Thousand Regrets
Synopsis: She promised she'd wait for him until her last breath, and after two years, he finally knew his answer. When he seeks her out, he was shocked at what he found out.
Drew sat at the bench in a park one autumn day. The leaves twirled and fell all around him. Winter season is fast approaching, and yet he couldn't feel anything but the painful throbbing in his chest.
He was about to meet Alexa, his childhood friend and love interest, but what he didn't expect to happen was meeting with his old rival and best friend May Maple.
He was happy that she was there, her bright blue eyes and chocolate hair swaying with the cool breeze, her smile that rivaled the sunflowers in its brightness. They chatted about many things, caught up in their everyday lives and talk about meet ups and lunch dates.
It went on for months, before he received an e-mail from Alexa, stating that she'll be coming to the city and maybe patch things up with their broken relationship. He had decided that he still loved her, and agreed to talk about it when she got back.
Before the time came though, he was surprised that May was there and wanted to talk to him. She said it was important, and being the concerned friend that he was, agreed to listen.
They walked in the park in silence, and the usual happy-go-lucky girl he knew from when he was twelve was nowhere in sight. Then she stopped walking and turned back towards him, facing his surprised face before she smiled shyly.
"I love you, Drew."
If it wasn't for the half-lidded eyes looking on the ground, or the light stain of pink on her cheeks, or the slight tremor of nervousness in her voice; Drew might've laughed at her for joking like that. But she wasn't, in the least bit, joking.
She was seriously, admirably, serious about what she had said. And then he felt a small flutter of happiness blossom in his chest.
The feeling was only for a split second, before he looked scared and confused.
He could tell that she was worried that he'll reject her, and for the life of him he didn't want to reject her. Not when he was still in love with his ex, nor did he want to see her in tears.
So he told her the least possible lie to come out of his mouth.
"Can I think about it?"
Her eyes widened for a few moments, before a smile flittered across her lips. She had nodded shyly, and hugged him close. He returned the hug, just to spite his confused feelings, and breathed in the sweetness of her scent. She smelled of pine trees and honey, of laughter and smiles, of home.
But at that time, it didn't occur to him what it implied, that his decision now would lead to heartbreaking results.
"I'll wait for you until my last breath," she whispered, her small hands fisting on the back of his sweater.
And then the leaves started to fall.
Two months later, May told him that she'd be up in her hometown to take over the family business, and that's where she'll be when he finally got his answer.
What she didn't know though, was that he already made up with Alexa, and is currently going out with her behind her back.
But you aren't together, so you don't have to feel guilty, that's what the voices in his head whispered to him, and in all his life he followed them. That's how he got so successful in such a young age. Many people would tell it was his wits or attitude, but the truth was it was his conscience and instinct guiding him on what to do.
Apparently, it also dictated what he has to do with his love life.
It wasn't until six months after that that he got so busy with work and Alexa that he forgot about May's confession. And with Alexa's bickering on when he'll propose yet, got him more and more involved with her.
After nine months to count on May's confession day, did he propose to Alexa for marriage. Of course, she had said yes.
It wasn't a happy relationship though; in fact it was the complete opposite. They weren't married yet and they had started with all the fights and arguments. There was even a time when he thought that there wouldn't even be a marriage in the first place. But Alexa quickly changed moods and apologized, saying that she'll do better in understanding his busy schedule.
Six months of engagement and Drew finally broke it off with Alexa. He caught her kissing some guy he didn't know and it was the last straw. He took the engagement ring he gave her and pocketed it before leaving.
His life was a mess.
It was the middle of winter when he spotted a familiar book on one of his shelves. He had decided that he needed to dispose off some of his old stuff to make way for new things, and he had started on the bookshelf.
A tingling on the back of his mind was telling him to remember.
Remember what? He didn't know.
He flipped through the pages, then something fell out. When he looked, it was a small piece of card addressed to him.
To the boy who flips his hair and smirk while doing so,
Happy Birthday!
Love, May
May! He couldn't believe he had forgotten about her!
It took a few seconds before memories together with her flashed in his mind, the last and important one being her confession to him.
How he wished he had accepted her that day, saving him from all this heartache.
Leaving his room the way it was, he took his coat and set off to find the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
It wasn't in early fall that he got to May's town. After finding out that hadn't left, he made schedule of when he'll be able to get there and spend some vacation with her until the time he asked her to live with him and stay. It took him months before he was able to do it, but finally he was here.
May's house was ordinary. It was a two-story house with three bedrooms sala, kitchen, two bathrooms and a backyard. He had been here before, when his father was on a business trip here and he remembered that this was where he first met her.
Gulping a big breath of air, he knocked on the red door of her house.
Nobody answered.
He tried again, twice.
The small sound of a lock and a handle turning made him nervous with anticipation. He expected that May was still in her pyjamas, hair mussed and curled into a bun, eyes still half lidded and thick with sleep. After all, it was barely nine in the morning and he knew she wasn't a morning person.
But the face of someone he didn't know, a woman in her mid thirties, with bright blonde hair and green eyes, greeted him with a smile.
"Well, I'd never thought I'd have visitors so early in the morning. What can I do for you young man?" she asked cheerfully, eyes gleaming with a light he remembered May possessed, only brighter.
It was then he became unsure. What if May moved on? It had been two years since she had confessed. Don't girls usually find someone else when they have waited for too long?
No, she promised that she'd wait for me, he forced himself to believe that he wasn't too late to make things right again and he took up the courage to ask.
"Did a May Maple live here?" his throat caught slightly, and he had to cough it out discreetly. The woman's face fell for a few moments, before smiling again. Though this time, it was as cheerful as before.
"Why yes, I'd say she did live here with her brother. Do you need something from her?"
"I wanted to talk to her, I have something very important to say." He said, nervousness starting to creep in again. His mind was circling on the doubts that she really had moved on. He couldn't stomach the idea of her with anyone else but him.
"Do you happen to be Drew Hayden?" the woman asked, her voice held a bit of sorrow in them.
"Yes, I am."
"It's best to talk inside. Come in," the woman gestured to her home, making way for Drew to go in.
"Thank you."
"It's to early for thank you's son, and after you hear the story, I'm afraid that that's the last thing that'll come to your mind." She then closed the door behind her.
A/N: Part one finished. Part two will be out soon if I get at least 4 reviews. Thanks to those who read, and I hope you enjoy :D