THE CONVERSATION
As soon as I reach the place, I start looking for him and find him sitting in a booth in the far corner of the cafè. Without wasting anymore time waving, I start walking towards him. He tilts his chin up and notices me coming, and instantly his lips curve into a wide smile and his eyes light up.
"I'm sorry for being late!" I apologised. "It's okay! I'm just glad you came!" He says while looking at me. "Here, take a look at the menu and order whatever you like." He hands me over the menu card and I point at a random drink, because the reason for calling me here was more important for me to know. He smiles and the suddenly his expression turns into that of a solemn one. He looks like he's tired and frustrated at the same time. He looks up and stares into my eyes as if searching for something. I swallow hard. Not being able to contain my anxiety anymore, I ask away, "Why did you call me here?"
His change of expression seems like my words broke off the trance he was in. "I just wanted to see you." "Just to see me?" I ask. He hesitates first, then finally speaks up. "Jane. I wanted to tell you all that has happened in the past few years." He looks at me with what looks like passion and regret in his eyes. I was shocked by the intensity his gaze held. "I-I I didn't know what to do!" His eyes become watery. "Mom was severely sick and was sent to the hospital. The doctor said that she had only a year left to live." He bows his head down, not being able to look at me. Tears start dripping on his hands. "She wanted to see me become a doctor. So, Dad sent me to the U.S for my studies. I didn't want to leave this place or leave You. But I didn't have any other choice. I had to go!" His voice cracks. And I find myself crying too. He continues, "You would've been heart-broken if I told you. And when I went there, I didn't have the strength or courage to contact you. I thought that I would be able to forget you. But it was never possible. I kept thinking of you everyday during my stay there. I thought that you would forget about me and move on, after all those ..." "How could you even think that I'll ever be able to forget you?" I cut him off. "Do you know how much I've missed you all these years?" He looks up at me, with a tear-streaked face. "I've been living with a miserable heart since the day you left." I keep wiping away my tears. Not being able to control my emotions anymore I break down, sobbing uncontrollably. I didn't even care how many people were looking at us. The only thing that mattered was 'Us'.
Suddenly, I'm wrapped in an embrace. I look up through teary eyes and see him looking at me with a soft look on his face. He tilts my head towards his chest and holds me tight while I continue to cry. It's the warmest I've felt for a long while.
After a while when I get a hold of my emotions. I pull back slowly and look up at him. He meets my gaze and starts rubbing slow circles on my back with one hand. He keeps his other hand on my shoulder to keep me steady. "Will y-you leave me a-again?" I ask with a shaky voice. His eyes droop low, like he's holding back his pain. "I'll never leave you alone, Jane!" He says with the sincerest voice. Reassured by the promise in his tone, I hug his waist tightly, finally feeling relieved after so many years of uncertainty.