I came to the place where there was once an orchard. Dubbed as lover's lane, it gave so many memories of the time when I studied here. Now a building stood in its place, but I could still remember the particular spot where Geoff and I used to meet.
I looked once more at the whole area where the building was, and even when there was that edifice that somehow blocked my vision from where the tree used to be, I felt like there was more to tell about it. I felt like I was being taken back to the past that honestly, I wanted to forget. Even when I wanted answers, there was no use finding them. The one person who could answer everything was nowhere to be found.
I don't want to live like I have lost everything. Because it is so hard to bounce back. I have been there, and if only I could turn back time, I would not waste any of it waiting for someone whom I never knew still existed.
But at the back of my mind, Hannah Lee, are you being true to yourself?
Can you really forget the past or is it just a figment of your imagination?
A rush of wind blew and as I closed my eyes, I enjoyed the crisp scent of pine that came with it. With the afternoon sun that provided enough warmth in the same way that this place had given me before, it calmed my senses and it made me remember everything about this school. I enjoyed the company of my friends, attending classes, getting through the entire day however boring it may be, the banters of kids my age, and of course, Geoff. His way of coming into my life was something I never expected.
And even when I asked myself just earlier about forgetting someone, I must admit that meeting him was one of the best things that my life had ever encountered.
After that meeting with my friends at the canteen, Geoff casually held my hand. I never knew what made him do so, but then honestly, I felt more secure with him doing it. While we were walking our way home, I noticed a bunch of eyes staring at us. When I glanced at them, it was Faith and her friends. Dada had warned me about them, and even when I wanted to inform Geoff about it, I also didn't want to make an impression that I am affected by them.
After all, we are just friends. But, are there friends who casually hold hands while going home?
Yes. And that's us.
So one afternoon as I was waiting for him to come to our usual place, I saw Faith went up to Geoff. I didn't quite understand what I felt seeing it from afar. I saw him trying to walk away from her, but she was so determined to get his attention. He stopped and faced her, then talked to her. I never knew what he told her, but then he left her frozen in her tracks. Geoff then walked his way towards me.
He approached me and smiled, before he grabbed my hand and led me away from the place. I didn't quite understand what happened, but something in me stopped from asking him the moment I saw his face light up when he came. I just made him do what he wanted to do. We walked away and because I wanted to get it out of my mind, I asked him about what was bothering me.
'Geoff? If you don't mind me asking, what happened there?'
He only looked at me and just smiled.
'I told her something that would stop her from coming at you,' he replied, as he squeezed my hand and tried to intertwine our fingers. I felt like there was something going on, but then I didn't want him to stop doing what he did.
Because I was actually loving it.
I looked at him dumbfounded. What does he mean? Just then, I saw those girls again and Geoff just tightened his hold on me, smiling widely as he did so.
'Ya, what happened to you?' I asked him when we passed by a nearby basketball court. He caught some guys looking at us, and he reached out for my shoulder and pressed me closer to him. We were on our way home, and the ones playing were boys from our school. As usual, his only response was his smile.
Which were honestly, getting into my senses.
I shook my head and almost gave up on it, but as we reached my house, he told me what he said to Faith earlier.
'Hannah, I actually told her that we are together,' he said, scratching his nape. He gave out his smile to me, and I felt that he was becoming shy by the minute. I just stared at him, dumbfounded at the answer that he gave me.
His smile eventually wore off, and was replaced by worry.
But if I would have to be honest with myself, I must admit that my heart was screaming. I guess this is why the girls kept on teasing me. And then my mind was racing likewise, as I know that those girls, Faith especially, will never stop bothering me.
'I'll see you tomorrow at school, Geoff. Thank you,' I said as I went inside and closed the gate. I gave out a sigh, processing everything that he had told me.
I looked through the peephole after a few minutes only to find him still standing outside, worried that I might be angry at him for saying those things. I wanted to come out and tell him that it's okay, but I really didn't know what to do.
Why am I affected, when I know very well that it's not true?
Come to think about it, am I affected because deep inside I wanted it to be true?