An attempt at a tragical love story..
Untitled-III : Qualms
By: sdna
It
was
Janice sat in the last bench. She had been waiting for at least ten minutes now. The only source of light near her was the street lamp above her. There was a soft breeze. Janice took off her jacket from her bag, and wore it, for the night was already getting cold.
She could remember the days. The past. Gone. It was always the same place. In the park, near the bench where a certain couple frequent, kissing each other. She would not have needed a jacket, for he was always there. She could remember the days. He would always have a gift for her, every time they went out. First, he would take her to a fancy restaurant, with the most expensive on the city. Then, he would lead her to the park, into the last bench, and they would stay for about an hour, until ten o’clock. She could remember the days. The past. Gone.
Suddenly a dark figure loomed above Janice, and startled her. “Oh, it’s just you.” Janice said. “Sorry I’m late, again.” Patrick replied. “It’s about time…” Janice whispered, against the chilling wind.
“So, why did you have to do this? Ask me for a last date?” Patrick finally asked after a few minutes devoid of talk. “Nothing, I just wanted to relive the past.” Janice answered. “Oh, okay. I’m sorry. It didn’t have to end this way. We just couldn’t cope up with it anymore. They say it’s better to leave while loving than leave because of hating.” Patrick said, while nervously trying to pocket with his whole right arm. Janice could not say anything. The breeze began to get stronger.
“This didn’t have to happen, I swear. It would have been the last thing that would happen between our two worlds” Patrick said to Janice. The couple turned their backs on each other. “The circumstances were just too overwhelming. Even though we bravely tried against the odds, in the end…we failed. It was then that I finally gave up the fight. It’s better that they leave each other now while before things get worse.” Janice said coolly. It seems that she was the most unaffected by the situation.
“Let’s go for a walk, I’ll treat you at Rizz” Patrick suggested. Janice agreed. “Janice, do you remember when we used to walk together in the beach, watching the stars above us while we let the nosy crabs adore us.” Patrick said, trying to remember the past. “Yes, they adored us so much they always try to pinch our toes…” Janice said, nearly laughing, nearly. “Well…” Patrick smiled, but quickly took it back. The night was now deathly cold.
“You want me to hug you to share some warmth?” Patrick suggested. “Okay.” Janice was reluctant, but accepted the invitation. They hugged. As Patrick embraced Janice, snaking his long, thin arms around her back, Janice felt again the warm body of her loved one, loved.
“I still Love you, I just want you to know that.” Patrick said. “I loved you too.” Janice said. The once light breeze reached gale proportions. The waves were already splashing sand all over the place.
There was about ten minutes of reminiscing silence. Patrick treated Janice at The Rizz and they finally walked back to the last bench. The wind suddenly disappeared.
“Well, this is the point of no return, Janice.” Patrick said. “Yes.” Janice agreed. It seemed that all this didn’t affect Janice, and Patrick was hurt. They sat in the bench for a long time, in which time seemed to stop. They hugged each other, for it was still very cold.
It was the final minute, and Janice has decided. She will stand her ground. She can live without Patrick. She can.
After much silent talk, Patrick will finally leave Janice. Tonight, one becomes two, as two souls part from each other. Tomorrows will never be the same, at least, for Patrick and Janice.
“Janice, I have one last thing to tell you.” Patrick whispered to Janice’s ear. “What is it?” Janice asked as she faced the man she, in the past, vowed to love forever. “This…” Patrick was stooping.
Patrick kissed Janice. And all the lies, the facade, the brick wall, the world Janice has created for herself in the midst of the vacuum left by Patrick…shattered. Janice then realized that she was lying to herself all this time. Too late.
The night was cold, even more now that Janice would be alone, forever. “You want me to walk you home?” Patrick asked. “N-no, thanks.” Janice managed to stutter. “Well then, goodbye.” Patrick was already crying, but he made no attempt to stop the flow. Janice was still in her cold attitude. Patrick turned to leave. Still, Janice was standing beside the bench, emotionless. Patrick walked, until only his bull cap could be seen.
“NNNOOO!!!” Janice tried to shout, but she could only whisper. “I-I’m sorry…I Love you” Too late. Patrick was gone, overshadowed by the gloomy posts in the park. Janice regretted. She regretted everything. The temperature surrounding her still dropped.
It was ten o’clock, a Saturday evening, when people would stay up late until Sunday past one, going to church after a few hours of insomniac sleep. The night was cold. The park was empty save a certain couple in the 3rd bench, kissing each other, and a woman in the last bench, who would be forever tormented by her past, a past that would never return. In the midst of all the solidity in her personality, Janice…did something she never did in twelve years.
She cried.