"But grandpa.." I tried to negotiate but he stopped me as he placed his hand in front. I gulped down the remaining words as he shook his head, "Sorry, sweet pea, but I cannot give you more time."
I kept my silence and got down of his car. He tried to drop me to the apartment, but I denied his offer. I watched his car until its taillights disappeared.
I kept walking down the road as the sun started to set, leaving yellow and orange rays mixed with the dark hues.
The scene was breathtaking. I took in a deep breath, taking it all in.
My mind was confused, still processing all the things happened until now.
My mind and heart were in a fight mode, continuously weighing the pros and cons of accepting the offer. If I decline his offer, not only will I hurt grandpa’s feelings I myself would not be able to stay relaxed, but...
Saying yes would complicate my and Dave’s relationship. Also, I might have to stay with him until he is fully healed, and knowing myself well, I could confirm one thing.
There might be a slight chance...fine a full-fledged chance that I would fall for him. Again.
I have barely survived the cheating thing and involving myself with him, knowing well that after regaining his memories, he will leave me. It would be the stupidest and idiotic decision I could have made this year.
Still walking down the sidewalk, my gaze went around. I almost reached the apartment, as this big park was just in front of the apartment.
Several people roam around. While some teenagers were discussing whether they would look cool with a stupid, overpriced leather jacket.
On the other hand, mothers were roaming around their kids as they played. My eyes kept roaming around when something caught my attention.
A mother sat on the bench with a basket beside her when a girl shouted in her direction. I also looked in that direction and found a three-year-old girl running towards her with a big balloon in her hand.
She kept shouting, "Mom, Dad bought this for me." Her sweet voice was increasing the void in my heart.
His dad also ran behind her, ready to catch her if she fell. The mother giggled at the sight and kissed the girl as she reached there.
Following her, she pecked on her husband’s cheeks as that man rubbed the back of his head, not able to hide his blush.
The mother chuckled at his reaction. "Okay, let’s go now. It’s getting late." With this, they all walked past me. I did not realize until I felt the wetness on my face. As I touched my face, the water got on my fingers.
Oh Lord, do you really hate me that much?
I wanted to scream my thoughts out loud, not caring if people thought of me as I was some crazy woman who just got dumped by his boyfriend/ husband or whatever.
But I cared. I cared too much to let go of everything. Even if it means I have to step into that home again. His room, where I was not allowed to enter.
It was always his room while I stayed in a different one throughout those three years.
Same with my existence in his life, as I forced myself into it without his permission. Slowly, I might have started to understand his perspective.
Entering the apartment, I found Caroline setting up the things in the cabinet. The moment she saw me, she dropped everything and walked to me.
She made me sit on the couch as she inspected me from head to toe.
"Were you crying?" The emotions ignited after seeing that family erupted out of me. I hugged while doing the ugly cry. She took me like a mama bear and kept rubbing my back until my cries stopped.
She took my face in her palm as she asked, " Okay, now tell me. Did that oldie say something to you?" I kept sniffing as I told her from the head start.
I also expressed the turmoil going on inside of me, and did not know how to make a decision.
That whatever decision I took, I would be worried either way. Caroline patiently listened to my ranting. At the end, when I finished, she gave me a serious expression as she suggested, "I think you should go."
I looked at her with surprise. I did not expect this assertiveness from her. Moreover, I thought she would ask me not to go.
I blinked in confusion as she explained further, "I know you did not expect this answer coming from me, but first hear me out."
I stayed there as she started to speak. "According to what you told me, going there and helping him would neutralize the feeling of guilt." The time went by as she explained how it might too work, clearing my head.
Whether she wanted to continue the relationship with Dave or not.
When she ended the whole conversation with one sentence, "I know being with him would freshen up the wound, but think of it as giving it a second chance. If it worked for you, it would be great, but if not..."
She paused, leaving the rest hanging in the silence. I knew what she meant. In these past few days, I shared almost everything with her. The diary, which none of them wanted to even open, she has just read it completely within these past days.
She took a deep breath as she concluded, "The last decision is yours, Ele. If only you feel comfortable enough, then only go."
I, too, nodded as a weak smile plastered over my lips, "I know. Thanks for talking me out of this."
She waved off her hand as if it were not a big deal. We then prepared our dinner and enjoyed the rest of the evening binge-watching a rom-com.
Caroline, till now, was asleep, and I too, felt groggy with all the exhaustion, when a notification popped up on my phone.
I did not want to even glance at it, but something told me otherwise. As I retrieved the phone, a message notification showed on the screen.
The message was not the surprising part, but the sender was.