MatchMakers

Chapter 24: Goodbye For Now

Dear Marron (Pigtails),

I know I'm being selfish and acting like a child. But I can't play the act and be all smiles when I'm hurting. It was five years ago, I know we were kids and how long its been since that day, but it really felt like yesterday. I can see how happy he makes you and I'm happy that your happy. But I still can't handle that he's the one as you phrase it "have feelings" for. I'm not saying I hate him because I don't, he seems like a nice guy who likes you a lot and will make your goal of traveling the world easier. But I have to admit I'm very jealous and I don't know how long this envy will rage, that's why I had to leave so suddenly, seeing you...seeing him and the way he looks at you keeps pulling my heart strings. I'm not blaming you both for this pain, it was bound to happen and I thought I was ready for it, turns out I wasn't prepared in the slightest. I know I said I was moving on but being in a relationship right now is difficult...I just need to breathe and pick my life back up. Valese was upset at first then she was understanding, we're on a pause but I'm hoping one day we can have a relationship like yours and nothing forced. I wish you the best by saying just continue being you, accomplish those goals and stay happy!

P.S. I know you won't accept it but I'm not giving you a choice. Under the pillow is another envelope with my savings. Add it to yours so you can travel. Bon Voyage.

Goten (Spiky)

Marron's POV

My parents told me I wasn't thinking straight and that it was too late in the day to make the trip to the countryside but I didn't care. I couldn't hold it off, I needed to go now. I didn't tell them the reason why I I was so anxious to go, they never knew about the proposal five years ago, but I'm sure they knew me and Goten liked each other back then. So after finally convincing them I was headed to the country side, which ended up a family road trip as my parents said it was a long drive and dangerous around that time. Even after my father drove for a couple of hours the trip felt short, probably because I was stuck deep in thought. My life right now felt like a movie drama, the cliché ones I would barf at.

It was around 9pm when we made it and we apologized to Chi-Chi who was taken aback by our sudden surprise visit. It's been years since we last visited. She invited us in and immediately made us feel at home, giving us warm blankets and hot chocolate. Goku I assumed had come out the shower from the towel wrapped around his waist was heading towards the kitchen till Chi-Chi shooed him, scolding him to get dressed while he defended himself by saying he didn't know we had guest. Moments later he came back dressed and he and my father went to the kitchen to catch up while I was stuck listening to my mother and Chi-Chi strike conversation. I so badly wanted to ask where Goten was, but knowing it was rude to interrupt grownups I kept my mouth shut, patiently waiting till he arrived or someone told me of his whereabouts.

"So Marron I heard you were matched with Trunks Briefs," Chi-Chi said so casually yet in a surprising tone.

Everyone made it out to be so grand, when in the end he was just human like us all, but money and fame speaks in higher volumes.

"Yeah, I'm sorry but where's Goten?" I asked changing the subject knowing well a series of familiar questions was going to be asked. Like how does it feel to be dating a model? Etc.

"Oh where are my manners, I got so caught up with you guys visit. He had come home so suddenly even when he had a week left in the city. He placed his luggage down and took a backpack with him, said he was going to the fields."

I got up from the couch, telling them I needed to go see him, Chi-Chi handed me an extra blanket to give to him saying he left with nothing warm to wear. I used my cellphone's flashlight to guide my way through the dark field. Through the dark I could still make out my favorite childhood spots and all the fun me and Goten had here. I kept walking, nearing the spot where he had proposed and the memory of it playing freshly in my mind. I was serious about it back then, running away, marrying him and traveling the world. But the more I think about it now the sillier it sounds, it would've been impossible to travel the world with the little money we saved up, hell we wouldn't have survived, but knowing Goten he would've found a way. That's the type of person he was and I had led him on just as I had led Trunks on, why did I managed to always do that?

I felt my body go still once I found him sitting on the edge of the cliff that separated the field from the river. I was at the brink of tears as I neared the view, it was always breathtaking, but as I approached the river I was at lost for words. I never saw it at night since I wasn't allowed to venture here at night when I was younger and it would've been hard to see the beauty, but the led candles floating on leaf pads that formed a shape of a heart took my breath away. I wondered how long it took him to set it up, but I couldn't come to ask, it would just hurt him more as I assumed this gesture was for me to see if we had gone through with running away with each other.

I looked away from the sight, regaining myself from the surprise. "You shouldn't be out in the cold," I lightly scolded, wrapping the blanket on his back before taking a seat next to him.

He pulled the blanket closer so it was now hugging his body, "What are you doing here?" He asked, his eyes still focused on the led candles.

"Did you not expect me to come after reading your letter?" I ask almost in a concerned voice.

"I don't know...no."

"Goten, I care about you. The past few years may not have seemed like that but I really do. And I know an apology is the last thing you want to hear right now, but I really am sorry. I can't fathom what you're going through, but I just want you to know I'm not ditching you."

"Thanks for all that really, but you didn't have to drive all the way here-"

"You left me no choice," I interrupted, almost in a hiss. He was not picking up my calls and this time he was leaving my life with feelings of guilt and sorrow. "You want me to be happy, but you left without a proper goodbye which not only made me unhappy but extremely worried."

He looked at me for a second, grief written on his face. Not liking that he managed to make me unhappy. But I cared less about my happiness at the moment, I just wanted him to be okay.

"...I just want some time alone, because every time I look at you I'm just reminded on what I lost and how he has the luxury of being with you. You're an amazing person and I know you didn't mean to hurt me intentionally, but you still hurt me. I don't want to live in denial and say I'm okay when I'm far from it, I just need some time to heal. So, no hard feelings Marron."

Everything he said was something I could relate to in a sense, when I was backstabbed by Jessica and needed time to heal I didn't want to live in denial of the pain nor did I want company when I was going through it. I was glad he knew I didn't mean to purposely hurt him, but I still felt the guilt of hurting him deeply.

"No hard hard feelings Goten," I replied as I got up and placed a warm container of my food he so badly wanted next to him and the money he tried to give me attached to my own personal letter to him.

"Whenever you're ready to meet up again just know I'm a phone call away," I said before leaving him to himself.

Dear Goten (Spiky),

I know I apologized a million times already and an apology is the last thing you want to hear, but guess what? I'm selfish too. So I'm sorry. I can only say I relate a little to your pain, but I still can't fully fathom it. You're one of the sweetest person's I ever met, you cared so much about my future and happiness above yours and it seems like I'm crushing your joy and dreams. I cherished our friendship, but I don't want it to be over, let's start again when your ready. I'll be waiting for you and that's a promise I'm going to keep! I wish nothing but the best for you, I don't deserve you but whoever that lucky someone you choose I'll know that you'll not only make them happy but they'll make you happy as well. For now, just focus on yourself and please don't beat yourself up too much.

P.S. I know you won't accept it but I'm not giving you a choice. In the second envelope is your savings, you know I could never use that money. It's yours and you have the right to do what you want with it. Also I hope you enjoy the dish. Bon Appetit.

Marron (Pigtails)