it was a cold december night, a drive home from where we had our dinner. one of the rarest occasion where we hide from reality. 1210 am as the car clock says. we were driving at 20 kph. silence. not with the usual song playing in the radio while we have our endless conversation. as the stop light turns red, he held my hand. not a word from either of us. i can hear my heart beat. i can hear his breathe. his hand held mine tightly as if to tell me the things he couldn't say. as if to tell me not to ask the questions he cannot answer. as if to tell me to just stop and just be in this moment. it seems wrong. it might hurt someone, probably me more than anyone yet i held on. waiting for that day. those dark eyes will haunt me forever

just another attempt of a vignette, nothing personal

Across the street, people are busy watching the lit-up windows and shop fronts, checking items in the night market. A woman with tied hair wearing cream pants and red knitted shirt, is carrying two large shopping paper bags, crossing to the opposite side of the road. She walks along by a restaurant named Serendipity with the smell freshly baked bread and aroma of brewed coffee. She was drawn to enter and then it occurs to her that this is the place where he first saw him. This is the place where they would spend hours of conversation, laughing, and sometimes just reading or studying. Hers is a book in literature while he solves his mathematics and physics problems. It has been 10 years from today. Everything was beautiful music back then.

She thought, why not? She had drive out here now and chances like this may never come again. She walks in and settled herself in a couch in the corner. Just for another little peek of this place, just her.

she woke up late and quickly prepared herself. nothing to think of but the journey ahead of her. driving her car in a ride that seems endless. she stopped at a coffee shop and bought a latte. and she started walking...

in nowhere's land. where bird and the wind is singing like an orchestra, a little loud that she could barely hear herself think. she stopped in the mountainside, amazed of the wonderful view in sight. the ground was soft, covered with layers of fallen leaves and pine cones. the towering trees tinted the sorrounding from the clear blue sky. "what a lovely sight & life this is" she said.

just when it was beginning to get dark, she walked back. stopped at the same coffee shop and grab another latte.

driving, she noticed the trees now by night darkened the heavens. the stars are twinkling or winking at her as if to share another secret: the art of enjoying solitude. she got her phone and called him... "i've got to move on. i've got to be on my own. goodbye."

you have to say goodbye with the same care as saying hello. you never know when you will be back. as for me, i never go back at all.

drinking a cup of coffee, he listened to the sound of the breeze of the morning while waiting for her. it was such a beautiful day. the waves of the ocean sings in a hymn as if it knows something wonderful is about to happen.

a man strolling with his dog. a couple watching the sun shines. some children playing in the sand, some happily enjoying the swim.

checking her watch from time to time, she couldn't figure out why he decided to meet her on such an early time. "and i can't get you out of my dreams, now i know you're a dangerous kind" was playing in the radio. a few cars in the road, making it easier for her to arrive on time.

red, yellow, orange, pink flowers are in bloom.. a cloudy but sunny day.

a perfect day.

"hi, how are you?" she asked. a smile on his face when he finally saw her....and a good conversation took place over a shared breakfast. their laughter echoes in a seem empty restaurant.

beep..beep..beep.. he checked his mobile phone
beep..beep..beep.. he read again

... she's silent. he looked at her... silence...

"i'm sorry. i have to marry her. my family... they're important to me. i hope you understand."

as he left his engagement ring in the table, his eyes were in tears. there was a blank expression on her face.

ahhh love....