The Last Letter

40

Chapter XL

Just as I entered the room, I already saw August in his usual seat. He was looking at the view outside the window (that’s what he usually does every time). I sneaked at his back and tapped his shoulder. He looked up at me and smiled.

“Good morning.” He said while smiling brightly.

“Good morning too.” I replied and sat at the empty seat beside him.

“Have you eaten?” He asked.

I just nodded my head and stretched my body. I woke up early today so I got to have breakfast. There are only a few of us at this time.

Well, it’s okay for us to go late but we need to finish the model today so our leader urged us to come to school at the earliest possible time we could. I laid my head on my desk, facing August and the window.

Today was actually the first day after I quit my work. I said goodbye to everyone in the restaurant yesterday, especially to my boss and my closest coworker. My boss told me that if I changed my mind, they would always welcome me back. Yesterday night, since there were only a couple of customers, they decided to close down early and hold a private “farewell party” for me inside. Since I have saved up some money, I treated everyone in the restaurant to a good meal. It was a bittersweet moment as I have been with them for 2 years now. It was a really fun and good experience to be with them.

“Oh I see. You’ve reconciled love birds.” Our team leader said behind us. I straightened my back and looked at her and she smiled at me. “Good morning Suzanne.” She added.

“Good morning Ms. Claire.” I said and also gave her a smile.

“He has been so lonely these past few days. I’m glad you two made up.” She winked at me.

“Uhh… we had a little misunderstanding.” She smirked at August when I said that. August, on the other hand, turned his face at the window.

She nodded. “That’s normal in a relationship.” She whispered, tapped my back and walked towards the door and outside our room.

“What does she mean?” I said almost whispering.

“Don’t mind her, she’s been telling me ridiculous things every time she sees me alone.”

“Okay.” I nodded my head and went back to laying my head on my desk. I kinda didn’t have a good sleep yesterday night because you know, I was replaying that hug scene I had with August again and again inside my mind. I distracted myself a couple of times but I can’t remove him from my mind. He was always in my head.

When I felt my face turning red because of the thought again, I turned my face against him and just looked at some of my classmates inside the room. But they were talking about something and laughing together so it could seem inappropriate that I look like I am eavesdropping with their conversation. With that, I just turned my face to August again.

And to my surprise, he was also laying his head on the desk and was directly looking at me. His face was blank but his eyes were directly looking into mine. I feel my heart wildly racing again.

I felt him reaching for my hand. I gladly gave my left hand to him and we held hands under the table and I doubt anyone would notice it. He moved his chair more beside mine and turned his head again to the window. I just remained in my position and closed my eyes thinking of our hands intertwined right now.

My hand in his, my heart beating fast, mind going wild, is a feeling unlike any other. I wish the whole world could stop spinning at this moment while I’m holding his warm and welcoming hand. I don't want to ever let go. Feeling his hand intertwined in mine is amazing. Best feeling ever. Maybe I’m exaggerating but nothing was as beautiful as this first time we held hands. But I wonder what this could mean to him. Does he feel the same way about me too?

Time passed by and of course, we had to let go of each other’s hands. We finished making the proposal by about 2pm and did the finishing touches by 4 pm. Our presenter also practiced the lines he will deliver tomorrow and made sure everything is going well.

Tomorrow, the university will have so many visitors. We could spend that tomorrow here at the classroom only or we could just stay in our houses and the leader will just update us on what’s happening. I do not have any plans and I quit my job too so maybe I’ll just study for tomorrow.

By around 5:30pm, we decided to call this a day. Everyone was so tired, rehearsing here and finishing the model. The sky was turning dark as minutes pa

“Suzanne!” I saw August running behind me. He was tasked to write what the presenter will say tomorrow so he was still in the room with the leader and presenter when I left. I just decided that I’m gonna wait for him at the field so we could talk just for a brief amount of time. But he’s here now so I guess he’s going home now too.

“Why?” I asked as soon as he was in front of me.

“Are you going to the restaurant now?” He asked while panting.

“No. I’m actually waiting for you to be done.” I answered.

“Really? We’re done now. Let’s go!”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I’ll bring you to the restaurant.” He said.

“Uhm the thing is… I quit my job.” I looked up at him and he was confused by what I said. “Grandpa told me to quit my job so I quit.” I smiled awkwardly.

“So you don’t have anything to do for the rest of the day now?” He asked again. I nodded. And he smiled.

“Let’s go.” He walked past me and gestured to me to follow him, and so I did.

We walked together to the store and bought some snacks and drinks. When I told what it was for, he didn’t answer me and just smiled. He led me to a familiar path, the path I take whenever I go to my grandma’s seafood restaurant 3 years ago. It sure brings lots of memories back.

But then we passed by the seafood restaurant and still continued to walk down the path beside the river. No one was around the area this time and the sky was completely dark. I was walking beside him when he reached for my hand again, the same way he did earlier today. I felt my face blushing again.

It was a windy and cold night but his hands made me feel so warm. All we could hear is the soft waves that the river makes and some cricket sounds. The night was so peaceful but my mind and heart is beating so wildly and my mind is full of thoughts of August.

After some time, we reached a small hill that I thought just appeared out of nowhere. We were in a place I didn’t know existed but it was kinda near the deck where me and Benjamin talked again after a year. We climbed that hill. I was grateful I wore pants and a simple shirt instead of the skirt uniform today because it was a lot more windy at the top of that small hill.

August placed the plastic bag with the snacks under a tree. He laid out big pieces of cloth at the grass and sat there, organizing the snacks and drinks he bought earlier.I was just standing and admired the view on the top of this hill. It overlooks the river. But unfortunately, the moon was on the other side of the hill. Maybe at midnight, when the moon’s light reflects by the river, it would be a better view.

Since I was only wearing a shirt, I got so cold easily. I sat beside August who was now leaning against the tree watching the view of the river from here.

“Do you want something? What should we open first?” He asked.

“Anything.” I simply answered. He immediately opened some of the snacks and drinks and gave it to me.

We started to eat and had a light conversation. We joked, laughed at each other’s goofiness and teased each other just like what we always do, but with Benjamin. Too bad, Benjamin wasn’t here. Even if I know inside that I want a solo time with August, the fun and experience will be completely different with Benjamin. Too bad he was always busy for his upcoming competition that I haven’t been able to see him at the university that much. He would message me occasionally which is something I really appreciate.

To be continued…