ACHICHIBO~ The little girl I knew

chap7(how replacements are not needed)

I didn't call...

I couldn't call...

After that step I had taken in our first meeting, I couldn't take any more steps forward. On the contrary, I took steps back when each time she was the one to get closer. 

She was the one to call, the one to schedule meetings and dates, and I was the one pushing himself through every and each of them eager for their end.

A part of me was grateful for her effort and interest, and another felt miserable for the mere fact that I had to see that face on someone who wasn't her.

One question popped to torment me after her departure the day I had met her; If I fall for Lilly, will I truly be getting over Jasmine?  This one question was the reason why the foolishness that overcame me when I took the first move was set aside. 

"Sir, Suzy took a sick leave today and we couldn't find a replacement for her" 

I turned to the manager  and stared blankly at him before my brain processed his words."Ow. And what is the problem with that? There are two other florists in here"

"She was supposed to make the decoration you designed for tonight; Russel's birthday party" he explained as he passed me the new online orders we got.

I scanned through them one by one "I will arrange it, there is no need for replacement". I stopped at one that said "parents' wedding anniversary"

"Are you sure? "

"Yes. You can go back to work"

"Ok, sir"

The word parents reminded me of my own and made me realize that I haven't called my parents for a while now. I told them all about what happened yet it felt weird to call them after.

Maybe I didn't want them to inquire about her as I didn't want to be reminded or maybe I regretted the fact that I told them in the first place and I was waiting for them to forget.

But I had to call, I needed to make sure that they are ok back home. And so I headed to my office for a little privacy, before I made the face call and waited for someone to answer.

"Hey, sweetie!"

I turned to the sweetest, most wonderful woman, scanning her face that popped on my laptop's screen "Hey ma!"

"How are you?"

"Good, how are you?"

"If you're inquiring about my physical health, then I'm good. If it's about my mental health then I'm worried"

"What's wrong? What did Dad do this time?"

"You! Not your dad." she stated accusingly.

"Mom, I'm not a child! Why do you need to worry about me? I'm completely fine." I whined, "The business is going so well that Richard is contemplating whether or not we should open another branch an-"

"All of that bull doesn't matter to me anymore! Let's talk real Toby!  What about Jasmine? Have you seen her?"

The question I was dreading ...

"Mom, it's been months since she went back home"

"And here you are getting worse"

"I'm so not. I barely have known her. She was with me for like--two weeks! That's it! and now she is where she belongs."

"And your heart and mind are with her because that is where they belong"

I scowled at her picture on the screen as she remained unmoving, trying to prove a point after her little conclusion that she came up with "You're being overdramatic"