Realizations
(Inspired by the movie Baggage Claim)
I never thought that being single for a long time can make me so lonely. I was always the third wheel in all of my friends and family's dates, and when it comes to every New Year's celebration, don't ask. Can't someone notice me? I mean come on, I'm smart, I have a decent job, and well I own a company. And from what I know, I am now one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. But why, why can't I still find someone that can make me feel complete in all of this fortune that I have? Here I am sitting in my office waiting for something or for someone to just give me a sigh until, "Sir, your mother is here to visit you." My secretary said to me, I closed my laptop and made my way to greet my mother. "Caleb, my son it's been a long time," she kissed my cheek as she entered my office. "Mom, it was like 2 weeks ago I visited all of you," I chuckled and let her sit down on my couch. "Well, you know me, ever since you have moved near your company, I couldn't help but miss you," I sighed in defeat after all, I am her eldest son. "Well what brings you here mom?" I asked out of curiosity, for she doesn't just come here often. "Well, I just came here to give you this," it was an envelope with my name on it. "Your little brother proposed to his girl friend and now they are already engaged!" She squealed and now here I am looking a bit dumbfounded.
My little brother is engaged, he went first than I did. I never felt so defeated up until I received his wedding invitation. And now here I am in my own game room drinking wine all by myself thinking on how I ended up being so lonely. Until I received a message saying that my 2 best pals are here. I got up, went to the front door and opened the door for them. "Well, I heard the news, your little brother's engaged and the wedding is in 2 months," Andrew teased me handing me his own invitation. "Guess you are destined to lonely at wedding huh?" Brad teased me while handing me back my glass of wine. I sighed as I sat down with them, "Do you know the feeling that you are ready for someone to come in to your life and you have been waiting for that moment for so long and yet it still doesn't happen?" I questioned them as I drank my wine. "You know what Caleb, you can wait all you want and you can imagine all you want. But she doesn't just come in your life in blink of an eye." I was confused on what Brad said to me, "What he means to say is, come out of your office just for you know, once?" Andrew said breaking the mere awkwardness around the air.
I stared at the both of them trying to really find of what they really want to say to me. "Go and meet other people especially girls!" They practically went near to my ears just for me to get the answer fast. "How can I possible find someone who is a wife material in less than 2 months?" I looked at them for I want another answer, then Andrew had an idea, "Why not revisit someone?" I looked at him with my eyebrows creased. "You own a modelling company and you are a professional photographer. We can know if one of your exes is in need of a photographer." I looked at him even more confused on what he just said, "Look we all know that almost all of your exes are models and some of them aren't in a company." As I was busy listening to the two of them explain, I leaned on my chair and started contemplating everything they are saying, "You have Rachel in your front desk, Simon on your fashion department, Nikki on your make up department and Aaron on your screening team." I was a lot more confuse on what they are really trying to say, "Any of your exes wanting to be in the company, we'll know. And plus its summer, more models will come." I am now starting to grasp what they want to happen, "You have 8 weeks and 10 days to find a date and possible a wife material."
Morning came, and now here I am sitting on my office, waiting for something or even a sign to happen until my phone beeped signalling that someone texted me, it was my mom. "Honey, I delivered something for you eat well okay, plus someone helped me on making that. Love mom." Just in time my secretary bought me a bag, I opened it and it was a handmade packed lunch. I smiled on the thought on how my mother can feel that I don't usually eat during lunch. Then, I letter on top of it, I was confused but my body reacted quickly and I grabbed it and took my seat to read it. I opened it and I saw a long letter it said;
Dear Caleb,
It's me, Roxanne. Do you still remember me? I guess not. It has been almost 15 years since we last saw each other. But do you still remember when we were little? When you often gave me flowers and we played hide and seek in which you always let me win, and when we jokingly got married? Well, Caleb to be honest, I had crush on you since we were little. But when we got to high school, we grew apart, for you have become popular because of your photography skills. I was just part of the crowd, somewhat impossible for you to notice. I still kept my feelings hidden, but I wanted to confess you but I didn't try. I did not try because I was afraid of not just about rejection but I was afraid to lose our friendship. I may not be in there to say all of these to you, but I just want you to know how thankful I am for you have been part of my life. I'm not saying goodbye, but I know it's probably too late because you might have someone already in your life. I love you Caleb. See you on your brother's wedding.
-Roxanne
When I finished reading her letter, I checked the envelope if there is still anything in there until a picture had fallen from it. It was a picture of the both of us when we were young. Both of us smiling and holding hands, like nothing can break the two of us apart. That was way back more than I can remember, and now here I am dumbfounded and somewhat helpless on what I can do. That's when I decided to call both Andrew and Brad. "What's up? Our plan worked?" I just quickly interrupted the both of them before this conversation can lead into nothing. "Guys, I need your help, buy me flowers that can live after a long ride and help me get dressed." I quickly said to them and ended the call as I packed my things and headed out of the office. I ignored and cancelled all of my following appointments and meetings and quickly went to my car to head home. I was packing some of my clothes good enough for 8 weeks and as I was packing I heard my friends rushing over to my room. "We got you a best suit and some flowers. We bought 3 bouquets just in case," both of them out of breath. "Sorry guys but if you want to come we can leave now." I said to them with a happy face. Both of them confused with my actions, I just handed them the letter as I continue to pack some of my clothes. Both of them immediately helped me pack my things and rushed me to drive already. The 3 of us immediately went to my car and went off. We went to the airport and prepared my pilot and my private jet. I hope I'm still not too late to also confess my feelings for her.
After a long yet fast ride, we have arrived on my hometown. We stopped by my family's house and frantically searched and asked about Roxanne until my little brother told me that she is always saying that she always stops at our wedding place when we were kids. I thought about where she could be until I realize where I can find her. I left all of them hanging their mouths open as I quickly started my engine and drove off. I first went to their house but she wasn't there, to the dinners there, but still no sigh of her, until I finally found her sitting on the park bench where I jokingly proposed to her when we were kids. I fixed myself and grabbed a bouquet, then quietly went out of my car. I was about to approach her when she stood up and turned her head and at exact place she looked at me with a shocked and confused face. "Hey buddy," she quietly said as I approached her. I was now standing in front of her, I handed out the flowers and I sheepishly took out the letter she gave me. "You do know that this really gave an eye opening. I have so many things to answer in this letter but I just want you to know how sorry I am for how I practically have forgotten you when we were in high school. I'm sorr..." She cut me off with a surprise kiss on my cheek. "You don't have to say sorry and give me a monologue idiot. You're here now and that's what matters." She smiled and I couldn't help but hug her so tight, "I love you Roxanne." I said to her without realizing that both of us shedding our tears of joy.
