Another Way Around

Chapter Fourteen

It’s a wonderful day for a walk. I grab my purple hat and jumped out of the house. I just want to enjoy this weekend walking, having some ice cream, some street foods and pieces of cake. Gino is too busy these past few days because he needs to pass his thesis this coming week so it’s a good thing, I’ll be having some alone time this weekend.

As I walk down the street, I just realized one and a half year went so fast just as my hair grew long (and the wind loves it), but what I love about it, graduation is approaching. I can’t imagine how wonderful life would be after school. Having a job, buying things from the money I earned, living in the career I once dreamed about and being the person I always wanted to be. But as of now, I still have to passed my final examination and finish all my requirements.

Kate, Leslie and Justine were so excited not on the graduation itself but on the graduation ball and parties they were planning.

Gino and I were still good friends. He is still sending me a rose from day to day. Actually I don’t know where to put those roses, my room also became the room of mosquitoes. But I don’t want to throw it away knowing that Gino gave it from his heart, so I just put it in a big box on one corner of my room, away from my bed.

I saw an ice cream cart and bought my favorite flavors, mango and vanilla. I can’t remember when was the last time I had this. I became so busy with my studies. So busy that I seldom visit Aunt Laura and my cousins, I even seldom touch my piano. Many things change when I entered this career.

“Miss, your ice cream is melting,” a soft voice whispered to me.

I looked at my ice cream and yes it’s gross.

“You never changed Gab, your consciousness detached from you from time to time, haha.”

“Oh my gosh, Jake! Matea!,” I said in astonishment.

“Haha, you missed us?,” Jake said.

“Absolutely!” I replied and hugged them both.

“How are you? You look wonderful,” Matea said.

“I’m good. When did you come back?”

“Just last night. I missed you Gab,” Matea said.

We sat on the bench, they bought ice creams too and we talked about how their life went through when they leave the country four years ago. They shared their experiences while in Europe, the sceneries, the weather and the culture. I don’t feel any bitterness as we talked. I never thought we could still be in this kind of situation, my best friends since birth, having ice cream, teasing each other and laughing about the past like it all just happened yesterday. And seeing Jake, with his body more prominent and his skin’s glow under the sun, yes it’s just like yesterday.

“Oh how was Gino? Do you still hang out with him?,” Jake asked.

Nah! For a moment I don’t want to think or talk about him.

“Yes, we entered the same University. He is just busy today for his thesis, you know, graduating,” I answered anyway.

“Oh yah, you two were graduating this year, congrats Gab,” Jake said.

Jake is in forth year taking up Medicine and Matea is third year in Physical Science; she was a year late because she took some extra jobs while studying.

“Maybe we should all go out together, we have three months here, let’s make the most of it”, Jake said and then he looked at Matea with his soft eyes.

Oh ow. Number one, hanging out with Gino is not a good idea and number two… what’s that stare? I can’t explain the feeling and a shard tick inside me.

“Well, yap that’s’ a good idea,” I said to break the awkward moment.