His Hidden Mystery

I'm a 23 years old lady who hasn't had a relationship before. I hesitate at first when my friend told me to use a dating app but part of me was curious about how does it felt like talking to a total stranger. On my first try, I met a guy who has the same hobby as mine. He said that he likes the mystery genre whether a book or a movie. He also said that he loves deciphering codes. Both of us like the thrill and excitement while unraveling the hidden things our world has. That day, we both knew that this conversation might continue for a while and might also lead to something spectacular.

Then, we started talking that day. A day would not pass without saying anything to each other, we even exchange our phone numbers in case we disconnect on that dating app but we agreed not to give each other social media accounts nor giving our full name just for the means of anonymity since we both love mystery.

I woke up when my phone rang. “Hello?” I heard that the one on the other line chuckled. My eyebrow arched with annoyance.

“Good morning, Riela.” I felt shivers down my spine upon hearing his monotone voice. His morning voice reminds me of those hot and sexy leading men in an erotic movie. I still can't get used to hearing his voice, especially after waking up early in the morning.

I rose and sit on the end of my bed. “Good morning. You're up early, do you have class beforehand?” I turned my gaze on the left side of my room and check the clock, it's only 5:00 a.m.

“My class starts at 6:30. I'm going for a jog today.” He said. I yawned and stretched my fair skinny arms over my head.

I heard him chuckled once more. “My apology for waking you up. Continue your sleep. I'll be heading outside. Let's continue talking later.”

“Got it. Bye, Marcus,” I said then hang up. I put my phone on the wooden lamp desk and throw myself on my soft gentle bed. I stare blankly at my plain blue ceiling.

How many days has it been since I started talking to him on phone? To think of, it's been a month and he never failed even once calling me. In those number of days, he is still a stranger to me. A mystery case that even Sherlock Holmes will fail to uncover.

I might create a black hole in my room because of my thoughts. Marcus is a big jigsaw puzzle that has a lot of missing pieces.

“Have you heard about The 1975 band?” As I heard his question, both sides of my lips lifted. Don't tell me we also have the same interest even in music? If this isn't fate, I don't know what else to call it.

“Of course, that's my favorite band hahaha” I giggled while imagining what might be his facial reaction while hearing my answer. I haven't seen his face and he hasn't even told me what he looks like but my fantasy land already printed his image on my mind.

I imagined he has a bulky body build and tanned complexion. Well, in terms of his facial aspects, I bet he has thick eyebrows, dreamy eyes, and long eyelashes. I also visualize him with a fine jawline.

“Really?” he asked with disbelief. Well, even I can't also believe that we have the same interest in almost everything.

“Yup,” I said and take a bite of my favorite chocolate.

“That's crazy…” He still can't believe it. C'mon Marcus, The 1975 is hella great. No one can resist their music.

“Then what's your favorite song of them?” he said as if he questioned my credibility as The 1975 fan.

“Somebody Else. The message caught my attention. How about you?” I asked him. They have a lot of good songs but this song is my favorite among the most.

“Be My Mistake. This song reminds me of someone I knew in the past.” Hearing that made me curious about that someone he is referring to.

“So, you have an attachment to the song. Now, I'm curious about the mystery behind that someone,” I said to him and take another bite. Gosh, why does mars chocolate taste so heavenly? The nougat and caramel melt in my mouth.

“Let's just say that I made a mistake to someone in my past that I still regret until now.” I can sense that behind his pleased tone there was sadness he kept for a long time.

“I know a day will come and you will meet that someone. Both of you will be given a chance that will end those regrets. So don't be sad, okay?” I heard him let out a heavy and deep sigh.

“Yeah, I hope so…” I can hear from his voice, how bothered he is at this moment.

“Hey, wanna hear me sing?” I was caught at the moment, I just want to cheer him up but why did I end up doing this humiliation? I hold and messed up my hair out of frustration.

“You can sing? Can I request a song?” he said while having too much hope in my voice. I wish he won't be disappointed hearing me.

“Yeah, sure.” The atmosphere seems brighter than a while ago.

“Talk is overrated by Jeremy Zucker,” he said immediately as he heard my answer. Like a kid who is excited to hear his mother sing him a lullaby every night.

“It's already late at night. I hope my song won't ruin your night.” I heard nothing but his loud breathing echoing on the phone.

“I don't wanna smoke, I don't need a drink

Just tell me how you feel, tell me what you think

'Cause I've been on my own for a fuckin' while

And I don't need a boy, I just wanna smile”

As I close my eyes, I started singing my heart out. My mind is filled with my thoughts about Marcus. For the past days, weeks, and months passed by, I unconsciously thinking about him.

“Gettin' my mind right

I wait 'til the time's right

I'm meanin' to tell you

Why it's hard to sleep at night

There's nothin' to fear now

We should be here now

Why don't you hear me out?”

I always check my phone just to see if he did leave a message in my inbox. He slowly takes a part in my system, the reason why it grew a sudden attachment to my heart. Whether I started to like him or what. Is it something to get worried about?

“'Cause talk is overrated, let's just vibe

And love is overrated in my mind

Girl, talk is overrated, let's just vibe

Just for tonight”

As I heard him sing, my world suddenly stops. I slowly open my eyes. His voice feels like the first bloom of spring. It brings the beauty of a new beginning. The negativity unexpectedly vanishes through the thin air.

I wonder if this is the feeling of being in love?

“Riela? Are you still the–” That brings me back to reality. What am I even thinking?

“Would you like to meet in person?” My hand is trembling. I hold my hand and bite my lower lip. Gosh, I'm so damn nervous.

“Okay, Let's meet. Let's both solve this mystery.” I think my heart suddenly stop from breathing. Can someone tell me how to breathe?

I was wearing a plaid mustard skirt, a white plain top, and two inched sandals. I was kind of nervous since it is my first time meeting a person who I met breathe. I wake up early just for our today's date. My sister said I look good but why am I still nervous?

In the first place, I am just meeting him to have a friendly chat but he insists to consider it as a date.

My phone ringed, Marcus is calling me. “H-hello?” Dang! I'm stuttering. Riela, calm down.

“Hey. I'm already inside the café. I'm wearing a white shirt, denim pants, and white sneakers. Where are you?” His more punctual than me. I felt guilty for being a bit late.

“I'm also here. I go search for you.” As I go inside, I started to search for him. There are only a few customers here. As this state, I can easily find him.

I roamed around and I saw a guy sitting alone. His back is facing me that's why I can't see him. But his clothing suits Marcus' description.

I lightly tapped his shoulder, “Uhm, excuse me?” he turned his gaze at me them he seems shocked. As I saw his face, my phone unintentionally drop.

My phone ringed as I saw Marcus" calling me on my phone screen. The guy beside me seems shocked while holding his phone. He is my first love in my junior year of high school.

He is Marcus who happened to be my first love. The one who never notice me nor known my existence. He is the same Marcus with who I keep exchanging phone calls.

“Riela?” He took my phone to the floor and give it to me. I nod as an answer.

He hugged me as tightly as he could that I can't even breathe. I felt a warm liquid on my shoulders. Is he crying?

“I- I'm sorry...” he whispered through my ears. I don't even know what's happening.

“I should've noticed you before. I should have not ignored you. I'm sorry, for doing those mistakes.”

While having a chat with him on our 'date', he said that I look like someone he knew before and it turned out to be, my sister. They had a relationship before that don't end well. Be my mistake reminds him of her. Well to say frankly, my sister already moves on to that incident and I guess he should too. I think my sister doesn't hold grudges against him.

To think of that my first love even an unrequited one, had a relationship with my sister is hella a rollercoaster ride. While uncovering both of our mysteries, we found out more shocking revelations than we expect them to be. We are indeed a mystery to each other.