“Tadpoles are cute.” Someone said in a very loud voice. The tepid look from Warren made me smile. He already has a kid of his own.
Series of happenings had already took place and I wasn't there to witness it all because I've left. But do I hold a certain amount of regret not being able to witness the life of the people who hold a familiarity within my senses? No. Because during the time I was able to leave everything behind, where I left everything that is familiar that is when I was able to free myself. That is where I gain my freedom.
The independence I have is something I never regret having.
I may have felt nostalgic, but I never regret my decision. I realized that now.
I have to go through life by myself. To figure things out. To figure what I want to get with the life I have. I wasn't able to think about it back then. But through those moments I shared with myself, things will clear. I have the clarity that I needed the most.
“Your wife? Where is she?” I stared at him. He signaled his kid to continue with what he is doing.
“She left. It's only me and Axian.” He is looking at his son proudly.
“How are you, really?” I asked. My way of making up from all of the lost years without communication with my friends.
“I'm fine.”
“But are you happy?”
His body stilled when he heard my question.
“I am. But sometimes I wish that things could've been different.”
I remember how I let Carys' do her own thing in pursuing her feelings with him.
“Carys.” I whispered lowly.
“You're curious?” He stared at me with that familiar smirk from his mouth.
“I can't help but to ask you this? Where all those butterflies and rainbows went?” He laughed at me. Knowing what I meant. He went through a massive change in personality. When I say massive, I deeply meant it.
“I don't know. Maybe it's because I finally had an awakening to switch things up, for fun.” He answered playfully.
“But did you love her?”
“I did. But it's not enough. I've caused her a lot of pain. Both in an unintentional manner and some of it were done with my intent to let it happen the way it was supposed to be executed.”
“You gave up?” I asked him again.
“Yes. To give her up is the only way I can release her from more torment. I don't want to embed her with more pain without having to do something to help her get out of it.” I nodded my head. There's repentance. I think.
Sequence, you cannot always be aware of how things will play out in the reality of life. But there's succession in it, if you know how to do the best possible thing not only for yourself but for others as well.
“Where is your husband?” I chuckled when I perceived the tone of his voice. He was able to shift it the way it was, just like before when he was riding the jocund personality who was acquainted with the colors of the rainbow.
I rove my eyes around. Stared at the sky to stare at its bluish pigment. “He is with my brother.” Feeling the positive energy I looked at his son. And stared back at him. “I want to treat him with something he likes. Care to share what does your son like?” I instilled it with a smile in my face.
Seeing his son ate with the perfect bite of the burger. I can't help but to feel flattered seeing him eating happily. It's a perfect ratio. Because there's pickles, chicken, slaw, inside of it. Axian stopped eating and went for the fries.
“Why didn't you finish it?” Warren nudging his son in a careful way of questioning him.
“It's the perfect bite, Dad. I'm saving the best bite, saving it for you.” He offered it to his father, showing his wide smile.
I smiled at the sweet gesture. My heart swelled with warmth upon seeing it in front of me.
Who would've thought he'll be like this? But even after what happened. He's happy. And this is the only thing that I want to see. My friends, happy with the lives that they have today. Before I finally move on and go to the next stage that I plan to have.
“You two are going to stay here for good? He said. Eyes staring at me, attentively waiting for an answer.
He turned his head on,nodding it after I shake mine.
“So— what are your plans?”
I told him the plans Wyn and I have. We talked for almost an hour. We discussed a lot of things, conversation went lighter than I thought. I've never mentioned anything about Carys again. I figure out it's better to leave things the way it was. To leave the past just the way it is. And to stop forcing it out into the present. Talking about further, may or may not ruin the “now”.
“We'll go out again next time.” I stressed. I pinched Axian's fluffy cheeks before I patted his head. “See you again, buddy.”
He smiled at me cutely. I went to hugged my friend. “Drop me a message at any time.”
“I will.” He answered before hugging me back.
I walked away, waved my hands at the two of them. Before I head towards my guy who's leaning into his own car, giving me with his eyes full of careful observation. He opened the car door for me, the corners of his lip hiding a smirk.
“How did it go?”
“It's good.”
“You're happy?”
“I am.”
He gave me a look. His eyes searching. He finally smiled. “That's good that you are happy. Because that is all that matters. Always.”
I hold into him, folded my fingers to touched his. His fingers enveloped mine gently. Before his other hand gripped the stirring wheel, that started the engine...