Chapter XXIX: Forgive and Forget

He then slowly inhaled a huge amount of air before looking straight into my eyes and started explaining what he did years ago. It was many years ago, where the known student council president and the troublemaker, were still friends. Flashback: "Carl? Carl!" I shouted when I couldn’t see where he went We we’re playing in the playground a while ago when he disappeared when it was his time for hopscotch. I pouted and searched for him to continue playing. I was pretty sure he went somewhere that he knows and I went to Uncle Martin’s house to see if he was there. The big gate of their mansion was half opened so I quickly went in to find him inside. The maids that were cleaning the front yard saw me skipping my way to the mansion. They put down the cleaning materials they were holding and approached me. "Piper! It’s nice seeing you, but what brought you here?" She smiled warmly at me and the others were baby talking to me. "It’s nice seeing you Amelia but where can I find Carl? I wanted to play hopscotch with him." "Carl? Carl is inside. He must have felt hungry and went here to grab some food." "Can I go inside?" "Sure, just go straight and you can find him in the kitchen." "Thank you!" I sweetly said and they bid goodbye before continuing their work outside When I entered the mansion, an aura that only those houses who senators and powerful personalities occupies, welcomed me. The house had a different atmosphere from our house. It was dark and I felt scared when I stepped on the floor. I couldn’t find Carl in the kitchen and decided to go up where his room was located. I slowly stepped on the marble staircase to find Carl and successfully reached the second floor. I was about to go straight when I heard voices coming from an opened door. I peeked inside and saw Cark standing in front of his Dad which was Uncle Martin. "Didn’t I told you to stay here and don’t play outside?" "I’m sorry, Dad. Piper wanted to play and---" "Now you have learnt to talk back to me! Stop disobeying me, Carl! Just be like your brother Clarence. Look at him! He’s an excellent student at the academy he was attending. Grow up, Carl Marvin." I suddenly felt going away from that place. I never saw Uncle Martin shout like that. He was scary. I ran out to the swimming pool on the backyard of Carl’s house. I was crying there for a few minutes when Carl appeared, surprised. "Hey, why are you crying?" I couldn’t tell him what made me cry so I just let it all out through small sounds. He hugged me and caressed my hair trying to stop me from crying. "Shh. Don’t cry Piper. I’m here; I’ll be your knight and shining armor." "Only Princesses have those, Carl." "Then you’ll be the princess, Piper. All hail Princess Piper!" We then sat there on the beach beds both of us laughing heartily just like what kids our age usually do. End of Flashback But little did I know back then, that it was the last time that I’ll be seeing Carl. The next day, he just disappeared in a flash and we couldn’t get a hold of him. Mom tried calling Aunt Carlisle but they were out of reach. "I never wanted to leave you, but I had to. Dad will disown me if I don’t follow what he says and I’m nothing without him. I tried contacting you but Dad will always catch me holding a phone and he prohibited me on holding one. When we came back to the Philippines, I was very happy Piper. I told myself that at last I was going to see you. But you were not there anymore and I couldn’t find you." "We transferred to a new household. My parents got into a divorce, Carl. We had to transfer." "I’m sorry if I didn’t think on your perspective. I’m sorry if I didn’t try to understand why you had to leave that place. When I knew that you weren’t there, I started questioning the world and my mind suddenly thought that you hated me. That you left me without even trying to wait for me for a little longer." He then wiped the tears in his eyes before continuing. "You were the only friend I had and losing you was devastating. That’s why when I knew that you were here, I thought I’m finally getting my best friend back. But you have your own life now and it seemed that you have forgotten about me. It hurts a lot Piper. It hurts." "I’m sorry if you felt that way, but we were both hurt. We misunderstood each other and I didn’t paid attention on you. It’s true that I knew you were studying here, but what if you’ll ignore me? What if I approach you and you don’t talk to me at all? I’m sorry if I just thought about myself and not your feelings." "I’m sorry too. Are you enlightened now?" "I am enlightened Carl. Very enlightened." "Then should I properly confess to you now? I prepared a lot for this." "Whatever Carl. Whatever." "What? Are you going to reject me? Please say that you won’t." "I won’t." I said and he cheered happily before his friends and Samina emerged in the rooftop with confetti in their hands