9Having to Let Go
A/N: Another short story. Second one. It's all really very simple. Still, I'd be glad to read some of your reviews!
It all started one cool November night. We were playing basketball then, and I noticed the distracted look on your face. I asked you what the problem was, and you just sat down and ignored me. Obviously, you were deep in thought. I wished I had left you alone there, but since you were my best friend, my curiosity and concern got the better of me, and so I stayed with you. About an hour passed by and still you were quiet, until you raised your eyes to mine and told me:
"I have something to tell you. It's really important and I need to hear your answer…"
"Yeah, sure, what is it?"
"I think I'm in love with a girl. I don't know how I even came to love her, but just like that, I can't get her off my mind now."
"So that's why you were playing distractedly earlier. Well, who's the lucky girl then?"
"Its you."
Everything sort of snow balled from that fateful night. Our close friendship blossomed into full-fledged love, and so we decided to give it a try. Not long after that, we had latched as one of the hottest couples on the campus. Of course, many of my friends warned me that it was hard to delve into a relationship with your best friend, but as far as I was concerned, the both of us were getting along just fine.
A few weeks after that, though, I couldn't help but notice the changes that you have undergone. From the sweet and bashful person you were before, you have become rash, arrogant and tactless. It came to a point where I couldn't take any more of it, so I approached you and said:
"Why are you acting so mean? Is there a problem?"
"Its you. You're not giving me enough freedom! Every time you're near, I feel suffocated!"
"What are you talking about? I thought we were getting along just fine."
"We were, until you started to treat me like a slave!"
Your response hit me like a block of cement. All those time we were together, I had acted like the kind of girl I thought you wanted me to be. But I was wrong. I could never give you what you wanted. You wanted a girl who would sacrifice everything for you, one who would always support and catch you when you fall. And you could never give me what I want, too.
We departed ways after that incident. Although we never really had a formal break-up, I presumed that we were never going to be together again. Like they say, some wounds are too deep to heal. It disturbed me when I didn't see you during Graduation, since you were one of the honor students of our school. I had wanted to ask your section adviser and your classmates, but considering the situation we were in, I did not.
It only occurred to me that something had happened to you when I saw your mother in the background. She looked up when she saw me coming, and she waited expectantly until I was beside her. I could see the sympathy and regret in her eyes, even before she began to speak:
"Are you wondering why your best friend is not here?"
I nodded mutely, not trusting myself to speak as I awaited the truth.
"I am here to say good bye to you, Ayine, for the behalf of my son and everyone in our family."
"Huh? What do you mean? Where is Matt? Is he okay?"
"Physically, he is fine, my dear. But emotionally, he is not. He has been lonesome ever since. I suppose it is my entire fault. I bought our tickets without even consulting him first."
"What tickets? Where is he?"
"Ayine… We will be leaving for America this afternoon. We will be living there permanently. I am sorry, so sorry."
Everything seemed to stop moving as the words registered in my numb brain. The real world crashed back, and I could not deny the tears threatening to escape from my eyes. Then the events that followed flew through my eyes, like a kaleidoscope twirling with so many colors that I could not keep track of what was happening. Your mother took hold of me as my knees started to give way. I did not complain when she led me slowly to her car, less so when she drove off.
The car stopped in front of your house. I only regained my well-being when I saw the suitcases and boxes outside on your front porch. Your mom looked across me and gave me a reassuring pat on the back, whispering:
"Go. Go now while you still can. He's inside. Talk to him."
I walked slowly into your room, where I saw you sitting on the bed with your head cradled in your hands. I quietly approached you, and when you looked up, you looked surprised and overjoyed to see me:
"Ayine! What are you doing here?"
"Your mom told me about everything, Matt. And I just want to say, I'm sorry."
"No, it was all my fault. I told you lies just so that you would learn to hate me. I didn't want to see you sad when we left for America. I love you too much."
"Oh, Matt, you could have told me, so that we could have spent more time together…"
"I know, and it hurts to think that I've been a fool! I'm sorry, Ayine… I'm so sorry! I love you…"
"I love you too, Matt. I always have and I always will!"
You left that afternoon. I cried as the plane took off and disappeared into the sky. Fate has dealt us with a cruel hand; yet, I could not help but feel thankful to the Lord for giving me the chance to love you. Hopefully, we will meet again someday, and hopefully, everything will be better. It hurts me to think you're gone, but even if we're a hundred miles apart, you will always be in my heart. Yes, having to let go is much too painful. All of our previous problems have wedged a cut that will never heal, but letting you go was the hardest part of it all. Farewell, my love!
A/N: Why do I love frustrated love affairs so much?