On a cold November evening, when I stepped out for a walk all by myself after having dinner. It wasn’t loud or busy but vibrant and lively, because the night is the time we feel more colourful and alive than the day. It was windy and getting colder I even considered walking back home but there was nothing to do to free my thoughts and so I continued walking further. 

I walked past the signal towards an empty bus stand on the opposite side of it and sat there along with another man who was doodling on his phone while waiting for the bus. It was drizzling and I didn’t want to get wet even if I was wearing a hoodie. 

A bus slowed towards the stop in less than ten minutes, and I could see the passengers through the window waiting to get down and the man stepped forward waiting to get in. Among the passengers, I felt I spotted a familiar face and before I could react, the face spotted me. The moment the bus stopped, I got up and walked in the opposite direction without looking back. I heard the bus nearing and moving past me. I also heard a familiar voice right after that.

‘Hey, Dan. Wait there.’

I walked even faster without looking back. By the way, my name is Daniel and why am I called Dan? You will know. 

When I was about to take a turn, I was stopped by the familiar face who was fully covered because of the cold weather. The hood made her face smaller and that looked really cute. I have fallen for that face the first time I saw it. And I have always loved the times I got to see that face when we were together. But now, I won’t get to see that face anymore. 

‘Why weren’t you answering my calls?’ she asked sternly. 

‘I wasn’t home,’ I replied coldly.

‘What about your cell phone?’ she said. 

‘I didn’t get any call,’ I took out my phone and saw the notification showing 14 missed calls and 2 new messages. 

‘Why do you keep your phone on silent?’ she asked.

‘Five from Mom, and nine from an unknown number,’ I showed her my phone. 

‘You deleted my number,’ she said dejectedly and took off her hood after it wasn’t drizzling anymore. I could see her face more clearly now that the hood was off, and the streetlights made her face glow. 

‘You got a haircut,’ I noticed right after she took off her hood.

‘Yeah, you like it?’ she asked caressing her hair. 

‘Why do you care?’ I asked while I typed a message in my phone and put it back in his pocket.

‘Because it’s you,’ she said. 

‘Not anymore,’ I said walking past her.

‘Is it wrong to pursue my dreams?’

I stopped and then turned back. Her eyes twinkled but not of awe. 

‘Not at all. What do you call it when you apply for your dream job behind your partner’s back and letting him know only after you have booked the tickets?’

‘I thought I would surprise you,’ she said.

‘Well, it definitely was and dinner was ruined that day,’ I replied.

‘You wanted to tell me something right during that dinner,’ she asked.

‘Doesn’t matter. It’s all over Kate,’ I turned to walk back. 

‘Dan, listen to me, I am way exhausted, and I need a break,’ she said.

‘Go home Kate.’ I said without looking. 

‘How long are you going to stay upset?’ Kate asked.

I didn’t say anything and walked till I didn’t hear from her anymore. I turned back to see her not having moved an inch while her eyes were fixed on me. I knew how badly I wanted to hold her face then and tell her not to go but I couldn’t and so watching from a distance was the only thing I could do. 

‘Do you want to have a drink? One Last Time,’ I asked.

‘The Very Last?’ she asked. 

‘Yes probably,’ I said without looking. 

‘I would prefer non-alcoholic,’ she said. 

‘Your choice,’ I said nodding curtly. 

‘Do you know where we could get chocolate cake at this time?’ Kate asked.

‘What?’

‘Or maybe an ice cream will do,’ she said. ‘Spaghetti was ruined tonight. It tasted bitter.’