A beautiful conflict of sunshine and cold breeze welcomed me as I walk out the shop, I just finished my shift and I need to go get some sleep.
It’s been two months since Leonardo started his career as an actor, the first two weeks was exciting, he invited me for almost everyday to come with him because he was nervous.
I guess the jitter has gone because he hasn’t been reaching out for the past few weeks. I sighed. My eyes are gonna drop anytime soon. I kept myself awake for days so that I’ll be available anytime he asks me to come with him, but he never did.
My bed has never been this soft before and I never fell asleep as fast as this.
“I don’t know why I haven’t noticed you before.”
I chuckled “I am the person you’ll see at the corner.”
“A beauty like that should be a center of attraction.” he held my face and caressed it. I stared at Renzo’s eyes and the night became ours. He asked me to be his girlfriend, and I never said yes as happy as this.
I felt tears streaming down my face as I open my eyes. I knew it was a dream, Renzo, my boyfriend, he’s gone - I’m gone.
Every time I remember my life, I try my best to avoid it. But it’s been months and I’m still stuck here! I looked outside the window and a stormy weather welcomed me. I took a deep breath “if ever I’ll get stuck here forever, please, let Renzo find a woman that’ll love him as much as I do.”
And as if it’s on cue, a loud thunder rumbled the whole city. My heart jumped and I started to cry. I kept this yearn for months, I don’t know what to do! I don’t even know what I did to deserve this!
Eloisa who just arrived from her shift quickly ran towards me. “Gaze!” I spent the night drinking, I finished five bottles of beer, I’m not the type of person who drinks a lot, but does it still matter? Am I still the person I used to?
“I just want to go back to 2020.” I cried.
I know Eloisa rolled her eyes and thinks I’m crazy but she shush me and tapped my back. “I miss Renzo.” I added, sobbing.
“Renzo?”
“Yup!” I hiccupped. “My boyfriend.”
She gasped “You two are together?!” she whispered something I didn’t hear. Probably because of the ringing in my head. I am so drunk I just want to sleep.
Everyday went by so hazy. I ran out of reasons to live happily. Eloisa quit her job for a lame excuse, she also moved in to her parents, my job repeats its self everyday that I almost feel like a robot. Renzo tried to make the ambiance lighter by making jokes, but I couldn’t even smile. He reminds me so much of my Renzo that it hurts. And Leonardo, well, him, I don’t know. Probably living the best of his life.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Speaking of the devil. I don’t know what run through my brain but all I know is I am mad.
“Hey!” he called as I walk to the back office. I heard him shout something but I didn’t understand a word, I don’t want to know either. The minute it went silent, and it seems he’s left. I went back to my cashier to continue my work.
“You’ll just show when it’s convenient for you, fucker.” I whispered.
“It’s not ladylike to curse, you know?” Leonardo, who’s hiding at my back, grinned.
I was not expecting him to hear it but I wasn’t surprise as well. “f**k lady like.”
“Hey.” he said seriously, looking concerned. “Is there a problem?”
A lot of people noticed something has changed to me. Well, I don’t really care, they can only see the tip of the iceberg. And no one will understand me without me ending up in an asylum.
“Leonardo, please.” I hissed “You’ve been absent to my life for almost three months, and you’re asking me if there’s a problem is ridiculous!”
I can see he’s sorry, but I don’t really care. “We filmed at Barcelona and they didn’t want me to connect to other people so I wasn’t able to say goodbye or even send letters.”
“What matters is what you made me feel!” I felt a tear forming in my eyes “We were having such a great time and you suddenly just left! I thought we were-” I paused, thinking what were we. “-friends.”
I stood there for a couple more seconds and left him speechless.
As soon as I saw Renzo, who’s taking over the shift, I immediately burst out of the shop. This is too much!
I am a girl from the future dealing with the past trying to fit it to my present! And this man, who I thought will be here for me, just left and now telling me he’s sorry?! I didn’t know how fast I was running until I was out of breath. My knees went soft and I fell to the ground, I was crying - again. My heart ached every tear I let out, I screamed and let out my anger. Everyone on the street looked at me and I heard some of them call 911.
I didn’t care, I cried all I want when I felt a hand grabbed me to a car. I looked at Leonardo, who’s silent and mad. Why is he mad? Shouldn’t I be the one to feel that?! “Where are you taking me?”
He didn’t speak, his brows are crossed and his fist is firm to the wheels. I demanded for answers but he kept on ignoring me. “Fine! That’s what you’re good at, right?! Keep on ignoring me!”
He stopped the car and went outside to open my door. I was confused but I went out, I looked around and we’re at the top of a peaceful hill and the cold wind calmed me. I looked at Leonardo who’s at the edge looking down to the city lights.
“You can’t just make a scene, Gaze.” he sounded serious. “We all human has our own problems, and showing it to public makes us look weak.”
I walked towards him “You have no idea. This problem I have doesn’t give me any solution.”
“Then it means crying on the street is not an option too, right?”
He looked at me and I was speechless, he nods as if my silence meant he’s right.
After a couple minutes of silence he suddenly screamed.
“What the hell was that for?!”
“That’s what you looked like.”
My brows crossed and he chuckled.
“This is my place ever since I was a kid. My mom forced me into a lot of things I didn’t want so when I’m at my boiling point. I go here to scream.”
“I just want to have my life back!” I shouted. Then I smiled a bit, he’s right, it made me feel a little better.
“I wish my mom never cheated!” he shouted.
I was shocked but I didn’t want to interfere. “I miss my mom!”
Every words we shout made us a little bit lighter, every tears shed gives a little more smile. It is a process, struggle is a process and at that moment, I knew, I will choose to have struggles with Leonardo.
“Gaze.” he whispered while we gaze at the bright night sky.
I looked at him and he held my hand. “I’ve missed you.”
Hearing those words made me feel good and hurt at the same time. I missed him too! He’s abandoned me for weeks and now, he’s here again. Who knows when will he turn his back to me again.
“You’re skeptical of me, aren’t you?”
“Am I that easy to read?”
He chuckled and let a sigh. Then he ran to his car, went over through his stuff and jogged back to me with a wide smile on his face. He handed me a small box.
“I got you something from Barcelona.” his smile was child like and it’s nice to see him that way again. “So don’t you dare think I forgot you!”
I opened it and it is a beautiful gold heart locket necklace. I know this could be cheesy in my time but it’s the 90’s, it’s the year where sweet gestures are made. I opened it and instead of a picture, our names were carved in it.
“You’re the only one that goes through my mind.” his eyes went serious. “I like you, Gaze.” he caressed my face “I like you so much, it hurts to know you’re not mine.”
My throat went dry, I like him too. Wait, do I? How about Renzo? My heart suddenly felt a hundred pound more heavier. I appreciate how he didn’t force me to answer him, the silence was long but comfortable. We spent the night with my head on his shoulder, his coat kept me warm and his stares made the stars shine more than ever.