Behind a facade

1.

Dakota looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure in the baggage claim area. Since she couldn’t find the person she wants, she slowly starts walking towards the exit.

A gentle breeze caressed Dakota’s face, giving her a refreshing feeling. She closed her eyes for a minute and took in a deep breath. After a long flight journey, it felt as if the pleasant weather is washing away all her tiredness.

With one glance Dakota noticed this familiar regional airport has changed. The airport wasn’t completely different from what she remembered, but there were noticeable changes compared to the last time she took a flight from this airport years ago. It somewhat amazed her that even the parking lot space had expanded during the past years.

Everything changes with time. It is the way of life and the world. No one can stop time as well as the changes that come with the grace of time.

“Dakota Kent,”

Dakota heard someone calling out her name. She turned around in the direction where she heard the voice, recognizing the owner of the voice.

“Hey Josh,” She waved her hand enthusiastically.

The man reduced the distance between them within seconds. His wide-eyed gaze went from Dakota’s head to his toes. The next minute, He let out a soft laugh, coming out of his astounding state. Then he raised one of his brows playfully while extending his hand towards Dakota, suggesting a very familiar gesture.

“Dude… you have changed a lot,” said Josh, pulling Dakota into a big warm hug, right after she returned the dap greeting. “And I missed you,”

“I missed you too buddy,”

Dakota couldn’t help but think about the time she spent with Josh while growing up; the beautiful childhood they spent together. Josh was the closest friend she had until she left Lakeville. He was the best friend who always stayed by her side when no one was there for her and backed her up no matter what trouble she caused or no matter what situation she faced during school days. Exactly after ten years, she felt the same friendly warmth from him.

“I got your luggage. My car is over there,” Josh placed his hand on Dakota’s luggage and tugged it to his side. Dakota didn’t bother to stop him, seeing the determination in his eyes. She started walking alongside Josh, adjusting her backpack straps.

“Well… Is this really okay?” Dakota winked. “I mean the soon-to-be groom working as my butler? “

Josh tilted his head, faking a stern face. “It’s not morally acceptable, but I am generous. So, I don’t mind helping my best friend for one day,”

“Ah… when did Josh Rooney become this considerate?”

“Can’t help. It’s my charm,” Josh shrugged his shoulders. His lips curved into a playful smile.

“Damn… Josh the Charming Oaf,”

After so many years those words brought back memories of their high school days, which were able to beautify their faces with a carefree smile. They burst into laughter, seeing each other’s reaction.

“Seriously DK… I miss those days,” uttered Josh while sighing. “We were in touch. Even so, it didn’t feel like this. You know… like a face-to-face meeting,”

Dakota patted Josh on the back. She couldn’t find words to express herself at that moment, but in her mind, she very well knew how much Josh’s words are relatable to her.

After she left Lakeville, Dakota’s life changed significantly. She starts to live freely and expresses herself more openly. Many friendly people arrived in her life and she achieved great things. Yet there was an empty spot she could never fill with anything or anyone around her. Even though she eventually managed to live with it, the wistfulness didn’t fade during all those years.

“Oh… by the way, I have a surprise for you dude,” Josh broke the silence.

“Surprise? For me?”

“Yeah,” Josh pointed out a blue colour Ford Fusion. Dakota narrowed her eyes, trying to get a clear picture of what Josh has pointed out.

There was a female figure leaning against the car while looking in their direction. When they took a few more steps toward the car, the female figure straightened her body showing signs of a sudden realization.

Shoulder-length brown curly hair, an upturned nose, bright eyes, a familiar innocent smile….

Dakota gasped, recognizing the girl. She couldn’t help but silently compare the person in her memory and the person who is standing in front of her. The familiar features proved that she is the same person though she is not chubby as in their high school days.

Before Dakota came out of shock, the girl approached her. She could see the girl’s eyes already welled up.

“DK…” the girl’s trembling voice reached Dakota’s ears. When Dakota is about to respond, the girl gently threw her arms around Dakota.

Dakota hugged the girl back. “Hey Em… how are you?”

The girl took her time to answer Dakota. When she released her grasp around Dakota, she flashed a sweet smile.

“Good, I am good… Jesus! I am so happy to see you DK,”

Dakota smiled, placing her hands on Emma’s shoulders. She took a better look at Emma, who has changed a lot during the past years. “I am happy to see you, too. You have changed a lot, Emma,”

“I am the one who should say that. DK, you even cut your hair short. And you became tan,”

“That style suits her. Isn’t it Em?” Josh asked. He closed the trunk after putting Dakota’s luggage inside it, and turn his full attention to the girls’ s conversation.

Emma’s eyes filled with genuine admiration. “Yeah… you look even more handsome DK,”

An awkward feeling took over Dakota. She never knew how to deal with compliments. “Ah… well…”

Josh cut in before Dakota speaks. “See… I am such a pitiful man. Normally, a fiancée admires her fiancé. Here comes my fiancée… Dakota Kent is her one and only hero,”

“That’s because she knows who is worthy of praise,” Dakota teased Josh.

“…”

“Recently he has been way too dramatic, DK. Ignore him,” Emma walk around the car and opened the passenger door. She stated a few suggestive words before entering the car. “Shall we? We have another fifteen to twenty minutes drive,”

The car starts moving forward, while three friends were sharing their day-to-day life information.

“DK,” Emma suddenly directed a grateful glance.

“Yeah,”

“Thank you so much for deciding to attend our wedding. You don’t know how much it means for us,”

A Remorse feeling starts to bother Dakota, seeing her friends’ pure gratefulness.

“Em… You don’t have to thank me. And I even doubt whether I deserve it. You know… I was such a bad friend. I behaved like a total moron when you guys tried to help me. Even so, you guys still wanted me to become part of your wedding,”

A short silence fell among them. Each and everyone in the car was aware of how dreadful things became during the period that Dakota completely shut herself down.

“Man… what are you even talking about?” Josh looked at Dakota via the rear mirror. There was a provoking smirk on his face. “You were like the shortest horror story... Monday,”

A corner of Dakota’s mouth lifted in a sardonic manner. “You know there is no vaccine for stupidity,”

Emma shook her head from side to side while sharing a glance with Dakota.

“Come on…, isn’t that funny?”

“I’ll be honest. It’s a lame joke, babe,” Emma replied, leaning to the side of the passenger seat.

Dakota coughed, indicating that she is agreeing with the statement. Josh let out a groan, making the girls burst into laughter.

A familiar wooden signboard caught Dakota’s attention suddenly. Her eyelids felt heavy just seeing it.

Welcome to Lakeville….

Nostalgic feelings gradually entangled Dakota when they were passing the familiar places of Lakeville. She spent her entire childhood and a part of her youth in this small town. There were a lot of memories that were connected to her in this small town, including both happy and sad memories. Without realizing she got lost in her own past recollection.

“Here we are,” Josh’s cheerful voice brought back Dakota to the real world from her memory land. She noticed that the car has parked in front of the Rooney residence; Josh’s parents’ house. “You are going to have dinner here. Mama is so excited to see you. I will drop you at your old place after dinner,”

Dakota nodded, showing her willingness. Even she knew she doesn’t have enough strength to cook something after an exhausting flight journey.

“Why don’t you stay at Josh’s place or my place?” Emma asked, stepping out of the car. “Your parental house… I mean Mrs Hudson cleans the house once a week, but still… isn’t it lonely to stay there by yourself?”

“I just want to spend some time there Em. I haven’t stepped into the home after their death,” Dakota forced a weak smile. Emma bobbed her head, understanding the situation.

The pain of losing loved ones is one of the hardest encounters people have to face in their lifetime. Dakota went through the experience of losing her family members as a child.

Dakota was only lucky enough to receive her mother’s love for the first two years of her life. Her mother passed away because of a chronic illness, even before she could remember her mother’s face well. Destiny didn’t stop taking her mother away from her. Dakota’s father and older brother met with a car accident and passed away when she was merely sixteen years old, making her an orphan.

“Well… I am not forcing you, but if you feel like crashing somewhere, my place is always available,” Josh shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t forget to make a goofy face.

A car came from the opposite side, and parked a few feet away from them, interrupting their conversation.

Dakota noticed that Josh and Emma sharing a glance. Tensed looks appeared on their faces, the next second. When they perceive Dakota is darting her eyes between them and the car, the atmosphere became even more awkward.

Someone stepped out of the car, and start walking towards them. The person’s sole attention was focused on Emma. “Thank god… you are still here Emma. There is something I need to check with you last minute. It’s about the flower bouquets,”

At that moment, Dakota recognized the stranger who is capable of changing her friends’ vibes. The person she always wanted to forget in her life but found hard to forget about.

Tessa Brown…

Dakota noticed that the girl who is walking toward them became even more attractive and graceful. The black colour tight short skirt, beige colour crop top and heels highlighted the girl’s curves well. Her long golden wavy hair played with the unruly wind, bringing Dakota a flashback.

Even after so many years, Dakota felt that Tessa can shake her heart simply with her presence. She ended up clenching fists while cursing her miserable heart silently. The bitterness of the past that she wanted to leave behind made her uncomfortable.

Showing that Tessa has recognized Dakota, her walking speed gradually became slower. She stopped walking and starts blinking her eyes as if she can’t believe her eyes.

Dakota turned her face away. She badly wanted to avoid the uneasiness she felt because of Tessa’s arrival.

“Babe, we are going inside first,” Josh stated quickly, pushing Dakota towards the home as if he read Dakota’s mind. “DK seems tired,”

Emma simply nodded her head.

“What is she doing here?” Dakota asked Josh after entering the house.

Josh let out a long sigh.

“Dude, a lot has changed after you left. And... she is the maid of honour,”