Our memories are perhaps our most precious possessions. It is what defines us, what gives us identity. Isn't it strange though? How easily we forget the things we want to remember, such as while studying a certain topic for a test and at the same time, I still remember that one time I screamed something stupid at the playground as a kid embarrassing myself.
Memories.
That's what came rushing back to me when I heard that voice. So many memories.
Miss me?
I was still registering that line when I was turning around to see a face I never thought I'd see again.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"Good morning to you too."
I couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't believe anything. She looked just as beautiful as the last time I saw her if not more.
"Hello Zavian, how have you been?"
She said this while pulling me into a hug.
My heart was in my mouth.
Zavian. I hadn't heard that name in ages. I never thought I would hear it again either.
Back when I first started my firm 5 years ago, one of the things I left behind was my name. I started using my baptism name in an effort to recreate myself. I even coerced my family into calling me Luke.
"I've been fairly well Jewel, what about you?"
"Fairly well is definitely an understatement"
I chuckled at that. If only she knew how I actually felt.
"Sure it is. Let's go have a cup of coffee shall we? You can tell me what brings you to New York."
"As lovely as that sounds I have to pass, I have prior engagements. However, are you free tomorrow? We can have lunch if you want to."
My heart dropped a bit but then rose again. It was all over the place.
"Yes that sounds great! See you tomorrow then? Oh before I forget here's my number. Just text me where you want to meet and I'll be there."
"You know I hate texting."
I laughed at that. I never forgot a single detail she told me.
"Well, call me then."
"I will."
"I'll look forward to it. In the meantime, can I drop you anywhere?"
"Oh no it's fine, it's just 2 blocks away"
"Well, see you tomorrow then!"
"Goodbye Zavian."
Zavian. Again.
"You know, I go by Luke now."
"I know. But you'll always be Zavian to me."
Silence.
"Okay."
After I left, I didn't head into work. I only went into work later that afternoon. I hadn't broken my schedule despite anything for the past 2 years. I went straight back home and jumped into the pool. I occasionally used to go swimming but that was mostly for exercise purposes. This was different. I just wanted to enjoy the pool.
I couldn't believe what had just happened. I didn't know what to think, how to feel or what to expect.
My mind raced back to my first days in New York. I had gotten off social media completely. WhatsApp only, and only for close ones. I changed my number. I still had hers, but I never sent a text. I didn't know what to say.
Maybe I should've checked up on her occasionally. But I was glad today happened. A day that I would cherish in my memories for ages to come.
I still remembered her birthday. I would always write a Happy Birthday text and almost hit send. But every time, fear got the better of me.
When I headed into work, my mind was still replaying our conversation. I was waiting for her call. I couldn't focus on work. I left a mere hour later. There was no reason for me to work today anyways.
I headed home. She hadn't called yet. I was waiting so very anxiously. Sitting in the car, a million thoughts raced through my head. I put on a song that I used to play a lot as a kid. It brought back more memories.
The way we associate certain memories with certain songs is beautiful isn't it? How a certain track can trigger a memory so quickly. Music is truly a blessing, one that makes this world just a bit more tolerable.
I sat down to eat dinner at 8:32 P.M. This may not seem so weird to most people, but for someone who had eaten dinner at exactly 7:00 P.M. for the past 7 years, it was something so unfamiliar. My entire world had been turned upside down by just seeing her once. That's the effect she had on me. Her words could work wonders on me.
I heard a knock on the door. I went to answer it. It was my neighbor from downstairs, Keith.
"Hi Luke, sorry to bother you but I just wanted to let you know that it was my son's 1st birthday next week. I was hoping you could make it to the party. Sorry for the short notice, it was just put together so suddenly by my wife."
"Sure Keith, I'll be there."
Keith was surprised at my answer. Usually, unless he invited me to an event at least a month in advance, there was a high chance I'd be busy. Even then I would have to check with at least two of my managers to make sure my schedule was free.
"Also Keith, you wouldn't mind if I brought along someone would you?"
I don't know why I asked that. It was just an impulse.
Once again Keith was taken aback. I never had a plus one. In my 7 long years in New York, I had never gotten into a relationship.
"Sure, feel free I suppose."
After he left I sat down on my couch and pulled out one of my old books.
I hadn't sat down and read like this in ages. But in spite of the fact that there was a book in my and hand and my eyes were scanning the words, my mind was still waiting for her call.
"You don't remember what happened. What you remember becomes what happens." (From Looking for Alaska - John Green)
This line caught my eye. How true, I thought to myself. The way our brain stores a memory is the way we recollect it. And that is the same way we tell it to other people. A single event can be remembered in a 1000 different ways. A single story can be retold in a 1000 different voices.
I was sitting there lost in my thoughts. Just then, when I was least expecting it, when I was distracted with something else, that's when it happened, as usual.
That's when she called.