Sad Goodbye [One-Shot]

One-Shot

I watched the steam from my cup of tea rise and evaporate. I glanced around and saw the clock, we've been here quite a while that my warm cup felt like ice in my hands. I kept my attention to the cup in my hands; looking up would cause another wave of memories to flood back.

But I couldn't resist stealing one more glance... I looked up and saw the stranger in front of me. I thought I knew him... I looked at his face, his expression lost in thought. Is spending a few more moments with me too hard for him? I looked closely and realized fine lines around his eyes... since when were they there?

He looked handsome as always. I once remembered tracing his features with my fingers as he wrapped his arms around me tighter in his sleep. Now, that moment feels like something I've imagined because looking at him in front of me, the kindness and affection that was once there... I couldn't find them.

We sat where we once sat, at the secluded part of the café... away from prying eyes. Not that people would bother to notice us. He and I are strangers... not just to them but to each other... even to this place. We were here once a long time ago... Back then, we were also strangers. Life is such an irony.

The silence lingered some more until the chunk of ice from his cold drink made a cracking sound and brought me back from my thoughts. He and I were sitting together, having this last moment...

I looked at him and watched as he stirred the drink with a straw and took a sip. He now looked as uncomfortable as I am... Could we be thinking the same things? Maybe that's why we came to this point... There were so many things left unsaid... things left undone... To continue and try once more would be to hurt each other... I don't want to end up destroying him.

I looked at him as he looked at me... our eyes met but couldn't tear our gaze from each other. I realized just how far we've drifted apart as I saw myself reflected in his eyes...

"So this is it then?" he asked as he held the only evidence linking us two together.

"I guess so..."

"If you want to re..." he looked serious.

"This is for the best." I cut his words before my self-control crumbles.

"So are we really saying goodbye now?" his voice broke a bit.

I smiled. "I think we've said goodbye a long time ago."

He looked taken back but stayed silent. He looked with full concentration on that piece of paper.

I smiled inwardly... He's still the same... yet he's not the same.

"It's better if I finish that." I said as I extended my hand to get the document.

"Yeah... That might be the best..." He released his grip on the piece of paper and stood up. "If you tell me... if at least think we still have the smallest bit of chance... Let's stay together." he looked at me tenderly, the way he did a long time ago.

I shook my head and smiled sincerely, happy at the words I longed to hear. "Be happy and forget me."

He sighed and shook his head; he left soon after.

I stayed rooted to my seat... I stayed there for a long time. I sat...

I wanted to think but I couldn't. I wanted to cry but tears won't fall. I sat there numb at the realization that we were truly done... we said goodbye.

I quickly placed the paper in my purse and left the café. I stopped at the door glancing around me... Maybe he waited this time... I shook my head. He won't be there... Just as he wasn't there before. I started to make my way across the street to where I parked my car.

Then I heard a shout and something falling on the ground. I opened my eyes and saw the sky... it was cloudy and the heavens started crying... I felt the raindrops on my face, replacing the tears that were drowning me inside.

I looked to my side and my things were scattered on the ground. Amongst them, I scanned for that piece of paper. It was nearest to me... The only evidence left of the past 10 years... our life together... all in that piece of paper. I reached for it...

People started to crowd around me; they had funny looks on their faces and their mouths moved frantically but no sound reached my ears. It began to dim as the sky cried harder for me... I slowly drifted off... I feel relaxed, I haven't in a while.

I opened my eyes one last time; feeling strength flow from arms clutching my body.

I saw the one face that I recognized from the crowd...

The one face that I thought was a stranger's...

The one face I didn't want to say goodbye to...

Him who I love to forever.