Beautiful encounter

CHAPTER 12

As I approached the café, a cozy spot nestled near the bustling mall, I felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. This was our designated meeting place, a place where conversations flowed as easily as the coffee. I settled into a comfortable chair by the window, my eyes scanning the street outside.

Cars zipped by, and pedestrians strolled past, each person a blur in the backdrop of my thoughts. I couldn’t help but wonder if one of them might be Maki, my mind drifting to the image of him walking through the door. The clock on the wall read 9:48, still a good twelve minutes before our agreed time. I reminded myself to be patient; he’d be here soon.

To pass the time, I decided to indulge a bit. I waved down a server and ordered a refreshing strawberry Oreo milk tea, the sweetness of the berries always a delight. I also treated myself to a slice of rich cheesecake, its creamy texture promising a little moment of bliss.

As I waited, I took a sip of my drink and let the flavors dance on my tongue, the world outside continuing its lively pace. My heart raced slightly with the thrill of anticipation—what would we talk about? Would we laugh? The possibilities felt endless as I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the atmosphere and the little moments that led up to our meeting.

A little while later, my phone pinged, the familiar sound of a message notification breaking through my thoughts. I quickly opened my phone, a flutter of hope in my chest, but as I read Maki's message, that hope shattered. “Good morning, love! I'm really sorry for the late notice, but I won’t be able to make it today. My friend asked me to step in for a volleyball game since they’re short on players, and I couldn’t say no. I promise I'll make it up to you, and we'll spend even more time together soon.”

The words felt heavy, each one sinking my heart deeper into disappointment. I had been so excited for today, envisioning our conversation and laughter, but now it felt as if everything had come crashing down. I understood, of course; volleyball was his passion, and I would never want to stand in the way of that.

Trying to mask my feelings, I replied, “Okay babii, I’m still here laying in bed anyway. Good luck, my love! Win the game!” I forced a smile as I typed, wanting to reassure him that I was okay. I hoped my words would keep the guilt at bay, allowing him to focus on the game without worrying about me. Deep down, though, a part of me ached, wishing things were different, longing for the connection we had planned for today. As I set my phone down, I couldn’t shake the bittersweet feeling that lingered, blending disappointment with the understanding that sometimes, passions take precedence.

I finished my drink and cheesecake, the sweetness now overshadowed by a heavy weight in my chest. Gathering my things, I stepped outside, but the moment I began walking, that weight intensified, making it hard to breathe. I fought back tears, desperately trying to hold it together, but it felt almost impossible.

With trembling hands, I opened my phone and dialed Soren’s number, hoping he’d pick up and provide a distraction. Instead, it went straight to voicemail. Maybe he was with Daniel, enjoying their own moment of happiness. I didn’t want to ruin that with my own disappointment, so I let out a bitter laugh at my situation.

With nowhere else to go and nothing left to occupy my mind, I turned and headed straight home. When I arrived, my mother was in the living room, and I forced a smile as I greeted her with a kiss. “Hi, Mom,” I said, before retreating to my room. I locked the door behind me, seeking refuge from the world outside.

Once inside, the floodgates opened. I sank onto my bed and let the tears fall freely. Everything felt overwhelming. I hated this feeling of anger and disappointment swirling within me. I hated that I was mad at Maki for not being there, especially when he was the one who asked me out in the first place. Was his game really more important than me, his boyfriend? The thought stung, and I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing for the pain to fade. I felt trapped in a whirlwind of emotions, and all I wanted was to feel understood and valued.

I let the tears flow freely, releasing all my pent-up anger and pain. Each sob felt like a wave crashing over me, washing away the weight of my emotions. My eyelids grew heavy, and I could feel the exhaustion settling in. As the darkness enveloped me, I surrendered to sleep, hoping to escape the turmoil, even if just for a little while. In that moment of vulnerability, I found a fleeting sense of peace, a brief respite from the chaos swirling inside me.