Started with Goodbye

Chapter 1

Hera's Point of View

I’m currently looking at the picture Mr. Stranger gave to me back when I was just seven years old, exactly fifteen years ago. 

Yeah, I call him Mr. Stranger because I didn’t even know his name, for how many hours that we have been together on that one faithful day, I didn’t even bother to ask his name, and not even once it crossed my mind.

I want to laugh at myself at how dumb my younger self is. Imagine, I talked and played with a person that I didn’t even know just because he saved my life? 

'You are weird, Hera. So weird'

I kept on looking at the picture and I smiled to myself, unknowingly.

“She really looks like me,” I muttered to myself. 

Who is she, really? I mean, this woman in the portrait really looked like me, a lot. Also, as far as I remember and if my memory serves me right, Mr. Stranger said that this woman is his everything, and his world.

Is there a chance that two person could look so much alike?

“Hera.” 

I looked at my best friend, Aiden Hudson, she is a professional photographer, and we have known each other long enough to consider her as my best friend. We've been together ever since high school and we stick with each other’s presence until now.

We were also currently living together in one apartment because according to her, it’s easy to move freely and we didn’t need to adjust ourselves with other people. I also agreed with her, it’s just awkward to be with someone I didn’t know. 

Yeah, Hera, coming from someone who play with a stranger when she was a child. I thought to myself.

I am now having a coffee break at a cafe nearby my workplace. I am an office worker by day and a writer by night. It was really difficult to have two work at the sane time but I couldn’t see any problem with that since I really enjoy what I’m doing. I think because writing is really my passion and hobby, I couldn’t really feel any exhaustion, in fact writing became my stress reliever.

“Hera!” she shouted, that pulled me back from reality.

“What?” I asked her.

She looked at the picture that I’m holding, her face turn into a knot before she go near me. She almost snatched the picture I'm holding, but luckily, my reflexes was fast enough to keep it on my wallet.

I angrily looked at her. “Why do you suddenly put interest in this picture, Again?!” I asked her

She rolled her eyes on me while dramatically sat on my side.

“You know what girl? You are staring at that picture for such a very long time, almost an hour maybe? How about me, your best friend? You are going to abandon me now?” I sighed because I already know what will happen next. I knew Aiden for such a long time, and for me to know that her drama will start now.

“I’m just looking at it, what is your problem?” I asked her

She put her hand on her chest like she was hurt badly. “I’m hurt. Is that picture more important than me? I’m your best friend Hera, in case you forgot. I never felt this betrayed before, and it’s because of you! My best friend.”

I jokingly pushed her while laughing, “What is this drama again Aiden? You? Getting jealous over a picture? Unbelievable,” I said while laughing hard.

Aiden just pouted her lips and said in a low voice, “It’s because... nothing… what is special in that picture, Hera? Why do you keep staring at that one?”

I looked at her with. Like I couldn’t believe that she asked that question. “What? It’s not like you don’t know the story behind this picture Aiden?”

It’s the truth, if there is one person that knew me so well, it’s Aiden. Well, second only to my mother and father, but sadly, they were not here anymore.

She looked at me with her eyes wide open. “Girl, yes, you look like her. No wait, let me rephrase that, you look a lot like the woman in the picture, like a carbon copy, a twin, but haven't you read any the articles online? There is a possibility to have two people who look exactly alike? Don’t think too much, it will just make you ugly.”

I looked at her for a whole minute before I turned my gazed outside the Café. “That is not the case, it’s just that I remembered how he really love that girl in the picture. As I remembered, he really love her, so much that he considered her as his everything, his world, that’s what he told me. I want to have a love story like that, a story full of love, an unconditional love.”

I just smiled while looking at nowhere, it is really my dream to write a story about unconditional love, but sadly I could not come up with a good one. Yes my story and books that I wrote were being sold, but I want to make a story that everyone will talk about.

“You know, there is a very easy solution on your problem Hera.” I looked at her with questioning look.

“What is it?” I asked her because I know that my so intelligent best friend has a very bright idea, note the sarcasm.

She smiled widely at me, so wide that it can fit the whole universe. 'Uh oh I think I know what she’s going to say,’ I said on my mind.

“Find your own love life,” she said as she clapped her hands. This witch, she is laughing like she suggested a very good idea.

'I knew it.' When did she even suggest an idea that actually helped me? I can’t even remember.

“You know, aside from you looking like a crazy psychotic witch there, your suggestion is so terrible, do you think it is easy to look for a love life, huh?”

Sometimes I'm thinking for one concrete reason on why I became friends with this girl, best friend to be exact. Some people say that we were a total opposite of each other, like heaven and hell, that's why they were also curious on how we became friends. Well, I didn't really care about it, as long as Aiden doesn't have a problem on having me as her best friend, then I am as well.

She put her arms on my shoulder and pulled me closer to her.

"You know girl, sometimes the one that is meant to be of other people is just around the corner. Who knows, you’re the one is just near you, you just didn't notice him," Aiden said while waving her other hand in front of me.

I just sighed again while removing her arms on my shoulder.

"All the things that you said to me only happens on fairytale, on books, and novels. So stop saying nonsense things and just help me, let's brainstorm on how I will write my dream book," I told her, while she can't help but to show a scrunched face because of what I just said.

"You're no fun, boring. That's why you don't have love life. Nothing. As in zero love life."

I angrily looked at her and said, "The way you talk, it's looked like you have love life, as far as I know, we're the same when it comes to this topic."

"I have special someone you know, in my dreams." We both laugh because of what she said.

"Okay, back to our topic, I don't have any suggestion on how you can get an inspiration. But if you really want to make a really good story, a story about an unconditional love as you said, isn’t it good to experience it first hand?"

I looked at her with a smug look on my face. "Oh so the fantasy writers need to experience a real life fantasy before they can make their story?" She looked at me, angrily. 

If looks can kill, I'm probably dead by now.

"Sometimes you really think literally. My goodness, Hera. You're d*mn annoying, go away," she said and exactly at that time her phone rang.

She looked at it briefly before she let out a deep sigh "Work. Got to go, girl. Hopefully when I came back later you already had your inspiration." She then patted my back and went back to her work.

She waved her hand at me before she totally leave. 

I also looked at the time on my phone. My break is almost over, so I stood up and decided to fix my things. I walked towards the door while looking at my bag to check if I forgot something inside. I did not pay attention on my surroundings that's why I suddenly bump into someone.

"I’m sorry," the stranger said.

"Oh no, I'm the one who should---" I didn't finish what I'm saying because when I looked at my front, the stranger already disappeared. I blinked for a few times and I just shrug.

Maybe he's in a hurry. I thought. I entered the office and started doing my work. I worked at the office the whole afternoon until the clock hits the time we were allowed to go home. I received a text message from Aiden the moment I step out of the building.

‘Girl, we don't have any stock of foods here. If you don't want both of us to starve please buy on the grocery store on your way home. I will just pay my share when you got home later. Thanks.’ -Aiden

I just shook my head. It looks like my brilliant best friend was hit by the lazy syndrome again. She is really lazy when it comes to buying groceries.

When did she even volunteer to buy our groceries? I couldn't even remember if she even bought groceries ever since we became roommates, not even once.

Because the grocery store is near at the apartment where I live and on my workplace, I decided just to walk going there. Who knows, maybe I can find some inspiration for my new story while walking.

Sadly, nothing interesting happened while I'm walking. If not people, buildings are the only thing that I saw.

Looks like I need to ready my brain for another story. I thought to myself.

I entered the grocery after a few minutes of walking. While I'm pushing the cart I suddenly felt my phone vibrating.

It's from Aiden. Of course it's from her. This crazy girl, she even send the list of the groceries I needed to buy for her. I didn't even had the chance to send my reply to her when I received another text message, from her.

'Chips. Buy me Chips, Hera. Chips from my favorite brand and my favorite flavor. I will pay you once you come home.'

I just shook my head because I know she would just easily forget that promise to pay.

I first get my own necessities and the things on Aiden's list before I went to the aisle of chips. I also got some for myself and even bought all the brand of the chips that I saw.

I roamed around the whole section of chips but I couldn't see the specific brand of chips Aiden was talking about. I looked at the aisle carefully, one by one, not missing any corner until I finally saw it in the lowermost shelf. That's why it's difficult to see. 

'Looks like this is the only remaining piece of this chips, Lucky Aiden,' I thought to myself. I was about to grab the chips when someone got it first. I looked at the person who stole the chips from me. Our eyes met and I stilled when I saw the person, a guy, about the same age as mine, and he is handsome too. But that is not the thing that caught me by surprise, I got shocked because he looks like he is on the verge of crying.

I avoided his gaze and looked back at the chips while simply looking at him on my peripheral vision. He's holding the chips that I was suppose to get.

'What should I do? Did I do something wrong? And why does my heart is beating so fast? What the h*ck? ‘ I thought to myself.

Is he on the verge of crying because of the chips? But he already got it right? He's holding it right now. Wait. Is there even a person, close as my age, that will cry because of a freaking chips? I would understand if it is Aiden. I mean she is so childish, like a child trapped in a woman's body. 

But this man in front of me? He doesn’t look like a person who will cry for a bag of chips. He looks like a person full of power and confidence. A proud young man who already achieved many things in life, but unbelievably he will cry just for a bag of chips.

I unconsciously fixed my hair even though it is straight as a ruler because I don’t know what to do in this situation. I looked at him hastily but I got shock when I found out that he is looking at me, face to face, eye to eye, like he is afraid that I will disappear in front of him when he blink. And it looks like he will really cry anytime.

'What to do Hera? Think fast girl!'

I'm already feeling awkward that's why I can't help but to ask him. "Sorry sir, but do I know you?" I closed my eyes the moment I ask him that. Where is your brain Hera? Seriously! Asking ‘Do I know you?’ On someone you just met for the very first time? Great. You are so great Hera. Go girl, embarrass yourself more.

Because of that thought I immediately take back what I just said. "Oh I mean, are you alright?" I asked him, almost awkwardly.

He looks like he snap out of his fantasy and said, "Ah yes I’m, fine. I’m sorry, do I look weird in front of you?"

I laughed, awkwardly, before I answer. "No, I just look shocked because you look like you are about to cry?" I immediately take back what I said. "I mean, I didn’t mean to invade your privacy but, you looked that way." I laughed again but deep inside I already felt uncomfortable on the flow of our talk.

He smiled at me before he said, "Ah. I'm fine, if you want you can have this thing," he said while showing me the chips he's holding.

I quickly waved my hand "No, it's alright, you can have it, in the first place you are the one who grab it first," I said awkwardly. God, I've never been in this awkward situation all my life.

"Okay, then." He smiled at me before he nodded. I smiled back while signaling that I needed to go now.

I hurriedly go away then went to the counter to pay for my groceries. The moment I reached the cashier station I let out a sigh of relief. I fan myself using my hand because I feel like my face is turning red, like it's burning.

"Ma’am are you okay?" the cashier asked me. 

I looked at her then smiled. "I'm fine, I will pay for my groceries now." She looked at me with her eyebrows up before she looked at my shopping cart.

"Oh right. My apologies," I said while hurriedly placing my groceries on the counter. I already bought everything that's why I decided to go home.

I suddenly think of the man at the grocery store. Why does he look so familiar?

I kept on thinking where did I saw him but I couldn't really remember anything.

I just shrug, "Oh well."

Third Person's Point of View

Little did Hera knew, that guy she just met was crying while watching her walk away from him. It is as if she just walk away from his life.