A D A M
“Dude, you're joking, right? Like right now in this very early morning, you're leaving?” I can hear the frustration in Cannon's voice. I know she's worrying about Naya too. “You can't just go be in love and leave just like that. You have to tell her. Come on you can do better than this.” I look at the time on my phone and still, it's 6:04 in the morning. 
She's right. I can do better than this but it's not that easy for me. 
“Cannon, I can't. I just left her. I can't go back. I'm at the train station and waiting for my train.” She sucks a deep breath and releases it. 
“What do you want me to do?” 
I look up at the white ceiling. “Please, if she asks about me don't tell her I'm marrying someone else. Just that.” 
“What?” She yells. “Are you stupid? Adam, that's even worse than finding out you're gone after taking her virginity. Sorry, it's not what I meant. What I was trying to say is I can't just tell her that you're marrying someone else. It's lacking something. That will leave her distressed and confused. She will have questions about everything. She will hate herself and you. She'll...she'll be bitter.” Cannon's right. And talking with her over the phone conversation could be better than in person. She would punch me for sure. 
I sigh. I lean back to the chair I'm sitting on and have my head against the wall. 
“Just tell her I have to take care of something.” I try to think of another way to say this but I'm so lost right now. 
“I know this is hard for you, Ad. I just can't believe that you didn't tell her the truth. If you really love her, you would do what's best for her too. You won't be afraid to give what she deserves.” Her voice lowers and becomes calm. It's more of taking both sides of the perspective she can think of. 
“I know. I will.” 
Then there's a long silence. 
An announcement of my train informs everyone and I have to go. This is my time.
“Thank you, Cannon.” I grab my bag from the chair and get myself ready to enter the train that is approaching. 
“I hope you don't regret this, Ad.” She says with a hint of disappointment in my leaving.
“Me too,” I say to her. “Bye.” 
“Bye.” 
Then it ends there. I will always refer to Cannon for being a good friend. For being a listener. We all need someone like that. Someone who can listen to us, judge us, and correct us. She's that friend. 
This trip will be three to four hours. I'm planning to take some sleep just so I won't be too tired when I arrived. By the time I arrive, I'll have to meet Olivia right away and make some agreement with her. I can't believe I have to see her again. But I'm sure my mother will be much more in gladness. I hope she would still support me with my decisions no matter what. 
There aren't many passengers on the train. Thankfully I'm the only one sitting in my corner. When the train leaves the station, I think about Naya. What could she be dreaming at this point? Is she awake already? Is she crying? I hate myself right now. Why do I have to do this to her? 
I should stay, right? But I'm scared of the consequence of everything I don't do this. I care about my family too. I just can't believe that I have to choose between them and the love of my life. I can't believe I have to leave Naya to marry Olivia for the business of my grandmother too. 
My eyes gaze upon the trees. The landscape. The sun is rising from the mountains. I take my phone out and capture it on my camera. When I slide through the photos, Naya's photos start to appear. 
It's the one I took of her when we were heading home. She's looking at the window of the bus. She looks so peaceful. Her hair. Damn. I miss her so bad. I miss kissing her. I miss her touch. Her gaze was on me. I miss the feeling next to her. 
Another one is when she's smiling widely at the camera as if she's embarrassed by me. Her eyes glitters in happiness and her cheeks were rosy shy. 
If anyone could be with her, they won't get bored even if no words were said. They could just look at her and enjoy the peaceful view of her eyes and smile. 
...
I knock on the door of our beach house. My mother called me a few minutes and told me she's here and I want to be here before I could meet Olivia. 
“My son!” She greets me with delightful tears and gives me a tight embrace. 
Is this really happening? My mother welcoming me home after barely calling me to check on me?
“I have to take a shower. I'm meeting Olivia later tonight.”I inform her. 
She takes my bags from my hands. And carry it as she follows me up the stairs. “I'll give her a call later if that's okay. Besides she will be visiting your father at the hospital tonight.” 
I halt walking. “Why does she have to visit him?”
“Well, she cares about the father of her soon-to-be husband. That's all.” 
I continue walking. I don't like the sound of it coming out of my mother's mouth. When I reach to my door, she drops my bag to the floor. 
“I hope you stay for good.” She gives me a hopeful smile. “This is for the better, Adam. Left everything behind and we'll start over.” She doesn't wait for me to respond instead she goes back downstairs. 
I am left with a heavy drop of my shoulders because I'm broken. I really am. I want to go back to Naya right now and let her hold me and tell me it's okay if I stay with her and leave my family behind. I need her touch to comfort me. I grip the doorknob as I unlock the door. 
It's still the same, except that the bed is neatly made and the windows are open now. The view of the ocean is so much bigger than it was the last time I was here. So blue matching the color of the bright sky. This could be better if Naya is here. We would enjoy the view while we lay under the covers. She would tell me silly random things and our laughs would fill the room. We won't have to be alone. We would be together and happy. 
For a while, I stand by the window and feel the wind soothing me. I put my hand inside my pocket and close my eyes. I imagine I'm with her. And she's with me. Together here. 
“Adam?” My mother walks in as I turn around. “Olivia is coming in a few minutes. She'll be staying here with you tonight.” 
“What do you mean?” 
“Well, you see I have to go and visit your father. So maybe ill be back tomorrow morning.” 
“Are you serious?” I ask her minimizing by voice. “She can't stay here with me tonight.”
“Adam.” She has this look on her face that is near to impatience. “That's the deal. Don't try to break it.”
“I'm not breaking any deal here. We're not there yet.” I walk to my bed and stand again. “She can meet me here but she's not allowed to sleep or stay or whatever you guys are planning,” I just want her to hear me out and respect my decision. 
She nods and says, “I'm sorry son. I just. I can't wait for your father to come back home. I lost you two for such a long time.” She holds her tears inside her while looking away. Her eyes were fixed on the window now. 
I'm reminded of why exactly I came back. This is for my family. And of course, for my parents to be together again.