My heart flutters at the sight of him. Feels like I travelled back in time, the time when my innocent heart adores that lanky, nerdy but handsome boy. My heart aches at the same time. Why did he have to go back after being dead silent for 7 years? Is he already married? Is he doing good during those past years? I bet he's living the best time of his life while I suffered back then from heartbreak.
I know I don't have the right to even blame him from that heartbreak. He is not even aware that I'm inlove with him since we were young. And with the way I'm feeling right now, I guess I really haven't moved on despite of years that had gone by.
"Little girl, did you missed me that much? You've been staring at me the whole time." His voice woke me up from daydreaming. "Don't call me little girl, can you see that I'm already a grown woman? I bet that's how you call your daughter." I replied on his teasing. "I don't even have a wife so how can I have a daughter? He responded laughing. "Keep driving, you talk too much." I finally said while I felt like my cheeks are blushing.
We got home after 30 minutes and I saw my Mom waiting at the gate. I messaged her about the situation and she seems so excited and responded back that she will cook Lance's favorite dishes so I need to make sure I invite him for dinner.
"Lanlan! You're back!" My Mom exclaimed as soon as she saw us got off the car. "Hi Auntie! It's good to see you!" He approached and hug my Mom gently. "I cooked your favorite meal, come have dinner with us." My Mom took his hands and dragged him inside our house without hesitation. I just roled my eyes with her gesture.
I forgot that Lance and myself have the same favorite dish so I was surprised that Mom actually prepared what I like. We were about to eat the dessert when Mom opened the topic that I long to ask him earlier but did not have the courage to even utter. "So how was your life in the US? Are you still single? Mom asked. "Life in the US is both good and bad but I managed to survive these past years. I'm still single." He replied. Mom continue to ask questions, When you say single, is it single with girlfriend, single and seeing someone, or single as really single? "Mom, what kind of questioning was that?" I commented as I find the question amusing. But he answered back, I'm single as really single. "That's good then." Seems like Mom was satisfied that she decided not to ask further questions anymore.
After dinner, my Mom prepared her special coffee and decided to leave the two of us to catch up. She reasoned out that it is now time for her favorite TV series so she'll have to leave us in the veranda. I was silent for a moment. I don't know what to say. For me he had become a stranger and it seems like I don't know him anymore. A part of me hates him for showing up when I decided to forget about him. I hate him for showing up at this time of my weakness. "I'm sorry." He started to speak. "I'm sorry for suddenly cutting off ties with you. A lot of painful things had happened these past few years, that I thought I will not be able to go through. And I don't want to show myself in that state to you. I know in the past I keep on telling that I will protect you. I just can't at that time, but I've been watching you from afar. I tried my best to stand again and pursue my dreams. I promised that until I'm myself again that's the only time I can show myself to you. It happened now, and I hope that it's not too late. You might not understand it now, but time will come that you will." He breathed deeply after he finished his statement. I don't know what to say and I feel confused. I just nod my head in silence. . .