The Longest Weekend [Part 4]

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This is Part 4 of a Short Story about a chance encounter between two wounded souls over an enchanting weekend.

Read again Part 3 (Click the Link Below)

Back in his room, Derek found himself scrolling through Facebook for updates. He chuckled at the sight of new pictures showing his dog, Lucy, which his nieces had taken and uploaded for him. He missed his pet dearly. Lucy had been his faithful companion when almost everyone else seemed to have left him alone. As he reclined in his chair, he sighed, his thoughts drifting to Ericka. He wondered what she could be doing at this time. He hoped she was keeping herself warm, remembering how easily she gets cold and how she could be sick for days because of it.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Derek reached for his phone, contemplating calling the front desk to check on Ericka. However, he hesitated and ultimately backed out, opting to order a coffee instead. Returning his attention to his computer screen, he noticed an unread message in his inbox, sitting there for the past three days. It was from Melissa. Derek couldn’t help but feel a pang of apprehension at the sight of her name. What could she possibly want now?

Melissa was his ex-wife, the woman he had fallen deeply in love with back in junior high. They had once envisioned a future together, filled with marriage, children, and growing old side by side. But now, they were little more than strangers, their relationship fractured beyond repair by their divorce. Derek had fought for their marriage with all his might, but when Melissa no longer felt the same, their bond had crumbled irreparably.

Despite his reservations, Derek found himself clicking on the email. It wasn’t a lengthy message, but it stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within him. Melissa had always been fond of writing, and he couldn’t help but recall the letters she had sent him during their college years.

Hi, D! I’ve heard from your Mom you went to travel somewhere far away and lemme tell you she was kind of worried. It wasn’t until yesterday that I knew you were going to the Philippines. I’ve always wanted to go there, too. You could have told me about your plans and I’d love to accompany you, instead. The Bahamas was great but I’ve gotten tired of the girls. Same old, same old. While I was there, I got to relax my mind, though, and many times, I got to remember you. You had been such a great husband. I know that we’ve been at the cross for the last couple of years…mostly my fault coz I was trying too much to be somebody…now, I’m still completely a Nobody! I know, I’ve had some bits of success lately and made a couple new friends along the way but still I feel like there’s a big thing that I’m missing. Something I know I had but completely took for granted…pushed away, to be exact! It’s been two years when it’s made official. I know everything that we are now is what I wanted, after all those times you tried to fix it. Derek, I wanted to start again. To be more exact, I want US to start anew. I know that we can still fix everything. You are right all along, marriage is the best and most fulfilling partnership there is and I blew it away. I haven’t been serious with anyone and so do you. We can still build up the dreams we had. I can feel that you wanted to be friends again…but why not become US again. I will be waiting here ’til you return. I’ve taken the car back with me. Thanks for adopting it for awhile. It has become new again, at last. I fed Lucy one time when I was at Mom’s. She’s getting bigger and naughtier! Enjoy your vacation. You deserve it. By the way, I was thinking of moving up your neighborhood after I saw that house a few blocks from you which had a great view. It may cost me more but I think I miss the people and the scenes up there. Take care always….

Melissa

If he got this a few months ago, it would have felt different. Yet now, no matter how much he tried to connect every meaning Melissa may try to say in the letter to the sheer veracity of his emotion, to his surprise, he failed. Though he still can recall at how much he begged for her to stay and a couple of times he would be half-crazy looking for her all over town during the peak of his longing, this time they’re all but very dark shadows of his past. Does he miss her? A few times, he surely missed the company of a woman. Does he still care? He does. One can’t just stop caring for someone who he’d given his heart at one point in time. Does he still love her? Love? A tiny fear from the word was all he could feel for now. Is he willing to give them a chance? He knows better not to answer just yet. Amid the cloudy thoughts, he heard a knock at the door.

“Mr. Hartley? Your coffee, Sir!” calls gently the server behind the door.

Derek snapped out of his reverie at the sound of the hotel staff’s voice. With a deep breath, he pushed aside the lingering thoughts of Melissa’s email and focused on the present moment.

“Thank you,” he called out, rising from his chair to answer the door. As he took the tray with the steaming cup of coffee, he offered a polite nod of gratitude to the staff member before closing the door behind him.

Sinking back into the chair, Derek took a sip of the hot coffee, relishing its comforting warmth. The familiar taste grounded him, offering a moment of respite from the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind. He knew he couldn’t rush his decision regarding Melissa’s email. It was a weighty matter that required careful consideration and introspection. For now, he needed to focus on the present — on enjoying the remainder of his vacation and embracing the experiences yet to come.

Setting the cup of coffee aside, Derek reached for his phone, intending to distract himself with something lighter. He scrolled through his social media feeds, pausing at a few posts that caught his interest. But even as he tried to distract himself, Derek couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Melissa’s email had stirred within him. It was a reminder of the past, of the love they had shared and the wounds that still lingered.

Closing his eyes, Derek took a moment to center himself, drawing in a deep breath and exhaling slowly. Whatever the future held, he knew he needed to trust in his intuition and follow the path that felt right for him. With a renewed sense of determination, Derek set his phone aside and leaned back in his chair, allowing himself to fully immerse in the tranquility of the moment. Whatever decisions lay ahead, he would face them with clarity and conviction. For now, all he could do was embrace the present and let the future unfold as it may.

She had already nestled onto the daybed, which she had moved near the mini-bay window a while ago. The intention was to lie down and gaze at the seafront, which looked so beautiful against the dark canvas of the sea and horizon. Turning off all the lights, she settled for the soft yellow glow of the lamp. Candlelight was her preferred mood-setter, and it was the closest option she had. Clad in her favorite cotton pajamas, she curled up, hugging her pillow tightly.

From where she lay, she could see the glimmers from the sea and the satiny white sands. The moon was nowhere to be seen, but that didn’t bother her. She loved the moon. Ever since she was a kid, she had always looked forward to moonlit nights. One of her cherished memories with the moon took her back to a vacation in her grandparents’ province in the hilly east. It was during that time of her youth when she was often seen carrying her tiny blue stereo and cassette player, a birthday present from her close aunt due to her love for music.

She recalled being eight years old during that vacation, climbing up the attic of her grandparents’ Nipa hut. The space was so small she could barely sit straight without hitting her head against the dried nipa leaves. Opening the only inclined fenestration to let in the light, she lay down directly under it to have the clearest view of the moon. She remembered seeing two stars near each side of the moon, imagining they were her and her prince.

Closing her eyes, still conscious of the moon’s glow, she hugged her blue stereo, which had been playing her song “Lover’s Moon” on repeat. Despite the tape sounding like a broken disc, she didn’t mind; the song was the most meaningful language and sweetest melody she had ever heard. She lay there the whole night, lost in her world, while everyone worried about her whereabouts.

As she drifted into this whimsical memory, she was startled by a knock at the door. Jumping slightly, she got up, checking her appearance to ensure she didn’t look too disheveled. She hoped it wasn’t something she had forgotten or a house rule she had unwittingly disobeyed. It was too late when she opened the door, realizing she was wearing her oversized fluffy slippers, which always looked comical on her for her size.

There he stood, towering over her by the doorway. Despite the absence of moonlight, his silhouette against the space behind him was almost surreal. When she looked up to face him, she was met with his undoubtedly genuine smile, which immediately put her at ease.

“Hi!” Derek raised both hands, a little embarrassed, revealing two cups of drinks that still looked steaming hot.

“Wow… chocolate!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening despite the sleepy state she had almost subjected herself to earlier. Seeing her expression, with her mouth slightly open and her eyes glittering as they stared at the cup of chocolate drink he was holding, Derek couldn’t help but be awed by her childlike aura. Suddenly, he felt a warm surge within him, almost forgetting everything else. Slowly, without breaking his gaze from her, he brought the chocolate drink down to her, as if fearing it might burn her hands. As soon as she got hold of her precious drink, she brought it up and just smelled its aroma.

“Thank you. So thoughtful…” she sincerely muttered. Derek silently hoped she could smile like that forever. “Well, I ordered coffee through room service earlier and thought that maybe you needed to warm up a little bit more. I might have tired you out from the trip,” he said, sounding genuinely concerned.

“Gee… Uhm, hey, why don’t you come in so you could sit down,” she politely offered, though she thought it wouldn’t be very nice to have a guy in her room, even though she knew he would never mean anything beyond plain gentleness.

“Oh no, it’s okay. I don’t think it will be comfortable for you. But… I’d love to take a walk. Would you care to join me?”

“Uh… sure, no problem. Lemme just take a sweater with me. Do you need one?”

“No, I’m all fine. The coffee warmed me enough. And besides, I wouldn’t wanna take a chance getting my sweater back,” he joked, though half-meant.

“Ohhh… okay. Just a sec.” After a moment, she emerged from the door again, still in her pajamas but now wearing a white windbreaker. Derek smiled and walked beside her as they headed towards the shore.

They reminisced about the churches and places they had visited earlier that day. Derek mentioned that he would share soft copies of the pictures he had taken, and Ericka promised the same. As they strolled, they would pause occasionally, one pointing to something on the horizon while the other looked on. Their conversation was peppered with giggles and playful teases, indicating the comfort they had already found in each other’s company. There was even a playful bet over whose drink tasted better, with Derek conceding defeat when he tried to sneak more sips from Ericka’s chocolate than she allowed, resulting in fits of laughter from both of them. Laughing uncontrollably, Ericka struggled to walk straight, prompting Derek to guide her towards the shore, where they settled on the sand near some hammocks tied to palm trees.

“I haven’t laughed that hard in ages… You must have spiked that chocolate drink,” Derek quipped with a wink.

“Oh, I remember someone buying me that drink earlier. Wasn’t that you? He certainly looked like you!” Ericka retorted, still trying to stifle her laughter.

“It’s refreshing to see you laugh. No offense, but I always thought you were too serious and shy,” Derek remarked playfully.

“Well, I am quite shy, and I do take life seriously… Maybe that’s why I never really seized the opportunities to enjoy life to the fullest when I had the chance. Now, I’m trying to savor every moment,” Ericka replied, her tone shifting back to a more serious note. Derek sensed a hint of sadness creeping back into her demeanor and wanted nothing more than to dispel it and bring back the carefree girl he had seen moments ago.

“How’s your family back home?” Ericka attempted to change the subject.

“Oh, everything’s the same as usual. Nothing changes whether I’m there or not. Although my mom always keeps a watchful eye on me, no matter how old I get. I suppose it’s just maternal instinct,” Derek replied.

“Ah, my mom is the same way. She’s always been so strong and positive, but she once confided in me that she felt like her world was ending the moment she thought she had lost me. Since then, she’s been more protective, and her greatest fear is losing me again. You can’t blame your mom for being so protective,” Ericka mused, reflecting on her mother’s love and concern.”

“Wow, it sounds like you have a close relationship with your mom. I’m close to both my parents too. Although my dad is a bit quieter than most of my family members, I find that I can talk to him about really serious things. You know, when it feels like everyone else disagrees with you, my dad is the one who tells me to trust my instincts and do what I believe is right. He has this way of giving you confidence with just a few words,” Derek proudly emphasized.

“He sounds like a very insightful person. I think I’m going to like your dad,” Ericka replied warmly.

“You definitely will. I’m sure you have great parents too. They raised a very fine young woman,” Derek complimented.

“You have no idea… I mean, I do have great parents, but I can’t say the same about myself. A fine woman? I haven’t even proven anything to anyone yet… not even to myself,” Ericka sighed softly.

“Ericka…” Derek’s hand hovered, almost reaching out to touch her, but he held back. “Please stop selling yourself short. I may not know much about you yet, but I can tell you’re so much more than what you believe.”

“I wish you knew…” Ericka’s voice trailed off, barely audible.

“Then tell me,” Derek almost pleaded.

“It’s a long, boring story, and nothing really fancy, and…” Ericka began defensively until she felt Derek’s hand tighten around hers, prompting her to reconsider sharing the puzzle she had allowed herself to become engulfed in.

“I was supposed to be married by now. Supposed to be cooking meals for someone I’d been taking care of for a couple of years already. Supposed to be living the simple dream I had with someone I saw my future with… I’m supposed to be holding his hand right now, as he promised to do for the rest of our lives…” Ericka’s words caught in her throat as she slowly sobbed them out, and Derek held her hand tighter, feeling his heart wrench at her pain.

Four years ago, she had fallen in love for the first time. It wasn’t entirely unexpected, as she knew the depths of her capacity to love. But she had never imagined herself fully committing to someone. She was content with the love she received from family and friends, too idealistic to wait for a perfect Prince Charming. She preferred to believe in the love that awaited her “under the lover’s moon” and refused to let anything tarnish her vision of love. But then he came along and swept her off her feet.

He was everything she had ever dreamed of. Every day, he seemed to prove himself to be better than anyone who could love her. Though she took a year to fully accept him as her partner, Ericka knew that if she ever had to sacrifice everything for someone, it would be for him alone. She revolved her life around Kyle, and he became her everything, something she had never done before he entered her life.

As she continued to narrate her story, he observed how her eyes would sparkle with memories of happier days, when everything seemed perfect and abundant with him by her side. He sensed her grip tightening around his hand as she recounted particularly cherished moments, even sharing hearty laughter at the happier chapters of her tale.

“My friends… everyone envied what we had. It was almost too perfect to be true. We had everything any couple could dream of, and most importantly, we loved each other. I loved him so deeply; he was my endgame,” she reminisced wistfully.

“Do you know what I miss most? It’s when he used to sneak in at night, whenever he had the chance, just to lull me to sleep. All doubts about our relationship would vanish as I drifted into a dreamlike state, hearing his whispered declarations of love. And on nights he couldn’t make it, he’d call just before I fell asleep, ensuring those words were the last I heard before closing my eyes.”

“He sounds incredibly sweet,” Derek remarked.

“He is… very, very sweet,” she affirmed, her gaze drifting into the distance.

Derek couldn’t fathom how such a sweet man could inflict pain upon her. He longed to know the full story but hesitated to pry.

“You must wonder what happened, why it ended,” she hinted, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

“It’s the classic case of waking up one day and realizing he didn’t love me the same way anymore. He claimed it wasn’t my fault, that it was about him… you’ve heard that before, right?”

Derek wasn’t sure whether nodding was appropriate.

“But because I loved him, I let him go, foolishly believing he’d come back. That’s how I envisioned our story. After all, he was my endgame. I tried to be the ‘good’ girlfriend he’d always return to,” she confessed.

“Then, six months later, I learned he was marrying his first love. The first love that wasn’t me,” she continued, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

“Ericka…” Derek began, unsure of what to say.

“I know…” she replied, her attempt at a smile faltering.

“You know, everyone became so kind to me after that. It’s ironic, isn’t it? To be both the most unfortunate and the luckiest person at the same time. No one dared hurt me once they knew. Yet, I felt pathetic every day,” she admitted, summoning the courage to face him.

“But you had three years, and I’m certain it was genuine love,” Derek offered comfortingly.

“Undoubtedly. That’s why it felt like a part of me died. Those three years felt like my entire life,” she confessed.

“I can’t fathom how someone capable of loving so deeply, like you, could be let go of so easily,” Derek expressed his disbelief.

“It wasn’t easy… especially not for him. He fought it for a year before finally letting go,” she revealed.

Silence enveloped them, a natural pause in their exchange.

“Thank you so much for being here… and for the chocolate,” Ericka expressed her gratitude.

“It surely felt better to share, right? Anyway, I have this short-term memory syndrome, so don’t be scared if I start to spill it out to others…” Derek chuckled.

“Do you still love her, Derek?” Ericka’s question pierced Derek like a cold shrapnel down his spine. He couldn’t believe how that question could still affect him so deeply.

“Once you have truly loved somebody, whether they are still with you or not, you just can’t stop caring for that person, and at a certain level, you will still love them. And in our cases, we both did love so much. Some may think they were not worth our love, and you can’t help but understand them, but could you honestly say the same?” Derek’s words resonated with truth, despite the pain.

The look in his eyes confirmed to Ericka that he was right. Despite the agony, Kyle had been worth it. They both wished they could say otherwise, but unfortunately, each of them only confirmed the painful truth about love.

“Hey, how about we play a game?” Derek suddenly suggested, changing the mood.

“Huh?” Ericka looked puzzled. “I’m afraid I’ll be so bad at it. Plus, I’m a sore loser; I won’t take losing easily.”

“Nah, I don’t mind. I pretty much know how to handle sore losers,” Derek teased.

“What game do you want to play? You’re not thinking about a ‘who’s-taller’ game, are you?” Ericka joked.

“Haha… you’re starting to show some funny bones. I was thinking of something that would let me know more about you… about each other,” Derek proposed.

Ericka stared at him, confused.

“10 Questions! That’s the game. Each of us will be given an equal chance to ask 5 questions, whenever you feel like asking them… but you have to be sure of the questions you’ll ask because you only have 5 chances, and after that, you will never get the chance of getting the answers anymore,” Derek explained.

“You just made that game up, right?” Ericka questioned.

“Is that important?” Derek challenged.

“Sounds like an easy one… okay, then. DEAL! But how do I win? This game doesn’t sound like someone’s gonna win in the end, does it?” Ericka frowned like a child who lost her Barbie.

“Well, let’s find out. But the essence of this game is to ask the right questions always,” Derek reminded her.

“When shall we start then?” Ericka asked with a worried tone in her voice.

“Do you want to start now? Be my guest… I’m ready for your questions,” Derek offered proudly.

“Ahhh, I’m afraid I need to list my questions down first,” Ericka protested.

“Hmmm… spontaneity isn’t your thing, I guess,” Derek teased.

“Then, I shall have the honor to ask the first question,” Derek declared.

“What? No fair!” Ericka protested.

“Hey, you just have to answer honestly. You don’t have to go deeper into it. Trust me; I won’t push you into anything. If I ask and I don’t get my answers enough, then it’s my fault, I should’ve chosen another question,” Derek reassured her, trying to ease her out from any remaining security blanket.

“Okay… go ahead. Ask me,” Ericka said, trying to let out a smile, though Derek could sense she was a bit scared, much to his delight.

“What do you want to do tomorrow?” Derek asked, opting for a simple and direct question.

It may have seemed trivial, but he wanted to know. Ericka opened up, sharing all her wishes for the following day as if no barriers were holding her back. Derek listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word. His question might have been shallow, but only he knew why he asked it.

“So there! I want to do all those things, even altogether at that. Long shot, huh?” Ericka hoped she hadn’t rambled on too much.

“That’s a beautiful plan if you ask me. Thanks for answering,” Derek said genuinely.

“That’s it? Are you sure you got the answers you wanted?” Ericka asked, unsure.

“I’m pretty sure I did,” Derek insisted.

That was Part 4 of this short story. Click below to read part 5.

Read again the Chapters below:

Part 1 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-1-7d785f0ac795 Part 2 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-2-83e6b159132c Part 3 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-3-60cadeec1234 Part 4 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-4-8714f1493c86 Part 5 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-5-da3bb449ce26 Part 6 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-6-46451d86c128 Part 7 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-7-79fc67a10613 Part 8 https://readmedium.com/the-longest-weekend-part-8-b4948aaed201