Mocha With Marshmellows
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I
Some things never change. She was late as usual.
The cafe I was sitting at was also something that never changed. Sure, Joe, the owner, had refurbished this place a couple of times since I'd known him. But somehow the ambience was one of dismal nostalgia, and never failed to bring me back to the past, to this table in the corner where we sat faithfully for a period of time in my life that I would never forget.
I was jarred away from my thoughts from the sound of the chair opposite me being dragged on the marbled floor.
"Sorry I'm late. Traffic jam."
At half past three on a Sunday afternoon? She's a hopeless liar.
"It's ok, I haven't been here long myself."
I beckoned to Joe and the surprised look on his face was obvious. He was wondering why she was there. I mimiced a person drinking coffee and he understood that I wanted him to get a drink for her.
When her mocha with marshmellows arrived she was quite elated. "You remembered, Joe. I'm impressed!"
"Yes, I remember. Too much sometimes. Enjoy your mocha, Chloe!"
She smiled and turned her attention back to me. All the familiar memories came flooding back, the countless times that we used to sit here, the countless times she smiled at Joe for bringing her favourite drink, the countless times that she would offer me one of her marshmellows well knowing that I never ate them.
This time was no different. "Want one?" She used her teaspoon to point to a pink marshmellow sitting comfortably by the green mug that said Joe's Cafe on it.
"Okay." I said.
Surprised, she looked up. "Really?"
I laughed. "Of course not. You know I don't really like sweet stuff." Pause. "How have you been, Chloe?"
Without answering my question, she exclaimed, "Hey! I heard from a friend that there's this really cool party going on tonight. Since I haven't been back for a while, I really wanna see how the scene is like nowadays. You wanna come with us?"
I wasn't fazed. For some reason I was in a serious mood. Yes, I hadn't seen her for two years, but I did worry for her time and again. I wanted to know that she was ok.
"Answer me." I hoped I hadn't sounded too irritated.
Her smile faded slightly. Then totally. "Why do you want to know how I've been?"
"Why not?" I replied defiantly.
"Well then, I'm ok. You happy now?"
I didn't believe we were arguing already. This was bizzare. Just like the good old days. An awkward silence settled between us, while the cafe was slowly beginning to bustle with old ladies wanting warm scones with jam.
I took out my clean hankerchief and passed it to her when she unsuccessfully tried to hold her tears back. I knew how she was feeling. Because I was feeling it too.
"I'm sorry, Chloe..."
"No, don't be. I was just being overly sensitive. My life is shit, bunny..."
I hadn't heard her, or anyone else, for that matter, call me that for so long. It felt encouraging, yet disappointing. The epitome of oxymorons.
"I've missed you." She continued. "I know I shouldn't be saying all this, but you know I can't lie to you. I swore I wouldn't ever lie to you again if only you could forgive me."
I think it was my turn to change the topic. "So when are you going to the party tonight? I guess you'll be there with Yvonne and gang?"
The conversation lulled into idle chatter. I found out that the puppy that we bought together was still as cute, and that I should go and see her, that her university results were good, but not by her standards and that her mother just started her own business working from home as a seamstress to while her time away. Her incessant chatter, however, failed to mention one thing. Him.
"Tim...? Tim!"
"Huh? Oh..."
"What were you thinking about?" Her soft smile coupled with a slightly inquisitive look was exquisite. "You haven't spoken much since I got here. Don't you have anything to tell me?"
"How is he?" I bit my lip. I thought I swore to myself that I wouldn't talk about him.
"We've broken off." Her reply was almost instant. She had expected this question. Pause. "Are you attached?"
"Yes. I'm still attached. Very much attached to you."
The smile appeared again. "Thanks Tim, that means alot to me." I forced a smile back. One thing that I guess I was glad for was that I could make her happy, even if it was just for that moment, but at the expense of putting my heart in wrenching pain.
"Tell me, Tim, have you ever thought of us trying again?"
My heart skipped a beat. Maybe two. Was she kidding? Of course!
My reply was a straight faced "No." God dammit, I hated myself for being such a good liar.
After I paid the bill, I sent her back. There was no traffic on the streets, just families in parks, couples by the river, and the sunset over the horizon. The journey was a tormenting one. Neither of us spoke, neither needed to. The radio was playing Roxette:
It must have been love, but it's over now
It must have been good, but I lost it somehow
It must have been love, but it's over now
From the moment we touched till the time had run out -
nice. i like this kinda short stories. post more if you can. gracias.
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/me pat pat daddy
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Writing is amazing
Simply a piece of 'FREELAND' for one to wander off with memories & ideals.....
Well DONE, jOhO
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someone asked me why Tim said "No"... anyone wanna answer her? she reads this this forum but doesn't post.
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think she similar to me in 1 way. . . late as usual
haiz but y the guy 1 2 say no? y dun1 2 give each other another chance?
tis do happen in real life ppl juz like to hind their true feeling. . .
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i onli know i like Mocha n Mashmallows.....
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so why do u think he lied and said no?
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Most likely.....he was holding back to start all over again with Chloe for FEAR that they might end up the same way again or even UNSURE if she was actually serious abt it, so in order to avoid embarrassment & fear of rejection if he did confess his feelings to her, he said 'NO'.Originally posted by jOhO:so why do u think he lied and said no? -
he wasnt prepared that she would actually gif him another chance?? i mean like...they din see each other for 2yrs know..
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wat over is over... why dwell in the past.. look ahead
i wouldn't want to patch back also.. i guess fearing dat we might break up again. -
hmm..
thanx for the inputs.
any of u actually wondered if it was becos he was UNFORGIVING? -
haha. this is definitely a comment by a guy...u?Originally posted by jOhO:hmm..
thanx for the inputs.
any of u actually wondered if it was becos he was UNFORGIVING?
well....someone (a guy) told me it cld be that Tim was angry...like wat u've suggested & also partly a man's EGO that he din wanna say that he wanted a patch back -
yeap.. i believe we have a winner on our hands..Originally posted by reallieRAW:haha. this is definitely a comment by a guy...u?
well....someone (a guy) told me it cld be that Tim was angry...like wat u've suggested & also partly a man's EGO that he din wanna say that he wanted a patch back
now the thing is: is he "morally" wrong for being angry and unforgiving? -
Pride and not wanting to be hurt again...Originally posted by jOhO:so why do u think he lied and said no? -
She lied... and still continues to lie.. even about something like a traffic jam on a sunday afternoon..
His heart tells him "YES!"
His mind says to his heart, "Heart, you've been rent asunder and you are barely out of the ICU, not about yet. Not by her again."
His heart had not defence against the truth...Originally posted by jAnY:Pride -
it's strange to link 'angry & unforgiving' to morals, at least to me coz im a free-thinkerOriginally posted by jOhO:yeap.. i believe we have a winner on our hands..
now the thing is: is he "morally" wrong for being angry and unforgiving?
maybe we can put it this way
it's is wrong that the guy shld value his pride more that the r/ship. guyz know that is their weakness yet juz wont do anything abt it 
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so... more of pride and less of fear?Originally posted by jAnY:Pride and not wanting to be hurt again... -
ahha i like ur dialogue....Originally posted by the Bear:She lied... and still continues to lie.. even about something like a traffic jam on a sunday afternoon..
His heart tells him "YES!"
His mind says to his heart, "Heart, you've been rent asunder and you are barely out of the ICU, not about yet. Not by her again."
His heart had not defence against the truth... -
yes i would have to agree that pride makes up a big part of some men.Originally posted by reallieRAW:it's strange to link 'angry & unforgiving' to morals, at least to me coz im a free-thinker
maybe we can put it this way it's is wrong that the guy shld value his pride more that the r/ship. guyz know that is their weakness yet juz wont do anything abt it
however in this case, can't it be that he's just too hurt to accept her after what she's done? -
hehe...in this case...it isOriginally posted by jOhO:yes i would have to agree that pride makes up a big part of some men.
however in this case, can't it be that he's just too hurt to accept her after what she's done?
juz that in many cases, guyz juz commit the same mistake over & over again like an old rut..... -
must be i'm too tired... but pls expound. wat mistake?Originally posted by reallieRAW:hehe...in this case...it is juz that in many cases, guyz juz commit the same mistake over & over again like an old rut.....
of loving the wrong person, or not forgiving the person they love? or wat? ehhehe *blurz* -
the PRIDE thinggyOriginally posted by jOhO:must be i'm too tired... but pls expound. wat mistake?
of loving the wrong person, or not forgiving the person they love? or wat? ehhehe *blurz*
Nothing beats their EGO -
Originally posted by reallieRAW:
ahhah well.. erm.. hmm..
the [b]PRIDE thinggy
Nothing beats their EGO [/b]
just for ur info, if i were the guy in that story, i'd fly back to her faster than the f-16.