I stopped for a while, just looking at the parcel. It felt like I was looking at Luke's disappointed eyes all over again. He had looked so disgusted. He must have thought I planned it all. Meeting him, helping him. He must have have seen me as an even worse person.
I picked the parcel, but then thought of looking around to see if he would be around. He wasn't.I went back home and dropped the parcel right next to the cookies from yesterday. Maybe this travel back in time isn't working out well. Maybe I should have stayed ignorant. That way, with time, he will learn to let it go.Now...he never will be able to.I picked up my phone, but there was no one to call. My dad was the last person I wanted to hear from, and I am not sure I wanted to hear from my mum too. I didn't want to talk to Bernice or anyone. The only person I wanted to talk to was Luke. But I didn't even have his number. I sighed. Even if I did, I am sure he wouldn't pick up.I lay my head on the table, supporting it with my arm and just cried.Every morning, I woke up thinking I would be back in time to the future where Luke was dead and Mrs. Catherina and my father had gotten away with everything. But I didn't. I woke up everyday seeing the cookies go cold on the table, and the parcel I had labeled "My first gift to Luke" next to it.My life became dark and monotonous. I would wake up only to cry myself to sleep again. I had to start the processes of college, but I just wasn't feeling up to it. Everyday, when I think about how I am probably never going to meet Luke again, it just made me lose hope for the next day.Time flew by, and before I knew it, we had to start attending classes. I wasn't ready. I have done this before and it just felt so backward to do it again. But since I haven't figured out how to go back, I guess I have to put up with it.I packed my hair in a ponytail and wore a black tight jean and a loose white blouse. I wore a white sneaker to match, and a small sling bag. College. Again.I stepped out of the house, and locked it. I have finally found the keys.I stood by the double lane road, waiting for a cab. On the other far side was a young woman holding a puppy's leash loosely, while she talked to someone else. It was a very cute small dog, and I kept staring at it. Suddenly, a ball bounced from somewhere, and the dog ran off, easily setting itself free from the owner's grip. It dabbled right into the road. The owner screamed, and on instinct, I bounded off into the road too, seamlessly crossing to the middle side. But before I could get to the other lane, I saw a car run towards it at full speed. I wasn't half as fast, or even close, and I knew I wouldn't be able to do anything. I stood there, out of breath, my eyes closed so I wouldn't see what I thought was bound to happen. I must have stayed too long that way. "It's you." I hear after a while of deafening silence, and I opened my eyes slowly.Luke was standing there, wearing a light brown coat with the small puppy cradled in his arms."Luke.""Fancy meeting you here again." He said, just as the owner of the dog ran towards us, thanking Luke profusely.He only smiled and gave the puppy to her."If you don't mind..." She said. "I am Emily."Luke nodded. "Luke." He didn't seem like he wanted it to drag on."Can I...get your number?" She asked, tucking her hair."I am sorry, why?"She shrugged. "Well, I want to thank you...""You already did." He interrupted sharply."Well, I want to maintain a friendship."He shook his head. "I am sorry.."She suddenly held his hand, moving closer. "There is nothing wrong in maintaining a friendship, especially since you put yourself in danger to save my dog. We could go for dinner sometime, so I could thank you properly."Luke looked extremely uncomfortable. He was moving backwards, but the distance was always covered by the woman as she tried to coerce him into saying yes."Excuse me." I said, stepping in front of her. I moved her hand from his arm and returned it to her side. "He said he doesn't want to keep in touch. Can't you take a hint?""Who are you?" She asked, moving her hand to her pockets."Me?" I asked. Friends didn't really have a threatening ring to it. "I am his wife." It's true, isn't it?She scoffs. "You both look like high schoolers, and you are telling me you are his wife?""All the more reason you should leave us alone, Miss." I said, taking a step forward. "Next time, act as cute as your dog."She scoffed, then looked at Luke, and then turned away."Sorry about that."He nodded. "Where are you going?"I shrugged. Has he forgiven me? Is he okay? "College."He smiled. "I was on my way too. Let me drop my wife at her college." An unexpected blush rose up my cheeks as I swallowed hard. He laughed, then turned away to a parked car.I followed him and got in, my face still on fire. He never acknowledged me as his wife then. He always said, during the rare times when he absolutely had to introduce me. "The woman I live with."It hadn't been upsetting then, but now that I think of it, It was disrespectful. Maybe because I now knew what it felt like being called his wife. Even if it was a joke."Are you okay?" I asked as he drove.He looked at me for a brief moment. "What do you mean?""You know...about the other day...you also left the hoodie...""I had some time to think, Karla. I may be shielded, maybe spoilt, but..I heard how you disapproved on the phone. And..come to think of it, your mum was hurt by my mum too, so I guess we are even."I smiled brightly, feeling like a ray of sunshine had peeked into the rather dark retelling of my past.We sat in comfortable silence, till we got to my college. "Karla?" He said as I got off."Yes?""Well...do you want us to be friends? Not...Luke McGregor and Karla Davidson...just normal Luke and Karla. Would you? I would really like that."I nodded real fast. Hell, I have dreamt of patching things up for a long time."Thanks." He smiled, and I waved.I turned to leave before I heard him call again."Also, If it makes you feel a little better, I was going to come to your place. I had planned to."It did make me feel better. A whole lot better.I felt light, like some burden was lifted off my shoulder. This was why Luke's father had brought me back here. Because I had to understand Luke. I had to see him from a perspective that wasn't biased, and now that I did, I made me feel like I had wronged him all through till the time he died. He didn't deserve his wife not shedding a single tear for him.Wait. I looked down at my shadow as I stood just outside, my heart beat picking up pace. The shadows were still two, complete with the silhouette of my hair and my sling back. I gulped.Did I have to go back? Does that mean I could only visit here and not actually stay?I watched the shadows again. They looked closer than the first time I had seen it. Was it some sort of time ticking? Was it the amount of time I had to go back that was passing by?I braced myself and walked in, but instead of attending classes and getting settled, I found myself walking straight to the library. I need more insight on the time travel machine Mr. McG
I woke up much later, my limbs sore from the awkward position I had fallen asleep in. All I did was to make cereal, churn it down my throat and go back to sleep.Reality was honestly just not my forte right now, and it was already sundown. I didn't intend to make too much difference here. It isn't my place, and for all I know, the me that lived during this time would be lurking around somewhere, waiting to return to her place.A gentle knock on my door woke me up, but it was the bright rays of the sun that finished the job. I sat up and looked around. It was all in a mess, but I was expecting only Bernice, so I didn't even bother.The slight knock came again, and I stood, moving my hair away from my face, and slapping off the few strands that had clung unto my lips. I could remember very well that was why I cut my hair short, because I ended up eating it in my sleep.I opened the door, my face a bloated mess that my squinted eyes had somehow found a place in. They widened however, w
I cleared my throat as Luke tilted his head a little, his lips slightly parted."It is fine if you don't want to...it's just a childish whim anyway." He smiled at me and turned away, then left the kitchen.But that was not what not what was on my mind. My husband...no, he is not my husband right now, but...I took in a deep sigh as I turned to the entrance. He was sitting on the couch, his head lowered, probably looking at something."Uhm...where do you want to go?"This is a bad idea, Karla. The guy's dead. You have to go back. This is not your time.He turned to me, his eyes serious. "I feel like you have already done so much for me and this could be a bit...""Just cut the crap and tell me where we are going." Oh yeah. I almost forgot the 18 years old me was so sharp mouthed.He seemed fascinated by my response, then laughed. "Why don't you get ready and...we leave?""Right now?" My eyes widened."Uhmm..we will be there by evening..and..""But today is your birthday, right?""Yes,
"Cash or card?" The attendant suddenly said, and Luke turned away from me. He pulled out a card and gave it, then smiled at me.I stood there, trying to blink myself back to reality. Reality though, was far off. Nothing here was reality. Not even Luke.I nodded at him as he gestured at me to come with him. We went out of the shop and into the car, where he handed me what I had bought with a couple others that I don't remember picking."I am okay with these," I said and he rolled his eyes. Probably the first childish gesture I had seen from him. It was weird how matured he was for a guy who just turned nineteen."You need to eat a lot, because we still have some time to go. You also didn't have breakfast, and I intend to cook dinner only after we arrive.""Seems a like a long time." I murmured quietly, and accepted it.He started driving again. This time, it was more quiet in the car."Music?" I suddenly asked."Just choose whichever you would like."I nodded, then connected my phone.
I was about to go help Luke out with preparing when suddenly, the ringtone of my phone rang through the car."I think it's yours." Luke said, the delicate allure of the moment interrupted. I nodded, still a little dazed and went to it.It was Bernice and I immediately picked it up. I was expecting her to tell me about how I had been missing classes and all, but the first thing I heard as I brought the phone to my ears was the sound of her crying."Ber..Bernice. Why are you crying?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. Luke stopped what he was doing and turned to me, even though I could see he was trying to not come too close so he wouldn't intrude."Very cheap of you to ask me that, don't you think, Karla?""What are you talking about?" I asked, feeling nervous for some reason."How could you do this to me? I am your friend! We have been together since high school, we have done everything together and what? Nathan?" Her words were jumbled, and I was finding it hard to understand."I do
I sniffed, blinking back the tears. My memories of this time flashed before my eyes.Everything had been perfect. From that ceremony at my house to the party they organized for me. Shopping, getting ready for college, we had done all of that with Bernice and Kate. The problem had started when Bernice had asked me to come to Natalie's birthday party. She was more of a distant friend, and I hadn't really felt like going. I could remember now, that I had a headache, and decided to stay home. But much later, I decided to suck it up and go, since Natalie had attended my own birthday party last October.FBThe party was the normal teen party, with a few couples dotted here and there and lots of red cups. I felt a little sick to my stomach with the crowd, and I decided to go and wish Natalie, then probably make it upstairs and get some sleep, hoping Bernice would find me."Happy Birthday, Natalie." I said, walking towards where she was standing. She broke into a smile and hugged me."Tha
The depiction of time as an interloping of threads was just too accurate. An interloping of regrets and missed chances. Short bursts of happiness and overwhelming sadness and most importantly, the things we wish to have a second chance with.I raised my head to look at Luke who was quietly sitting in the car with me. After helping me get rid of the initial sadness, he had helped me into the car, then drove away from Kate's house.There, he sat in silence and let me just cry as the second wave of sadness hit me. The thing with Bernice didn't hurt half as much as the realization. The realization that there was so much I could have overlooked and forgotten like this one, manipulated my memory into thinking it just happened with no fault of mine, and moved on with my life.I was once a bubbly person with pink all around her, but then I grew...not necessarily into the world, but further into a shell. The person that had been with Luke hadn't been my true self either."Can you tell me some
"I thought you wouldn't come. I was not expecting you to come at all." Her voice was shaky, and I knelt to her height. "I am sorry mum, I have been....""You are always just on your father's side, Karla. All you have ever wanted was to support him, and neglect me. It felt as if I didn't have any right to you.""Mum, please. How can you say that?"She watched me, as her lips slowly quivered. "How am I supposed to live with losing both of you? My daughter feels like A distant stranger and your father...." Her voice trailed off, but she did not even need to finish it.My father had cheated. And to make sure she wasn't on the losing end, she took his mistress away, by marrying me off to her son. It was the weirdest thing, yet the saddest. In the end, coming back in time has only showed me just how responsible for my tribulations I really was."My...I am sorry. I am so sorry. Even if...even if I am...if this apology will only be something I can remember, something that will remain only