Reunion

“See you at the coffee place around 6.”
I read the message from the notification bar and immediately switch the phone off.
I can hardly believe what I just read.
____________________________

Today is September 07.
It’s been 10 years.
A whole decade has passed.
I remember our first interaction in the local bookstore. He and I wanted to buy the same book. We had a little argument and then he agreed to gave me that book only if I go for coffee with him and I agreed, unwillingly.
I still do not know why I agreed to go with him.
Maybe because he felt familiar to me.

He ordered two cups and we enjoyed our coffee in silence.
Before leaving, he said:
“You’re beautiful”
I smiled.
I still hold that memory closest to my heart.
_________________________________

Last night, I couldn’t sleep even for a second.
10 years back.
On the same date, I remember when I woke up and found that note alongside my favorite flowers that say:

“Isabelle!
I shall be back one day.
Will you wait for me till then?
I hope you do.”
Liam.

That note and those flowers – I still keep them on my side table.
I read that daily.

Lily, my best friend, wants me to move on.
How could I tell her that my life has stopped?
I tried moving on but I can’t.
A part of me still believes that he will be back.
But I have no answer when she asks:
For how long would you wait?
________________________________

Lily had arranged several dates for me.
Most of the time, I forgot to go there.
One time, she did a crazy thing.
She hooked me up with 02 people at the same time and asks me to go there and meet the one I like.
I did.
I met the person on her constant nagging.
But he wasn’t like Liam.
Not even a little bit.
When I came back, I had nothing to tell her.
She loses all her hope that day.
I remember she said:
One woman, multiple dates- but nothing works out – why?
And I stared at her.
From that day, she never tried forcing me to go on date again.
_______________________________

Liam was different.
He raised the bar too high for others.
He made me feel safe.
As I knew, he could fight against the world for me.
He used to bring my favorite flowers every day.
Things were effortless with him.
When I got sad, he would sit with me for hours.
He doesn’t like to talk much.
But whenever he does, it was pleasing to the ear.
He always had right words to say.
We had this connection that I’ve never felt with anyone else since he left.
And now he’s back.
I do not know how to react at all.
_________________________________

It’s 3 p.m and I am still in bed.
I am so afraid to touch my phone.
I am sitting in the same position since I read the message.
I am not sure what I’d say to him.
Would he still be the same?
What if he has changed?
______________________________

By 6 p.m, I go to the coffee shop.
I am wearing the same nightdress.
And he is there sitting at the same spot.
He looked up at me and smiled.
And that smile made me forgot the 10 years gap between us.
All I remember is that he’s sitting in front of me.
And at that moment, my heart yelled:
This is what I want!

He then ordered two cups of coffee.
Looked straight in my eyes and said:
“You’re still beautiful.”
And I smiled.
_______________________________