CHAPTER 19 : Starting Over Again

“Is that Luna? Why does she have black hair? What?” said someone watching Luna from a distance. “What is she doing here? Her and Clell? What? Is that why? I must get to the bottom of this.” she was murmuring to herself as she discreetly followed Luna from a safe distance.
Even with Luna’s severe headache and hangover, she managed to walk fast in a zigzag manner while holding her head with one hand, trying really hard not to fall head first. As soon as she reached the car, she swiftly closed the door and managed to choke out, “Let’s go, please. Hurry!”, with her tears still incessantly falling from her eyes. Everything that she was trying to forget—her past—came crashing down on her that she couldn’t handle her emotions anymore.
“Are you okay, my child?” the old driver gave Luna a worried look, his eyes were scanning her if she had any bruises or wounds.
“Ah, yes. Can we please go now? Please.” She begged, leaning her head on the car window and raising her legs to hug it.
“Yes. Sure. Make yourself comfortable there. I actually bought these bagels and a coffee for my breakfast; you can have it.” and reached out for the paper bag that contained his breakfast, giving it to Luna.
Luna’s stomach was growling of hunger, but she still refused, “No, thank you. I’m sure you’re hungry, Sir.”
“I have a daughter your age, but she passed away last week due to an accident. You remind me so much of her. Whatever you’re facing right now, young girl, feel it, but don’t dwell on it too much. The reality of life is that it won’t stop for you, even if you’re grieving. You have to continue and move on. Look at me, I am still grieving, but I have to go to work for my wife who is grieving, too. One must stay strong for the both of us. Everything will be alright in the end, child. Why don’t you eat first?”
Hearing the old man’s pieces of advice made Luna bawl her eyes out. “I wish my dad would love me the way you love your daughter.” She whispered.
However, her words were not unheard by the old man, “Do you want to have breakfast at our place? I’m sure my wife would love you, but we live quite away from your place.” He tried to comfort Luna, thinking that she didn’t want to be alone at this time.
“Hmm. Sure, I would love to meet her, too.” She responded. She was staring blankly at the car window while clutching her chest, hoping it’ll somehow mitigate the pain that she was feeling.
It was a surprise even to Luna herself that she agreed to come over to the old man’s house. She was not the type to go with a stranger, but like the old man, she somehow felt connected to him as well—or maybe she just wanted something to distract herself. Being alone in her apartment would only make her think about everything, she needed a breather and a transient escape from everything.
Back on Clell’s house, Clell was done reheating the food for Luna. He was so happy that he was finally near her again. He made a promise to himself that this time he will finally make it right with her—meaning no secrets. He was determined to tell her everything.
Carrying the food by a tray, Clell was humming softly as he was walking back to his room. The way Luna pouted her lips, almost touching his, earlier kept on playing on his mind and he couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
“Pffft.” He said while beaming with dreamy eyes.
Before opening the bedroom door, Clell sighed first trying to calm and prepare himself to confess and, finally, be honest and raw to Luna. However, as soon as he opened the door, he was greeted with an empty room.
“Luna?” after putting the tray of food on his bed, he tried looking for her in the bathroom, thinking that maybe she opted to take a bath or pee, but Luna wasn’t there.
“Where is she?”
He hurriedly went downstairs, worried, when he couldn’t find Luna in the bathroom. He also tried calling her, but Luna didn’t answer his calls.
“You won’t answer that?” the old man asked Luna again. It was the tenth attempt of Clell trying to contact her, but Luna was obstinate not to answer him nor message him.
“It’s just work. It can wait.” She replied nonchalantly and tried to redirect their conversation, “how long does it take for us to reach your home?”
“Around an hour.”
“Can I sleep a bit, then?”
“Of course, I’m sure you’re tired from all that crying earlier. Are you okay now?”
“A little bit.” She replied, wiping her tears. “I’ll be okay.”
With that Luna shifted herself to a comfortable position and it didn’t take long for her to doze off. Even her sleep, she was still crying. After an hour, the old man finally woke her up telling her, “Child, we’re here.”
“Oh, we are?” she said, slowly opening her eyes and observe the surroundings. The place was in a rural area, the greenery in the vicinity made Luna happy.
“I need to call someone from work. I’ll just follow you inside.”
“Sure. I’ll just greet my wife inside.”
Luna was just staring at the old man walking inside the house, wishing him to be her father instead. When the old man finally went inside, she started dialing Clell’s number.
“Luna, where are you?” were the words that came out of Clell’s mouth the moment he answered her call. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He continued. Luna knew that Clell’s telling the truth because she can hear his heavy breathing as if he was still catching his breath.
“Sorry, Clell. Let’s end whatever it is between us.”
“But I thought everything’s going great earlier.” His voice cracked at the last word he uttered.
“I mean I thought we’re finally going to talk things out and fix it.”
“I realized I don’t feel anything for you anymore.” Luna said. Her voice almost didn’t come out of her mouth as she tried to hold back her tears.
“Luna, ple…” Clell’s words were cut by a shattering sound.
“What was that?”
“Sorry, I drop my glass.”
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
He did have a cut on his feet, but he still reassured her, “I’m….yeah. I’m okay.”
“Nothing hurt more than you saying you don’t have feelings for me anymore.” He thought to himself.
“Bye, Clell.”
“Luna. Wait. Please. Please, let’s fix this. I’m sorry if I hurt you. Please give me another chance.” Clell was sobbing now and Luna’s heart constricted as soon as she heard him cry. So, she decided to end the call right away before she can give in to him again.