A love so beautiful

Long Drives Part 2

"Hey Astrid, you haven't been uploading anything on your youtube account ey?" Xy asked. Yes, I am a bit of a YouTuber. I do cover songs sometimes and because I'm also into music, I sometimes write songs and uploads it on YouTube.

"Yea no, been busy. I couldn't find the time." I said with disappointment in my tone. "Oh yeah, it's been quiet in your room lately LOL. Usually, when I get home from work I'd hear you playing your guitar and singing. " Jin said.

"Listening to this song just reminds me of that," Xy said. "Right. I used to download your videos. Your originals are really good. You're an amazing songwriter." Jin said. I have an interest in writing, that's why.

"I'm actually trying to write a new song. I just got so busy this past week with the double shifts, covering up someone else's shifts as well, etc." I said. "Oh sounds exciting. I'll look forward to that." Xy. "Me too" Jin added.

I chuckled and focused on driving. I had a quick glance at the time, it's 6 o'clock. I smiled as the sun slowly setting down. I love this view of sunsets and sunrise. I love the color and the ambiance and the feelings it portrays.

The three of us went quiet for a short while. Just enjoying the long drive, the music, and the beautiful sunset before our eyes. I glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Xy taking pictures or videos I wasn't sure. Maybe she's posting in her stories on i********:.

I kept driving. It didn't take long to get dark enough for my eyes to get distracted/sensitive from other cars beam lights. I looked at the twilight sky, so beautiful.

"Do you want to stop in the next exit and swap? I can see your eyes twitching from other cars beam lights." Jin offered. I smiled at her and "Yes pls. You're okay to drive all the way back right?" I asked. "Of course darl, no worries. As long as we're all safe." Jin giggled. Jin is really nice and caring. I kept driving until I saw an exit. I turn there and I drove to a quiet street to park. And Jin and I swapped.

"Hep hep, hold on. Shotgun" Xy said. I chuckled, she was so quiet for so long we actually thought she fell asleep on the back.

"Alright," I said rolling my eyes at her while smiling. It's actually definitely fine by me as I like sitting at the back seat. It's more spacious and I can sleep. Tho I don't think I can sleep right now as we had a pretty good rest earlier at the beach. As I hopped on the back seat. Jin started driving. Xy is now in charge of playing the music.

Now Playing: Illenium - With you (feat Quinn XCII)

Silence filled the car the whole journey. It's a peaceful silence, not the kind of silence in between fights or arguments. It's the silence we need to touch souls, to find God away from noise and restlessness.

The window was open for fresh air instead of A/C. I was sitting next to the window savoring the fresh air that's hitting my skin. It feels so good. I began to reminisce about my family and friends back in Sydney. I wonder how are they? What are they doing right now?

I deactivated my f*******: the day I landed here in Melbourne. Even my messenger is off. It's been 4 months. I haven't really talked to Jeff, Louise or even Criz since I flew up here. Even Avery and I don't talk that much. Only when mum calls. 

We do say 'hi' and 'how are you?' on IG stories but only a few times as I don't really post that much. And when we do I give a very short response. Which as time goes by, I came to think that maybe it's me; maybe I'm isolating myself because of the issues before. 

Sometimes I wonder how long can I do this to myself? What am I even doing? 

I do believe that this opportunity is really good, it's a blessing from above. But I can't deny my heart wasn't right when I left Sydney. Unforgiveness has its way to ruin your mental side. Every night I pray for my heart to forgive. For my own healing. 

I looked at the trees we passed as my mind drowned in the silence within. The view is so beautiful. This reminds me of all our long drives as well. The 5 of us always go long drives and beaches. Even hiking we do together. 

I turned on my phone and went to IG - my profile - tagged photos and scrolled down. I looked at all our photos together, most of them are posted by Louise. 

I even watched our old videos that Lousie edited. Louise has a talent with video editing. 

I closed my eyes, as I felt a hot liquid rolled down my cheek. Memories, the only thing that stays next to change. 

I only let the happy memories in, little did I know that those are the most painful ones. 

"Babe? Are you ok?" I was brought back to reality when I heard Xy's voice.

"Ahem" I cleared my throat before saying another word otherwise I think my voice will crack if I didn't. "Yea just trying to take a nap," I lied. Tho I know Xy would notice it. She knows when I'm lying, she knows me very well to know if there's something wrong.

I straightened my back, sitting properly. I saw Xy's hand reaching out for mine from the passenger's seat. I stretched out my hand to reach it. I smiled. We were like that for the rest of the ride.

Xyrille Jane Garcia is my ultimate best friend. I think she knows me better than I know myself. She's been with me since day 1 in High School. And even tho we separated for a couple of years as my family migrated in Sydney after High School and she stayed in Barcelona for 2 years in college and got a scholarship in Boston to finish off Bachelor in Travel and Tourism Management. We stayed in contact, I visited her couple of times in Boston and we even drove to New York and spent NYE together, a couple of years ago.

She is and will always be my best friend, travel buddy, flatmate and my soul mate. 

It didn't take that long to get home. As we were all tired, we decided to grab dinner on the way home. So Jin parked the car and we all walked to the restaurant just beside our building. Oh, how convenient. 

"Gosh, praise God for this unit ey, so convenient. When we're lazy to cook, just go downstairs and bam there's a restaurant, and we get friends discount. I love Jake for that." Jin said. Xy and I both chuckled.

"I know right even Supermarket is just there. So if we need groceries, just 3 minutes walk." Xy 

It wasn't that busy when we entered the restaurant. We immediately saw Jake serving some food to some customers, a group of girls. We even heard him say "Have a lovely dinner ladies." Then walked towards us.

"Hey guys, how was your girls day out?" Jake greeted while leading us to where we're going to sit. "Good timing, by the way, I'm gonna take my break soon. Do you mind if I join you guys?" Jake asked.

"Not all Jakey, I'll have the special, please" Jin kindly asked with her voice imitating like a child wanting lollies or something, as soon as we seated to where Jake lead us. Jake took out his waiter pad and wrote down Jin's order.

"I'll have the crispy chicken burger with avocado and no bacon please," Xy ordered. 

"And what about our workaholic friend here?" Jake turned to face me. I was still looking at the menu. Torn between having a Schnitzel or Steak. 

"Hey, I'm not alcoholic, you're the one whose working 7 days a week and goes home still working." Me defending myself.

"Well honey I'm running a business, and FYI, I still take at least 1 day off a week," He responded. I rolled my eyes and snickered in response.

"I'll have the 300 g Rump Steak with mash potato and salad," I ordered. "Won't be long guys. It's not busy but," He said after he wrote all our orders down, then left to go to the kitchen.

Then a waiter came with table water and glasses to put down on our table. I know this guy but forgot his name, I feel bad, I've worked with him a few times. "Thanks, Martin" Xy said. Aha, Martin, I giggled in my head. I'm bad at names.

"Are you gonna be alright Xy? This is basically like a date with 2 chaperones." JIn teased. I grinned at Xy. She squints her eyes at us and gave us that 'stop it' look. Jin and I chortled in teasing her. She kinda likes Jakey a little. 

After just a few minutes Jake went back to our table with a jug of I'm assuming Sangria and some glasses for it.

"Is that alcoholic? We've church tomorrow morning." I said. "Relax it's not too strong, I only put 1 and a half shot of brandy and there's a lot of soda water than red wine, so it shouldn't be too strong," Jake explained.

"Alrighty, pour me a glass," Jin asked while glancing at Xy teasing her. Jake pour all our glasses until the jug is empty. "Just let me know if you guys want more I'll ask Miho to make it for us. And the food should be ready soon," Jake said. 

I glanced over the bar and saw Miho, she saw us as well and waved. We all waved back. 

After a few minutes, the food came and we all ate while conversing. 

"So, where'd you guys go today?" Jake

"We went to 12 apostles and Brighton Beach, It's our first time to go there, I mean me and Jin. I think Astrid's been there" Xyrille

"Cool, they're really great places to visit. It's a must-see here in Melbourne. How did you guys like it? " Jake

"They're beautiful. We swam a little too, the water's shivery." Xyrille

"Wow, you guys must have been freezing." Jake

"We were, but YOLO, it was beautiful tho." Xyrille

"They are. I remember the first time I went there, just a few years ago, all I did was take pictures. It was breathtaking." Jake

"I know. I think we spent like an hour just taking photos. I even face-timed my mum and showed her how beautiful it is. Now she wants to visit LOL," Xyrlle

"She should. Try to convince her, it's a great place to visit. How is she doing by the way? Have they migrated in America?" Jake

"Will do. And she's doing great, just helping my sister pack. They haven't moved yet. They're waiting for final approval thingy," Xyrille

I peek to see Jin and she was looking at me as well with a grin on her face. Guess she's right this is basically like a date with 2 chaperones. I smiled and continued with my dinner. 

Jake and Xy were the only one conversing at that table. Jin and I occasionally will nod and smile in agreement whenever they check upon us. SO we wouldn't be too obvious that we're routing for them two.

I glanced at Xy and giggled to myself because of her face. She's slightly red which only means 2 things, she's tipsy or she's kilig (which is a Filipino term of Romantic Excitement). She hasn't even touched her drink yet so she wouldn't be tipsy. And I can tell by her body language. 

Little does she know that Jakey likes her too. But that's not my story to tell. And it's not the time yet. Let us wait for God's timing for that.

After a couple of hours, we decided to call it in. As it's past 9 already and we all have to go to church tomorrow. Yes, we all go to church. Jake too. In fact, he plays the lead guitar and occasionally drums. 

Jake said goodbye and went back to the kitchen. 

The three of us went up to our unit and one by one washed up, did our nightly routine and went separately to our bedrooms.

After I did my nightly routine, I tried to read at least 3 chapters in the book of Acts again. Closed my eyes and pray. 

I prayed for forgiveness, for clarity, and most importantly peace of mind for myself. The strength to let go of everything, to focus on Him alone. I prayed for their safety and happiness. 

I slowly drifted to sleep as I said my Goodnight to the Lord.