TOBY.
My biggest regret in life so far is letting my anger get the best of me at dinner with Ruby that night. I had the whole week to call her and apologise. I could have gone to say goodbye but I let my pride get the best of me. Maybe we would still be in touch, but I'd never know now because I had messed up. I had lost all my chances with Ruby or so I thought.
In the months that followed, I put all my energy into building something out of my father's legacy. A few of my friends and I who wanted something more from life came together and started a tech firm. We created a business around an all that matches students that need tutoring with other students who were brilliant but needed the extra cash they could make from tutoring.
We put all our energy and resources into the business, chances were high that it could have crashed but we pulled through despite the challenges. Now, we had a successful business that was making good money and also helping students in high schools and colleges across the country.
At the initial stages of our start-up, I was working crazy hours. Sometimes I'd work for up to twelve hours at a stretch only taking breaks to pee or eat a bite. We didn't have any assistants or researchers, we did all the work ourselves so it was quite tasking. I didn't have any time to think. All I could think of in my free time was sleep.
Now that things have picked up, we are hiring more staff and all the guys are excited because they get to spend more time with their families. I'm happy we became a success but the amount of free time on my hands right now is giving me too much time to think. I took up cooking classes to fill in my free time. I even discontinued the cleaning service in my small apartment, by far the smallest apartment I've ever lived in so far. Even after doing all these I still couldn't get her out of my mind. I couldn't stop regretting what I had done.
Recently, my mind has been playing tricks on me. I'd see someone that had similar traits to Ruby and I would be convinced it was her. It happened to me while I was grocery shopping. I had promised my mum I'd make some of the things I was learning in my cooking class for her so I went on a quick grocery run. I was choosing fresh produce while thinking about how much happier my mum looked since the divorce, and when I spotted a woman who must have been another Ruby look alike with a little bit by the freezers.
My father and I had one thing in common, regret. He was still the old grump but he looked sad to let her go, almost remorseful at his actions. Too bad, it was only a little too late.
I was to move on to another section when a little boy zoomed past me. He missed a step and was heading for the floor. On reflex, I tossed my basket and caught him with one hand. I straightened him and I was about to get on my feet when he did the most surprising thing, he put his arms around me and gave me the warmest hug. My heart swelled.
"Jeremy, how many times have I told you not to run off in public," Ruby came jogging around the corner.
It was her this time around, I felt like my heart stopped beating. She was even prettier than I remembered. I tore my eyes away from her long enough to look at the little boy in my arms, he was my Jeremy.
"I'm so sorry," I apologized.
For a lot of things.
Not fighting hard enough to keep our family together. Not saying goodbye and not recognizing him the instant I saw him. From our first awkward conversation in the vegetable aisle, I made up my mind not to ever let her go. I would get my second chance.
It took months for her to get comfortable with me again and it took even longer for her to trust me. It was worth all the efforts to make her mine again.
I stood on the beach in a flower print shirt and brown shorts, an arc of flowers above my head and my best man beside me.
"Are you nervous?" He asked.
"Beyond nervous," I replied. What if she didn't show up? What if she realized she was way too good for someone like me?
"Relax man, she'll be here any minute." I hoped so.
Tears clouded my eyes as they came into my line of sight. Jeremy walked before her dressed exactly like I was. A small ring box in his hand. I could tell that he tried his best to walk slowly as he rehearsed but he still ended up breaking into a run. I caught him up in my arms, his giggles causing the small crowd of our close family and friends to burst out laughing.
"Let's watch mummy," I whispered into his ear.
"Okay," he said, turning his attention back to Ruby down the makeshift aisle.
Ruby was wearing a white knee-length dress, which I couldn't quite explain. The wreath of flowers around her hair and the sunlight hitting her skin gave her an angelic look. She took my breath away. We said our vows with the ocean and people as our witnesses.
We had done all the classy, stuffy things for our first wedding. This time around we went for a no-frills affair where we didn't even have to wear shoes and it was perfect. We ate till we thought we'd burst and danced the night away at the best beach party ever.
After everything all, what started as a front for the camera became real. As real as we both wanted.
THE END.