Love in Separation

Chapter 15 - Taking a Chance

Present time…

“I take it you remember me now.” He said, his smug now turning into a sweet smile. 

“I do… I’m sorry it took me a while to remember you.” I said, feeling embarrassed. 

“It’s alright. I guess I was a bit hopeful that you’d remember me right away but it has been 10 years after all.” 

We were briefly interrupted by the waitress who gave us menus and takes our orders. 

While waiting, I began to feel the familiar feeling I usually get when he’s around. “Are you living in New York?” I ask, trying to bury the fact that this man has always been the only crush I ever talked to. 

“I’m just taking care of something. What about you? Are you staying in New York for good?” 

“I’m only here for a month. Now I only have 3 weeks left.” 

“I always catch you when you’re time is always limited.” 

“I’m originally supposed to be in Florida. The initial goal is to stay there for as long as my employer needs me.” 

“So that exchange student internship thing did something good for your career after all.” 

“Yeah, it did.” As I trail, memories of us together began to pop into my head. Pushing them away, I began to change the subject. “So how have you been? I’m sure a lot has happened in 10 years.” 

“Finally got my Ph.D. in Astronomy, got to inherit the family business, and still single.” He said, purposefully emphasizing the last bit which I try to ignore. “How about you? Did you get to be an archaeologist?” 

Fidgeting with the tissue on my hand, I smiled bitterly as I try to avoid his gaze. “No, unfortunately, I never got a chance to. Although I was invited by the university of reading for excavation for a month after taking their online course.” 

“University of Reading? Wasn’t that used to be a part of Oxford?” 

“Yeah, but because they have gotten bigger over the years, it became a separate university.” 

“That’s awesome, did you get to go there?” 

“I almost did, but my papers for Georgia were already being processed by the time I got the invitation that I had to decline.” 

“I’m sure there are other opportunities you can take leading to being an archaeologist.” He said as he lean back in his seat. 

“Hopefully.” 

As we eat breakfast, we began to talk further about our lives but somehow, I couldn’t help but feel that it was as if we were picking up where we left off. 

After breakfast, we went for a walk through the city. Somehow, despite the madness of the city, we found ourselves enjoying our walk as if it were just the two of us on a quiet pavement. 

“There’s something I haven’t told you.” He said as we reach the central park. 

“What is it?” 

“You see, I regretted not trying to make a move on you 10 years ago, so I tried coming back and looking for you. Since the resort is seasonal, it’s kind of difficult to do that. Also when I got back there, almost all the employees have changed and none of them recognized you. I actively searched for you for 10 years.” 

“You did? Why?” 

“I had a great time with you. I couldn’t forget it. Don’t get me wrong, in all those years, I’ve been in tons of failed relationships but I couldn’t take away the regret I have of never having to get a chance with you.” 

“Jeremy…” I trailed, not knowing what to say to him. 

“Just be honest with me. If we could go back in time, would you have given me a chance?” 

Looking at his gray eyes, I couldn’t help but remember the way he made me feel as it is still the same as what I’m feeling after 10 years. I sighed before speaking. “10 years ago, I would have, but a lot has happened since then. I’m not the same 19-year-old girl who was enjoying the adventure that comes in her way.” 

“I don’t care if you’ve changed. I’d be happy to learn everything about you, the old and the new, the good and the bad if you would give me a chance.” 

“I have a daughter, Jeremy. I have a 5-year-old kid.” 

Soon as I revealed it, I saw disappointment and confusion in his eyes. I knew I’m still and always going to be attracted to him, but somehow seeing him this disappointed after finding out I have a child hurts. 

What did I expect? 

Having a relationship with someone who has a child is always going to be complicated. 

“I-I got to go.” I left without waiting for his response or even his reaction. 

As I got home, I lay down on the couch as Jeremy’s disappointment etched in my mind. 

I began to feel more conflicted and scared about telling Drayce the truth. 

When we were in a relationship, I know he loves the idea of having a child with me but now that we are long since been over, I no longer know if he’ll accept our daughter with open arms. 

I guess things would have been different had I not seen him in here. 

10 years ago…

Jeremy invited me again to have some ice cream with him. He initially wanted us to go around town and eat a meal somewhere in Port Angeles but since it’s a sleepy town, everything closes at 6 pm. 

Though we only stayed by the lodge, our conversation remains fascinating. Is it possible to be this happy with someone you only met? 

“Alright, so if you could be anywhere in the world, disregarding the financial stuff, where would you be.” 

“Ah, it’s easy! Hawaii. They have the best telescope there and apart from that, I can visit all the beautiful islands during the day. What about you?” 

“For me, it’s a difficult question to answer.” 

“Why?” 

“I can think of a lot of places I want to be in.” 

“Then where are those places?” 

“Well, for one, I have always wanted to go to Florence because of Botticelli and the Uffizi gallery, then there’s the Louvre, Greece for the temple ruins, Hagia Sophia, Anatolia, and Cappadocia in Turkey.” I looked over my shoulders and noticed his intense gazes again, making my cheeks flush. “Sorry. Told you, I have so many places in mind.” 

“You must truly love history. All of those places hold important artifacts and historical value.” 

“I do. I know, it sounds geeky.” 

“You’re just passionate and for me that’s admirable.” We smiled at each other in silence for a few seconds before I looked away. “Tomorrow’s my last day.” 

“Oh… I see.” I said, not knowing what else to say. 

“Wish I could stay longer.” 

“Me too.” 

“Hey, maybe we can meet each other in the future again.” 

“Maybe, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be back and this country is too massive.” 

“We’ll never know. But in the event that it happens, promise me you’ll go out with me once again and you’ll give me a chance?” 

I laughed. “So confident! What if things changed?” 

“I don’t know but there’s only one way to find out.”

“Alright. We’ll see what happens.” 

Present time…

It’s been days since I last saw Jeremy. 

I guess that’s to be expected. It’s folly to think things will just go as one would hope. 

If things were to happen according to how I want things to happen, Maralin would have been with two loving parents who will raise her the best they can. Instead of just one parent. 

“Mama, my feet hurt.” Maralin pouted, making me stop walking. 

“Alright baby, Mama will carry you okay?” 

As I carry her, I began to realize how fast she was growing. She’s getting heavier by the minute. However, as heavy as she is, I’ll always carry her so long as my arms can lift her. These moments are always precious. 

Just like how my mom was when she carried me when I was Maralin’s age. 

Walking back home, I was peacefully walking when I suddenly saw a familiar face from the opposite direction. 

My heart began to pound hard against my chest. 

Drayce hasn’t noticed us yet. 

In a panic, I look around to where I can go and hide from him. 

Just a few paces ahead is a department store. Though I have nothing to buy, I decided to race towards there and go deeper in the store so Drayce wouldn’t see me even through the window. 

“Mama, why are we here?” Maralin asks as she looks around. 

“Oh, Mama was just looking at something.” I lied, as I keep myself hidden. 

“Mama, can we buy those?” Maralin pointed at something I failed to follow as I busy myself checking whether Drayce is anywhere around us. 

When the coast is clear, I sighed in relief and look at what Maralin was pointing at. Since we are here, I decided to buy the things she wanted and we left the store. 

Still, in fear, I look around first before we went outside. Seeing as he was nowhere in sight, we began to walk home. 

“You’re so silly, Mama.” Maralin chuckled as she hugs the new plushie I bought for her. 

“Yeah, Mama can be a bit silly. That’s okay though, right?” 

“Yes, Mama!” She said as our hands swing while heading home. 

Though I felt relief, I couldn’t help but feel as though someone was looking at us. 

Out of anyone who could be watching us, I hope to God it isn’t Drayce.