It’s the happiest memories I had with my family and friends flashbacked before my eyes. It was nice seeing all the smiles we shared, it’s sad to know it won’t happen anymore. I wish I held stronger to these moments. Suddenly it changed to his face. The day he first came to the shop, his teasing smile, the tension we had under the mistletoe, the day he was cast to his first project, the days we enjoyed together, they were all happy memories, but why does it hurt so bad?
“She’s awake!” My head hurt like hell, and the shouts didn’t make it any better.
I slowly opened my eyes; it was a transition from headlights to hospital lights. I saw Eloisa worried and kept on looking for the doctor, screaming.
“Eloisa.” I whispered.
“What?” she was confused, and her voice, it’s different. “Can you call the freaking doctor already?! My friend just woke up from a coma!”
Coma? What is happening?
“Eloisa.”
“Why are you calling me that? It’s me, Katie.”
I wanted to cry, I don’t know if I should believe that this is really happening. Or because I was expecting Eloisa. My heart ached and my tears formed.
“Where’s mom?”
It’s been five hours since I was awaken miraculously. Was that all a dream? They said that I was in a comatose for almost two years, same as the length I’ve been in the 90s. It may be a dream, a very realistic and vivid dream. I can hear them talking but my brain can’t focus. Until I heard his name.
“We should call Leonardo.” mom said.
“What?” It hurts to hear his name.
“He’s a very strange dude, no wonder he can’t stay in a relationship.” Katie said rolling his eyes. “He’s telling us you guys were together and he still loves you. I know you guys never met each other! Because, I would know if you did.” she sighed, “Your mom and I was very scared of his behavior at first, but after a few visits, we know he won’t cause harm.” she then laughed.
“He still loves me?” my tears formed. “But he cheated! I-” I began to sob, I can still vividly remember his smiles with Emerald. “He didn’t call me for weeks! How dare him telling me he loves me!” I screamed. “This is too much! Why can’t I be alone! I hate him and I don’t want to see him anymore!”
Mom and Katie were both petrified, didn’t know what to do. Then he came, opened the door with flowers in his hand. His jaw drop as he sees me awake. He quickly ran towards me and I welcomed him with a slap on his face.
“How dare you coming here.” I slapped him again “This is all your fault!” He did nothing but nod and cried.
“I’m sorry, Gaze.”
I wanted to run, but where will I go? For some reason, I feel like this isn’t my life anymore. But I didn’t care. I ran outside my room, I heard them called my name but I didn’t look back.
I found myself outside the hospital, it is confusing to see these tall buildings again but I tried to focus myself, I ran as far as I could. But my body gave in, I cried.
I looked up the building in front of me and it is the same big old clock we celebrated our Christmas at. I gasped. Then it means - I looked around for the Doughnut Shop, but all I see is an abandoned space. Who would have thought this was a high-rated shop in the 90’s.
“I go here everyday.” I heard his voice. “Wishing I could pick you up again just like the old times.” he chuckled “Dressed up like a military, like an old lady, any disguise I feel to be that day. Just to distract you from your deep thoughts,”
“I love you, Leonardo.” I said it abruptly, but I didn’t regret. “I was stuck in the 90’s and it was hard for me! I can’t stop thinking abou-”
He hushed me, “I’m sorry I didn’t know.” he walked closer, held my hands and kissed it passionately. I miss him. I gave in and hugged him tight. Just like that, I realized- all these time, I longed for my home, not in the 90s neither now, it’s him, it has always been him.
He pulled something out of his pocket. I unconsciously touched my neck and it incomplete, my necklace. Tears formed as he clip it on my neck. I touched the locket and felt a little more complete.
“The day you’ve gone missing, this is the only that’s left. I held onto it.”
“Missing?”
“I didn’t mean to do that, Gaze.” his tears streamed down his cheeks. “I tried to hit the brakes!”
“Wait, what do you mean missing.”
“You disappeared right after the accident.” his eyes grown bigger “We were all confused. I wanted to look for you but Tony was there right away and grabbed me before people sees me.”
I hushed him, this only happened to me yesterday but him holding this for years must be very hard for him. He cried on my shoulder and kept on telling me how much he’s sorry and how he misses me.
As soon as he calmed down, we both sat on the bench. I smiled, this is the same bench we sat to spend Christmas. I know the mistletoe is no longer here, but right now, all I want is his lips touching mine. He slowly caressed my cheeks, it was warm and soft. I felt my heart stopped for a second, my brain was trying to cope the reality. He’s kissing me.
My eyes slowly closed, this is it, the happy ending we both deserve. No more Emerald, no more confusing timeline, no more Renzo. I quickly pulled away! I saw the confusion in his eyes.
“Renzo.” I whispered. I can still remember his face at the party. No matter what happened in the 90s, Renzo is still my boyfriend in this time.