The Last Letter

14

Chapter XIV

“Wow, that’s amazing!” I cheerfully exclaimed in order to slightly brighten up the mood of our conversation.

“I’m sorry I think that was too much information. We barely met today and I already told you about myself.” She sounded dejected when she told me that.

“No, it's completely okay. Sometimes you can vent better to strangers. But we’re no longer strangers as of the earlier moment at the gym. Just consider me as a friend, a senior or a brother. I won’t mind and I won’t judge.” I said those hoping to cheer her out.

“Really?” She brought her fist out and I perfectly knew what it was for. We bumped our fists and laughed.

It’s a wholesome moment and I felt relieved to see her smile again. It felt as if I was talking to my younger sister. But still, even though she was laughing just now, her eyes still looked sad.

“I knew you’ve been friends with Benjamin for years now. I think it’s amazing that you two are best friends.”

“Not just years, we’ve been friends for a whopping 19 years! From the moment we were born, I think we’ve become friends by then.”

She giggled as I said that.

“I wish I could have a friend like that. The closest friend I got is studying in another school in another province now. But I still have friends here, but… she’s different. We’ve been close since elementary.”

“You know in college, you need to have many friends since the university journey is quite tough and most of the time, depressing. If I were you, by now, you should befriend all of your batchmates and your seniors so you won’t have a hard time. And don’t worry about your best friend, I’m sure you’ll meet again someday. By that time, you’re both professionals, just be patient.”

She nodded as I explained, “Wow, you really sound like a pro just now.” and laughed.

“But to be honest, I am not in the position to talk. We all have different preferences. Some just want a small group of friends and some prefer to become friends with all.” I added.

“Right.” She said and looked at the clear blue sky. It was still early afternoon, but it was not hot at all.

“My house is up there, on the other side of that hill.” I pointed my finger to the view of the hill in front of us.

“That seemed far. How do you get here on campus?”

“I fly. Joke. I ride my bike.”

“Ohhh.. same, I get to work by my bike and I live in that dormitory.” This time she pointed out the dormitory just across the gates of our university.

“Wow. That's a jackpot! You wake up and prepare for 15 minutes and after going out, you’re in the school already. I wish I could also sign up for a dormitory but I’m saving up.” I pouted.

“Yes, I know, that was the advantage that’s why I chose here.” She smiled.

“But you work in the city. I think that’s even farther.”

“Yep. I get there in 20-30 minutes. It’s quite tiring but I won’t complain.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. Time flies fast, four years from now, you can have the job you’ve ever dreamed of.” I replied.

I really admire her perseverance. It’s rare to encounter a kind of person like Suzanne nowadays

For about 10 minutes, we continued to talk about anything that just randomly pops out of our minds. We laughed, were serious, then laughed again after talking about ourselves and just casual topics. I also gave her tips in order to survive the first and second year in architecture.

Just like what I’ve said earlier, her batch seemed smart and that’s what she also thought. She said some of her classmates, even though they all met for just a week, were intimidating and overwhelming. She also told me that being an architect has been her and her grandparents’ dream for her because she promised she’d build a house for them. It was just a shame that her grandma wouldn’t witness all of her hard work when that time comes.

“August.”

A voice from behind called my name. I thought I was hearing things but me and Suzanne looked back to check who it was. And I could see her smile fading as he saw the person standing not far away from behind us.

It’s Ben.

I could see he was shocked to see that I’m with Suzanne. And I could also see Suzanne’s expression changed when he saw Ben. She doesn’t look happy or pleased but she also doesn’t look shocked or whatsoever. They’re just staring at each other for seconds.

I thought my situation earlier was awkward enough but nothing beats the awkwardness I feel now that I’m standing in front of them. Needless to say, I don’t know what’s going on between those two.

“I’m friends with her now. I met her again earlier in the freshmen ceremony.” I said cheerfully to maybe lighten the tension surrounding the persons in front of me.

Suzanne picked her stuff up from the ground and avoided Ben’s gazes. “I think I should go. I need to go to work at 4. Thank you August.” She said as she turned her face at me. “It’s nice to see you, Benjamin.” She said and timidly bowed to my friend.

She walked fast to the gate and Ben and I could see her walking towards her dormitory.

“What’s going on? I thought you two are close now?” I asked.

Ben is still looking at the dormitory and I could sense how disappointed he was with how Suzanne acted a while ago.

“I don’t know.” He answered without showing any emotions and went to a wooden bench under one of the trees here in the field. I followed him of course.

He seemed distressed. Well, it was not too uncommon to see him in this state but today, he’s especially looking gloomier than usual.

We sat and I just patiently waited for him to speak. At this time of the day, It is usually when almost all of the students, except the seniors, are going home. The seniors are spending more time in the school than in their homes because after graduating, they need to take licensure exams right away.

It’s making me depressed upon thinking that I’m just a year away from becoming a senior.

After a minute that felt like forever, he finally spoke.

“I haven’t talked to her in like a year so I don’t know what to say. I think my presence makes her uncomfortable so as much as possible, I don’t speak to her, just yet.”

I was so confused. I thought things are getting good between them. I think what Ben said explains why Suzanne’s expression changed earlier when I told her about Ben.

“Why haven’t you talked to her?” I asked. I just care for those two, most especially my friend, Benjamin.

“She just left one day and I don’t know what happened. I didn’t see her at the seafood restaurant or her house. I waited and waited. After a year, I just saw her recently in the city, including that one time you were with us. But… she seemed so distant now. We couldn’t even talk to each other. She couldn’t even look directly in my eyes.”

“Isn’t that her grandma died? She told me earlier. And now she lives alone and works to support her finances. Maybe that’s the reason.” I remembered what Suzanne said earlier about her family.

Ben's eyes suddenly widened and looked at me in disbelief.

“She told you that?”

“Uhm… yes? We’re friends now, you know” I raised my right hand as a sign of telling the truth.

Frustrated, he covered his head with his palms. I sighed and leaned and rested my back on the bench. There were misunderstandings between these two and now, they can’t even talk to each other. I feel like I’m torn between them and I think I should at least do something.

“Why don’t you make the first move? Talk to her first, maybe she was just waiting for you. You still don’t know anything about girls tsk tsk.” I said jokingly.

“No, you don’t understand August. She looks uncomfortable when she sees me, as you witnessed earlier. It was so obvious that she’s avoiding me. I honestly think she’s drawing the line between us.”

“I beg to disagree. Buddy, you don’t have any experience on dating so it is you, who doesn't understand. Talk to her and support her. She seems fine now as we chat earlier. What she needs now is more people to lean on, she’s only by herself now that’s why she’s having a hard time.” I paused and took a deep breath. “And your feelings, don’t let her prioritize it unless she wants to. She has so much on her plate now, don't stress her out and cheer her up. That’s what she needs the most, at least that’s what I think. If you never try, you’ll never know.”

I tapped Ben’s shoulder lightly after my speech.

“Thank you brother. I think you’re right.” Ben said in a low voice and took a deep breath. He still looks tense but not like earlier when he seemed like he’s carrying all the problems of the world on his shoulder.

“Anytime. By the way, I think I gotta go home now. I have stuff I need to prepare for. See you.” I got up from my seat and walked towards where I always park my bike. We waved goodbyes and when I exited the gate, I could see Ben was still sitting on that bench. I’ll give him time to think about the proper actions he needs to take. Knowing Ben, he’ll figure it out in no time.

The problem is that Ben is getting more and more secretive as we get older. He doesn’t tell me stuff or anything as much as he told me before when we were younger. He tends to do and find solutions to everything by himself although he still seeks advice from me sometimes but he’s still way different now. I understand though, not everything could be shared between best friends.

It’s only past 4 pm and it’s still sunny but the wind is way cooler now. I hopped onto my bike and rode my way back home.