I stared at my phone for a couple of minutes. Trying to reboot and trying to understand. Just looking at the phone’s screen, dazed. It’s what I did when something shocking or dumbfounding happened to me. Like now. Like when the man I’d loved but could never commit to calls me ten years later.
What did Aaron want?
True, we hadn’t ended on good terms and I can never forget our last conversation.
Him: Let’s stop talking. For good this time. I’m tired of the back and forth.
Me: Like forever?
He never answered back. Probably because he knew me so well. And that if he said forever, he could bet his life on the fact that I’ll never reach out to him. I answered the question myself, however. Deleted our entire conversation. All the sweet talks and promises of love, the banter and nasty jokes. Everything. And then I deleted his number and that was it.
Now, he wanted us to meet and I wondered why. He asked if it was okay to meet up at Caldaman’s. He must have known my office was just adjacent. Or maybe, I was reading too much into it. It was the place we’d shared many memories in so I guess he wanted to meet there to give a nostalgic effect?
Get a grip on yourself Tess. You're reading too much into it.
After the close of work, I went down to the coffee shop. It was my routine since I worked nearby so it wasn’t like someone was on my mind as I breezed into Caldaman’s that evening, walking like a girl on a mission. Which was true because I wasn’t about to fall for that high-school charm.
The first face I met was Henry the middle-aged owner of Caldaman’s. As I’d made his coffee shop my home these past years, he’d become a father figure and friend to me. He smiled as he motioned me towards him.
“Fix that face, Tess, I could see the wrinkles on your forehead from the kitchen.” He said, chuckling.
“Oh please,” I responded as I scanned the shop, my eyes fixing on a dimpled face, I could recognize even if a thousand years passed. My smile faltered as I took a deep breath and proceeded to make my way to his booth.
“And Tess…” Henry called out. I whipped up my face to him. “Take it easy on the man, will you?”
I didn’t respond cause I didn’t want to make promises I couldn’t keep. He stood up as I got to the table. All six foot four of him.
“Hey, Tessa….” He smiled warmly. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”
“I thought so too,” I replied in the same affable tone. “Yet here I am.”
He chuckled. “You’re still a smartass.”
“And you’re still gorgeous.” Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, considering how his face lit up like the Fourth of July. We stared at each other for several seconds.
“Anyways,” I started, desperate to get all that tension out of the way. “I’m here now. What’s the matter?”
I’m sure he expected small talk but I wasn’t up to it right now. He kept looking at me like I was some priceless jewel. I knew I’d glowed up since high school but sheesh…take it easy.
“Can’t you see?” he replied, gesturing at himself.
“I’m afraid I’m confused. See what?”
“I’m better now Tess. I’m responsible. Just the way you always wanted.”
He did look mighty fine. His clothes weren’t overtly flashy like he was trying to impress. It was finely cut. He was obviously well to do now but… “I still don’t see your point, Aaron.”
“Remember? That’s why we couldn’t be together. You were always so mad when I said I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. When I kept lying in bed sleeping and making jokes about how you’ll be the provider when we got married. You usually smiled but I know you hated it. Hated what I was. But now, I’m better. I made a name for myself. We can be together now.”
Was my mouth hanging in shock? Yeah, I think it was. This wasn’t what I expected at all. He was right though. I’d always wanted this for him. He was the perfect man now. Smart, witty, good-natured and now he’s responsible. And he wants me. He looked so happy and full of hope. And for a second I could see myself giving in.
Then….I heard a car honk. I turned and saw Jimmy, my fiance, step out of the car, waving at me with a smile on his face and pointing at his watch. Yeah, today was movie night. I almost forgot. I looked at him and the fog that almost clouded my eye dissipated. That was my man. And I loved him. Aaron must have seen the look on my face too because he smiled wanly.
“I guess I’m too late right?”
I didn’t hold his hand but I smiled at him and said. “You’ve done wonders for yourself, Aaron. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
“My world can’t be happy when you’re not in it. But I hope you always have a reason to smile each day Tessa.” He had that gruff look on his face like a man withholding tears. And then I hugged him briefly and started walking out.
“We’re still friends right?” asked a surprisingly clear-eyed Aaron. My, he came to terms with things fast. Another sign of growth.
“Sure,” I replied. And as I walked out of Caldaman’s that evening into the waiting arms of my fiance. I felt at peace. Maybe that closure was just what I needed to move forward too.
Copyright ©️ Jhymi || 2023
