Ana placed the bag on the counter and took a seat on the high chair. She looked at Lin Shen with her undivided attention.
Unknowingly, her lips curved into a smile. The song was a soft ballad, soothing her mind, bringing her a certain calmness she hadn't felt in a long time.
Ana's eyes suddenly teared up as she watched Lin Shen. She didn't know why but she suddenly felt like crying.
''Soothing, right?'' A voice asked behind her and Ana turned.
''It's been a while, Ana. How have you being?'' Shiao asked as he smiled.
Ana's face stiffened and she got down from the chair immediately, creating a distance between them. Her hands quivered and she clasped them together nervously.
''Why do you look so surprised? Shanshan must have told you that I'm back, right?''
''Ex… excuse me!'' Ana said and turned to leave and Shiao held her hand.
At the stage, Lin Shen looked at them but didn't stop singing. He had noticed Ana the moment she entered into the club.
''Ana, don't go!'' Shiao said.
His words in Ana's ears invoked a memory she had buried within her for a long time.
''Ana, let's break off the engagement."
The words overlapped and Ana felt like she had gone back in time all over again.
A wave of complicated emotions rose in her heart.
Ana instinctively stepped back and pulled her hand away from Shiao. ''I'm sorry, but I have to go.'' Ana said absentmindedly and ran away. She stopped at a distance and turned back.
Ana returned to the counter to pick her bag and saw Lin Shen looking at them.
He had finished singing and was coming towards them.
Ana didn't say anything and ran out of the place with her bag. She left the other bag containing Lin Shen's shirt on the counter.
''Ana!'' Shiao prepared to go after her and Lin Shen held his hand.
''Elder brother, what is it?'' Lin Shen asked.
''Nothing!'' Shiao said and turned to look at Lin Shen, ''are you done?''
'Yes!''
''Take me home, I am not in the mood to drive!'' Shiao said and threw his car key at Lin Shen.
….
''Elder brother, what did you and Ana talk about? Why did she run out like that?'' Lin Shen asked as he drove the car.
''Nothing much. I tried to talk to her but she ran away as you saw.''
''She ran away? She must be feeling guilty for betraying you. Seeing that you've become handsome even more, she must be regretting leaving you now.''
Shiao smiled and closed his eyes, saying nothing.
….
Ana curled herself up and wrapped her arms around her body as she sat by the sidewalk while her car was parked by the roadside.
After leaving the club, she managed to drive away but couldn't go far because her head was messed up and she couldn't think straight.
She pulled over just at the roadside and decided to sit down even though it had started raining.
Not even the rain could drown those feelings of defeat and helplessness inside her.
Ana's teeth started clutching together. She was feeling cold but didn't have the strength to get up and go into the car.
A lot of people passing by looked at her and walked away. Some took her as a mad person because of her actions.
A while later, a taxi pulled over and Jessy got out and ran to her. She pulled Ana up and yelled at her.
''Ana, have you gone crazy? What is wrong with you? Can't you see that it's raining? Do you want to get sick or die?''
Jessy pulled Ana towards the car and forced her inside. She got into the driver's seat and buckled Ana up before starting the car.
''If you want to die, why don't you just jump into a river and die? How many times do you want to frustrate me to death? I am just 28 years but you make me feel like I am 50 already.''
Jessy cussed and hit her palm against the steering wheel as she drove.
''Okay, you won't say anything, right? Keep quiet then. Let's settle this once we get home. Are you sick in the head?''
Even though Jessy was yelling and cussing, Ana's lips curved into a smile. She knew Jessy wasn't cussing her out of hatred. Jessy was the one who loved her the most, her best friend who has been with her through thick and thin.
Jessy sighed and shook her head. She was genuinely worried about Ana's mental health at this point.
She was also afraid that what happened two years ago would happen all over again and Ana would run to a place she wouldn't be able to find her.
Just like she did back then.
She had waited for so long at home and didn't hear from her. She tried calling but her Ana didn't pick up.
Luckily, they had set their phones to locate each other no matter where one was.
This was what Jessy did after what happened two years ago. She didn't want to go crazy or die first while looking for her silly friend who knew how to take care of others but herself.
…
Jessy and Ana's apartment.
Jessy pulled over and got down from the car. She went to the front door and opened it, pulling Ana out and they went inside together.
Jessy brought two towels and placed one on her shoulders while she used the other one to wipe Ana's head.
''I made a hot bath. Go in and soak in a little. I will make you hot cocoa. You can have it after bathing.''
''Mm!'' Ana managed to say and walked towards their shared bathroom which linked to both their rooms in the middle.
Jessy sighed and took the towel from her shoulder and started wiping herself.
….
''Ana, let's break up!''
''Ana, let's break up!''
''Ana, let's break up!''
Ana opened her eyes and took in a deep breath.
Those words kept ringing in her ears for the nth time, each time she closed her eyes.
Ana stood up from the bathtub and went to look at herself in the mirror.
She wiped the water off the mirror and her face came to view.