The Last Letter

18

Chapter XVIII

As we walked down the alley, Suzanne and I talked while Ben was just following us. I think he is still gathering his thoughts about what to say later when they face each other. Not to fight, but to settle their affairs and keep up with each other’s lives after a year without even seeing one another.

We picked up snacks and drinks at the snackbar and also ordered a takeout pizza at the nearest still opened restaurant.

I went closer to Ben who was walking quietly beside Suzanne.

“What should we do now? Did you think of a place where we should go?” I asked him.

“Hmm. I haven’t thought of anything yet.” He answered.

I turned my head to Suzanne. “Do you know of any place? Preferably a quiet place where you two could talk?”

We stopped walking and Suzanne paused and looked above for a while.

“Uhm… I actually have a place in mind. But I don’t know if you two will like it there.” She answered.

“Where is it?” Ben asked.

“By the river beside our seafood restaurant in the past. Where the three of us saw each other the very first time. That’s what I thought. I haven’t visited that place since the day we closed it down.”

The way she said that made my heart a little happy. But at the same time, I could also feel my throat tightening, I don’t know why. Maybe I was so touched by what she said and I could tell Benjamin feels the same. Although I met Suzanne formally just days ago so I was moved that she included me in her recollection.

“Sure.” Ben said simply and smiled. A smile that everyone could tell, is genuine.

“But how will we get there? Will we take a cab? And I left my bike parked at the back of the bistro.” She said,

“Ben has a car. But I don’t know what we’ll do about your bike.”

“Don’t worry, if you want. I’ll take you to the bistro tomorrow, by car.” Ben told her.

“No no no. It’s okay. I don’t want to trouble you. I could just take a cab tomorrow.”

“I won’t mind Suzanne. Plus, the cab fare is extremely expensive now. Just save your money for yourself. I’ll fetch you tomorrow.”

I smiled at their interactions just now. I felt like I am a proud dad successfully setting my son up with his crush. Ben saw me smiling at them so he stuck his tongue out like an annoying 5-year old kid. To annoy him, I did the same, but uglier.

We walked to Ben’s car. I sat by the passenger seat while Suzanne was at the back, holding all the food carefully and of course my guy Ben, will be the one to drive.

I already took driving lessons but I still haven’t applied for a driver’s license since I don’t even have a car. All I have is my beloved bicycle. I’ll take care of that soon.

We drove back to the town and it was quite eerie since we were the only ones on the road at this time. But on the positive side, there are little to no accidents happening in our town every year so it is considered safe here. Part of the reason is that not many people in the town own a car.

Ben and I didn’t plan on what to do when this time finally comes but now that we are at it, I think everything’s going well. Plus it was a spontaneous decision to do this today. Indeed, nothing goes wrong in a day or a night without a plan.

In just maybe about 15 minutes, we arrived at the place Suzanne suggested.

For both of them, this place brings lots of memories unlike me, who only have been here at least once before. I just didn’t know that the seafood place before was turned into a hotel-like place.

The only place that changed here was the restaurant and nothing else, at least from what I've remembered.

The river was calm as always.There are post lights in just the roads leading to the residential areas such as the road I take to go home. In the area near the river, there are no lights but there is something like a stockroom for the fishermen that has lights inside. But other than that, only the moon provides us a light and the way it reflects to the river is too calming and scenic.

I swear, this way this river looks now is much better than what I see at night at the bottom of the hill in my neighborhood. Maybe because of the trash and mold there. Whereas here, I could tell it is way cleaner.

We went to what looks like a deck and the resting area of the fishermen. It was connected to the stockrooms and it is wooden from the roof to the floor. It is located in the river itself but is elevated from the waters and is only supported by load bearing wooden posts. It also has a table and chairs so it was a perfect place to rest and snack. I just hope no one catches us here.

We sat there and I know all three of us are amazed by the view of the moon from where we sit as the cool but calming breeze hits our face. It is still January now so it is still cold, especially at night.

Ben took off his jacket and placed it on Suzanne’s shoulder when I think he noticed that she’s only wearing a shirt. Now that I'm looking at them, my friend Ben is slowly but surely picking up on my good manners and habits.

“You should eat. Don’t mind me and August, we spent so much time just eating everywhere earlier.” I heard Ben say. I looked at Suzanne and nodded.

“Okay. Thank you.” Suzanne replied and they unpacked the foods we bought earlier. I didn’t mind their lovey dovey time and just admired the scenery in front of me even if it’s becoming colder colder at our area as time passes.

“August, let’s eat. Before the pizza gets cold.” I heard Suzanne mention my name.

“Okay. I’ll just take one slice I promise.” Of course that’s a joke. I mean, who eats only a piece of pizza?

We spent time just eating and most of the time, I am the only one who talks and both of them just listen to my everyday stories and Ben would chime in sometimes. I did that because when I shut my mouth, there will be an awkward silence between us three.

When we finished eating, I stood up out of the blue.

“I’ll find some CR, my stomach hurts and I’ll probably take a walk after.”

My excuse to leave them alone for a while is true though. I feel my stomach is getting more and more upset as I eat so I really need to find a comfort room.

I walked away and I heard Ben calling my name a couple of times but I didn’t look back. I can’t be the only one who talks most of the time when the goal for today was for them to talk. Way to go my friend, your time has come.

I walked a little farther and found a small public toilet just about 20 meters away from where Suzanne and Ben were. Things are inevitable when nature is calling you so I grabbed the chance and did my thing.

After that, I walked around to explore a bit of the area. As much as I want to spend all my time tonight admiring the amazing scene of the moon by the river in that deck, I can’t because I need to give those two privacy to settle the closure they need.

I sighed as I walked slowly to a place I don’t even recognize. But I’m walking along where the river stretches so that I can find my way back to where they are. I wish I could capture this moment since it was a long time when I last walked around in the middle of the night.

It is therapeutic but there is a tiny bit of anxiety in thinking of the possibilities you can unexpectedly witness. And one more thing to add to the anxiety is that you’ll hear nothing but a dead silence.

As I continued walking, I was near a different hill but it was way smaller and cuter than the hill my neighborhood is located on. I actually know this place but I haven’t explored it yet. The area I saw is only covered with small grass but the other side of the hill from bottom and top, is covered with thick trees.

I walked closer and closer and saw a tree standing alone near the peak of the hill as if it was out of place from other trees. It was not that tall, I could still reach its branches and it was full of pinnate leaves.

I sat under the tree since it was only small grass on the ground. From up here, you could still see the river and the moon and to be honest, it is a much better view than before. Today must be my lucky day.

It is really cold now but is still tolerable. And I’m uphill so it is definitely colder here than on the bottom.

I spent at least 30 minutes sitting under that tree and I wished I could spend more. The view is fantastic at night, what more if it is in daytime. When I have free time, I think I’ll go here and draw its landscape to add it to my collection.

Since I’ve been gone for about an hour now, maybe they’re looking for me now.

After a final glimpse of the lovely scene in front of me, I finally decided to come down and walked to where I left Ben and Suzanne.

To be continued…