Chapter 10 - Finale

Five years had passed, Jay still couldn't find Cissie. Even though his family was rich, he was not dependent on them.  He worked now as a staff nurse in a known private hospital. His life changed, his daily routine was far different than before. He was not like before who always loved to go out with friends. His was merely leaving for work and going back home. He went home straight after his shift and stays in his room. He did nothing but write love stories. Yes, he's a guy but that didn't make him less a man. He thought that in real life, not everyone have their happy ending, as people always wanted to have. That's why he chose to write to give everyone their own happy endings in the way he wanted to. No matter how tragic the twist of the story might be, as a writer he could always find ways to make it a happy ending one. Writing had become his hobby; a hobby that earned money. He didn't imagine himself writing a story before, but when he was at that down moment in his life, the longing for his love added those heartaches, he decided to put them on words. He had five published pocketbooks with a known publishing house.

One night, one of his childhood friends visited him for a little drink.

"Dude, join us at Padi's Point this Saturday. We are going to perform," Simon said, Jay's childhood friend and was his fellow band member during his younger days in high school.

"You know that I already left the band, right?" Jay answered.

"Yes, I know. You just left your love for music because of a girl. It will just be us who will perform. Plus Jenny's cousin from the States will be hanging out with us. Anna, remember?

"I will think about it." "Dude, you don't have to think about it. Once and for all, I'm pleading you as a friend. I am just concerned for you; you might forget how to become happy, " Simon was really persistent, however he was tactful in convincing Jay, and it was effective. Jay had no choice but to say yes.

"Fine, I'll go with you," Jay was just forced to make the decision.

"Finally, you agreed with me! So, see you on Saturday," Simon tapped Jay's shoulder and left excitedly.

Even though he was just forced to do it, his mind was telling him to try the new environment. Anyway, it had been five years. He really forgot how to be happy. It's not bad if he'd try to be happy and go back to his old world. He felt he was imprisoned with his bitter past.

It was Saturday night, he left early. He was wearing a gray suit with a pink tee inside and jeans. He looked at the mirror and realized that he hadn't worn something like that for a long time. He wanted to have a normal and happy life. He went to Padi's Point by himself and didn't ask for his friends to pick him up.

"Welcome back dude!" Simon welcomed Jay who was walking towards his old band mates.

"Wow dude, is that you? We missed you," his old band mates hugged him as a form of welcoming Jay. They're his bandmates before transferring to the countryside where she met Cissie.

"Same here dude! Yes, this is me, Jay," he smiled.

"Oh, they're here!" Simon interrupted.

"Hey boys! Oh my goodness! Jay, you're here," Jenny wasn't expecting to see Jay which surprised her. She kissed Jay on the cheek.

"Yeah, finally. How are you?" Jay asked.

" I should be the one asking you that. How are you? Long time no see, man! By the way, do you still remember my cousin, Ana?" Jenny turned her head to where Ana was.

"Hi Jay!" Ana greeted and waved to Jay.

"Of course! Hi Ana, welcome back," Jay kissed her on the cheek.

"Alright guys, let's throw a log on the fire. Start ordering drinks as we'll start performing," Simon interrupted.

"Game!" the others said.

The whole gang had fun. Finally, Jay could join them. This was the first time he started hanging out with them since he came back from Siquijor. That was because he spent all his time searching for his best friend that he didn't know where exactly on earth she was, even at that moment. It was late at night. While his friends were having fun, he started to feel tipsy. He hadn't had liquor for the longest time that's why he could get drunk easily.

"Guys, think I'll be going ahead. I'm already feeling a bit tipsy. I still have to go to work tomorrow," Jay told his friends.

"Why are you like that. It's only 11pm. It's Sunday tomorrow, right?" Jenny contradicted.

"The hospital has no Sundays. We have patients every day, Jen," Jay smilingly replied.

"Alright. Can you drive?"

"Yeah, I live nearby. I'll just get some coffee first."

"Okay, bye. See you next Saturday," Jenny did not force Jay to stay.

Jay said his goodbyes to his friends. When he got out of the building, he passed by the nearby coffee shop to have coffee. He really had to drink coffee as his vision was already going around. He had to be sober first before driving home. He stayed for a few minutes, and when he was about to stand up,

"Bye guys, I'll go ahead," one crew said.

That voice was very familiar! He couldn't forget the voice of the person who was once the reason for his loneliness. He got more surprised when that woman turned around! Was he seeing things right or was it just because of the alcohol he consumed? Whatever it was, he didn't care. He didn't waste any second and he hugged her so tight.

"Help! Rapist!" the woman shouted and started panicking.

"Cissie, at last I found you. I searched for you for so long," Jay said, emotionally.

"Who is Cissie? Help!" the woman was trying to escape from him but he did not let her go.

"What's the problem, Bisa?" asked the woman's colleague while walking towards them.

"This maniac, he randomly hugs me," she really tried her best to get away from Jay and he let her go after saying those words.

"Sir, please don't make a scene here, or else I'll call the police," the woman's colleague threatened. Jay seemed to be back in his right state of mind after hearing it. Of course he's not a maniac for Pete's sake! He's just missed someone so bad that he acted that way.

"S-sorry miss. I thought you were my best friend that was missing," Jay said while trying his best to control his tears.

"Uh.. errr, is that so? Well, I am not her. My name is not Cissie. Perhaps I just look like her. I'll go now," he turned around and hurriedly walked away.

"I'm sorry, miss," Jay told the woman's colleague.

"Oh that's okay, sir. You don't look like one anyway," the woman went near him and whispered,

"With your looks, I don't think it would be good to rape someone like Bisa," Jay got shocked with what the girl said. He didn't know whether to be annoyed or laugh at what she said.

"I have to go. I'm really sorry with what happened earlier."

Jay was about to leave when the girl asked him,

"Wait, in case you want to know my name, I'm Jinky, and you are?"

This one was really got the nerve!

"Jay," he simply said walked away.

Jay was already in his car, but he still couldn't forget what happened. It was a proof that he still couldn't forget his long lost best friend. What amazed him was that the girl really looked like Cissie. He wasn't daydreaming. Even though her aura had improved, he still couldn't stop thinking that the woman was really Cissie. Her hair was short, wearing the k-pop fashion. She was a bit boyish unlike the Cissie whom he knew was modest. Plus the Cissie he knew didn't even know how to fix herself. Even so, their voices were the same. His mind was really blank that he didn't realize he was near his house. He couldn't sleep the whole night. Until he thought, what if that girl was really Cissie and was pretending to be not? Jay couldn't help but smile thinking of ways to know the truth. And why not! He wouldn't lose anything if he would do it.

The next day, he dropped by the same coffee shop after his shift.

"Good evening Jinky! I want a coffee latte please," Jay tried to pretend as if nothing happened.

"Oh sir, you're here again. For a while," it was obvious that Jinky liked him. A few moments passed, she returned with Jay's order. After handing him the coffee,

"Uhm, Jinky, what day are you free?" Jay asked.

"Whoah! Are you asking me out, sir?" Jinky excitedly ask.

"Whatever you call it," he smiled at her.

"Friday. I'm game to go on date," happiness reflected on her face.

"Okay then, wait for me this Friday around 6pm, after my shift." Then he left, smiling, as if he succeeded. Jinky, on the other hand, couldn't get over the invitation that she started telling them to her colleague.

"Girl, did you know that the guy who hugged you last night was here again?Do you know what he said?"

"How would I know? Am I a psychic?" Bisa sarcastically replied.

"Why are you that sarcastic to me? Well doesn't matter whether you're moody or crabby. The thing is, he just asked me out! " Jinky couldn't contain herself.

"What?" Bisa was shocked and seemed like she was poured over a bucket of ice.

"Hey, what happened to you now? Are you envious of me because someone handsome and rich asked me out for a date?" she teased Bisa as if she heard nothing.

"Ya!" she shouted at Bisa and she returned to her thoughts.

"Huh? That's good then," was all Bisa could say.

"I don't know what to do with you. You're really weird. I better get going," Jinky left her and went back to work, but Bisa seemed to be stuck in that place and lost all her strength to take a step to go back to work.

Days went by and it's Friday. Jay hurriedly timed out of the hospital for that was his 'date' with Jinky. On the other hand, Jinky was obviously prepared. She wore fabulous makeup just to impress the guy. She was walking to and fro outside the coffee where she worked and few minutes paseyd she saw Jay going out of his car wearing his nurse uniform. Jinky felt so happy upon seeing him.

"Hi Jinky, were you waiting for a long time?" Jay greeted her.

"Quite a bit," he replied with a smirk. And that moment, Bisa went out of the coffee shop as she was going to throw the trash. She just in time to witness the two together.

"Oh hello there, what's your name again? B-Bisa?" Jay smiled sweetly to her.

"H-hi sir," was all that Bisa could say.

"I'm really sorry about last time. I was drunk that I have mistaken you as my best friend. Anyway, your friend and I will be going ahead, Bisa." He put his hand on Jinky's shoulder, assisting her getting in the car. 

The two left seemingly excited for their date and Bisa went in the coffee shop.

On the other hand, the two wasn't really talking about a particular topic. They were just laughing as Jinky was also a good joker. She admited she's thick-faced and Jay appreciated her being true. They were happy with that date that it was already around 11 PM when Jay sent Jinky home.

"So, next time again, Jinky?" he smiled at her.

"Why not, as long as it's you," she smiled.

"You stay in this apartment?"

"Yeah, I'm living there with Bisa. We share the rent."

"Oh, so you and Bisa know each other for a long time?"

"Not really. It has been two years since I was transferred to this branch. She was one of the first colleagues that I got close to. She's kind so we get along," she told Jay.

"Oh, okay."

"Wait a sec, why are we talking about her. Do you want to have some coffee inside?

"No thanks. I have to go. I have an early shift tomorrow. I enjoyed your company. I'll go ahead then."

"Alright, bye handsome!"

When Jay was inside his car, his face became bright. He felt like he had a mission and he was sure that he would be successful. She wanted to play a game? Did she want to play hide-and-seek? He's good at it! He just needed to be in that coffee shop every day. The next day, he passed by the coffee shop early as he knew that Bisa's shift was in the morning. Jinky was the talkative type, so he had an idea.

"Good morning Bisa, where's Jinky?"

"She's on night shift, sir. What would you like to order?" she was avoiding his eyes.

"One cup of coffee latte, please, to-go."

"Okay sir, coming," she said, still avoiding his eyes.

She returned shortly with his order.

"Here' your order sir."

She was about to turn her back when Jay talked.

"Oh wait, how long have you known Jinky?"

"Uh sir, we don't usually get the chance to chat because we are both busy. Most the time, we are always in different shifts. She's sleeping when I get home, and it's the other way around when she gets home. Why don't you just ask her for yourself?" Bisa replied.

"Whoa, why are you angry all of a sudden? I'd better go. See you around," he smiled to her.

Her eyes were following Jay as he was walking out of the shop. She couldn't help but be annoyed. Why did he choose to ask her? Was he fooling her? Why did he care with someone else's life? On the other hand, Jay was happy with her reactions. He couldn't help himself smiling while driving. He was really determined to let her secret out. He decided to call Jinky.

"Hello Jinky, do you have some time this morning? Can we talk?

"Huh? Ah, sure, you could pass by our place. Sorry, I'm doing the laundry."

"It's okay, I'm on my way."

Jay hit the gas pedal hard as soon as he ended the call. He was driving so fast that he got to Jinky's place in 15 minutes. He called on the gate.

"Wait, I'm coming," she was hurrying to open the gate.

"It's too early for a date, handsome," she flirtingly said.

"Actually, I went here to ask, where is Bisa from? Was that her real name?"

"Oh, I thought it was something else. You're here just to ask me that?" she was obviously dismayed.

"Jinky, I need your help. If you could recall, I was crying that night as I have mistaken her as my best friend who was missing," his face became serious.

"Fine, else you might cry again. As far as I know, her name isn't really Bisa. She was just called Bisa because she has this Visayan accent when she got in this shop two years ago. I was wondering why she said no when you asked her if she was Cissie, but I know that I should not meddle with her personal life. We get along well but she didn't share anything personal to me," Jinky explained.

"I knew it! I knew it! She was my best friend who left without telling me! I knew that she loved me, but it was late when I realized that I love her too and my life became miserable when I couldn't find her." He was crying with joy with what he discovered.

"I think I heard something from her last night. She filed her resignation effective immediately and today is her last day."

"Really? I have to go, Jinky. I think she's planning on leaving me again. I really thank you, I owe you a lot," Jay hurriedly went in his car.

"I thought you were really interested in me. Hmmp! Just give me a rich date and you're paid," Jinky teased.

"Sure!" Jay replied while he was going in his car.

Jay did not waste any moment and he left the place. He had to go back to the shop and confront Cissie. Why did she do that to him? Well, she wanted to leave him again.

"Brace yourself! You can't run away this time," Jay thought himself.

Cissie, on the other hand, was secretly crying inside the employee's locker room.

"I tried to forget you long ago even though it was painful for me. Why did you come back?" Her heart was broken with the pain she's feeling. But she had to go back to the counter as she still had some work to do. She washed her face and went straight the counter when someone pulled her out. She didn't recognize who that was because her mind was still struggling to maintain the senses. She was held on tight as if she wouldn't be let go. When she realized who was pulling her,

"What are you doing sir, did I do anything wrong?" she tried to let go.

"Sir? What did I do wrong? Wow, you're unbelievable! Are you still pretending, Cissie? Why did you do that to me?" Jay then couldn't hold his tears. He let go of Cissie's arm when they got out of the shop.

"Why!" he screamed.

"You're shouting as if it was only you who got hurt! You want to know why? Fine!...I was just someone stupid who fell in love with my best friend whom I know that he couldn't love me back. I was assuming.  Not only that, I thought I was feeling it. I knew that you only see me as a friend. You have no idea how painful it was because you were not the one was feeling it. Are you happy now? Oh gosh, I'm so stupid, why am I even explaining this to you? I'm the who got hurt," Cissie's tears were also flowing non-stop that moment and she turned her back from Jay.

"I have no idea that you were feeling that way!" Jay grabbed her and let her faced back to him.

"Because you were numb!" she shouted.

"You think you were the only one who was hurt? My life became miserable when you left without a word. I spent the last five years searching for you anywhere. Five freaking years, Cissie! I paid anyone just to find you. I couldn't almost accept what happened; even my dreams were almost gone," Jay then said with cracked voice.

"So it is my fault now? Well, sorry then. But I have already forgotten you, so please go," then she turned her back again. But Jay was fast to grab her arm.

"Where are you going? You're leaving me again that's why you resigned?"

Cissie was trying to remove his hand.

"What do you want from me? You already saw that I'm alive, right?"

After saying that, Jay pulled her close and kissed her with his whole heart while hugging her tight, hugging her as if she wouldn't be able to escape anymore. They were both startled with what happened that it took her a few moments to realize it. Jay tried to distance himself then touched her face. Their eyes met as if their eyes were talking. They haven't seen each other for so long that they were excited for each other. They may not be talking, but their hearts know that it was whispering the words 'I love you so much.'

"You are all I need. Bezzie, please let's give it a try. Please be my love," Jay uttered those words emotionally.

Cissie was shocked. She couldn't find words. Was she hearing it right or was she just hallucinating? She, was the one he loved?

"Bezzie, I was afraid when you left without a word. I was like a madman, I see you everywhere. That was when I realized how much I love you," Jay continued while still holding Cissie's face, with his eyes looking straight to Cissie.

"Is that true? You're just kidding, right? You love me, oh my gosh, I must be dreaming," Cissie said with tears falling from her eyes.

"You don't want to believe me? Call my mom right now and ask her how miserable I was when I couldn't find you. Do you want us to get married right at this moment?"

"Fine, fine, I know I couldn't do anything about you. I still love you until now, you jerk!"

"So, we're together now?" Jay asked.

"I have been dreaming of loving you ever since. I dreamt of us together. I even dreamt of having kids, house, and freaking pets with you," Cissie replied and touched Jay's face. She looked to his eyes and hugged him. Jay felt their hearts were connected. However, she's a little afraid that the moment they're in was just temporary.

"This is so fast. I mean, this thing between us. You didn't even court me. How do I know that are so sure of what you feel for me? Who knows you just missed your long lost best friend?" she said.

"You know, I've never been so sure until I spent my five years aching for you. I don't want to spend a single moment without you anymore. I thought I won't be able to live a normal life again," Jay held her hand and put it on his chest. He let her feel his heart pumping so loudy.

"You feel that? it could almost stop beating because of you. But God just helped go on for He knows that one day we will meet again. And here we are. Let's not waste another time," Jay solemnly continued. She couldn't even say a single word because she was so touched of what he had just said. She just smiled teary at him. So full of love!

"Eh, bezzie, can we do that again..." Jay said, pouting his lips.

"No way, there are a lot of people watching us," Cisse blushed when she realized that a crowd was watching them and clapping their hands. But Jay was really naughty that he stole one more kiss. She tried to kick him yet Jay was really naughty. It was obvious that they missed each other as they had just admitted their feelings to each other after a long time.

-E-N-D-

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