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Chapter 10: Couples On The Bench
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The Third Book Chapter 11: Damsel In The Rain
The phone rang for more than a minute before it could wake Nate up. He's exhausted from working on his sketch the entire afternoon yesterday apart from doing other things related to his real work and his upcoming wedding.The clock shows 9AM."Good morning," Nina greeted him on the other line. "Did you just wake up?" she asked."Yeah, I did. I'm so tired. I'm not gonna lie," Nate said."Oh, my love. Just rest until you are okay. Anyway, it's already Friday. You can relax plus I will treat you to dinner later," she said with excitement."That sounds like a plan," he said."Can you bring the bigger car later? I have some large artworks to bring to our sponsors," she asked."Sure. I'll be in the gallery probably after lunch. Make sure to have your lunch. I'll get some more sleep," he said."Okay. I love you," she said that surprised him."That's a first," he said.Nina hung up before he could say more and prolong the conversation.Nate is suddenly thrilled by Nina's sweetness th
The Third Book Chapter 12: Sad Night
The steak is perfectly well done as requested. The finest wine and other side dishes are all delicious. With Nina beside him, nothing in this moment could make Nate think he lacks anything. "Let's eat," Nina said in unusual less energetic tone.It's obvious that she put effort to sound cheerful when she invited him to eat."I know. It was a busy, long day, right?" Nate asked. He already noticed her lack of energy when he picked her up from the gallery.Nina managed to smile but she still doesn't look like her usual self."Are you sure you're okay? We can leave now if you want. It looks like you need to rest now," he asked as he began to worry."I think I'm just hungry," she assured him.There's festivity going on outside the restaurant. The fireworks are in full display brightening the early evening sky. The onlookers are so thrilled with the free show. Inside the restaurant, the dinner goes on quietly for the two lovers. None of the dishes brought Nina's energy back.Nate begin
The Third Book Chapter 13: Alone, Free
There's something about the sound of the rain that makes one fall asleep easily. It rained all night giving Cela some peaceful sleep. She woke up the following morning hearing the gentle sound of rain drops tapping on her window as the wind blows to that direction.Seeing the gloomy weather outside, she didn't have second thought about postponing her plans for the day and just stay home. She keeps reminding herself that she is supposed to be on vacation and she should never feel guilty for not working.The time is a little past 9AM, which means she had a long sleep. She opened her cellphone and instantly saw text messages from Nanny Rita. She decided to call her instead of texting her back."Thank goodness, Celadine. We were worried. We couldn't reach you last night," Nanny Rita said with great relief in her voice."I turned off my phone last night. I didn't want to be bothered. I wasn't feeling well," Cela explained."But how are you feeling right now?" Nanny Rita asked. Cela s
The Third Book Chapter 14: Here, Once Again
Cedar Bench within Trees Park. No matter how unpopular this place has become over the years, Cela realized that it will never be exclusive for her. She stood behind the bench for a few seconds before turning back quickly. She almost slipped due to the slippery, wet grass. "Cela!" Nate called. Cela closed her eyes for a second before turning back again. "Hey there," she said. She could think of so many options to say to him to explain why she's there but nothing ever came out of her mouth. "Did you just arrive?" he asked. "Ahh...you know I need to go now," she said. "Why don't you stay? Let's just pretend we don't see each other. We have an agreement, right?" he asked. "I just want to add something to my story. I haven't written anything new since yesterday," she explained. "Then you must stay," he repeated. The two sit at the extreme sides of the bench just like they did the first time they met here last week. Despite the ridiculous agreement, they still find it weird
The Third Book Chapter 15: What Could've Been
Looking at herself in mirror, many questions come to Cela's mind. It may sound as regret but one of the things she asks herself is why she never found the time to find Nate much earlier even if he's always in her memory.Why only now when it's already late?Nate checks his looks in the camera of his phone. He knows this meeting should never be more than friendly. It's to provide closure for that one thing that is still roaming around his head silently but will never go away by simply ignoring it. He has to face it and close it before he can move on to a wonderful life that's waiting for him. That life, he deserves it.It's Sunday morning and most of the families coming to the park are attending church services. The park is more quiet than it's usually is most days of the week.Nate arrived early."Hello!" He greeted Cela as soon he saw her enter the gate of the park. She waved at him. She looks more relax now.
The Third Book Chapter 16: Before It Blooms Again
"Ta-da!" Nate presents the cute set up of his car. He looks so happy and proud of it."Wow! Did you buy the entire aisle of chips?" Cela asked as bags of chips and soft drinks good for more than two people fill the back of Nate's car."I didn't know which one to get for you so I bought at least one piece each," Nate explained. Clearly, he made plans for this day."That's so considerate of you. To be honest, I love everything," she said."What's with the formality? Let's drop that," he said."What?" she asked."I mean the 'that's so considerate of you'. C'mon, these are just snacks, nothing fancy here, and it's just me," he said.Cela couldn't contain her amusement. She realized she'd be keeping her guards up to the point that it's so obvious already."I agree. There's no need for exchanging pleasantries and formalities," she said.Nate smiled. "I never imagined this moment would be possible one day," he said with a bit of seriousness in his tone."But it's happening now. Here we
The Third Book Chapter 17: New Memories
"Just focus on the road," Cela told herself as she drives her car. The road is clear and the sky has no signs of possible rain but the chaos is right inside of her.She wants to stop but forces herself to continue."Soon, it will be dark and the night will take over. Another day is coming and there I will go." She thought for a moment. "Maybe I should start writing songs," she even told herself.Today was harder than she thought and brought more baggages than unloading them. Nate was right about having a lot of things that they have yet to discuss but she had to leave before it became much harder to let go.She wanted to stay much longer. She wanted to tell him how much he missed him after all these years. Now she has to deal with the enormous amount of regret brought by knowing she didn't try hard enough to do every possible thing to see him again much sooner rather than later because it's too late now.And that embrace. It was the most heartbreaking thing that happened today. Ni
The Third Book Chapter 18: Hear Her, See Her
Nate reached home almost the same time Cela reached his brother's house. He unloaded the chips and drinks from his car. He also thinks of having the car washed to be ready for Monday although it was cleaned just the other day.For some reason, he's delaying calling Nina but it can't be for too long."Hi, Nate." Nina greeted."I just arrived home," he said."Can we talk now? Is it a good time?" she asked."Yeah but can we do audio call only? I swear, I'm here in my house," he asked.He feels he's not ready to see her face right now but doesn't want her to think he's in some place else."It's fine with me where you want to take the call. I'm okay with audio call as well. I'm not ready to face you anyway," she said."What happened these past couple of days? I don't understand anything up to now but I am trying to think of the best reasons," he asked her straight to the point.Nina is sile
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