( Alys Prov)
They say everything is bound to reach its end. Sometimes it's messy, sometimes it's not, but it's beautiful, there's closure.
"Your time's up. Go, go," the nurse instructed me to leave the room.
I looked at him one last time and then kissed his forehead. His hair was long, his face had stubble. But he was still handsome. I smiled at the thought. It was unfair. I'm three years older but Tripp's face is still the same. What a lie.
"I'll return, okay?" I said one last time before I walked out the door.
What happened for the past three years? It was crazy. I still remember when his mom hid Tripp from me. She still hates me to this day. It was maddening how I searched for Tripp.
After having him in a stable condition, his mom got the papers ready to transfer him to the States. I didn't know what to do. I was nursing a broken sould, I was crying for my unborn child, then they kept Tripp away from me.
Looking back, I can say that I'm proud of myself. It's no joke what I went through. If it had happened to someone else, they might have gone crazy.
I slowly left, because Tripp's mommy might see me. The last time she saw me sneaking around his sleeping son's room, she pulled my hair so hard I bled. It's okay. For Tripp.
I fled away from the Philippines. I don't want to go there anymore. All I can think about is painful memories.
While waiting outside, my phone vibrated. I looked at it.
Another email from Drake.
I opened it while riding in a taxi. Since the accident, I can't drive. I can't even hold the steering wheel. All I could see was red. It was scary. I couldn't breathe.
From: Drake Palma
Hi, Alys. How are you there? We're doing good here. Your mom's doing okay. Your brother is still mad at me but it's fine. Do you know that Kent proposed to your best friend? It was crazy, I'm telling you. He kneeled in front of everyone and then he got a slap from your crazy friend. You wouldn't have laughed if you were here...
I wish you were here, you know?
I love you. I still do. I will always.
Anyway, I visited Marco's grave. Why did you have to name him Marco, anyway? Tripp's not dead yet, you know. But I won't question you since you're Marco's mother. I had the grave cleaned since I know you'd hate me if I would let his tomb get dirty.
It's been three years, 765 emails, 0 replies.
They say give up, Drake. She's moved on. But hell I won't. You won't forget about me, right? You said you love me. You said you just needed a break.
You said you love me. Love.
I'm still holding onto that, Alys. I'd rather die alone than to replace you.
Call me an asshole but if you ever happen to fall in love with another guy, please don't invite me to your wedding.
Always,
Drake
I smiled at his email.
I'm not angry. I just needed space to rebuild my life. I don't want to love too much. Sometimes when you love too much, you have nothing left of yourself. What if he leaves you? You're a pitiful person.
Once, I saw Fier at the grocery store. She was with someone... and that someone was a little guy. He looked a lot like her father.
Did Drake know Fier was here too?
I didn't want to be involved. I kept quiet.
I promised myself that I would only return to the Philippines when Tripp woke up. Maybe this was my payment. I stole 3 years of his life. What's the point of waiting for him to wake up before I can continue my life?
The doctors said Tripp was okay. It's just a matter of time before he wakes up. I believe them... That's Tripp. He won't leave me.
Months passed and my routine continued. I was working as a waitress in a cafe. In this country, I was a nobody. But surprisingly, it felt good. No pressure, no stress.
I juggled works since my health improved. I was a train-wreck back then. I just don't want to slash. My Mom even entered me in a rehab because I was so close to killing myself.
Three months in rehab.
Three months of solitude.
And then I ran away. One day, I decided to run away. I begged for Uncle Tristan to tell me where Tripp was and when I discovered that he was somewhere in California, I immediately booked a flight. It was hard escaping from the reality but I did everything I could to escape my reality.
The first time I saw Tripp's face up close, I broke down. He looked so serene but I almost killed him. Different scenarios kept on playing inside my head.
Will he hate me?
Will he forgive me for almost killing him?
Will he want to see me again?
But take care of it. As long as he wakes up, no matter what the repercussions, I'll be okay.
It's okay for him to be alive and hating me than for him to be dead and liking me. It was a bet I was willing to gamble.
One day, while I was busy serving coffee, I heard a familiar voice. My heart stopped beating.
"You're so slow."
Shit.
He winked at me.
Fuck.
"Is it ice, Alys?"
I couldn't move from where I was standing. S-It's Tripp.
He showed me that familiar grin and then he ruffled his hair. His hair was kinda long but it fit him.
"Coffee, oh. Three years have passed, you're still so slow."
My hands were trembling. I wanted to touch his face.
"T-Tripp?"
He chuckled. "What's wrong, Alys? I'm just cold. Go back to Drake. Don't wait for me anymore."
"B-but..."
He sighed and then smiled at me.
"It's not your fault. I didn't blame you, I didn't blame you, I'll blame you. What was the last thing I told you? Be happy. Do you remember?"
I nodded.
"Good. Now, don't be naughty. Go back to Drake."
I nodded. Again.
It's okay Tripp, even if you just talk. Even if I just stand here all day, all night, I don't care. I just want to see you talking, breathing, smiling. As long as I have proof that you're alive, I'll be fine.
I was about to reach for his face when I woke up.
It turned out it was all just a dream.
I reached for my phone and dialed Drake's number. I hoped he wasn't changing phones yet.
It was like he was waiting for my call because after just one ring, he answered.
"Hello?"
"Drake?"
There was silence. I've waited for years. Tripp said it... I don't have to wait for him to wake up. But I know he will... He promised me he wouldn't leave me, eh...
"I'm going home...
There was another silence.
"Turn around. Look outside."
My heart skipped a beat. I could hear his familiar breathing. I slowly turned around and there, I saw him leaning on the lamp post.
He was smiling at me. Those smiles I missed... I was crying. Damn. I missed you so much, Drake.
My knees were jelly. I ran down the stairs. I forgot that I might fall. I just wanted to hug Drake.
I was biting my lips from the smile I was trying to hide.
I fucking missed this guy.
He was still smiling. For me. After all the years.
"Please hug me."
I shook my head and then pulled him and kissed him.
"I fucking love you, Drake Sebastian Palma. I thought it would go away because the pain was already so bad, but it wasn't... The further I went, the more I missed you... I fucking love you."
He was wiping the tears while smiling from ear to ear.
"Stop cursing, Alys."
I shook my head.
"I fucking love you. Fucking, fucking love you."
He nodded. "Alright, Alys. Alright."
"Don't you fucking love me, too?"
He pulled me close and then kissed my neck and whispered in my ears. "I love you to the moon and back... And please marry me. I'll be in a tux and you'll be the one walking down the aisle."