Free Fall

II

"We need to talk. I was Ivan's friend."

She couldn't believe what she just heard. It was too painful for her to hear his name again. And now, after four years, someone called to ask about Ivan like everything was a joke.

"I'm sorry but I don't know who Ivan is," she replied and ended the call.

She put her phone in the pocket of her blazer. She checked on her things and went to work, trying to keep the phone call out of her mind.

A famous Architectural firm hired Darlene as a renderer a year ago. Luckily, even with her depression, she was hired because of her undeniable talent, skills and her passion for her profession. She opened her computer and checked on her projects. This is what keeps her busy; what keeps her away from insanity.

"Darlene, why weren't you picking up your phone? I was calling you," Mika, her co-worker, told her.

"Really? Uh, sorry, Miks."

Darlene took her phone out of her pocket and opened it. 2 missed calls from Mika and 15 missed calls from the unknown number. She opened her inbox and found text messages from the stranger.

"Darlene, pick up."

"Hey."

"We need to talk."

"Let's meet up?"

"Answer the phone please?"

"I need to tell you something. It's about Ivan."

"Please. You need to know something."

Without even bothering to reply, she turn her phone off.

"By the way, you have a client meeting at 9. Sir David told me to tell you that you will be the one presenting the project."

It was 5 minutes before 9. Her presentation was all ready but it was her who wasn't. Project presentations are no worry to her since she is a good speaker. But with the strange calls and messages from someone who clearly knows something about Ivan, she didn't know if she's ready to face the client. Cold sweat ran through her forehead. She usually doesn't feel nervous but for some reason, she felt like something was coming and it was not good.

She freshened up and tried to calm herself. Do not think of Ivan, she whispered to herself. She picked up the flash drive from her computer and went straight to the conference room where her client was waiting.

"Good morning, Sir," she greeted her client.

"Good morning."

She was not expecting a client who looks young at all. Usually, their clients are businessmen who are about 40 years old. But this man, standing in front of her, looks like he's just the same age as her. He has tan skin, sharp eyes, and a soft smile to balance his strong features.

"Take a seat, Sir. I'm going to star---"

"Wait, Darlene. We need to talk."

Darlene froze. She cannot be mistaken. It's the same voice from the strange phone calls.

"Y-you.."

"Yes, I was the one calling you. I was Ivan's friend."

She was shocked. She took a step back but he caught her arm.

"Please stop! I told you, I don't know who Ivan is."

"Stop lying, Darlene. I've been searching for you for years! I'm not going to hurt you. Please calm down."

"W-why?! Leave me alone. I'm trying to live my life! I don't want more of the past's bullshit. I'm tired of this. Please let me go," she sobbed.

"Hey, look at me," he held her shoulders with pleading eyes.

"..I know this is hard for you. But aren't you tired of running away from the past? I know you loved Ivan and he loved you, too. I promised him.."

"You promised him what?"

She was so confused that she didn't know how to react. Part of her wanted to push the guy away, but every piece of her heart wanted to hear what he knew about Ivan because deep inside her, she still cares.

"That I'll find you and that I'll help you move on."

She tried moving on but she just couldn't. She was so helpless that she thought it was impossible to move on. How could this guy help her move on?

"What are you talking about? I'm fine until you came---"

"I know why he killed himself and he wanted to tell you something."

She listened to the guy and she felt warm tears flow on her cheeks.