Remembering Lily

Tales and Lies

"It is almost dark."

I was watching the sunset from the river. There is always something peaceful about the sun disappearing like it is going home from the water when it sets. The sea from afar was peacefully connected to the Tukma river. As always, it looks peaceful. It's hard to imagine or even remember dying here because of the calmness.

Many can make claims but no one really knows who designed the world. Even with that, it is a wonderful place. Dying has taught me to just sit back for a moment and observe the surrounding. I have a goal but every moment of the day doesn't have to revolve around that. We will not stay here forever and who knows when will the world be gone? After the end of the world, would the next living beings even know that we and our stories existed?

I wonder if we humans are really making this place a better place. Is the world better off without the cruelty of the human race? I just wonder…

"You should go home." 

I faced the lady beside me. I noticed she is just alone. I thought she was talking to someone but she is actually talking to me… or is she talking to herself? Because I ignored her earlier assuming that was the case.

"I'm sorry but were you talking to me?" I thought I had to ask just to make sure.

Her gaze went back to the sunset. I have been living in this town for a while but her face is not familiar. I wonder if she's someone from here. Is she a tourist? Or maybe she's a new resident.

"It's not good to stay by this place at night time." Like a mysterious lady, she claims. "This part of the area is accident-prone."

For someone who was talking to me but ignoring me, she sure talks a lot.

She has a beautiful face though. I was trying not to stare at her thinking that would be awkward as if what she's doing is not awkward as well.

"Although I am not sure if all those are really accidents."

It was that part of the day where the transition between the day and the night was most evident. It was not sudden but it was not too long ago that the world was brighter.

"Who are you?" A part of me wants to know.

Her pale lips were smiling and it was enough to give me goosebumps. I wasn’t scared but there was something about her that would be terrifying. I was reminded of the tales of the town. Those that said there were guardians of the place; the protectors, the miracle-makers. 

I listened but I never believed. There was no reason for me to believe before I literally woke up from death. After that, nothing was impossible.

“A friend, I daresay.” She told me.

I want to ask her more but that lady just waved her hand and walked away at the side of the bridge along the river. I don’t even know where she is heading. She didn’t seem like she brought a car or any modes of transportation. From what I know, it is hard to find something to ride in this part of the town.

I wanted to offer her a ride because I would also like to ask more about her but I was going in the opposite direction. I was actually on my way to Yohan’s place. Apparently, he forgot to bring his watch with him during that night I helped him with his wound.

It would be nice if he did that on purpose because that would mean he is finding a way for us to meet. This is actually something Yohan would do.

I stopped in front of the restaurant. I missed it here. I am not just missing Yohan. I miss the life I have with him.

I smiled at the staff, the familiar and unfamiliar like I would always do. I went straight to the counter. “May I ask where is Yohan?” I tried to sound extra kind to the staff there because she started to give me an irritating look. If I was still managing this place, she would hear an earful from me but I thought that could wait.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am but he’s busy at the kitchen.” At least she is also trying to sound polite. What’s with this sour-sounding voice anyway? I can’t remember doing anything wrong with this woman.

As the odds were always in my favor, I spotted Yohan bringing out some wine from the back. He was taken aback when he saw me but he managed to give me a smile. “Hi,” he even said.

“I hope you are not that busy,” I told him while approaching him, totally ignoring that staff. If only she knows, then she wouldn’t be like that. Ah- actually, she would be here.

“I have time.” Huh, I hoped that woman heard. Of course, Yohan would have time for me.

“I just want to return your watch.”

“Oh, right. I’m sorry. I forgot about that.” It was obvious that he didn’t know what to do. I’m sure he is troubled with our last meeting. About him kissing me during that night and just leaving there all of a sudden after what I can remember were two apologies. “Please, have a seat, Ellie.”

I followed him to a table. My heart fluttered with his simple gesture of moving the chair for me.

“First of all, I would like to apologize about last time,” he said before I even had the chance to get his watch. “I don’t know what’s gotten in me. I was drunk and- there are no excuses really. I was just an asshole, I hope you could forget about that.”

Forget that? No normal person can do that. How was I supposed to forget my husband who is married to another woman kissing me? If anything, I would remind myself over and over again that he is still not over me. It was more than evidence.

He needs reminding and I will be here for that.

“Don’t worry, it’s fine,” I said instead. I grabbed his watch from my bag and gave it to him. “Here’s your watch.”

“Thank you, Ellie.” He still sounded apologetic. The dark circles under his eyes tell me that he must’ve pondered about this at night. He is thinking about me and based on what I heard, I think he is also trying to connect me with Lily, which is still me. Either way, whatever conclusion he came up with, it is still a win for me. Even if there’s pregnant Stephanie.

Speaking of the devil. She was standing outside and paused when she saw me with Yohan. If gaze could burn, I and Yohan probably turned into ashes that moment. Since I was facing Yohan and his back was on the window, I took this as a perfect time to make her jealous.

“Just know that if anything’s troubling you, I will always be here to listen.” I was smiling at him. Make sure that Stephanie gets a message. She can be evil but I doubt if she is the better antagonist here.

“Congratulations, by the way,” I told Yohan. It was t*****e to say those words but I want the conversation to be longer. As long as we were talking, Stephanie is probably more than dying to know what we are talking about.

“For what?”

“Stephanie is pregnant isn’t she?” I asked to make sure but Yohan’s expression tells me there is something wrong.

Wait… Was she actually saying the truth? Because if she is, then why does Yohan look confused?

“I- I don’t- What?”

“She told me she was pregnant.”

“I don’t know…”

“Oh…” That stupid b***h. She was for sure threatening me with lies! I knew it. This just shows the extreme measures she was willing to take to keep me away. “You should talk to your wife. I think I just saw her. I’ll go now. She might get the wrong idea.”

“Thank you, Ellie,” he said. "I'm sorry again."

I just nodded.

Stephanie was again stabbing in her imagination with those eyes but I just smirked as I passed by her.

And so, the war begins. She declared it with her lies.