Until He's Gone

Anna is a ready to go in the Alumina Park, two blocks away from her house. She’s so excited. Anna was wearing a white turtle neck, covered with a caramel coat, one pair of black skinny jeans and 2 inch white winter boots. Today is the start of summer, her favourite season. Even though it’s summer but it’s still cold.

It's already 1 o'clock in the afternoon, when she arrived in Alumina Park. Anna is still waiting for her boyfriend-- Jessy. They've been in a 7 years in relationship and I’m glad to say that we’re going strong and strong and stronger. Jessy and I we’re college student when we started dating. And after 1 year in courting stage I said yes when he asked me again to be his girlfriend. They both happy with each other in that 7 years of being in relationship. And she was just waiting for Jessy to ask her hand in marriage. She even she her future with Jessy.

After 3 hours of waiting there is no Jessy came. He never been late that’s why she’s wondering, right now.

"Where are you, Jess?" She asked to herself while looking at her wrist watch. Jessy and I are going to our favourite spot today because today is their special day but her boyfriend is late. "Maybe it's because traffic. I should wait more munites." The minutes turns to another hour.

She sat on the wooden chair at park which is near in a tree house. I’m tired standing in the front gate of Alumina Park. It's summer that's why the park is full of people; parents with their kids, playing and having a picnic. She see herself as a good mother in their future daughter and son of Jessy.

She didn’t notice the kid who had already approached her. Because I was busy watching other kids and glancing at the gate to see if Jessy has arrived.

A kid approached her. "Hi."

She smiled and greet the kid. "Hello."

The kid is 5 years old I think, it also wearing a pink dress with a matching shoes. So cute with her piggy tails.

“I am Karley, 5 years old.” Karley sat down and faced her. “I’ve been watching you since you came and that’s 5 hours from now. Are you waiting someone? Your boyfriend or a friend?” Karley asked.

Oh.. Karley notice too. I didn’t know that I already waiting for Jessy at 5 hours already. Maybe it was because she had fun watching the kids playing and chasing each other.

“I’m waiting my boyfriend.” She replied with a smile. “By the way, I’m Anna. It’s nice meeting you Karley.” She held out her palm and the girl accepted it.

Karley pout her cute pinkish lips. “Then why.. why he made you wait for that long..” she asked me with astonishment on her face.

Maybe for others, waiting for her love ones are not worthy and waiting is just a waste of time but to her it is different. Waiting is a sign of true love and patience. And waiting is hard but I’ll wait for him as much as I have to, if that means getting to spend the rest of my life with him.

She gave a sincere smile and pat the head of Karley. “Someday you will know why, when you met the right person he gave you to spend your whole life.”

Karley’s forehead furrowed. “Who’s he?”

I pointed my finger to the sky. “God.”

The kid look at me, sadly but her expression suddenly change. “I hate waiting, Anna. But if waiting for my man (the right one) means able to with him, I’ll wait for as long as forever to be with him, like your boyfriend.”

Karley is just a 5 years old girl but she understand what I meant. I hope that Karley will find her right man in the future but for now this kid there are many more trials to go through.

“Karley, come here! We’re going home!” A lady shouted. I thinks that’s Karley’s mother. The lady smiled at me and she returned it with a smile.

Karley stood up and glanced at her. “We will meet again, right?” I nodded. “Good. See you until I see you, Anna.” And Karley hugged me.

I hugged her back. “See you until I see you, Karley.” She whispered.

And Karley let go of me. I watch her walking away with me while waving her little hands. Karley, she also do a flying kiss that made me laugh. I catch it with my hand and put it in my chest where my heart is, and return the flying kiss.

We both smiling at each other, until she disappeared from her sight. Thanks to Karley for accompany her while waiting to Jessy.

Her twitter and fear came back. She find her phone in her sling bag and text his boyfriend.

To: Babe

Where are you? Are you okay? Text me when you received my text? I’m worried, Jess.

She did not take her eyes off to her cellphone. A few seconds later she still did not receive any single message from it. She couldn't stand it and wait anymore that’s why she dialled Jessy’s number. She blow a deep breath when it ringed.

"Your call could not be connected, please check the number and try again." The operator says.

She hang up and try again.

"Your call could not be connected, please check the number and try ---."

I didn’t let the operator finished what she’s saying. I hang up again and try to call Jessy again but it’s failed.

“Damn it, Jessy! Where the hell are you?!” She said in a frustrated tone.

She walking back and forth while fiddling with his cellphone. She is nervous. What if it did not about the traffic why he’s not here? What if someone do something bad to her boyfriend?

She was annoyed that why she messed up her hair.

She quickly faced to the cellphone she was holding when it rang. Without thinking twice I answered the call. I didn’t even bother to see who the caller is.

“Jessy? Where are you? I've been calling you before but you don't answer any of it. Are you okay?” She asked.

The one on the other line hem. “Good afternoon Ma’am. Is this Anna?”

She frown. “I am. Who’s this?” She wondered as she briefly removed the cellphone from his ear to see who had called. It’s Jessy’s number. “Who are you? Why do you have my boyfriend's cellphone?” she asked again.

I don’t know what I should feel, happy or confused. Happy because it’s Jessy’s phone or sad because it’s not Jessy who’s talking.

Anna can heard the chaotic surrounding in the other side.

“I am Henry a nurse in Gonzales Memorial Hospital.”

Her heart pound loudly. She had an idea but her mind can process it.

When Henry told her the news, her world stop. Little by little her abundant tears flowed. I felt so numb. She can’t feel anything other than her heart being torn into pieces. Her brain was shouting for her that it’s not true. To escape the heartaches and pain she felt right now but those feeling didn’t lost. She just stared at the emptiness as repeatedly replay in her mind that the man she loved was gone.

“I’m sorry Anna, Jessy is dead….”