Staying Away

Yet, the moment she turned her heel around after buying some coffee, Zach was behind her. She nearly bumped in his chest, holding the coffee steadily. Sam was wearing a cap, and Zach recognized it at once. Sam cleared her throat, pretending he was a stranger, and walked away. Zach didn’t have anything to say and just step forward. It’s nothing to get bothered about. 

Zach composed himself, and ordered something fast. The barista said he’ll have to wait for a few moments for his coffee. Zach paid at the counter. He was about to chase Sam but she went out of the shop hastily. Zach stood there, sighing. His heart lost a half of it, making him numb, something that is unusual for him. But he stayed strong no matter what. 

Like a rose wilted inside his heart, he stayed as courageous as he can outside. 

Of course, Sam wouldn’t be grateful of what happened last time. Who was Zach in her life again? He was once her savior. And it has something to do with his mother. Zara Gonzales never wanted the two of them being together. He’ll do everything for them to stay apart, but look where it got them. They had been each other’s backs for 10 years. No one lowered their swords at the mightiest of fights. 

“Mr. Zach Gonzales, your order is ready.” As he retrieved the paper bag, Zach’s mind raced through Sam’s. How the mornings filled with a cup-ready coffee in their small dining table in their house. That scene was something to look forward every time he opened his eyes. But today was different. Zach was buying coffee for someone else, and it’s not Sam. Stacy came to light, and rescued him in darkness. 

Stacy smiled as huge as she could, and Zach placed their order by the corner table. “You ordered Macchiato, am I right?” Zach usually ordered two chocolates, but it’s only one now. Stacy had a different taste, and he smiled. 

“Yeah, I ordered the large cup for you,” Zach mumbled. Stacy beamed at his sweet tone. Her smiles filled the gap for a moment. Does he really love Stacy at all? Isn’t he just trying to get rid of something he should never have done? Is he not guilty? Zach was… guilty. It was such a foreign feeling. That even if he’s guilty, he can love the one who broke him to his treasure. 

“Thank you, honey. You know me too well.” Stacy chuckled. She retrieved the containers of the cake, and inserted a straw in her cup. Zach clenched his jaw, and knuckled his fists. What is this feeling he should eradicate of? Why does it feel like he has to reflect in every action he made? Zach was nowhere. There was such a difference between being conscious and being guilty. 

And right now, he felt both of it. 

“Can I go outside? I have to buy some corndog at the corner after this shop,” Zach excused. There was something on his tone that Stacy disagreed upon. It must be because he’s lying, or finding some time to see someone. But Stacy has been considerate to understand Zach’s breakdown when he split up with Sam. It’s something to see as a recovering. 

“Go. We still have an hour before we start to work,” she agreed. Zach smiled, assuring Stacy will be back. He stood up swiftly, coming out of the entrance right away, and puffed his cheeks. That was one hell of a lie. The heaven will not accept him anymore. It’s those many lies that covered up everything as good, but behind it, is the bad side. Stacy’s smile disappeared, looking in another direction, and huffed. 

It’s the morning, and she needed to calm down. 

… 

“Here.” Sam offered the cup of coffee as they sat down on the bench looking the highway. The sun continued to rise, and they have an hour to slack off before going to work. Sam sat down beside Ethan, talking about the story about her break up, and sipped coffee for a while. 

“So you’re saying he has Stacy alongside with you?” Ethan placed down the coffee beside him, turning to Sam. She nodded. Clicking her tongue at the floor of her mouth, it’s hard to come up with a narrative. There’s still something out there missing the piece, trying to know the reason behind Zach’s cheating, and it was a big deal for Sam. 

“That’s right. He has Stacy and me on the hook. He kept on baiting us, dangling me and Stacy in the air. Zach must be waiting for someone to get off and the one left was the victor. It’s too painful to even talk about, Ethan.” Sam found it uncomfortable to talk about Zach around the same guy as Ethan, but he’s a friend of her. Ethan understood her the most, aside from Zach, when they were still together. Ethan is like the second lead on a show, always there for Sam, even though she didn’t ask him to. Ethan never disappointed her. 

Ethan balled his fists, getting angry, knowing the two of them needed to have some privacy. Zach made a promise to him, years ago, that he’ll never hurt Sam the way he does right now. What came to his mind that made him decide recklessly? 

“You know, Sam, this is the only time I’ll say this to you, since you have the right to know.” Sam licked her bottom lips, savoring the strong taste of the coffee in her tongue, and shifted her eyes to Ethan. Is he making that up? Sam wondered why. He was such a contained person to begin with. Ethan’s look was serious. 

“Zach made a promise to me, about you and him. Never have I ever thought he’s going to break it. There’s nothing in you that isn’t lovable, Sam. Besides, when he promised that, he was serious. His tone was full of sincerity, and he’d never want to let you go,” Ethan admitted. Sam swallowed, hard. This is the moment she realized, not all promises were serious. Some of them may be tainted by pressure, or just because their partner was going to get annoyed if they say the otherwise. 

“Zach loves you, Sam. I don’t know what happened now. Times, seasons, and people change. You must be in love with a 17-year-old him.” Zach was listening on the other side of the bush. They didn’t even see him at all. Staring at the corndog, he reminisced that moment in school… where Ethan come up to him… and said those words. 

… 

11 years ago. 

“Letting Sam hurt will mean… you are never a man,” Ethan uttered before he can walk away. Yesterday, it was the fall of the leaves, and Zach confessed his feelings to Sam. They’re both official, but someone hindered their happiness for a while. But asking him about Sam isn’t all about hindering. He’s a friend of hers. 

Zach turned his heel around, asking, “What did you say?” 

Ethan took a step forward, tucking his hands in his pockets, and tilted his head to one side. This is the only time for Zach and Sam to know each other. Ethan… has known her since she was a child. Zach was the new one. Ethan added, “I just wanted to say to you to keep your promise well and intact. Sam is fragile. She’s a woman who’d never show the tears in her eyes, but when she did, she’s thoroughly broken. Only one tear, Zach, and get out of her life once.” 

Zach stared at Ethan. He’s sincere. The words coming out of his lips were for Sam’s protection. She was like a precious gem everyone wanted to possess, but since Zach won the competition, he got to keep the oath graved to his heart. Ethan uttered, “You are someone Sam wanted, Zach. Keep up to her promises, and you should, too. Don’t ever look on another woman while you’re with her. Do you understand?” 

“Yeah, Ethan.” Zach didn’t know what the future might hold. The change every minute will not make you get accustomed to it. You either move forward, or get stuck in the past. Ethan’s face got satisfied with his reaction, and held out a hand, offering it. Zach stared at it. 

“Let’s shake our hands together to keep the promise. Keep this on the next years or so, Zach.” Ethan wanted for him to prove something, and not to slack off and let Sam tearing up. A woman should be taken care of, not letting them get stressed out to an irrelevant thing. Zach received his hands, and they both shook it. 

… 

Zach found himself face-to-face with Ethan. He was on the way to the drama department to drop some files for the internees, something to guide them to the world they don’t have any knowledge with. Ethan stopped, tucking his hands on his coat, and looking above his spectacles. 

He’s right. He got to see himself in front of Zach. 

Ethan sighed, whispering, “What a coincidence to see you here, Zach, in the drama department.” 

Zach flipped the pages back on its place, laying it on his side. This is what an unexpected reunion should be, but Zach felt uncomfortable just by seeing his shoes. He sighed, creasing his forehead, expressing his annoyance. 

Ethan uttered, “Zach. What are you doing here?” 

He tried to sound casual, but it isn’t working at all.