Remember When

Letter #4

10:40 am. Saturday, June 12, 2032

It was the time of the week again to return to the cafe that I loved so much. The weather was steadily growing warmer by the day, the June heat rushing in whenever the cafe door opened.

I still ordered my hot chocolate though, against all common sense.

But today felt hazy.

I didn't have the motivation to do anything productive. 

I had an essay due by Tuesday at 2 pm, and usually, I wasn't the type to procrastinate, but today just felt like a smokescreen was covering it.

The outside world looked, and felt, blurry.

I let out a sigh. Of course, everything felt hazy. I barely got two hours of sleep.

My insomnia was kicking in once more.

You used to help me deal with it, staying by my side when I couldn't fall asleep, and playing your guitar for me at 3 in the morning even if you were exhausted.

I used to take medication for it, and it helped, but it also made me feel a lot more sleepy...and I couldn't afford to feel tired during lectures, so I stopped taking the medicine. I slept fine the past few weeks too, so it's strange that it's coming back now.

I rub my tired eyes, and inhale the sharp coffee scent of the cafe, letting it replenish my energy.

The barista handed me my usual hot chocolate with a smile.

"I added a shot of espresso. The hot chocolate overpowers it, so don't worry about the flavor." She explained, beaming.

"Thank y-"

"Don't thank me, you just looked really exhausted. I should take care of customers, and you're a regular, so I'm obligated. And don't worry about the cost, today it's on the house." she reassured me.

I peeked at her nametag.

Aveena

I gave her a warm smile and gave myself a mental reminder to put some extra money into the tip jar.

Such a nice girl...

I wonder if you would like her.

You always said that if you had a daughter, she'd have to have a kind heart, good morals, and a strong voice in what she believes in. You said that if you had a son, he'd have to have respect, in a gentlemanly way, and a good amount of knowledge with street smarts and book smarts.

And you wanted them to play an instrument.

Preferably guitar.

You loved the guitar since you were seven and loved it even more as you got older. I still remember how we would spend some of our days just on the porch, me reading on the rocking chair and you on a bench, strumming your guitar and humming a tune.

Sometimes I would give a request and you would play the song to me, the two of us singing duets. The only good sounding part being your guitar playing because our singing was purposely off the pitch and way too loud.

I prop my laptop open, my trail of thoughts coming to a stop.

An email again.

Hey,

Remember when we first got together? And your ex-boyfriend? My god, he was such a jerk. Those were hard times, but we got through it, so why weren't we able to handle a little separation?

~Me

P.S. I remember what happened. It was the best moment of my entire life, to be honest. It'll definitely always be engraved in my memory.

P.P.S., Of course, I remember your favorite color. Most of your clothes were Prussian blue, and you never stopped talking about how much you loved Prussian blue and lilac color themed stationery. Plus, you always jabbed at me when I called your favorite color Russian blue instead of Prussian blue.