Chasing Possibilities

9 - Of an Unexpected Meeting

The wind kissed me in the face as a cool breeze blew and sent my wavy hair flying in directions. I raised my arms up and felt a rushing feeling of freedom.

I opened my eyes and saw in front of me a guy standing with his back on me. Like me, he too was looking ahead at the horizon. I stopped watching him and stared straight ahead at the now pale orange sky. The day had ended.

I started to gather my things and placed them in my beach bag. I stood up and dusted myself off of the fine beach sands that clung onto my pink short board shorts. It was the time to head home. I took one more look at the guy in front of me and found him walking towards my direction.

With my feet plastered at the warm sand, I watched him slowly making his way towards me. He was shirtless and I had a very clear view of his toned, dark skinned body.

I was unable to move. He was a feet away from me and he stopped there, stood still, eyes focused on mine, and lips parted a little to show a small smile. I blinked so many times I already lost count.

We were staring at each other. His smile was broader now. A smile that told me he knew something I didn't. I returned the smile, it was infectious. He took a small step forward, closing in the distance. His hand reached for my cheek and I leaned in, rested my cheek on his warm hand.

He moved his face closer, so close we were almost inhaling the same breath of air.

His hand moved from my cheek to my chin. His russet eyes stared down on my chocolate brown ones. I inhaled sharply and held my breath.

"I missed you Sarsona." He lifted my chin and closed the distance.

I exhaled the breath I was holding and whispered his name, "Bryce."

I woke up soaked in sweat with my phone blasting a Fall Out Boy song, Just One Yesterday. Wow, how appropriate?

I dreamed of him. Again. This time it wasn't a memory. It was more of a figment of my fantasy or imagination. I felt troubled at the thought that I subconsciously fantasized of Bryce.

Why? Why must he kept on haunting me? He seemed to be everywhere near me. At work, in my memory, in my dreams, in my fantasy, and in my heart. It wasn't healthy anymore. All of this had to stop.

I took my phone from the bedside table and turned the alarm off. I checked the time, 4:10 pm. I got up and fixed my bed. I missed this room. I missed the house. I missed my family. I would pay them a visit more often, I promised myself. Yes, I would do that.

I went out and found my mom at the porch reading a pocket book. That's where I got my love for books. She was the one who introduced me to it. I remembered she bought me a whole set of the Harry Potter series and encouraged me to read all of them. I did and I was so thankful she pushed me to because I loved it. Since then, I got hooked up and bought more books. I even got some I still hadn't read. I added that to my mental list of to-do things.

Mom looked up when she heard my light footsteps. Sometimes I thought mom had powers.

She set the book down on the glass table. "Are you going to stay for dinner?"

"I'd love to, but I can't. I have work and I didn't bring any clothes." I saw the disappointment in my mom's face. "Don't worry ma, I'll try to sleep over this weekend. If I can't, I promise I'll visit some other time. I'll make sure of it. I'll visit more often."

My mom smiled genuinely at that. She stood up and hugged me tightly. I felt how she missed me. I promised myself I won't hurt my mom again by staying away.