[In Jeff's Point of view ]

Traffic wound its way down the road like a great angry snake, tires hissing over the road.

I turned off my engine when I saw that the traffic wasn't getting any shorter.

A procession of headlights tailed lights down the road. Cars bumper to bumper and exhaust fumes belching out.

I took out my phone and fidgeted with it as a way out of the boredom the traffic jam brought with it then my eyes met with the message I sent to Sav two years ago on our graduation.

ME: Hey Sav! I'm not sure if you will receive this because this isn't the only message I've sent in the past three years but I saw the need to do this again as today is one of the amazing days we planned to have together.

It's our graduation today. Yeah I know right?  How time flies but to tell you the truth, time really didn't fly with you not here with us. Every second was like an eternity. And this eternity would have been worth living if only we knew where you were or how you were doing but this uncertainty made every single second a torture.

But all through it all, we are here: graduation day.

Remember how we used to talk about this very day?  We made plans to move in together as a couple right after graduation but it looks like that dream isn't our dream anymore. Sadly, It's my dream now.

Where ever you are, I hope you come back to us soon.

SAV: [No reply ]

I stared at the message for while then suddenly all the pain I felt when Sav was confirmed missing four years ago returned.
My hands trailed over the 'delete message' button as I wondered if keeping the messages was worth it.

Candy was right. It was time I let her go. 

I gawked at the message for seconds then made up my mind.

I pressed on the 'delete message' button and deleted the message. Another poped up. That was my recent message to her.

I was a fan of updating Sav with everything thing that happened in my life. That was the only way I could live with the pain of losing her.

I read over the message.

ME: Hey Sav! It's me again. I guess it's been a while right? I was busy with national Service after graduation but I am back now and guess what?

I just got a job at a child welfare agency and today is my first day at work.

Usually, I would have asked you if you remember the plans we had for our first jobs but frankly, I don't know what I'm doing anymore. None of my messages gets replied and I don't know if I should keep on doing this. It has been five years already Sav! Where are you?

SAV: [No reply]

I'm going to go through with this. I thought as I deleted that message and any other message I had sent to her.

I tossed the phone to the seat next to mine and drove forward with the alert of the green light from the traffic light ahead.

"It's right about time!" I hissed.

Within minutes of driving, I was finally there.

"Hey, Jeff!" A voice called behind me as I walked into the restaurant.

"Are you...?"

"Yes, I am him. The guy you talked to over the phone," he said as he smiled sheepishly.

"So does that mean...?"

"Yes, I have everything done. The restaurant is reserved for only you tonight sir." he cut in.

"OK. Make sure no one interrupts us then." I said and walked over to the table where I planned to make everything happen.

The light was dim with glimmering candles everywhere giving the place the right ambience. A bottle of wine stood independently in a wine bucket with the right amount of ice cubes to compliment the taste of the wine.

I sat down to wait for her then I pulled out my phone but this time not to check for messages, but to flick through some photographs of Candy. There was something about those candid shots that set my heart racing almost too fast. I knew then I was ready to do it.

The impending figure of Candy drew my attention from the phone and when she stopped right in front of me, my heart skipped a beat.

She looked more beautiful than I'd ever seen her. Her hair was straight instead of afro, her eyes flickered with fire in the dim light. Out of habit, my eyes fell on her dress. 

She wore a short black dress that put her body in perfect shape and made her beauty stand out. I stood up as it was expected of a gentleman and walked over to her.

"You look beautiful," I said without taking a breath.

"Thank you." She said as she sat down on the chair I had pulled out for her.

We went right into the dining and wining and talking until I saw the time was right.

I stood up, held her hand and offered to dance with her.

I held her waist and pulled her to me the second she stood up.

"Haha what was that for Jeff?"

"Ssshhhss." I placed my index finger on her lips. "I will do the talking," I added.

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Episode 25 next ➡
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