampling delicious street foods and enjoying each other's company. Every bite felt like a celebration, and every laugh we shared opened up new possibilities. Carlos had a way of bringing joy to my life that I hadn't expected, awakening feelings I thought were lost to me. With him, I felt a rush of excitement and a sense of wonder about the world around us.

The next day came, and I found myself saying goodbye once more, a twinge of sadness washing over me. My daily routine resumed, and I planned to hang out with friends after work, trying to shake the weight of his departure.

Then, my phone chimed again.

"Where are you?"

Carlos.

Hadn't I already said goodbye?

But my heart leaped at the thought of seeing him again, so I canceled my plans with friends, hoping they would understand.
Meeting someone I am drawn to doesn't happen often, and while I wasn't sure what this connection meant, it felt significant.

When we met, it was as if no time had passed. We slipped back into our easy conversation, sharing laughter and stories—a soothing balm to my hectic life. Carlos, with his love for biking, had traveled the world on two wheels, visiting over 120 countries in a decade, each destination a new chapter in his life.

He saw himself in me—a young soul ready to embrace the world. As I prepared for my own solo journey, his passion ignited something within me. Carlos opened my eyes to new perspectives on travel and life, encouraging me to seek experiences rather than just tick boxes on a map. He became a source of inspiration, filling my life with unexpected happiness and urging me to dream bigger.

In his eyes, I recognized my own aspirations, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a spark of hope and excitement for the journey ahead.

He felt like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the joy I had been missing.

Part of me wished he extended his stay because of me—he joked about it, but I dismissed the thought.
Who was I to hold him back?

After work, we fell into a routine of dinners and late-night strolls, where everything felt unexpectedly real. But the next day, it became clear he was really leaving. I realized I had left something with him, an unintentional excuse to see him one last time before he departed.

I found him waiting outside, sweat glistening on his skin, looking every bit the seasoned traveler with bags strapped to his bike.

We shared our final goodbyes, and it felt surreal.

I didn't feel the sorrow I expected; instead, it was like saying goodbye to someone I would see again soon.

I didn't even hug him.

It was more of a casual "Okay, bye."

And just like that,
we parted ways,

a bittersweet ending to a brief but impactful chapter in my life.

When will I see him again?

I know this is not how our story ends.

⌛️