Chapter 6- Rolling Back Times

For a while, Lynd was too busy chatting with her new little friend Stefan. Though she had come to talk to his mother--

her old friend.

But Arte didn't disturb their fun, instead enjoying the fun of watching in silence until the two new friends were satisfied playing. She was sure that Lynd wouldn't be strong enough to play with her son who could be very energetic when he was comfortable and fit with someone. Or so it was natural for a boy of Stefan's age who was still energic and cheerful in the world of play.

Lynd returns to her best friend Stefan after their game. Her breath hitched a little, tired. It must be because she's not used to being that active. Sipping her drink, Lynd still hadn't shared the story with Arte.

"You know what happened last month?" she asked Arte.

"Last month? What's going on?"

Lynd didn't answer, allowing Arte to think through her own question and look for an answer.

"A-ah… What do you mean Sarah's wedding? You came there?"

"So you also know what it looks like."

"Yeah, not because I wanted to either. How could I not have heard the news when she caused a stir at the school reunion earlier last year by sending out invitations."

"You two met at the reunion?" Lynd wondered if she might have guessed wrongly that Sarah and Arte might not be as bad as their relationship used to be.

"No, I just knew she was coming. Just that." Arte said uninterested. "While the person I've been waiting for appears every year, you!"

Getting a fierce glare from Arte, Lynd pointed at herself in confusion.

"Yes, you. Never once came." The protest is annoyed. Until Arte gave up hope because Lynd never showed up once at their batch reunion.

"Uh, I'm sorry." There was nothing Lynd could say in self-defense.

"Then, how about you? Why are you still alone?" Seeing how Lynd is so attached to children, there must be a feeling deep in her heart that she wants to have children of her own as well as the desire to start a family. Although Arte doesn't understand what the story is about until Lynd doesn't have a partner at a mature age.

Lynd's expression turned sad. It seems that the question cannot be answered simply, feels complex. It wasn't that she was trying to cover up the story of her life over the years missing. But somehow and from where she had to start telling Arte.

"Does it find it difficult for you to talk openly to me?" Arte could sense Lynd was uncomfortable or worried that her best friend thought she was being cornered. But on the other hand, she has a hunch that for reasons of sharing stories, they are meeting at this time.

"No, that's not it. Actually…" Lynd grabbed Arte's hand as if trying to get up the courage to reveal what was hidden deep inside. "There's something I want to tell you." She really felt the need to have someone who could help her become a bulwark and a fence to deal with this dilemma. To quell this unbearable feeling of turmoil.

Arte got nervous because Lynd looked so serious. Likewise, she was afraid that her best friend would get into big trouble. Of course, this problem could be a big problem even very serious if what Lynd feared happened.

"W-what is that?"

"Arte, actually, I'm… uncertain because of a heart problem."

"Huh?" Arte couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was already thinking badly. If it's a matter of love, it's a matter of the heart, it's a strange thing but it's not as serious as she thinks. "So?"

Lynd knew that just saying on the surface sounded simple. The challenge is for her to admit that she has a heart for the man who has become someone's husband.

Arte saw that her best friend was still hesitating and finding it hard, to tell the truth, or act casually in front of her. "Lynd really, you make me anxious. I thought you were going to talk about what. If it's a matter of love, of course anytime you can tell me."

"I like Joan. I have feelings for him."

"Joan? So that's the name. Uh? W-wait—" why does that name sound familiar to her ears. "Uh, surely this isn't the Joan I also know, right?"

Lynd just kept quiet making Arte uneasy. This should be a good time for Lynd to argue and make it clear that what she thought was wrong. The longer the pause of silence lasted, the more afraid Arte was made to be sure.

"L-Lynd?"

"Arte, you are right. The person I am referring to is Joan Lee whom you also know."

Arte reflexively pulled her hand from Lynd's grip in amazement until her mouth was wide open and she had to hide it with her palm. Visible gestures of shock were unavoidable. Lynd must be ready to accept a harsh response or criticism from her friend even if after this confession she will hear judgment, ridicule, blasphemy, and so on from Arte's mouth. She really hoped someone could stop her.

"W-what did I just hear… You mean, s-so…" Arte was at a loss for words.

Back to the silence that Lynd presented. In Arte's mind, she really wanted to say that Lynd had gone mad. What happened and what made her best friend change so that it ended up like this. The figure in front of her right now wasn't the Lynd that Arte had ever known.

Arte's trembling voice ventured to ask. "W-how far have you and him going? Are y-you two…"

Lynd quickly shook her head, refuting whatever was going through Arte's mind right now. "Not! Arte, trust me it's not like that."

But Arte's face didn't change still hard to believe.

"This feeling is only one-sided. I love him one-sidedly. So far I haven't done anything, just kept it to myself."

"Ohh, Lynd… You're freaking me out!" she'd been thinking wildly and it seemed like it all made sense that the reason Lynd had been missing for so long or was hiding was because of an affair. Arte couldn't help but think that way with this sudden confession.

"But Arte, when I met Joan at the wedding last time, I made a big mistake."

Arte thought the crisis was over but it was only just beginning. "You mean?"

"I confessed my feelings to him. Now Joan knows that I had a crush on him for a long time."

"What! Since a long time ago? When—no, I mean…" Arte's voice trailed off, having forgotten where she was in a public place. It was complicated in her head to digest Lynd's statement so far that her best friend had long had one-sided feelings for their old school friend and who knows since when.

"I shouldn't have met him. I shouldn't be seeing him again Arte..."

"Lynd, I can't follow your story right now. Can you tell me more slowly and clearly so that I understand?"

***

Joan's morning routine at home after dressing neatly, elegantly, and classy before going to work is to devote attention, love, and warm affection to his beloved wife who is pregnant with their baby. Breakfast together, coming home on time, never staying the night or spending the night outside the house were Joan's commitments that he promised his little family.

"D-day is getting closer, for the sake of the birth of our child. Can't you take time off or reduce your work?"

"Honey, you know this time I was appointed in charge of this new project by the Leader himself. How can I reject or betray his trust."

"Ugh, why is the timing so imprecise." Amy knew that her husband had finally gotten what he had always wanted, recognition.

Joan glanced at his watch, every second that passed he counted so much this morning. "Oh! Sorry honey, I have to go now." He kissed his wife's forehead and then hurried away.

Even though he wants to be the best father figure for his small family, the responsibility and position as an important company official are inevitable. Like this morning, Joan had to attend an important meeting with a partner on the agenda for his company's new project.

Traveling comfortably driven by company employees, without a hitch Joan arrived at the office. In the meeting room, everyone was waiting for his arrival, all the seats were filled except for one empty spot left.

"What happened? Why hasn't our partner representative arrived yet?" he asked, thinking he was the last to arrive there.

"I'm very sorry sir, I keep trying to contact and find out but haven't got any definite news." His employees looked panicked to deliver this bad news. This situation prevents the meeting from starting.

"Give me the number." Joan became curious himself, impatient.

"Oh?" The one asked looked confused. Isn't it the same even though the boss keeps calling the call that he's been trying to reach for a long time, there's still no answer. But there was no point in arguing or explaining, he just needed to obey the orders of his superiors.

A dial tone is heard but no one picks up. As the whole room's attention was on Joan with an anxious expression waiting for reassurance, so did he. The meeting room door opened. The person they had been waiting for had finally arrived.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. Sorry for the inconvenience." The first thing that came out as she entered the room, broke the silence with a loud voice. Lynd seized all the attention of those present at the meeting, including Joan.

Joan turned in the direction of the voice, from a face that was originally irritated to stiff, shocked to see a figure he never thought would appear there.

Both Lynd and Joan thought they would never see each other again as long as Lynd was determined to stay away from or avoid Joan for the rest of her life. Destiny's like a joke doesn't seem to let them cross paths like what happened in the past.