Forget Me Not

"I love you, Vince." My voice as always is sweet and gentle.

Though my words seems have a different effect on him, when he suddenly stop talking. While he grew still beside me. And a tense silence engulf us. The only noise that can be heard are the chirps of the insects and small animals around us, while the soft breeze passes by rustling the leaves and scattering it all over their front porch.

Vince is my childhood friend. And it might sound so cliche but what can I do? I can not stop myself from falling for him.

Although, I knew from the start that its impossible. I still want to tell him my true feelings. For one last time.

'Jema, you know that I already have a girlfriend. And I love her."

See, its really impossible.

I shrugged my shoulders and look at him, with an honest smile. "I know, Vince. I just want to tell you.."

Vince knitted his brows and look at me strangely. A look that I never saw from him before. But maybe I'm just delusional. Or probably hoping that maybe, just maybe he feels the same way as I do.

A very pathetic and stupid thinking, I know. But there's nothing wrong for dreaming, and wishing that someday he would love me back.

Chuckling on my own stupid thoughts, I stood up and stretch my arms above my head. "I'm going, okay."

Vince abruptly stood up and grab my elbow, making me stop moving as he force my body to face him. "Just, wait."

His voice is sharp, while his eyes is swirling with so much emotions that I can't decipher.

"What is it?" I inquire, with a blank face. And even though, I wanted to be angry with his confusing actions I know that I don't have the right to be.

However, my world came crashing down when he removed his hands on my arm and said the words that I'm dreading to hear from him.

"I just want to tell you, that I'm sorry Jema but I don't love you. And I can only see you as a friend."

I don't have any recollection on what happened after that. I just realized that I'm on my room, lying comfortably on my soft bed.

But when I suddenly remembered his words, uncontrollable emotions assaulted my heart. Pain, sadness, regret, anger, hatred.

Tears fall from my eyes, while I clutch my hand on my chest. Feeling the pain intensified, as my heart ripped, smashed and broke within me.

"You okay, Jema."

Turning my head on my right, I saw my mother looking at me pitifully. All of a sudden she run on my side, and haul my body hugging me, comforting me.

"Its going to be okay, honey.."

My sob, grew louder as I tightly clutch on her. And even though, I know that what she's implying is different on what really happened to me I can't help but wish that her words will give me comfort. Even just for a moment.

"The car is ready." Dad, suddenly appear on my doorway but his face become solemn when he saw us.

Nodding my head at him, I gently remove my arms around my mother and roll out of the bed. I wipe my face, and straightened my clothes. "Let's go." I say, determinedly. The crying girl just a while ago is completely gone, while I let out a smile for my mother before we walk out of the room.

After this, everything will going to be just fine.

I believe that it will.

"Where are you going?!" My train of thoughts were cut off when Vince suddenly appear out of no where. He is sweaty, as if he just run on his way over here.

I look at him, and smile sadly before I look back again on our house before dad finally locked it.

"We're leaving Vince.."

"What?!" He screamed so loud, when his hands suddenly grab my shoulders and grip it tightly. "Why you didn't tell me? I thought we're friends?!"

I laugh bitterly, and forcefully shook his hands away from me as I turn my back on him and starts walking over our family car where my parents are waiting. But I stop and look back at him, "There are a lot that you didn't know about me, Vince. Because even we are friends, I can't possibly tell you everything..."

"Is that why, you wait until the last minute before confessing your true feelings for me?"

"Maybe..." I shrugged my shoulders and look at him blankly. Not letting him knew that I'm getting affected by his words. "You should just forget about it... it doesn't matter anyway."

"How could you say that!" He surprised me when he suddenly scream so loud, while he look at me as if he is going to cry any minute now. "There's no way that I can't forget that! I will never and ever going to forget you! God Jena, we've been friends since 2nd grade! Its impossible to forget someone like you!"

A lone tear escape from my left eye, stopping his out burst. Then I smile softly on him, "Then don't. Always remember me... don't forget everything about me Vince."

That's what I said before I run quickly towards the car. My dad didn't say anything. And I know that mom wanted to tell me something, but she gave me space for my thoughts while she remain quiet beside me as we drove away. And even though I can hear Vince loudly yelling my name, I didn't turn my head to look back at him. I just couldn't.

What for anyway?

Everything just ended, and now I don't have a choice but to faced my future.

But I hope, that he won't forget me...

Even for a couple of minutes everyday.

"You ready?"

I gape at my mother, when her voice drown my thoughts while I grew tense when I saw the white building outside. It seems that I don't have a choice anymore.

"Yes.." My voice lack its usual cheerfulness. And even my face is blank with any emotions. While my mind, body and soul finally accepted my fate.

Mother sighed and look directly on my eyes. Before she hold my hands, and squeeze it comfortingly.

"Whatever happened, Jema. I can assure you, that I and your father won't leave you. We are going to be here for you. And even though you can't remember anything, once the operation is done, nothing will change because we are going to remain as your parents. We love you Jema..always and forever darling.."

"Mom, dad, I love you too...please don't forget that..."