I stopped for a while, just looking at the parcel. It felt like I was looking at Luke's disappointed eyes all over again. He had looked so disgusted. He must have thought I planned it all. Meeting him, helping him. He must have have seen me as an even worse person.
I picked the parcel, but then thought of looking around to see if he would be around. He wasn't.
I went back home and dropped the parcel right next to the cookies from yesterday. Maybe this travel back in time isn't working out well. Maybe I should have stayed ignorant. That way, with time, he will learn to let it go.
Now...he never will be able to.
I picked up my phone, but there was no one to call. My dad was the last person I wanted to hear from, and I am not sure I wanted to hear from my mum too. I didn't want to talk to Bernice or anyone. The only person I wanted to talk to was Luke. But I didn't even have his number. I sighed. Even if I did, I am sure he wouldn't pick up.
I lay my head on the table, supporting it with my arm and just cried.
Every morning, I woke up thinking I would be back in time to the future where Luke was dead and Mrs. Catherina and my father had gotten away with everything. But I didn't. I woke up everyday seeing the cookies go cold on the table, and the parcel I had labeled "My first gift to Luke" next to it.
My life became dark and monotonous. I would wake up only to cry myself to sleep again. I had to start the processes of college, but I just wasn't feeling up to it. Everyday, when I think about how I am probably never going to meet Luke again, it just made me lose hope for the next day.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, we had to start attending classes. I wasn't ready. I have done this before and it just felt so backward to do it again. But since I haven't figured out how to go back, I guess I have to put up with it.
I packed my hair in a ponytail and wore a black tight jean and a loose white blouse. I wore a white sneaker to match, and a small sling bag. College. Again.
I stepped out of the house, and locked it. I have finally found the keys.
I stood by the double lane road, waiting for a cab. On the other far side was a young woman holding a puppy's leash loosely, while she talked to someone else. It was a very cute small dog, and I kept staring at it. Suddenly, a ball bounced from somewhere, and the dog ran off, easily setting itself free from the owner's grip. It dabbled right into the road. The owner screamed, and on instinct, I bounded off into the road too, seamlessly crossing to the middle side. But before I could get to the other lane, I saw a car run towards it at full speed. I wasn't half as fast, or even close, and I knew I wouldn't be able to do anything.
I stood there, out of breath, my eyes closed so I wouldn't see what I thought was bound to happen. I must have stayed too long that way.
"It's you." I hear after a while of deafening silence, and I opened my eyes slowly.
Luke was standing there, wearing a light brown coat with the small puppy cradled in his arms.
"Luke."
"Fancy meeting you here again." He said, just as the owner of the dog ran towards us, thanking Luke profusely.
He only smiled and gave the puppy to her.
"If you don't mind..." She said. "I am Emily."
Luke nodded. "Luke." He didn't seem like he wanted it to drag on.
"Can I...get your number?" She asked, tucking her hair.
"I am sorry, why?"
She shrugged. "Well, I want to thank you..."
"You already did." He interrupted sharply.
"Well, I want to maintain a friendship."
He shook his head. "I am sorry.."
She suddenly held his hand, moving closer. "There is nothing wrong in maintaining a friendship, especially since you put yourself in danger to save my dog. We could go for dinner sometime, so I could thank you properly."
Luke looked extremely uncomfortable. He was moving backwards, but the distance was always covered by the woman as she tried to coerce him into saying yes.
"Excuse me." I said, stepping in front of her. I moved her hand from his arm and returned it to her side. "He said he doesn't want to keep in touch. Can't you take a hint?"
"Who are you?" She asked, moving her hand to her pockets.
"Me?" I asked. Friends didn't really have a threatening ring to it. "I am his wife." It's true, isn't it?
She scoffs. "You both look like high schoolers, and you are telling me you are his wife?"
"All the more reason you should leave us alone, Miss." I said, taking a step forward. "Next time, act as cute as your dog."
She scoffed, then looked at Luke, and then turned away.
"Sorry about that."
He nodded. "Where are you going?"
I shrugged. Has he forgiven me? Is he okay? "College."
He smiled. "I was on my way too. Let me drop my wife at her college." An unexpected blush rose up my cheeks as I swallowed hard. He laughed, then turned away to a parked car.
I followed him and got in, my face still on fire. He never acknowledged me as his wife then. He always said, during the rare times when he absolutely had to introduce me. "The woman I live with."
It hadn't been upsetting then, but now that I think of it, It was disrespectful. Maybe because I now knew what it felt like being called his wife. Even if it was a joke.
"Are you okay?" I asked as he drove.
He looked at me for a brief moment. "What do you mean?"
"You know...about the other day...you also left the hoodie..."
"I had some time to think, Karla. I may be shielded, maybe spoilt, but..I heard how you disapproved on the phone. And..come to think of it, your mum was hurt by my mum too, so I guess we are even."
I smiled brightly, feeling like a ray of sunshine had peeked into the rather dark retelling of my past.
We sat in comfortable silence, till we got to my college.
"Karla?" He said as I got off.
"Yes?"
"Well...do you want us to be friends? Not...Luke McGregor and Karla Davidson...just normal Luke and Karla. Would you? I would really like that."
I nodded real fast. Hell, I have dreamt of patching things up for a long time.
"Thanks." He smiled, and I waved.
I turned to leave before I heard him call again.
"Also, If it makes you feel a little better, I was going to come to your place. I had planned to."
It did make me feel better. A whole lot better.