Paper Lanterns

Epilogue (Part 1) Φ

Epilogue (Part 1) Φ

"Hey!" said Natalie, pulling Anna for a hug. "Look at you."

"Thanks for coming. How was your trip?" Anna asked.

"Uneventful," Natalie told her, admiring her friend's black toga and the diploma that was in her hand. Holding her friend on both of her shoulders, she said, "I am so proud of you."

"Thanks," Anna said with a bashful smile. She couldn't believe that she was now a university graduate, a dream that was once distant to her. She was grateful that Natalie came today.

Her eyes searched around the place, wishing for someone else. It would have been nice if he was here, too. It had been more than five years since she'd known everything. They'd kept constant communication, although the number of the letters had been scarce compared to how it had been before. Maybe it was because they'd kept on avoiding other things, most of which involving the personal aspects of their lives.

Anna let out a sigh, remembering the time before the revelation. Seldom times, she wished that time would go back and let her live in those days once more. But then, she knew that it wasn't possible. When you simply knew the truth, you had to face it and its consequences.

If anyone would ask her now, maybe she was ready to see Eric again. Five years was long enough for her to realize his side, why he did all that. But as the gap between them widened, she had no idea how to cross the line anymore.

"Mom and the twins would be here later to celebrate with us. There has been a minor problem with the bus they've taken to get here," Natalie explained to her.

"Are they okay?"

"Yeah, they're fine."

"And you didn't come with them?" Anna was confused.

"Yeah." Natalie's face turned beet-red all of a sudden. Taking a deep breath, she confessed, "I'm gonna tell you something."

"I'm listening." Anna turned a suspicious eye on her.

"Zander picked me up in New Waulds, and we went to dinner last night. This kind of happened." Natalie lifter her left hand and one shiny ring was placed on her ring finger.

"You got engaged!" Anna exclaimed, throwing her arms around Natalie. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you! I was so surprised when he threw the question," Natalie told her the story.

"I knew that this was coming. It would only be a matter of time. I'm so happy for you, Nat," Anna said.

"I'm happy for you, too." Natalie answered back. They both just looked at each other, feeling blissful for the other's happiness. Anna was smiling, Natalie could tell that much. But there was something behind those eyes that told her that she wasn't completely happy. She still missed him, and Natalie wished that he was here to see this moment.

Even after everything that had happened, Natalie only wished for Anna to be happy, and it was obvious that her happiness included him. What would have been better? Should she have him by her side, even if the memories would hurt? Or would it be better not to have him there at all?

"I wish he was here," Natalie finally said, her voice low and contrite.

Anna smiled a bit. "Yeah, it would have been nice."

As Anna was so preoccupied with her thoughts, a little boy holding a bouquet of roses went over to her. The boy stared at Anna, seeing her up close for the first time. He cleared his throat, so that she would notice him. He was particularly short for his age, and it had been one of his frustrations.