Trisha
“Hello Art.” I sat down in front of his gravestone.
“It’s been a while huh? I brought you your favourite snack.”
I took out the snack and placed it on the ground.
I looked around the cemetery and thought that he would really love to rest here.
It’s full of trees, and is elevated. When you walk a few meters from here, you get to see an amazing view.
“It’s been 2 years now since you’re gone. Many things happened, many things have changed.” I paused and chuckled to myself.
“Also, I passed the board exam, Chris and Dale did too. We are now engineers, yipeee.”
I looked up trying to stop myself from crying.
“You.. you could’ve been one too.” I wiped a tear that escaped from my eye.
“Also, I’ve talked to your parents. I told them I was sorry for what I’ve put your family through.”
After remembering everything, I decided to face the past. I returned to my hometown, walked through the beach, taking it all in.
Although my headache is still there every now and then, it’s not that bad to the point I would lose myself again.
I shivered as I remembered how I changed personality back then when I saw Art in person, and when I recognized him on the beach.
“It must have been really painful for you huh. Watching me expressing a hideous expression towards you. Telling you you’re dead.”
I sighed.
“I’m so sorry. I did not even say good bye at your funeral. I was too shocked, I could not bear it, you know, seeing you inside a coffin and not breathing.”
“Also, Chris and I, we made up. After you died, I kept blaming him for what happened. Right now, we’re friends again.”
“Also, Ella and Aiden broke up but thankfully they got back. Ella’s reason was that she’s afraid that Aiden would also leave her just like how her dad left her mom.”
Ella came from a broken family. Her dad left them for some other woman.
“But I told her not to let her past control her present and future, because if she does, she’ll only regret it in the end.”
“I saw how Aiden really loves her. There’s no doubt he’ll be with her forever.”
“Also, they’re getting married!”
“How I wish that you’re still alive, maybe by now we’re also getting married.”
“Or, am I too fast?”
I chuckled as I continued telling him stories.
“Also, the dream world stopped appearing in my head. Maybe that’s because I no longer need something to escape reality? It’s funny how it was like a dating app for me.”
“Or maybe it’s because the one I needed to escape reality is no longer in this world.” I smiled sadly.
“Gosh! Was I so desperate to be in a relationship back then?” I chuckled at myself.
“Right now, I went on friendly dates but found no one that could replace you.”
I sighed as I recalled every guy I went out with.
“They were all nice though, but no one compares to you.”
I smiled sadly at the grave.
“But of course, I don’t plan on being stuck in the past. Just like what I told Ella, I don’t want my past to control my present and future.”
“Because the last time I let the past controlled me, I lost you.”
This time I silently wept in front of his grave.
“Although I don’t want the past to control me, I guess it’s not yet time to move on from you.”
“They say healing takes time, but I never thought it would take years.” I chuckled.
“But I know I will heal. I have to. For my family, for myself, and for you.”
“I, too, have always loved you Art. I’m sorry that it’s too late for me to realize that.”
I sat there as I continued talking to his grave until I fell asleep.
I woke up in a familiar place.
The beach from where I used to go surfing with my family – with Art.
I sat down as I faced the ocean.
Then someone sat beside me.
“It’s beautiful huh?”
I looked at the person and suddenly tears fell from my eyes.
“Why are you crying? Jeez!” He said as he made fun of me.
“Mom, dad! Tito, tita! Trisha is crying for no reason!” He shouted towards our parents.
“Aaawe, maybe she wants to go surfing that badly.” I heard my father teasing me.
“Stop teasing your daughter, she’s already 23 you know.” Mom elbowed my dad and smiled at me.
“Here’s your swim suit, dear. Go on, you can now surf with Art.” My mother walked over to us and handed me my swim suite.
“How about me, mom? Aren’t you going to treat me like how Tita still treats Trisha?” Art started to tease his mom.
“Oh, shut up Art, you’re 23 already.” His mom replied, while my mom went back to the tent.
“Ouch! That hurts.” Art acted as if he’s hurt then turned to look at me.
“Help me Trish! I’m hurt. My mother does not care about me anymore.” He then laughed as he clutched his chest.
“Oh please!” I hit him lightly on his shoulder.
He laughed at the gestured and I also laughed with him.
He the stood up and offered his hand to me.
“Let’s go surfing Trish.”
I looked at him, and unlike in the dreamland where I used to spend my dreams with Art, I can see his face very clearly.
His beautiful smile with his dimple at the corner. With eye lashes that girls would die for. Deep black eyes that would suck the very life out of me. And when he smiles, his eyes would disappear, and those rose-colored lips, softer than anything I could imagine.
I stared at him for a while, trying to confirm if it’s really Art.
“Uhm Trish? Don’t you want to go surfing with me?” He said as he pouted.
I laughed at what I was seeing. The Art that I spent time with at the university was not like this, but the Art that I grew up with was.
Maybe, this was his true personality. Not the cold, bored, and aloof Art.
“Let’s go!” I smiled at him as I took his hand.
Art is dead, and there’s nothing that can change that. That’s the reality, he’s dead. He would never walk this earth again, but-
I looked at our hands being intertwined as we carried our boards towards the sea.
I stopped walking.
“What? Are you okay Trish?” He looked at me with concern written on his face.
I then pulled him towards me and kissed him.
-but I would cherish this moment even if it’s all just a dream.