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ALTHOUGH THE SUN ILLUMINED THE GROUND, the cold air still besieged the atmosphere which made Imelda yearn for Los Angeles immediately. Today was the time of the year again that was adequate to produce mixed feelings within her, every step she took reminded her of many things — some good and some bad, but it didn't degrade her desire to keep on visiting this county every year.
February 5th was the time that still brought the deepest sorrow to Imelda's life even after nine years, sure her condition wasn't as grinding as before, but the pain was still there. The agony of losing Dean changed her into someone different — someone she completely disliked, until recently.
And as if on cue, Imelda's thoughts lugged her back to Rami. It had been three weeks they haven't talked or just merely said hello to each other, even though Imelda told him she liked to go through this bet, she would not lie if every hour without any communication was torture. Because every minute she spent with him — a smile constantly painted on her lips, she remembered how alive and content she was after she met him. Imelda felt more like herself again, and she wanted it to last forever.
But even so, there was a feeling of guilt lurking from deep inside her.
These feelings made Imelda forget for a second, then the next second she thought that Dean was tragically dead a couple years ago and wondered if she deserved to be happy? Did she deserve to smile? Her whole life was riddled with guilt that she had no idea of how to escape them.
"Where's everybody?" Imelda questioned as Dean's mom, Megan, placed a cup of tea in front of her.
Taking a seat, a warm smile covered Megan's lips. "They're visiting Dean."
A frown instantly etched on Imelda's face. "Why aren't you coming?"
"Because you will come to visit."
Another guilt struck her as Imelda internally slapped herself for acting rather ignorant. "God, I'm so sorry. I should have come later in the evening."
Megan laughed and moved her hands dismissively. "Nonsense! Your presence always brings joy and nostalgic feelings into this house. It's like having Dean here again."
Imelda chuckled softly, trailing her eyes downward. "I hope you don't mind about that."
"Of course not. My son might be physically not here anymore, but he always lives in here," Megan explained and placed a hand on her chest. "I, however, is quite upset if you still come here without a partner."
Imelda nearly choked on her drink, her eyes widened largely as she put down the cup. "W — What?"
Megan reached her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "You need to move on, Lynn, start seeing somebody else. I am pretty sure there's another person in this world who will understand and appreciate you the way Dean did."
