Yuta's Anthology

THE EX WRITER

I'm in the nearby coffee shop and it's a typical Saturday morning. I was sipping coffee when I smelled a stranger take the position in front of my table, “M-Mr. Z-Zeno?!” she called me.

I confusedly gazed at her familiar voice, “Do I know you?” I asked her.

“Mr. Zeno, I-It’s me! KEANO, that....”

“Keano Manunulat?” I interrupted.

“Y-Yeah, that's me!” she sounds very joyful.

I don't know but my heart suddenly fluttered, she once became my Ms. Writer a long time ago.

“Long time, no updates.” I heard her chuckle.

“By the way, why did you stop writing?...I thought you would just gonna rest and go back very soon?, but then, it'd been almost seven years and you're not yet signed in as a writer again”, I mumbled deeply, showing the feeling of loss.

I heard how she breathed heavily, “Do you see that snowman outside this coffee shop?”

“What?! Is that an insult?” I halted in shame.

“No! I just want to say something. You haven't seen how I lose my appetite upon writing stories after your disappearance. Seven years ago, I managed to write without seeing your support. I tried... but it feels like I'm not going to succeed in that field anymore. I bleed and bleed. I wrote about the heartbreak I felt because of you. Until, I suddenly gave up.” Her voice was filled with grief.

“You lose your appetite upon writing because I wasn't able to show how much I support you? And because of that, you're brokenhearted? But why? You can still write even without my reactions or comments, right?” I could feel my fingers trembling while holding the cup together with my voice and my heart was ready to cry.

“How? How can I boost my interest in writing after losing you? My supporters and readers were slowly vanishing until one day...it was all gone! And there, I realized that I was tired already!... Zenoooo...” I heard her sobbing and I wanted to hug her but my legs were shaking.

“You’re the only one who accepts me for what I am. Them...? I think I deserved this pain because I lied to them. I made them believe that I was a man, so when they'd found out the truth behind it they lost interest in reading my stories.” She added as she continuously, sobbing.

“Keano, you're a great writer, but then yeah, it's funny to say that most people support a male writer rather than a female one. B-But you don't need to worry about that, I'm still here. You know! I'm always here to support you, Keano! So, don't give up!” I told her and then I got surprised when I felt her presence very close.

“Yeah, now I know! And I'm very sorry for thinking you really don't support me just because you're not reacting or commenting on my updates. Thank you for making me realize that supporting is not about the numbers of reactions and comments. Thank you for making me learn the difference between supporters and Reactors. Zeno, I love you for supporting me eternally.” She unexpectedly kissed me after saying all of that.

Keano, I'm sorry for becoming blind that I won't be able to see your beauty and especially read every story you are creating. But then what you did not know about, years passed before you totally signed off. I've been asking my Mom to read your stories for me and the last story that broke my heart very much was when I found out that you're longing for someone who I do not know and I'm so jealous, but now I know who's that guy already. I'm glad to know that was me.