"Jonah!" an enthusiastic voice calls.
As I approach the train station, a warm sense of relief washes over me at the sound of Samantha's voice. Looks like she got here first.
It's been weeks since we first met, but she still feels so new to me. Her curly hair bounces with each step as she walks toward me, her usual warm smile lighting up her face.
"Hello, Samantha," I say.
She closes her eyes and smiles as I greet her, as if she's waiting to be commended for getting here first.
"Looks like you got here first," I say, my voice tinged with embarrassment at arriving last.
"Yep! You're such a slowpoke, tch, tch, tch," she replies teasingly, waving her finger in front of me.
That's when the train arrives, and we make our way inside, talking about the novels we've suggested to each other.
"Oh my God, I cried so hard when I realized he was really a ghost!" Her face is animated, bursting with emotion.
"Y-yeah," I reply, scratching my nose, unable to help but find her expression both amusing and adorable.
Though she's been a part of my life for weeks, a nagging thought lingers in my mind: Is she really real? Is any of this real? Each time I close my eyes, a fear grips me — that everything will revert to what it used to be.
I still remember that day we went to the café; it felt so surreal. I was stunned when Samantha recognized me, even though we'd only spoken in my dreams — a dream I can't shake off.
Nothing makes sense, no matter how hard I try to rationalize it. I've conjured countless hypotheses to explain what's happening.
Maybe the day I didn't interact with Samantha on her first day was the real dream, and the second encounter is the true reality.
I've become like a mad scientist, frantically piecing together fragments of logic, only to arrive at crazier conclusions.
But as time passes, I find myself accepting the world around me.
Yet, the ticking of the clock haunts me each night as I drift off, reminding me of my fears — that everything I'm experiencing is merely an illusion, a fleeting dream waiting to dissolve into nothingness.
As my mind strays while I'm in a conversation with Samantha, my gaze slowly shifts to the horizon, watching the sunrise creep in.
"Did you bring the novel you said you were gonna let me read today?" Samantha asks.
"O-oh yes, I have it here in my bag," I reply as I lift my bag from the floor.
"Ooh, I'm so excited to read it!" she exclaims with a hint of enthusiasm.
That's when my phone makes a noise.
*Ding!*
I quickly open my phone and see The Professor's message about class. He won't be able to attend today because he's at a conference.
Samantha peeks at my phone as I read it.
"Looks like morning classes will be free time," I say as I close the phone.
"Perfect! I'll read the novel while we wait for lunchtime then!" she says, her eyes glowing with excitement.
"Alright," I reply as we wait for the train to reach our destination.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
When we arrive at the university, Samantha suggests we stroll around to find a nice spot for her to read the novel.
YOU ARE READING
Timeless Regrets.
Roman d'amourA young, silent college student accustomed to his predictable routine encounters a girl from another country, whose vibrant spirit shakes him from his self-imposed isolation. As their friendship blossoms, he is forced to confront the regrets and pai...
