Only Time Can Tell

It was seven o'clock in the morning when Jane arrived in her school. Every day she arrived in school earlier than her classmates. She wanted to read books in their school library. She has one only friend who understands her attitude. Jane was not close to her classmates aside from her best friend. Her friend was the total opposite of her. Her name is Liziel. She was close to their classmates, a friend of all people around them. Her best friend was popular in their school so most of their classmates and schoolmates questioned their friendship. She didn't try to approach anyone because she knew that they will not understand her.

When she arrive at their school library, as always she is the first one to use it. Ever since she started to go to college, Jane didn't have any boyfriend. She thought maybe because of her looks. She wasn't abnormal because she has crushes too but definitely she didn't bother to express it because she knew it would be pointless and it isn't her priority. It was like her crushes were just purely admiration to their different capabilities and attitudes without a glimpse of romantic sensation.

Her best friend Liziel introduced her to her boy friends but they didn't show any interest on her so she is. It was like the boys didn't listen to Liziel's introduction about her. She wasn't bothered anyway. As always, when Liziel introduces her she would not let her finished it. She will leave as soon as her friend started to talk about her. She would rather be at the library, reading books than to face those boys.

Jane started to find a new book to read. She walked silently between the shelves; even though she was the only student there she wanted to remain silent and feel the quietness of the room. She didn't have any trouble to find a new book to read but when she's about to find a chair to sit on she's stopped by a sleeping man on the floor.

She was confuse of why there was a boy student sleeping in the cold floor. She approached it. She wanted to wake him up. She looked for his identification card. His name was Luke. She sighed and started to call his name.

"Mr. Luke, wake up! This is not a proper place to sleep on. Mr. Luke!" She called out his name but the boy didn't awaken. She called out his name several times but no avail.

She lost her patience. Jane was the type of person who has a short temper. She immediately lost her patience even though she tried it several times to lengthen it. She stood up and left him. She glance to his face and didn't bother to look again.

"Jane." She jumped into surprise when someone called her name. She turned around only to find her best friend standing behind her.

"Are you alright?" Liziel asked and worry was visible in her face.

She nodded.

" Are you sure? You looked like you've seen a ghost you know." Liziel chuckled.

"Yeah. I'm fine really. Don't worry."

Liziel didn't ask again. They started to read book while waiting for their first class.

It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Jane was dragged by Liziel into their school park. Their class ended so they were free. She knew her friend when she acted like this. Liziel would introduce her again to whomever those boys. She's tired about this thing but she didn't try to open up this to her friend. She didn't want to upset her only friend. 

When they reached the school park, Liziel turned around to find her friend. Jane sat on the bench and started to read a book. She didn't show any interest again.

"Jane." She looked up when Liziel called out her name. Then her gazed shifted to the man standing beside her friend. Her forehead creased because of the familiarity of the man. She didn't know but she felt like they already met.

"Jane this is Luke and Luke this is my best friend Jane." Liziel introduce them to each other.

"Hi." That was the only word that came from Luke's mouth.

She only nodded in response. They seated together in the bench facing each other. She can't help but to admire Luke's face. He has these soft features and a smile that can soften even an angry person. She continued to read the book she's holding. She looked up only to find out that Liziel and Luke were looking at her. Liziel is a pretty woman and Luke is a handsome man. They were perfectly made to each other. As she looked at Luke, her heart skips a beat.

She holds her book tightly. She knew she had a crush on him. It was a miracle if ever there's a woman who wouldn't have any crush on this man. She felt that Luke is a good person. 

"Is there any problem?" She asked.

"Well, there is." Liziel anzwered.

"Am I a hindrance here?" She blurted out the question without even thinking properly.

Liziel laughed at her question. "No it's not. What I mean is, the problem was you're not joining us with our conversation here. This is the first time that you stayed longer so I'm expecting that you might join."

Liziel was right. This is the first time Jane stayed maybe because she's bored in staying in the library or maybe because of Luke. She has a gut feeling that she met this guy that's why she stayed. That's what Jane's thought. Then suddenly she remembered the man who was sleeping in the school library. That's why she has a feeling that she already knew this man. 

"I'm bored that's why." She plainly said. She didn't say a thing about this man sleeping in the floor.

" That's new Jane." Liziel chuckled. "But it's a good start."

She just nodded and continued reading her book. She can't concentrate because her mind was occupied by Luke. Jane shook her head to dismiss her thoughts of the man but she can't. She sighed. She stands up and grabs her bag.

"Where are you going?" Liziel asked.

"Library." She answered.

Liziel sighed and nodded in response.

Everyday Jane saw Luke with his friends and classmates hanging around the campus. He's good at everyone. He helps when there is a student who needed support. He even helped the gardener in their school. He's every woman's dreams. She admired him with the way he is. Jane thought, Luke was the first man admitted she had a crush on. She kept in her heart what she felt to him. Their paths never crossed again. The first time they were introduced to each other was the first and last encounter they had.

She was back in the present when Luke snapped his finger in front of her face. She was back from reverie.

She shook her head in disbelief. It was seven years had passed. Jane and Luke crossed their paths again. They were both employees in an advertising company. Both of them had grown up. Jane was surprised when she saw Luke. She can't believe that they will meet again. Maybe it was purely coincidence that they will meet again not a destiny nor fate.

All those years Jane had experienced what love truly is. She has a boyfriend but they broke up two years ago. They decided to separate paths.

"Jane you don't have any boyfriend yet?" Leila her new close friend. Her best friend Liziel was happily married now and she stayed in her husband's country. It was a year now since they didn't met but they constantly contacted each other.

"Why?" She asked.

"Why don't you go out on a date?"

She laughed at her friend's suggestion. Who would be on earth she will ask to go out with her?

"You're beautiful Jane and it was a friendly date only not that what you're thinking." Leila explained.

Jane silently agreed to what Leila said. She unconsciously looked at Luke. She was not the Jane her classmates and schoolmates knew anymore. She totally changed into a wonderful woman with confidence in herself. Maybe this is the time she will ask Luke to go out. After all, Luke was her old crush maybe to have catch up or anything. She unconsciously smiled at her own thoughts.

When the clock ticks at five o'clock she hurriedly went to Luke's cubicle and asked him to go out without any second thoughts but it was turned into disaster.

"Honestly, I don't remeber we met before Miss. You said that your name is Jane and we met during college days. That we introduce to each other by your friend Liziel who was also my friend." Luke said again. That was the third time he said it. When the first time Luke said those words that he didn't remember her, she immediately reminisces the past. 

"Miss I don't know you personally. You suddenly asked me to go out with you. I don't know what your purpose is but I will decline your offer. I'm sorry." After Luke said it he quickly left her.

Jane felt weak with Luke's words. She can't believe Luke forget her. But on the side of her mind it said that they only met once maybe that's the reason. Aside from that her appearance was very different from the past. She sighed and stood up from Luke's chair. She walked quickly to get out from the office.

In her way home, she thought of other possible reasons of why Luke forget her. She only wants to go out with him. Maybe he's her old crush but it was not the sole reason only to go out with him.

Her phone rang. It was Liziel. She immediately asnwered it. She wanted to tell her about Luke.

"Hello Liziel! How are you?"

"I'm fine Jane. By the way, had you met Luke?" She actually surprise that Liziel would open up the topic about Luke.

"Yes. Actually I asked him to go out with me but he declined the offer saying that he didn't remember that we met before. He didn't remember you also."

"Well you have enough confidence to ask him huh?" Liziel laughed. Her friend knew she had a crush on Luke. She can't stop but to laugh too at her friend's statement. "The reason is he has amnesia. He's been comatose for a year because of a car accident."

She can't believe that Luke would suffer from amnesia. Jane and Liziel continued to talk about Luke's situation.

When the call ended, Jane realized that it would be better if she keep her distance from Luke. After all, she was not that important person for him to remember. She was hurt maybe because she still cares but she has no choice.

It was early in the morning when she arrived at the office. She thought she is the first employee to arrive but Luke was the first one. She passed Luke's cubicle without a glance. When she sat on her swivel chair she glances at his direction with a sad smile. Maybe only time can tell when will Luke recover his lost memories and to remember her existence or not. As for now, she will be contented watching him from afar waiting for the right time to come. 

End