Where've You Been All My Life?

Stay by Your Side

“Even when heaven and hell turn against you,

I will be the one who stand by your side.

Even when the judgment you made only ever brings sorrows,

I will be the one who soothe them away.

Even when you are trapped in numbing darkness,

I will be the light that shines upon your way.

Even when the great distance separates us,

I will bet on my heart to find you.

Even when God objects,

I will sin time and again to be with you.

Charmeine…”

A man’s sad, distant voice kept repeating inside my head before I got pulled back to reality. I absolutely sure that voice called my name, but I did not remember any other things aside from the voice.

That morning I woke up with ragging breath, I felt the corner of my eyes wet and beads of sweat rolling down all over my body.

What was that? I haven’t dreamed of something so vivid before.

The emotion behind those words were overflowing that it was piercing my heart.

I was staring at the ceiling trying to sort my mind when I heard soft knocks on the door. My dad’s head emerged from the door. “What happened to you, Sunshine? Are you fine now?”

Dad placed his hand on my forehead and said, “Hmm… You don’t seem to have any fever.”

“Dad! *chuckle* I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.” I showed my best smile to him so he will not be too worried, as he was the only one I have.

He must be aware that I will confide in him if I ever feel uncomfortable or something has happened to me.

The smile reflected in his face was so warm, “I’ll be downstairs. Go down and have breakfast first, then you can have more rest later.”

“Okay, Dad!” I replied.

It’s fortunate that today is Saturday, so I don’t have to go to college. Yesterday’s incident was really confusing and exhausting. Though it happened only for a short time period, the lingering effect was quite long-lasting.

This morning Meg called me, but I haven’t woken up yet. Text message should be enough to tell my current condition and ease her worries.

Ding

I received a message. Meg? But I just, oh it’s from…

I heard from Meg what happened last night. Meg were worried sick. How r u now?

Should I come over?

I could even stay by your side and feed you cheesecake all you want.

I’ll go there no matter how far it is. Lol.

It’s Adam!

Adam was Meg’s and my best friend. We met in high school and have been best friends ever since. He was really popular, the popular-boy-in-school type, yet he was also very humble and gentle. His words and actions always soothe me and make me at ease.

I decided to call him.

The deep voice from the other side of the phone greeted me, “Hey, Char! Are you okay? How are you? What happened? What are you up to now? Are you home? I’ll be there!”

His sudden interrogation quite surprised me, “Whoa, hold your horses. Your fans will be flabbergasted hearing such unending questions came from you. The most divine being in our major”

“Well, I only get to be like this with you… and Meg of course”, Adam added.

“Haha… Okay. Let me answer it one by one. First, I’m fine now. Second, I just had some kind of panic attack, maybe. There were so many people last night. Yeah, that’s probably the reason. Third, I just woke up and yes, I’m home. You don’t have to come, my dad is here with me. So it’s okay now.” I explained my conditions to ease his worries.

“Have you gone to the hospital, Char? Want me to take you there?” he probed further.

“No, not yet, and I don’t think I need to. It’s not that serious. Rather than the hospital, why don’t we meet downtown this noon? I think Meg’s also there with her mum. We can tell her to meet there if she wants.” I added.

“Sure, I’ll pick you up?” he asked.

“Okay, only if you miss me so much. Ha-ha”

“I always do” he said in a soft voice, barely audible.

“Hmm… What? Come again?”

“I said, WILL DO, CHARMEINE. I WILL PICK YOU UP, MY DEAR FRIEND.” his tone sounded irritated but cute in a way.

“Text me when you’re ready” he further added.

“’kay, I’m off!” I said goodbye and get downstairs to have breakfast.

“Dad, I’m going somewhere this afternoon with Meg and Adam. Do you want me to buy something?” I informed my father about my plan this afternoon.

“Nope, you can just take your time with them. How will you get there?”

“Adam will pick me up and I believe Meg is still there with her mother.”

“Okay, call me if you need me to pick you up later. But before that, you need to finish your breakfast, young lady” My father was a worrywart and protective person, but he never once restrained me in my activities. He seemed more reassured that I went out more often these days compared to when I was in high school. 

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll make breakfast tomorrow. Just tell me what you want to eat.” I said while chuckling, how could I not love this person so much. His presence alone was a blessing in my life.

Adam came not too long after I texted him, and we went downtown. Adam and I strolled around for a while before Meg texted the coffee shop location that she was in. Her mother apparently went home ahead, so it was just the three of us.

Adam fixed his light blonde hair that was blown by the wind as we entered the coffee shop, making all eyes fixed on him. Did he really have to do that as soon as we come here? That was really bad for these young girls’ hearts, Adam.

“You really have to do that, huh?”

“What? Am I that blinding?” he said such remark shamelessly while casually put his toned arm around my shoulder. At that gesture, I somehow found disappointed expressions placed in these girls’ faces.

“Nah, I just felt sorry for your fans and their expectations. Where has your modest self from high school gone?”

“I guess, in high school?” he grinned while innocently saying that. Hearing such reply, I just rolled my eyes.

Then a petite figure with shining short blonde locks that smiled dazzlingly started waving towards us and shouted, “Here, here!”. Her brilliant dark brown eyes lit up as soon as they caught our sights. Her faint pinkish cheeks made the boys near her swooning over.

Meg, there she is!

“Hey, get here quick. Stop flirting, you guys. I’ve been waiting for centuries.” Meg yelled.

Really, this blonde duo... They attracted too much attention.

We spent some time talking about the incident at the blind date and other trivial matters at that place until I told them about the dream I had this morning.

“Did that jerk approach you again to cause you to have this nightmare?” Meg inquired.

“Him? No! I never said it was a nightmare though. I just said I had this really strange dream. It was a strange dream, not a nightmare, Meg.” I got chills down my spine at the thought of the person Meg was referring to.

“Heh, right. My bad, forget what I said. Please continue, ma’am.” Meg exclaimed and Adam’s bright sky blue irises still focused on mine.

“Hey, it must be because of that guy. Come to think of it, you guys were holding hands real tight. At first, I thought that guy was bothering you, so I forcefully separate you. But it seems I was mistaken,” Meg looked at me mischievously.

“What guy? Did you say she was holding hands with ‘that guy’?” Adam asked us in a strict and sharp speech.

“The guy at the blind date that had helped Char. Yep, they were holding hands. Considering you got into such close contacts with that guy, I think you’re okay with males other than this guy here and your dad now? Poor you, Adam. What was his name again?” Meg explained, yet I did not even understand the correlation of Meg’s comment about Adam and my situation. Oh well, it was Meg after all.

“Zad…” I said the name longingly. What happened to me recently?

“I don’t understand either. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at– ” I added, before suddenly a male waiter was standing right beside me to clear the used plates and glasses.

I found my body froze at the situation.

Unaware of the situation I was in, the waiter nonchalantly asked if we want to have another order. Adam quickly sent the waiter away and told him we will call if we want to order something.

Meg calmed me down by holding my hand. “You’re not okay at all” Meg whispered.

“You’re right” I submitted.

“Should we have a stroll in the area before going home? The weather is so nice outside” Adam popped out an idea.

Meg nodded excitedly to the idea. “You guys go outside first, I’ll take care of the bill”, Adam suggested.

“Adam, a take-out latte for me, ‘kay?” Meg was smiling playfully. Adam just turned his head, pretending not to hear anything.

From afar, there is a shadow at a nearby alley looming towards the two chatting girls in front of a coffee shop. “Wait for me. We’ll be together again very soon…” before long, the shadow disappeared in the crowd.