Camellia

Mum knocked on the door and tiptoed into my room. “Morning Chris.”

“Morning Mum.”

“I’ve got good news for you!” She announced. Her green eyes glowed brightly with excitement.

Oh no! Not this again. I knew what she was about to say and I tried to find ways to avoid her. I grabbed a paper and pen and started scribbling random patterns.

“Auntie Carol's friend has a 20 year old daughter named Tracey. Tracey's coming over in an hour so get dressed in your best clothes.”

“But Mum…” I started to whine.

She held up one finger to cut me off “I’ve seen her before. She’s a very good girl. Be nice to her please.”

She left the room before I could say anymore. I sighed and put my head on my hands. I’m sick and tired of meeting a new girl every month. Since the day I turned twenty, my mum has been trying to choose the right girl for me. Whenever she hears someone who has a daughter around my age, she would organize for me to meet her without asking for my opinion. She just doesn’t understand the fact that I don’t want her help and that I will find the right person when the time comes around.

When the doorbell rang I put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and headed down the stairs. I didn’t even bother to run a comb through my unkempt short blonde hair. People say I look more like my dad. He has curly blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. So do I but I’m just a younger version of him.

“This is my son Chris, and Chris this is Tracey,” Mum introduced.

The girl Tracey had short blonde hair and green eyes. Her skin was pale but her cheeks turned slightly pink when she looked at me. She was quite pretty but not at all my type.

“Chris why don’t you take Tracey outside to our backyard. I made some cookies and they’re on the table,” mum said as she nudged my ribs with her elbow.

“Okay,” I murmured.

After I gave Tracey a tour around my backyard, we sat under the shelter. The awkward silence dragged on; she seemed to be waiting for me to say something but I looked straight ahead, pretending not to notice.

“Do you like sports?” She asked, trying to start a conversation.

“Yeah,” I replied. I tried to keep my replies short because I didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“Tracey!” Someone called.

“Mum?” She said as she stood up from her chair.

“Let’s go home. Did you kids have fun?”

“Yeah it was great,” said Tracey excitedly, she looked at me and smiled hugely.

I managed to force a smile. I didn’t want her to waste her time on someone who won’t return her feelings.

“That’s good. Well, we’ll see you later Chris,” said her mum politely.

“See ya.”

As soon as they were out of sight mum, rushed to my side

“How was it?” She asked eagerly.

I sighed “It’s not going to work out mum.”

“Why not?” She demanded “You’ll never know if you don’t try.”

I ignored her and headed inside.

“Where are you going?”

“Getting my luggage, I don’t want to be late for the trip,” I mumbled.

My friends and I organized a trip to a small town called Camellia. It sounded kind of strange for a town to be called a type of flower, but I hoped it would be a good place to stay for one week. My dad, Peter, is very rich. He owns his own bank; and I’m the CEO. But I never really spent time at the bank. I refused to spend all my time in the office everyday with stacks of paperwork.

And for my safety, he hired two body guards to follow me and take me to where ever I want to go. But sometimes it gets annoying because someone follows me everywhere, especially on the days when I want to be alone.

After I was sure that I got everything I needed, I headed to the front door.

“Bye Mum.”

“Bye, call me when you get there.”

“Okay.”

I put my luggage at the back of my red shiny Mercedes and got in the driver’s seat, loving the feel of soft black leather giving under my weight. I was putting my seat belt on when I realized a glossy black car idled behind me. I sighed and opened my window “Mum, do Alex and David have to come?”

“Yes darling, they’re your bodyguards. They’ll make sure you’re safe,” mum said softly.

“But I want time alone with my friends,” I said through my teeth.

“They’ll only be there when you need them. Now off you go, you’re going to be late.”

I closed the window and muttered to myself as I pulled out of the driveway. I tried to keep my eyes straight on the road and ignore the glossy black car following behind me. I promised myself that I won’t ruin the trip for my friends and I’ll just pretend they’re not there.

I honked my car twice and waited for Jimmy and Steven to come out.

“Hey. Let’s go!” They both said excitedly as they got into the car.

Jimmy was bouncing in his seat with excitement “Can’t wait till’ we get there.”

“Geez Jimmy, relax bro,” said Steven as he leaned forward and rested both of his arms on our seat “How many girls do you think I can attract when I get there?”

I laughed and punched his arm playfully. Steven was more of the flirty one. He flirts with any girl that goes up to talk to him; even to the ones he doesn’t know. He changes girlfriends like he changes clothes everyday. Every time I see him, he’s always on the phone with his girlfriend; a different one each time. Where as Jimmy is more of the talkative one. He can babble on about anything for hours. And he has trouble keeping his mouth shut even for five minutes.

“We’re going for fun, not to see how many girls you can attract,” I teased.

“Haha! Good one Chris.” Jimmy held up his hand and I slapped it before I turned to grin at Steven.

We chatted and teased each other the whole way there.



It was a two hour drive to Camellia and when we got there we went into our hotel room. The rich crimson carpet matched the cream colored walls. There were two single beds and a wooden chestnut colored desk on the side with a small white lamp. I shared a room with Jimmy and Steven had a room to himself across from ours.

“Woooo! We’re finally here!” Jimmy exclaimed.

I put my luggage on the small bed and walked out the massive glass window. It was a beautiful view of the beach from my room. I stood on the balcony, feeling the summer air on my skin. I could see people swimming and surfing in the deep blue ocean, little kids screaming when the waves crashed against their bodies and people sun baking on the hot yellow sand. I imagined how cool the ocean water would feel like on my hot, sweating skin, I couldn’t wait to jump in.

We changed into our swimming shorts and headed to the crowded beach. After a few hours of swimming we lay on the sand, under the blistering sun.

“I’m going to buy a drink, who wants one?” I asked as I got up and tried to get all the sand off.

“I want a coke please,” Jimmy answered.

Steven put his arm up in the air “Me too.”

I walked to the small corner shop across the road. On the outside of the shop it labeled ALLEN’S GROCERY in big, red writing. It was very tidy; everything was stacked up neatly on the shelves. I went to the refrigerator and grabbed three bottles of coke and two packets of chips. A girl with long brown hair stood behind the blue counter. I handed her the things I want to buy and watched her put them into plastic bags. For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes of her. There was something in her eyes that held my attention, but I wasn’t sure what it was. My heart was beating unevenly as I watch the smile spread across her face. I examined her face more carefully this time; her full lips, her long eyelashes, the dimple on her face when she smiles and her chocolate brown eyes. She was beautiful. She met my gaze for one short second then quickly looked away.

“Here are your things,” she said as she handed me the plastic bag. Her voice was melodious and enchanting; it gave me a warm, tingly feeling.

“Thank you,” I murmured. I took the bag and went outside.

It sounded insane but I think I’m in love with her. I couldn’t believe that out of all the girls my mum introduced me to, I fell in love with someone I barely knew. Maybe its love at first sight? I laughed at myself and walked back to the beach.

Jimmy and Steven was still sun baking when I got there. We stayed at the beach until late in the afternoon. The sky turned yellowish orange as the sun began to set. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the calming waves. My mind wandered back to the girl I saw at the small shop before. I wanted to see her again; I wanted to hear her voice again.

“Where are you going?” Steven asked when he saw me get up.

“I’m buying a drink.” It was the first answer that I could think of. I didn’t want to tell them that I liked someone who I met just a few hours ago.

“Dude you just had one.”

“I-I’m thirsty,” I muttered and walked away before they could ask anymore.



She was still standing behind the counter when I entered the shop. I grabbed another bottle of water and headed toward the counter.

She smiled when she saw me “You’re back.”

“Yep.” I wish she knew that she was the reason why I came back.

Just then a tall muscular man stalked into the shop and slammed his hand against the counter.

“I bought a can of tuna from you not long ago, now it’s expired. I want a refund!” He exclaimed.

“Do you have a receipt sir?” She asked calmly.

“No! I don’t care, I want my refund now,” he growled at her angrily.

“I’m sorry sir; I can’t give you a refund unless you have a receipt.”

He pointed his finger in her direction “Give it to me now.”

She winced and took a step back. I didn’t like the way he talked to her. I had the urge to protect her, I wanted to stand in front of her and protect her from the man’s rude glare.

I took a step forward and pushed his arm back down to his sides.

“Keep your hands to yourself,” I warned.

“You better stay out of this or else…” he threatened.

“Don’t make me call the police,” I growled.

He turned around to glare at her one last time before he walked out.

She sighed in relief “Thank you.”

“It’s okay.”

“Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Annabel, and you are...?”

“I’m Chris.”

She grinned “You don’t live here do you?”

“How did you know?” I asked curiously.

“I know almost everyone in this town but I haven’t seen you before.”

I chuckled “I’m from KamboVille. I came here with my friends”

“Wow that’s three hours drive from here.”

A customer came to the counter with a basket full of things. I watched her scan each item and placed them in plastic bags. I waved goodbye to her and went outside to join my friends before they get suspicious of my absence.

“Wanna go back to the hotel?” asked Jimmy.

“I have something to do, how ‘bout you guys go first and I’ll catch up later?” The words came out before I even had time to think about it.

“What are you doing?” said Steven as he eyed me suspiciously.

“I saw a friend when I went to the shop and we are going to get a drink at a coffee shop,” I lied smoothly.

"Alright."



I wandered back to the shop and saw Annabel packing up things, getting ready to close the shop. I leaned against the wall next to the shop and waited for her to come out. After a while she walked out with a set of keys in her hand. She froze for a second when she saw me and I watched as a smile slowly spread across her face.

“Chris,” she greeted. She had no trouble remembering my name.

“Hello.”

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

Uh oh. I forgot to think of an excuse while I waited. What was I going to say? I ditched my friends just to wait for her? I couldn’t wait any longer; she was waiting for my answer.

“I…walked past and saw you getting ready to close your shop and I just wanted to say hi.”

She laughed. We stood in front of her shop and talked until the sky turned dark. The street lights turned on and the shops lit up with bright neon signs. Her phone rang and she read the caller ID before she picked up.

“Hey dad,” she said.

She waited for a few second while her dad spoke on the other line. “Yeah I’m coming home now, won’t be long.”

She put the phone in her bag and looked at me with an apologetic smile “Sorry. That was my dad. I have to go. I guess I’ll see you around.”

“Are you going to be here tomorrow?” I blurted out unthinkingly.

“No, it’s my dad’s shop. I only work on Mondays, Wednesdays and weekends. On the other days, I work part time at a music school.”

“Oh. Where at?”

“37 Queens Street. Why?”

“I’m just wondering.”

She chuckled “Okay. Bye.”

I waved and started whistling as I walked back to the hotel.



The next day was much cooler. I spent my day going around the town with Jimmy and Steven. It’s a small, but beautiful town. There were lots of little things around me that I never realized before: the smell of the green healthy grass, the sound of birds singing on the trees and the fresh air I breathe in. I could almost taste the sweetness in the air. I’ll miss this place when I get home. But one thing is for sure, it’s a place I’ll definitely visit again.

It was late in the afternoon when I went out for a walk at the beach while Steven and Jimmy went for a swim in the pool. I rolled my pants up to my knees and let the cool, gentle water splash against my feet. I wish she was by my side now. I want to hold her hand and walk along the beach while the sun sets behind the mountains.

Without thinking, I asked for the directions to the music school she teaches at and sprinted to my car. I parked my car on the curb in front of a tall white building that said BORN TO BE A STAR. I didn’t know what time she finishes work; so I got out and leaned against the pole next to my car. What was I going to say to her? I didn’t want to tell her I drove here just to see her…

Just then she came out from the glass doors and paused when she saw me.

I chuckled “Hey.”

“Hi,” she asked “what are you doing here?”

“I…Umm...I remembered you said you teach music here, and I drove past and wondered if you finish work yet.”

“Oh, okay.” She didn’t look like she was convinced by my lie. But she smiled to herself, probably thinking how silly I looked standing on the streets like an idiot.

“Do you…want to grab a drink from a coffee shop?” I invited.

She laughed “Umm sure.”

We sat outside the coffee shop around that corner. It was quiet for a few minutes as we watched cars driving past and people walking into stores to buy groceries. I peeked at her and wondered what she was thinking. She was quiet and thoughtful as she took a sip of the ice tea.

“So do you like this place?” she asked.

“Yes. It’s beautiful here.”

She smiled and the dimples appeared on her left cheek. It made my heart thud unevenly whenever she smiled. I don’t know how long we sat there for, talking and laughing at random things. We didn’t realize the shop was empty until the waiter came up to us and told us that they’re going to close the shop.

I got up unwillingly and walked to her side.

“I guess I’ll see you next time,” I muttered.

“Okay. Bye,” she said as she turned around and started to walk to the other direction.

I tried to find an excuse to stay beside her. I was about to open my mouth to offer to take her home, but she turned around and looked at me. And in that split second, I really thought that she could hear what I was thinking.

“When will I see you again?” She asked.

“Tomorrow,” I promised with a grin.

“Ditching your friends?” She teased.

“They’ll survive.”

I opened my mouth again to ask if she needed a ride home, but she smiled and walked away. I watched her disappear in the crowd before I turned to get my car.



For the rest of the week I spent most of the days with my friends and on the days Annabel work in her dad’s shop; I go there and we talk for hours after she closed the shop. And I picked her up on the days she worked at the music school. Today is my last day here. I wouldn’t be able to see her everyday once I leave.

“I got to go see a friend, I’ll meet you guys back here at three, kay?” I said as I headed for the door.

“Okay,” answered Steven. He looked confused; I walked out and closed the door before he could ask anything.









“You’re early today,” said Annabel.

“It’s my last day here today,” I murmured.

“Teresa I’ll leave it to you. I’ll be back soon,” she called.

“No problem. See ya,” someone called back from the storage room.

She grinned and walked out from behind the counter “Let’s go.”

“Where?” I asked, dazed.



She laughed and gestured for me to follow her. She opened the driver seat’s door on an old faded green truck.

“Sorry, my truck is a bit old. Hope you don’t mind,” she admitted sheepishly.

“I don’t mind.” And that wasn’t a lie. As long as I’m by her side, I don’t care about anything else.

“And since when do you have another staff?” I added.

“She’s a good friend of mine. I asked her to look after the shop for me today.”

We chatted happily as she drove. I asked her a lot about her family and she told me that she’s the only child. She helps her dad in his grocery store on the days she has off and she gives the money she earns at work to her dad so he can buy new stocks.

I wanted to know her more, to understand her, so I continued asking her the things she likes to do and things she doesn’t like. Her enchanting voice flowed like a river and her musical laughter made me feel like my heart could sing along. I realized that her eyes kept slipping toward my direction every now and then; it seemed like she was having a hard time keeping her eyes on the road. That thought almost made me smile.

She parked the truck in the small car park. It was a quiet area and a few couples sitting on the benches.

“Where is this place?” I asked.

“A place where you can see the whole world,” she answered.

She took my hand and pulled me toward the brown benches. She sat down on the bench and patted the seat next to her. My fingers clenched against the strange sensation of warmth lingering on my palm. I sat down beside her and realized, for the first time, where I was. It was like standing on top of the mountain; seeing the world clearly. I could see everything; the green trees, the houses, the tall buildings which now look like small ants and the sunlight shimmering on the blue oceans. The big, round sun seemed so close; it was as if I was standing right next to it. I never imagined a place like this would exist in this small town. It was almost magical.

“Wow!”

“It’s pretty huh? I always come here when I have problems I can’t solve. I like sitting here, feeling the cool breeze and just relax, throw away the unpleasant things,” she said as she closed her eyes and rested her head on the seat.

“How did you find this place?” I asked curiously.

“My dad took me here when I was ten years old. And I fell in love with this place since then,” she answered, her eyes still closed.

Just like how I fell in love you, I wanted to say. We sat in silence for a long moment, enjoying the cool breeze. I wish time could just freeze here; in this magical place, with her by my side. That’s all I need.

“Am I the first person to come here with you? Or should I say the first stranger, since I only met you a week ago.” I smirked at her.

She laughed “Yes you are the first person to come here with me. I usually come here alone; it gives me more time to think when I have trouble.”

“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll kidnap you, especially in a quiet place like this?” I teased.

I was half expecting her to laugh, but she looked away and answered “No.”

There seemed to be something else in her answer, but I couldn’t tell what it was.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, more anxious and alert.

She looked away from my worried gaze, but I could see her cheeks flushed red.

“I don’t know,” she admitted shyly, “before you came it was like my heart was searching for someone, and when showed up at my shop it felt like my search has ended. From the second I saw you, I knew you were the one I’ve been searching for.”

I was surprised that she actually felt like the way I did. I laughed and it sounded so calm and relaxed. I felt that way too; it was a big relief to know that that was what she’s thinking. She looked at me with a surprise and confused expression.

“You know I felt the same way too? I fell in love with you when I first saw you behind the counter in your dad’s grocery store. I thought I was going insane, loving someone I barely knew, but then I realized it was love at first sight” I told her.

This time she laughed with me “That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”

I sighed. It was a happy sigh, because she’s here with me. She completes my world. She’s like a puzzle piece that was made to fit mine perfectly. It reminded me of the name of this town, Camellia. She’s exactly like a red camellia; she’s the flame in my heart. And her smile is like the bright yellow pistil, like the sun that will shine and brighten up my day. She’s the reason why this town is so special.

I took her warm hand and held them with both of mine. She smile and rested her head on my shoulder.

“I wish time could just stop here and never move,” she said after another long moment of comfortable silence.

It’s amazing how close our thoughts are. I remembered wishing that the time would freeze here when we just got here. It’s like she’s saying my thoughts out loud; almost as if she could hear them too.

She looked up to see my face “Will you come back?”

“Of course.”

I looked straight into her eyes.

“Are you willing to move to KamboVille with me?” I asked, more seriously.

She hesitated, choosing her words carefully before she answered. “I can’t leave my dad alone with his grocery store. He needs my help.”

“It’s okay. I’ll visit you every week,” I promised. I stood up and reached out my right hand “Let’s get you home.”

We walked to the car hand in hand. When we got in the car it was her turn to ask me questions about my family. I told her about dad’s bank.

“So your dad owns a bank. What about your mum, what’s she like?”

I sighed. My mum. “She’s great but sometimes she worries too much. Whenever she hears her friends say that they know someone who has a daughter around my age, she’ll organize for me to meet her and hope that I’ll fall in love with her.”

She laughed out loud “And none of them caught your eye?”

“Nope. Not at all my type.”

We were in front of my hotel. We locked gazes for a long moment. I brushed her soft, warm cheek with my right hand “I will come back. Even if we can’t see each other everyday, we can still talk on the phone.”

She nodded. I got out of the car and waited until she was out of sight before I went to my room.



“Welcome home! Did you have fun?” squeaked mum as I got out of the car.

“Yeah, it was awesome,” I answered.

“What did you guys do?”

“We went beaches and lots of other different places; you wouldn’t believe how beautiful it is there.”

“I’m glad you had fun,” she said “dinner is ready soon, come down when you’re done.”

“Kay.” I went up the massive staircase and turned right in the long corridor. I opened the door to my room and put my bags on the floor. When I finished unpacking my things I sprawled lazily across my large bed and called Annabel.



I was starting to get use to my routines by the fifth week after I came back from Camellia. I drove down to Camellia every weekend to see Annabel in her dad’s grocery store. I helped her serve the customers and we chatted as we worked. Some of the customers were already starting to recognize me. And on week days we spend hours everyday talking on the phone. It was one of the usual Sunday mornings when I went down stairs and got ready to drive to Camellia. I tried to call Annabel several times to tell her that I was on my way but she didn’t pick up.

“Chris, can you come here for a minute?” Mum asked.

“Sure, what’s wrong mum?” I sat down on the couch beside her.

She pulled something square and thin out of her bag and placed it on the glass coffee table in front of me. I stared at familiar girl in the picture.

“Is she the reason why you go to the town Camellia every weekend?” She questioned in a stern voice.

“You followed me?” I asked in disbelief.

“Did you forget about Alex and David? They’re your bodyguard, and you know their job is to follow you where ever you go.”

Crap. I forgot about them.

“I realized you’ve been going out every weekend since you came back from the trip with your friends,” she went on “one day I asked David where you’ve been going to and he said you always go to the same grocery store at Camellia. I wondered what was so good about that store to make you go there every weekend, so I followed you yesterday and saw you talking to the girl.”

“You could’ve just asked me,” I grumbled.

“It doesn’t matter anyway, you won’t see her again,” she muttered under her breath.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“She doesn’t belong with our world. You’re from completely different classes of human,” she said in a softer tone.

“No she’s not,” I said through gritted teeth.

“She doesn’t belong with you. Look how tiny her grocery store is!” She made a face at the last sentence.

I closed my eyes and made an effort to calm myself.

I tried to reason with her “Mum, it doesn’t matter if her shop is small and I don’t care even if she lives in a tiny house. I need her in my life.”

She folded her arms across her chest “You’re staying away from her.”

“No.” I got up and sprinted outside to get my car.



I raced through the streets, not caring if I got a speeding ticket. And thankfully the lights were mostly green; I only had to stop a few times the whole way. I parked my car across the street and went into the store. She was putting things on the shelves. She looked at me for a brief second before she turned her back to me.

“Annabel,” I said as I approached her.

She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to me “I can’t take this money.” Her eyes were red and swollen, she’d been crying.

When I saw the cheque in my hand I realized what mum meant when she said “you won’t see her again” She gave Annabel money and told her to stay away from me. How could she do this to me?

Annabel ran out of the shop and I chased after her. She didn’t seem to realize where she was running to, she just kept running forward. I caught up to her and grabbed her arm. She refused to look at me so I spun her around and looked straight into her watery chocolate brown eyes.

“Look Annabel, forget what my mum said okay? Don’t worry about anything, let me handle it.”

She shook her arm free and looked away. She took several deep breaths before she answered me. I could tell she was fighting against her tears.

“Your mum is right, I don’t belong with you. You deserve someone better.”

“No,” I disagreed “I don’t want anyone else besides you.”

I could see it in her eyes, she already made her decision. It’s too late. I could hear the cold, hard edge in her words as they cut deeper wounds in my heart.

“It doesn’t matter because it doesn’t change the way of who I am.”

We stared at each other for a long moment before she took a few steps back

“Let’s just go back to how our lives were before we met.” She turned around and walked away. I watched as her shadow created a distance between us and with every step she took, it got wider and wider. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and continued walking with her arms folded across her chest. I couldn’t bear to watch her in pain. The wounds in my heart ripped itself open and the unbearable pain tortured me. I was falling apart.

I ran up to her and put my arms around her waist. I ignored her struggles and held her tighter in my arms, refusing to let her go.

“Don’t leave,” I whispered.

“Promise me, forget me and move on with your life,” she murmured.

“I can’t. And I won’t.”

“You will, time heals,” she said quietly.

“And you?” I asked.

It took her a while before she answered “I will as time passes.”

“Please. Stay.” It was the best I could do. I know it was no use trying to ask her to stay, but I had to try.

She turned her head slightly to my direction. “Goodbye.”

Then she pushed away from my arms and ran. I wanted to chase after her but I couldn’t move; it was like my feet were planted to the ground. She was out of sight and I knew that was it. The end of my happiness. The end of everything.





My feet dragged on the concrete as I walked back to my car.

When I got home I slammed the front door shut and saw mum and dad sitting on the sofa looking at me with worried eyes. Dad got up and came beside me.

“Mum called, she told me everything,” he said in a husky voice.

“I just wanted to tell you that it doesn’t matter who that girl is. Either she’s rich or poor, if you love her, then go ahead son. I won’t stop you,” he said when I didn’t answer.

“Peter! How could you?! People like her don’t even in this world,” mum exclaimed.

“It’s his choice,” dad argued “we both can’t control who he likes. Let him follow his heart.”

“It’s too late,” I murmured and shuffled my way up the stairs.

I sat on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Everything seemed dark now; the clouds overlapping the ray of sunlight and the moon and stars disappeared from my night sky. All the brightness was gone with her.





***** ***** ***** ***** *****



I signed some paperwork and got up to get ready for a meeting. There was a light knock on my door.

“Come in,” I said.

Dad came in and sighed when he saw the stack of folders on my desk.

“Go home Chris. My bank doesn’t need you here. At least not when you’re trying to torture yourself.”

“I’m not,” I muttered stubbornly.

It was a lie; I was trying to torture myself. Since the day I came back from that town I locked myself up in my office day and night doing paperwork and researched new places to open up another bank. I was trying to keep myself busy and distract myself so my mind wouldn’t have time to think of other things; the things that would make the wounds in my heart ache. Sleeping is only enough to numb the pain but not enough to erase it.

“I know you’re trying to keep your mind busy so you won’t think of her but you can’t go on like this,” said dad in a softer tone.

I winced when he mentioned her. These past few months I tried to avoid anything that would remind me of her because it would only make the pain worse. Just then my phone vibrated in my pocket. I read the caller ID briefly before I answered.

“Hi mum.”

“Chris can you come outside please?”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Come and you’ll see.”

Dad looked at me and smiled hugely. I raised my left eyebrow and looked at him confusingly; it looked like he knew what mum was up to. He laughed and gestured for me to go outside.

I walked out the auto slide glass doors and stood outside the building. Mum was nowhere to be seen so I dialed her number and put the phone on my ear.

“Mum where are you?”

“Behind you.”





I turned around. It almost knocked me breathless when I saw the beautiful girl with long brown hair standing in front of me with an angelic smile on her face. The dimples on her left cheek and her warm chocolate brown eyes; they were the familiar features of the girl who I fell deeply in love with. The girl who came along and added color to my world of black and white.

I thought I was dreaming, so I closed my eyes. I opened them slowly, half expecting the girl would disappear; but she was still standing there. She walked toward me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered in her melodious and enchanting voice.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her “No, I’m sorry, for putting you through all that.”

She put her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder. I didn’t want to let go of her, I want to hold her in my arms forever.

“What happened?...I mean how….” I didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

But she knew what I meant. “Your mum came to see me. She told me what you were like when you came home after you talked to me that day. She thought you would move on after time, but you never did. It pained her to watch you try so hard to past each day so she asked me if I’m willing to come to see you. And she promised she won’t stop us getting back together.”

I sighed in relief. Mum came to us with a big smile on her face. I held Annabel’s hand and hugged mum with my other hand.

“Thanks mum.”

“I made this mess, so it’s my job to fix it. I’m glad to finally see the light back in your eyes,” mum said happily.

“And Annabel is a good girl, treat her nicely,” she added.

I laughed and turned to her. She stroke my cheek with the back of her left hand “I missed you.”

“You have no idea how my life was without you,” I murmured.

I took her hand and pulled her toward my car “Let’s go to our special place.”

I turned around to say bye to mum and saw dad come out and he put his arm around mum’s shoulders. He gave me a wink.



We held hands in the car for the whole way to Camellia. I parked my car in the small car park and went down to open the door for her. We stood next to the benches and I had both of my arms wrapped securely around her waist.

“After all those things that happened, here we are, standing in the most beautiful place. Together,” I said.

She smiled and we stood in silence as we watched the glowing sun set behind the mountains.











BONUS READ! ( I apologize for combining a poem that has nothing to do with this story in the same link. I'm restricted on how many posts I can publish. Hope you still enjoy it!!)



Notes



Two fingers on six strings

Ten fingers on smooth polished keys

Flawless lips moving, eyes scrutinizing the black and white

It’s a beautiful place to be



Thy lips trembling fast

Rumbles and grumbles, laughter and cries of joy

Sounds vibrating in the inner ear

Oh, thou must imagine that enjoyment