Adi's Ghost [One Shot]

Adi’s Ghost

He made my winter warm.

Our love was like fire – irrevocably passionate, beautifully fierce and undeniably strong.

What made our love beautiful was not the fact that we are exceptional but the fact that it was still ordinary but it became a legend; in fact it was a once in a lifetime love – a love that would never be forgotten. And to what it means, we went beyond extremes.

Our love story is that of love at first feel.  

It’s always around 5pm, where it’s usually crowded. My elbow would always hit his chest whenever the train stopped. If it were during my lucky days & the train stops, I would get the chance to have his arms around me for a split second – I would frequently thank Inertia for that.

I had the chance to hold his hand during one of the train’s momentary lapse. That time I lost my balance and I almost hit the ground but he held my hand. It was really a man’s hand, strong and hardworking. I was always next to him.

Our encounters continued for a month. One time I really heard my heart exploding inside the moment our lips touched accidentally. In a sprout of a moment, I have tasted his lips. It was the first time I heard his voice.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

I quickly looked away when I sensed he was looking at me to hide my feelings, “This train sure is pretty crowded.”

            For the reason that he was talking, I knew he was starting a conversation with me.

“It’s usually like this around this time.” Pretending not to know he’s always beside me, I answered quickly as I can.

“I know, I always see you looking outside that window at times like this,” I knew he pointed outside the window where the huge and tall attractive buildings are standing but I didn’t try to check, “I always notice you standing next to me.”

I felt butterflies. I couldn’t help but pocket a smile. “I noticed you a couple of times, too. You’ve always been beside me throughout these days.”

The train stopped, I heard his sigh, “It’s my stop and I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I didn’t look at him but I heard him calling out to me. “It’s Adi!” Since that day, I never forgot his name and everything we talked about.

The same thing happened the next day. The difference is we started talking.

“It’s unfair you know my name but you never told me yours,” He laughed.

“Maria,” I caught myself smiling, “My name is Maria.”

“What a lovely name,” He praised, “Just named after my Mother.”

Before I could respond, the train halted, people went out leaving some seats empty. “Adi?” He was no longer beside me.

            He was gone.

“Yeah?” But I could still hear his voice.

I swallowed my fear and with a cracked voice, I asked him. “W-where are you?”

“I’m over here, Maria! I’m seated behind you!” His voice came behind me, I slowly walked towards his seat but unfortunately, I tripped. “Slowly, Maria.” He helped me stand up again then he seated me next to him.

“Adi, I’m blind.” I almost cried but I felt his finger at the tip of my lip, a sign that he was hushing me down.

“Maria, I know,” He assured, “I knew from the start.”