Short Story Series 1

Reminiscence

A Short Story

"Time passes but I'll always remember,

I know that we are destined for each other.

Come back to me and I'll love you once more,

I promise that I'll love you better than before."

~Jonjay Damz

PROLOGUE

It was time for him to say goodbye. He knew in his heart she will never come back. 

The deafening silence of the room where they used to laugh and sleep is now in the midst of stillness and grief. He confessed it was his fault. He had been too nosy, demanding, and inquisitive toward her. 

No wonder she left without saying goodbye. She must have been sick and tired of him controlling her life. She had no freedom. She was kept inside the four walls of their apartment for far too long. He did not even bother asking if she's still happy or not. He had been so terribly selfish. 

They used to go out on a date and just laugh and talk about crazy things. But now, she's gone. No one knows where she is. He'd been calling his friends and relatives but no one knows where she's at. If only she had left him a note or something, for him to be sure that she's all right. But she left him with nothing.

Not even a picture of her. 

He knew deep inside it was his mistake. But why does she need to leave? They could still work things out if they'll just talk. They've been together for almost three years now and this day was supposed to be a happy day for both of them. Yet he found no trace of her or her personal belongings the moment he went inside their room to propose. He called her name a dozen times but no one was there. There was only him in that big, empty space. 

He cried. "How could she do this to me?" he asked himself. 

He took the ring out of his pocket and stared at it for hours. He can still smell the sweet scent of her perfume. He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. 

For a moment, something has popped up in his head back on the first day he met the girl of his dreams.

THE FIRST TIME WAS AWKWARD

It was a rainy Saturday night. Roni (a.k.a Veronica), who was wearing her expensive Prada shoes, was soaking wet. She was having a tough time hailing a taxi. She had been standing at a waiting shed for about an hour and she couldn't find a single cab without any passenger in it. She looked at her watch--it was already eight o'clock in the evening. She's an hour late for her best friend's birthday party. She opened her bag and reached for her cell phone. She dialed Amy's number but to her surprise, it was out of coverage area. 

"Crazy faggot! She must've turned it off." She said with a smile. She knew Amy was just having a you-don’t-care-about-me syndrome. She had it ever since they were in college. Every time she would come late or forget about her birthday or something, she would always say that she doesn't care about her--which is not true at all. Nonetheless, Roni knew the right remedy for her best friend's syndrome-- a pair of Prada shoes can cure it all.

After an hour and thirty minutes of standing, an empty taxi stopped by in front of her. She cried out of relief and went inside as quickly as she could possibly be. 

"West-side 39 Avenue Street, please!" They said together. She was dumbfounded to see a man beside her. The man was also shocked as she was. 

"What the heck is going on?" she asked herself. She was supposed to be inside the taxi alone. She can't possibly share it with someone she doesn't even know. He could be a killer, a rapist or a terrorist. Who knows?

***

It was raining hard when Matthew ran along to a waiting shed just across the corner. But before he could go there, a taxi stopped by in front of him. 

Thank God for his lucky stars. 

Without even bothering to notice that there was also a woman who was about to get in, he went inside anyway. 

"West-side 39 Avenue Street, please!" he was surprised to hear a woman say the same thing. She was wearing a red leather jacket and black sophisticated shimmery shoes. She was also holding this big white paper bag with pink ribbons on it. He's pretty sure that it's a gift for someone special. She was eyeing him a ghastly look which was a bit odd for him. He smiled but she gave no reaction at all. 

Matthew saw the driver gave a weird frown on his face. He must have known what's wrong. But he had no time for this knick-knack and he's quite late for his cousin's party. Besides, they're both going to West-side 39 Avenue Street, so what's the big deal?

"Step on it, mister." He told the driver. The old man nodded and started steering on the wheel. 

"Wait! Stop the car!" she bellowed and stared at him furiously. The driver stopped and observed the two passengers on the front mirror of his taxi. 

"I don't mean to be rude but I suggest you find another taxi, mister. I have no intention of sharing it with someone-- especially to a stranger." She said calmly. 

Matthew was speechless for a moment. She doesn't want to be rude but that's exactly what she's doing-- being completely rude! He thought. The woman was absolutely feisty. 

"Miss, I also suggest that we make use of this taxi together. After all, we're both going to the same destination. Don't worry; I'll be paying the fare all the way there." He explained. There was an arrogant tone in his voice. He smiled and waited for a few seconds for her reaction. 

Few minutes later, he had no choice but to leave and find another empty cab.

THE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE!

Upon arriving at her best friend's house, Roni gave a big tip to the old driver. The old taxi driver did a great job by telling the arrogant man to be chivalric enough to find another cab. She couldn't help but smile upon remembering the weird smirk on the man's face when the old driver told him that. 

Ron's best friend named Amy gave her the warmest of welcome when she saw her friend so dripping wet because of the rain. The party was still going on and most of the guests were Amy's relatives. When the two friends were finally alone in the kitchen, Roni couldn't help but open up about what just occurred to her an hour ago.

"That wad! You should've kicked his ass!" said Amy crossly. Out of the blue, Amy gave Roni an enthusiastic smile on the face. The moment Ronnie saw her friend's smile; Roni made a step back and then slowly turned away leaving her best friend in the kitchen. But before she could leave, Amy's question snapped out faster than thunder. 

"So, was he handsome?" she asked. 

"We're not getting there, Amy." Roni started marching out of the kitchen. She went straight to the bathroom. Amy followed. 

"I'm just asking. Besides, I think it's time for you to move on. I hate to see you so sad and bummed out because of Nick's betrayal." Amy said in a hush tone. 

"I am so over it, Amy. Believe me." She lied. It was hard to forget the lies and promises of the first man she ever loved. And even though it was a long time ago, the pain and bad memories are still

fresh in her mind. It's true that she doesn't love him anymore, she just can't get over the idea that Nick chose to be with somebody else.

The doorbell rang thrice. Amy was surprised to hear a visitor at this late hour. All of the guests have gone home. Yet without second thought, she opened the door and was surprised to see her cousin standing in front of her wringing wet from head to toe. 

"What in the world happened to you?" she asked

in shock. He looked at her wearily. Then he took a deep breath and said, "It's a long story. Sorry I'm late. Can I stay here for the night?"

"You are super late! Of course you can stay. Come in first you drowned rat." Amy said sarcastically. She took a towel from the cabinet beside the door and gave it him. Then she told his cousin to go to the guestroom to change his wet clothing. 

Roni went out of the bathroom wearing her pajamas. She will be staying at Amy's place tonight. She can't possibly make it home safe at this late hour. She walked through the kitchen and into the living room. She saw Amy mopping up the floor.

"What happened? Why is the floor wet?" she asked. 

"It's my cousin, Matthew. He was like a drowned rat when he arrived." Amy explained.

Roni went to the kitchen. She took a glass of water then went back to the living room. 

Unfortunately, to her surprise, she accidentally lost her hold on the glass and it shattered on the floor, making Amy bolt out of surprise. 

"YOU?" they exclaimed.

THE DEAD SILENCE OF THE PRESENT

After a call from the hospital, Amy had no choice but to leave work as quickly as possible. She never thought it would come this far. The situation is definitely out of control. 

"Why would Matthew leave?" she asked herself. He had been so passive for years and now he's out for some explanation. She need to find him quick before it's too late. 

Amy tried calling Aunt Lucinda and Uncle Ben about Matthew but they had no idea where their son could be. She searched the places where Matthew used to go but to no avail. There was no trace of him anywhere. Finally, after 4 hours of searching, Amy decided to go home. 

A glimpse of a man's shadow startled Amy. She thought it was a burglar but when a dim light touched the man's face, she was quite sure it was her cousin Matthew. He was standing by the fireplace staring at the picture frames with Roni and Amy celebrating her 25th birthday. The day the two lovers met. 

"Do you know where Ron is? I went to our apartment but there was no sign of her. She left me without saying goodbye." He kept his tone strong and firm but Amy could hear small sobs in his voice.

"Answer me. Damn it! Where the heck is Veronica?!" he shouted facing Amy. 

She wanted to explain but she's afraid to hurt Matthew's feelings. He suffered enough since Roni left him. The least she can do is to shut up. 

Matthew's face is now drenched in tears. He was kneeling on the floor, pleading Amy to tell him where Roni is. 

"I made a mistake. I've been very selfish. I hurt Roni's feelings but I've learned that I was wrong. I want her back! Please tell me where she is. I beg you."

Amy could no longer take Matthew's relentless crying. He deserves to know the truth. 

"Roni's gone Matthew. You will never see her again. I'm sorry." Matthew's sobbing stopped. 

"Gone? Gone to where?" he asked intriguingly. 

Amy made a big sigh. She looked at Matthew eye to eye. 

"She died of leukemia 2 years ago." Tears began to flow on Amy's cheeks. He deserves to know the painful truth. He might not recall this afterwards but he ought to know why. 

"Is this some kind of joke? We were together yesterday. I've been meaning to give here this ring because I wanted to marry her but she wasn't at the apartment. She left me." He clarified. He completely ignored Amy's explanation. 

"You were married for 2 years, Matthew. I was one of the bride's maid remember? Both of you were happily married until the day you found out about Roni's cancer. She died. Then after 6 months, you developed this kind of disease. I really don't know the details of your illness but the doctor said your life will never be the same again and that it's better for you to leave everything behind. I'm sorry, I really wish I could do something about it but it's too late." She explained. 

It was strange for him to remember all of it. He closed his eyes. He wanted to recollect what Amy just told her now but nothing's clear. He does not remember getting married to Roni, nor Amy being the bride's maid.

He wanted to argue, but upon reminiscing his past, everything's vague. He can't recall his parent's name, where they used to live, the things he used to do, nor his 21st birthday. 

Tears began streaming down his cheeks. 

How did this happen? How can I not remember? He asked himself a dozen times. Feeling dismayed, he looked at Amy. 

"What exactly did this disease do to me?" he asked wearily. He knew the answer but he wanted to hear it anyway. She paused. She stepped forward and embraced Matthew sympathetically. 

"You forget." She cried. 

***END***

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