To The One That Got Away

It was a cloudy Sunday afternoon in the sixteenth of October. The aroma of the coffee lingered as I took a sip from the cup. The soothing sounds of mellow music even made the atmosphere more serene-perfect for a cold cup of coffee.

I looked outside the window and saw a beautiful view; children playing and having fun, a complete and happy family bonding together, pets playing with their owners, teenagers laughing and hanging out with their friends, couples walking hand in hand while sweet smiles are plastered on their lips.

I smiled as I took another sip from my coffee and I started to concentrate on reading my novel again. And while I was lost in nirvana, suddenly everything that happened in my life came back in my thoughts in a blink of an eye.

I was walking down the noisy hallway, slightly bowing my head because I was too shy to make eye contact and to walk pass these unfamiliar faces.

I sighed.

I immediately sat at the nearest chair as soon as I arrived at my designated classroom. I nervously touched my cold hands and caressed the tips of my long straight hair; would I survive here alone?

It was freshman year; new school and new faces. Everybody seemed so close with each other, excluding me, and they were chitchatting as if they really knew each other too well and it has been a long time since they last saw each other. Hmm, with my shyness I doubt if I would get some friends here.

After waiting for what seemed to be like forever, a woman came and introduced herself as our adviser for our whole year in this institution.

She was still talking about something but I wasn't listening because I was concentrating on how to end this dreadful day as soon as possible. But I was startled when someone sat at the chair on my left. I didn't bother to turn my face on that direction but on my peripheral vision and by the built of his body, I was sure that he is indeed a boy.

I ignored him and I succeeded but after a few moments he tried to initiate a conversation.

"Hi, anong pangalan mo?" He asked in a friendly tone.

"Anastasia," I tried to act normal because I was too nervous. But I think I failed because my voice came out as a whisper. I was still not facing him.

He did not respond after that; he must have sensed that I was uncomfortable talking to him. I never heard a word from him after that incident, or so I thought.

A few days later, he was very persistent. He would always try to talk to me every chance he gets. It wasn't that hard though because we were seatmates so he could easily approach me anytime. And after that, we became friends.

His name was Elijah. When I first saw his face clearly, I can recall that he was familiar but I shoved that thought away since I tend to forget about things easily.

We became close and we instantly clicked since I was a bit boyish and I disliked the annoying high-pitched voice of young girls.

Every day we grew even closer. It was like our day wouldn't be complete if we don't tease each other. I feel comfortable every time I am with him. He was like a brother to me, a brother that I never had.

He would share his thoughts and feelings about this particular girl. He would say that every time he sees her, it was like everything was perfect, like he was always in a different world when he was with her.

But every time that I tried to ask him who this girl was, all he does is smile like he's crazy. He won't even give me clues about her; all he says is that she's a great girl. That made me even more curious on whom that girl is.

Every time he talks about her, I can see the love and adoration in his eyes. What a lucky lass. Would there be anyone who will love me the way Elijah loves that girl?