The Last Letter

8

Chapter VIII

It will be their first day of class tomorrow so I was confused why he is here.

“How’s the first class?” Ben asked me as soon as I reached the front gate.

“Not bad. It was quite fun. Why are you here?”

“Let’s eat something. I know a place near the city. My treat” He said to which I just nodded. I’m hungry now because of all that self introduction. And it is only 3:30 pm. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a few hours with Ben rather than spending the rest of the day laying in bed. And it’s Ben’s treat, what’s not to like right?

We started to walk with our bikes. There are many students walking and the way out is downhill so we can’t ride our bikes because we might bump hard onto anybody.

It was still sunny but the heat is not painful to the skin so it is okay to walk during this time of the day. And our town looks like a countryside since there are trees everywhere and a river nearby, the wind is fresh and cool.

I unbuttoned my uniform since I had an undershirt so I could feel the breeze more.

As we walked downtown, Ben kept on asking about the first day, if I think the professors are kind and if there are cute girls in my class. Since college is a tougher journey, he seemed agitated. But knowing Ben, I know he’ll ace the university easily because he’s outgoing, smart and most importantly he’s good looking, just like me.

I remember some people, especially guys, hated and picked a fight with him when we were in high school. The reason I knew later on when we had a retreat. It is because they envy him and they just think it is unfair that he possesses so many good characteristics. Ben apologized for it even if he shouldn’t.

We reached the downtown restaurant he told me about. I could tell it was still new based on the interior and I haven’t heard about this restaurant at all.

“My dad said this is a good seafood restaurant. He frequent here nowadays.” Ben said as soon as we sat down.

“Is this place newly opened?” I asked him.

“I think so too. I didn’t notice this restaurant when I go home. Dad just happened to dine here when his car was stranded when it rained sometime and he recommended it to us.”

We looked at the menu and some of the dishes were something I haven’t heard before. I admit, my choice of food isn’t diverse and I don’t eat anything that is unfamiliar to my taste. And this restaurant specializes in seafood and pastas.

Eventually, we decided to keep it safe and order seafood marinara pasta, caesar salad with shrimp and mango shake for our drinks.

***

I took a look at the place since we were the only ones here with the employees. The exterior is wooden which made the restaurant feel authentic but comfortable and pleasing to the eyes. The walls are made of glass so you could see a good view of the river that also passes in the bottom of the hill of my neighborhood, except that the river is wider here. It is a good location for a seafood restaurant but the problem is that only a few people go in this area. If it’s marketed better, I feel that this restaurant will prosper.

Not long after, our food was served while Ben made me get a glass of water.

When I returned, I saw him flustered and his face was red, but he said he was okay.

As we eat, my instinct is telling me that someone is looking in our direction. I looked at the counter and saw a girl with shoulder length hair, wearing a uniform that had the logo of this restaurant. She looks quite young to work here and I think we are just about the same age, if not, she might be younger than us.

We locked eyes for a few seconds then avoided each other’s gazes. I admit, she’s kind of cute from this distance.

I have a girlfriend so this could count as cheating. Although we are not serious with each other and we have only been dating for 4 months, I respect and acknowledge her as my partner so I shouldn’t look at other girls while she’s away.

After a while, I managed to remove that girl from my mind even though I still feel her looking at either me or Ben.

When it was time to pay, I stood by the entrance and Ben was at the counter with another employee while the girl from earlier cleaned our table. When Ben was done, I saw him converse a little with the girl and gave her a note or something. When we walked outside, I glanced at her for the last time and she was opening the piece of paper Ben handed her.

“What was that?” I asked him while we were walking near the river.

“Nothing.” He answered while he looked up at the sky that’s slightly turning to orange. It’s 4:30 pm by now.

By 5 pm, we went separate ways since he lives not that far from here and I also went home since I felt sleepy and it was a long day.

***

Benjamin’s POV

It was January 10, 1993 when I first met Suzanne. I was 17 years old at that time while she was 16.

‘Suzanne Mea Cruz’ was her name and I always liked her for two years now.

I still remember the day we first met. The day I think I fell in love for the first time ever. It wasn’t a special day but she unknowingly made it special for me.

***

[January 10,1993]

“Augusto, can you get some water over there?” I asked him to which he politely and hurriedly obeyed to get two glasses of water.

The water is self service and I think our orders will arrive anytime.

By now, I think you know who I am. I’m Benjamin Fernandez, August’s most beloved friend and partner in crime. If I were a girl by chance, I would definitely date him and he probably will date me too if he’s a girl. That’s just how we are made for each other.

Ever since we were kids, we have been inseparable. Almost always and everyday, we would play together along with our neighborhood friends. But sadly, I had to move near the city when my father was elected as the mayor. But we always went to the same school from kindergarten to now, so our bond didn’t end.

People view me as someone arrogant with the way I talk, but that’s just who I am and I purposely do that. Only the people close to me know what I am really like.

I actually envied August when we were growing up because he was well loved by everyone, with nothing in mind but bona fide. With me, people always had hidden agendas in them when they approached me. Either for politics, or they want to get close to my family in order to rub us in for our fortune, especially our relatives that I didn’t even know before.

I gained many friends in my previous neighborhood but I only felt closest and most genuine in August. That's why my family trusts him as much as I trust him and he and his family do the same for me. We were like brothers from different blood lines.

“Here’s your order. Thank you for dining here.” A lovely and sweet voice suddenly appeared from behind that made me almost jump out of my seat.

When I turned around to see who that was, I saw a girl, about the same age as us. The server looked at me, said “enjoy your meal”, smiled and bowed and then went back to the counter.

My eyes followed every step she took, as if time slowed down and I could see every move her body makes as well as the strands of her shoulder length hair sway as she walked to the counter.

It was magical and her beauty was ethereal. I only saw her for a brief moment and she only told me nothing but a ‘thank you’ and ‘enjoy your meal’ but I think I’m already captivated, something I haven’t experienced before.

I rarely fall in love.

I thought I might be gay but August told me maybe it was normal and I’ll just fall hard for someone someday.

I had a girlfriend before but we broke up after just a month of dating because she felt like I was too mighty for her. I didn’t know what she meant by that but it’s fine since we haven’t had sincere feelings for each other. We didn’t hate each other after that and we remained as good friends, something people seemed to find weird. But then again, who cares for what other people might think? As long as we don’t harm anyone, then everything’s alright.

A smiled as I took a bite of the seafood pasta she served. It tasted sweet, which is weird because seafood pasta should be savory, but I won’t complain. This is a whole new taste for me and I respect that.

To be continued…