CID

I arrived in Worcester, Massachusetts, last night. On my way to W Supermarket, I'm rushing to arrive before lunch break. It's good that Rick could make up a reason for the HR officer to accept me again as a trainee without asking questions. My dad agreed to let me stay here for another week. 

Five minutes after the lunch break, I pulled into the employees' parking lot. Exiting my car, I saw a guy guiding Aya toward a vehicle. He opened the passenger side for her. She smiled at him and said thank you as she entered the car. 

My Aya, I wasn't expecting that. 

I felt a sudden pain in my chest—a deep, piercing sensation. I felt like punching the guy, but they had already left. 

Am I too late? Who is that guy?

Confusion and anger left me speechless. I kept pacing in front of my car, not realizing someone was coming in the car next to where I parked mine.

"Hey, Cid, right?" Jane asked.

"Hi! Yeah, Cid. Jane?"

"Yeah. How are you, Cid? Long time. What happened to you?" 

"My father got sick. So I just came back."

"Oh, sorry to hear. Is your dad better now? I hope he is. What are you doing here?"

"Yes, he is doing better now. I'm back from my training. I saw Aya leaving..."

"I'm glad you are back. Aya is having lunch with Dylan, who is a manager here. You haven't met him. He just came back from his week-long vacation."

"Um, are they going out? I meant, are he and Aya together?"

"Why are you asking? Have you had lunch? Do you want to have quick snacks in the cafeteria with me?"

"Sure. I would love to."

I joined Jane on foot to the cafeteria. I have questions I need answers to. And maybe Jane can give me the answers.

________________________

AYA

Dylan and I just came back from our lunch. Jane was waiting for me in the locker. 

"How was lunch, Aya?" 

"It was okay. Dylan was nice, but..."

"But what? What did you tell him?"

"I told him I appreciate him liking me, but I don't have time for that."

"It is okay to be honest if you don't like Dylan, but don't deny or lie about what you feel in your heart." Jane left with a smirking face.

What is with her smirk? 

I put on my apron and walked back to the garden. Just in time, I still had five minutes before my afternoon shift started. Since no customers were around, I started fixing the flowers on display. Suddenly, I heard the whistling again. 

"Seriously!" I yelled and looked around. 

"Dylan, I don't have time for your creepiness!"

The whistling became louder and nearer. Finally, I trudged through the entry door. I had decided that if the whistling did not stop soon, I would run to the supermarket area. But I heard my name before making my first step to the door.

"Aya, My Aya!"

I turned around and saw Cid standing at the center of the garden. I can't explain what I am feeling at the moment.

"Hey! You are back?!"

"Yeah, I'm back, My Aya!"

I froze in the spot where I was standing, but Cid kept on walking toward me. I can feel my heart beating so hard and loud. Nothing I have ever experienced before. Not even with Marc or any male species.

Cid stopped when we were just an inch apart. He was smiling at me, his eyes gazing deeply. 

"How are you, My Aya?" 

It brought shivers in my body when he touched my face. But I didn't stop him or avoid his touch. I just looked into his eyes. 

I stuttered. "Um... I'm, um, okay, I think."

"You don't know how much I miss you, My Aya!"

"What do you mean, Cid?"

He slowly lifted my chin and was about to reach my lips with his.

"Excuse me, Cid Williams, right?" I heard Dylan's voice from behind.

"Ah, yes. I am Cid." 

I walked towards my station and watched Cid and Dylan from afar. After a few minutes of talking, Dylan walked towards the supermarket area with Cid following from behind.

What just happened, Aya? 

Since Cid left my station, my focus has flown away. I keep walking back and forth between the arranging table and the register, hoping Cid will come back to the garden. 

Is he back or what? 

I tried to calm myself. It is not my business whether Cid is back or not. My afternoon shift ended, and Cid did not come back. I regretted not asking him the questions I had in mind. These have been my questions since he left over two weeks ago. I guess there is no way for me to ask since he left again. He left without saying goodbye for the second time. 

I felt restless and empty as I walked to the locker area. Jane wasn't around, which took me by surprise. It was the first time that she hadn't been waiting for me. Has Jane left? Standing before my locker, I saw a post-it note telling me she had already gone ahead.

Well, that is a first! Wondering where Jane went, I rushed to take my things from my locker. I have to hurry so I won't miss the next bus. 

On my way to the exit, I saw Dylan. 

"Are you leaving, Aya? Where is Jane?"

"She went ahead; she needs to be somewhere."

"You want me to drop you off? I'm on the same route, anyway."

"No, Dylan, I'm okay. But thanks anyway!"

"I insist, Aya! Let us go!"

Dylan wouldn't accept no. So we walked towards his car in the parking lot. But as we were about to cross the parking lot, a black car stopped before us. Cid came out from the driver's side. 

"Dylan, right? If you don't mind, I will be the one to bring Aya home. I already talked to Jane about it."

"Well, we should ask Aya about that, Cid?"

"Aya, please," said Cid.

"It is okay, Dylan. I will go with Cid. Thanks anyway. See you tomorrow!"

"Okay then. See you, Aya! I will go ahead, Cid."

"Thanks, Dylan. See you around."

Cid opened the car door for me and went to the driver's side after I had taken my seat. I am clueless about what happened and confused about why I did not say no to Cid. 

***