Unsent Letter

Just off by a few miles from the edge of the city, in a modest house sat a young male just lazily scrolling through pictures of his past.

Usually, there is no special meaning to this ritual every other night. Today, however, is different.

Scrolling through his phone screen, clicking and swiping each photograph while listening to a song. He knew he pressed random but this happens to be the 5th song to make him connect with his emotions more. The melody of it is flowing through his room as the lyrics of it is taken into his ears.

Sighing for the nth time, he rests his arms on the table in front while switching off his phone screen. Stopping the music, the room became quiet. Only the sound of the air conditioner and the now-noticeable cold temperature filled it, but all of it is just background noise for him.

Andrew held a black frame nearest to him. Glancing down on the pictures, which appears to be a younger version of him and his closest friend, and next to it being a grownup version of the two.

Both still wear their smiles inside the pictures, but the contrast between the two is obvious. Andrew himself has turned more body fit and smart looking, while his friend has turned into a beauty.

Unknown to his friend, Andrew has always kept his feelings for her hidden, no matter how long has he had it. He knew that his actions are obvious to her but at both sides of the coin of luck, his friend was somewhat dense.

To the third parties, seeing someone trying to hide his feelings from someone he likes is like another weird variety show episode, it is somewhat entertaining while seeing a few oddities here and there.

Still, he had fun having fun together. They both share secrets, faced the hardship of school together, studied and slept in class, hanged out and ate, laughed and cried, and more.

In a way, his school days memories are filled with mostly his friend and with the news of his sudden transfer to the other side of the world for his further studies, he felt conflicted.

He wants to accept it so that his ambition is fulfilled, but he will have to leave his crush behind.

In the end, he ends up accepting the scholarship reluctantly, after a few discussions with his family member and school's student councilors. Only a handful of his friends know of his "award" and they kept it quiet for him for some reasons he doesn't know but is thankful it.

Placing the photo frame back on the table, Andrew stared at a piece of paper on top of the table. Grabbing a pen, he started writing.

---

To my dearest friend, of old and now, I hope this letter reaches you in good health.

The world is a cruel place, as I would always tell you jokingly whenever we would have a plan fail, that it became our trademark. Oh, how it became a pain when I realized that the world indeed is a cruel place.

Something I haven't told you is that I have to go fly off soon to study somewhere else. The other side of Earth, that is. I received the scholarship as soon as I arrived home from our hangout one night before. I kept it a secret from you because I rather not see a sad face plastered on you.

Truth be told, I always wanted to spend most of my time with you because I always felt like at home just being with you. Going out here and there, having fun and facing our fears (and teasing each other about it) became one of the best memories I have with you. The memorable one is meeting you for the first time. From there, my feelings for you started to grow more and more. 

Then suddenly, I started liking you.

I wish I could just tell you in front, flowers in hand and asking you for a date. Either you blushingly accept or deny it, I wouldn't mind. All I wish is for both of us to stay close no matter what, as I do know that one way or another, my future has you in it, as friend or partner.

Still, I regret not telling you as well. Maybe when I come back from my studies, I can tell you how much I feel. Just one day in the future.

Let's both keep in touch, even if we are far on the other side. 

Thank you for being my friend, and for giving me a chance to like you.

Your friend and admirer, 

Andrew

---

Finishing it by sealing it in a letter, Andrew knew that it will rain by the time she read it.

Even after 3 years, the rain did come down. A metaphor for the situation faced by the sole female in the same room. Her tears slowly fall on to the now-dusty room. The overall surrounding atmosphere was dark, it gave an effect to the world she is in. 

Andrew died in a plane crash.

A stray missile hit the plane during a ceasefire of a war, mistaken it for a warplane sent by the enemy troops. The anti-aircraft weaponry was not disabled for the ceasefire, is what the news said and they will help pay compensation for the accident. 

Hugging the letter close to her, as if the world will rip it off from her as soon as she lets it go, she cried her heart out, regretting not telling him her feelings as well.