CID

It's been two weeks since Rick and I left Worcester. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to Aya. 

I wonder how she's doing. 

Since I flew back to Arkansas, never a day had passed that I hadn't thought of her. These two weeks have been tiring and stressful for Rick and me. My dad had a heart attack 30 minutes before Rick got the call from his father. We took the next flight home. Everything that happened after we arrived at the hospital seemed like a dream. I just went with the flow of things guided by Rick and some senior staff from the WS headquarters. 

As Rick said, my personality changed to 360. I am now taking over the position my dad left. He has already passed the critical period given by the doctor, but he is under strict orders to rest at home and avoid stressful situations. 

"Cid, your dad wants to see you tonight. So I confirmed we will come for dinner."

"Okay, Rick. Did he say why?"

"No idea, Man. Maybe he wants to check on you."

"Rick... is there a way for us to see CCTV recordings from WS in out-of-state branches?"

Rick looked at me, but I ignored his questioning face. I stood up and looked through the glass window of my dad's office. I gave a loud and deep sigh.

"Are you okay, Cid?" 

"I want to see her. I want to know how she is doing since I left without saying goodbye."

"What do you plan to do? With your work here, there is no chance for us to go back there soon. With what is going on right now. You know that, right, Cid?"

"I know, Rick, but I don't know why my heart is telling me otherwise. Since we came here, I have always wanted to call her to hear her voice. What should I do?"

"Okay, I'll make some calls for the CCTV recordings. For now, get ready for our meeting with your dad later." 

"Thanks, Man!"

_________________________

AYA

It is my day off, and I will visit my baby. As I entered the memorial park, I suddenly remembered Cid. It's because he came with me the last time I saw him. I wonder what happened to him. I didn't think of getting his number. At least I could have checked on him if I had his number. 

To make sure that he didn't get fired, Aya. Nothing else.

I saw flowers in a vase on the stone as I reached the tomb. The flowers were still fresh. The tag looked like it came from WS, but I am sure it wasn't the same one Cid and I brought the last time. It looked familiar. It looked the same as the one I arranged yesterday. How can that be? Did Jane come here without telling me? That is impossible.

_________________________

CID

"How are you feeling, Dad?"

"Surviving my son! Thank you. Rick and the management team in HQ are all praised. I know you have it in you, Cid!"

"Thanks, Dad. I just stepped up because you need me. WS needs me."

"I guess it's time for you to take over, Son. I am not getting any younger. Maybe I should step down while I am still breathing."

"You are strong as a bull, Dad! Besides, I don't think I'm ready to take over your position. Just not yet. Remember I need to get promoted within a month in W Worcester first? That was the agreement."

"Are you okay, Son? Is there something you want to tell me?"

"I'm not okay, Dad. Can I ask you a favor? Please, just this once."

"Tell me about it, son ..."

__________________________

AYA

"Baby, I am sorry it took me two weeks since the last time I came to visit. I miss you always."

I can't understand myself. It feels like I can see Cid around the park right now. I feel somehow sad that I came here alone. What is happening to me? Am I missing him?

It is a good thing that he has already left. Before anything can start, it has already ended. It's what happens. 

Back to reality, Aya.

__________________________

CID

I had a great talk with my dad—for the first time in 13 years. We got the chance where he was just Dad, and I was just Cid, his son.

Now, I am watching Aya from the CCTV recordings that Rick sent me. How I miss Aya, my Aya. 

Like Dad said, I should not wait. I called Rick.

"Hello, Cid."

"Rick... please schedule the jet and book me a room in Marriott Worcester ASAP."

__________________________

AYA

Since Dylan returned from his one-week vacation, he has been bugging me daily here in the garden. I don't know, but I feel annoyed whenever he comes and asks me to go out with him. I even compare him to Cid silently. Though Cid was hovering over me by the time he was here, I never felt the annoyance I had for Dylan. 

For example, Dylan was already waiting for me in my locker today when Jane and I arrived.

"Aya, why don't you give Dylan that one lunch date he is asking you for? I can't see anything wrong with that. If there is nothing after that lunch, then so be it," said Jane.

"I am not interested, Jane."

"Not interested, period? Or not interested because Dylan is not ...?"

"It's not that, Jane. Not interested, period. There was nothing anyway."

"Then go with Dylan for just one lunch. Do it for me, like you're doing me a favor," said Jane.

"I will think about it, Jane. Promise!"

I kept thinking about what Jane said during my morning shift in the garden. The past few days after I visited Angel, I realized there was something special about Cid that I had not known. Unexpectedly, he could get into my life. Unknowingly, I allowed him to be a part of me. After five years, I suddenly opened my life to someone aside from Jane. I can't stop thinking about him, having all the what-ifs and hows when alone. But I guess it will just stay that way. I should consider Cid a part of my WS life that has already ended. Closed. Period.

For now, I'll do Jane a favor. I want to get this Dylan's request over and done with. During the lunch break, I talked to Dylan. 

"Dylan, can I talk to you for a while?"

"Sure, Aya! What's up?"

"Can we talk outside, near the garden exit?" I asked Dylan.

"Of course! Let us go!"

We walked our way outside through the garden exit.

"I thought about it and agree to the lunch you are asking me about."

"Really? Are you serious, Aya? You will go out to lunch with me?"

"Yes, is tomorrow okay?" 

"Of course, Aya! Tomorrow, anytime! Thank you! You made me the happiest today! I'll pick you up here tomorrow's lunch break!"

"Okay, see you tomorrow then."

***