Chapter 5 "Memories of the Past"

Steve took me to a children's park after we took our dinner to a fancy restaurant. He opened the car door for me. I step out and I can feel the cool breeze enveloped my entire body. The night was indeed calm and quiet. I sat down on an old, rusty swing. It seemed like this shabby park was built long ago. Steve sat on a swing beside mine. "So,... why did you bring me here?", I asked him. He smiled and said, "I used to come here every day with my dad after school. He usually sat in that wooden bench over there.", he said pointing at a certain bench under a big mango tree distant ahead of us. "He's always watching me play with other kids. Those days were the happiest days of my life,... getting to see my dad smiling as he watches me playing. But, one day, those happy days that I thought would last forever end.""What happened?" I asked anxiously. "When the classes ended, he picked me up and we went to the park together. When we reached here, he said that he has some things to do and he will come back later. I waited two hours, but he didn't come back. I saw a car stopped by and my mom came out. She approached me and I saw tears pouring from her eyes. She said that dad can't watch me playing anymore because he's....gone." After he said that, he looked down and covered his face with his palms. I can tell, he's still hurt deep inside. I stood and hugged him.

After a minute of comforting him, I loosened my arms from a tight embrace and let go. Hugging him was a good idea. He stood up and faced me. "Thank you, Elizabeth.""It's the least I can do.", I replied. "I'm sorry about what happened.""No, I should be the one to say sorry, this supposed to be a memorable date but I ruined it by telling you my sad past.""Don't worry, in fact, I get to know you more by telling me your past.", he smiled. "What about you Elizabeth?" I was taken aback from the sudden question. A moment of silence occurred between us. Just then, rain started pouring. We ran to the bench under the big mango tree. "Ah,...this is the worst date ever.", he exclaimed. I laughed to his sudden declaration. "No, it's not, it's kind of....romantic." He turned to face me. "I'm glad that you're here with me Elizabeth." His eyes widen noticing that I'm all wet. He took of his jacket and wrapped it around my body. I can say, he's really a gentleman. We stared into each other and the he slowly brought his face towards mine and kissed me. His warm lips landed on my cold and dry lips and I can feel a warm sensation ran through my body. My mind went blank for a moment, but then again, a familiar face appeared to my mind, a man that I knew for a long time. The man's face keeps flashing on my mind, without realizing, I pushed Steve away. "I'm sorry Steve,... I can't." I deliberately ran towards his car in the midst of a heavy rainfall.

An awkward silence fell between us inside his car. I couldn't bring myself to speak after what happened. After few minutes of silence, Steve cleared his throat and began to speak, "I'm sorry Elizabeth, I don't know what's gotten into me back there, I'm really sorry. "No, it's fine,... let's just forget about that." At last, we finally reached to my house. He got out and opened the car door. "Goodnight Elizabeth.""Goodnight" I turned my back on him and started walking. I stopped when I reached the doorstep and turned around. I watched Steve got in to his car and started the engine. He looked at me with a smile and waved goodbye. "I'm sorry Steve", I murmured watching his car drove away.