vivaxeric:
It was a late gift, but a gift nonetheless. After all, if there’s anyone who would appreciate it, Eric had no doubt that it would be Juni. He couldn’t even remembered the last time he stepped into her cafe, except that the talk lasted for a while and perhaps, trailed off to a less-then-stellar ending. The year had been tough, for many reasons he could not divulge simply because he himself, had a difficult time understanding the hiccup.
He could blame it all on his insomnia, on the pills and need for withdrawal, among many other things. But they were excuses to this growing void, and Eric knew there was something he had to do - to give up - so as to venture into a new chapter of his life.
After all, one can only live with their memory, but to be tied down by one was something he never wanted to end up with. And if he struggled with that in the mental space, the least he could do was to give himself a break in the physical sense. To get away, completely and start a fresh. With his three-month contract in Japan finalised, he knew it was time to move on.
Perhaps it was that timely notion that had brought him incredible strength, and he found himself preparing for the departure. Paperwork, boxes, new accommodation…some of which he could take a longer time to complete. At the least, he wasn’t planning to bring too many things with him anyway. But if there was someone he thought he should bid goodbye, it probably was Juniel. After all, most of his friends had gone on to better, bigger things.
Stepping into the cafe, he let out a laugh when his eyes landed on a familiar staffer. There was no sight of the girl he was looking for, or her yellow little companion, but it’s okay. The photographer tossed a friendly wave, shaking his head when the waiter offered to make a call to his boss. “I’d drop by another time,” he commented offhandedly, and handed the leather-bound book to him, “help me pass it to her when she comes, will you? Her belated birthday gift. Send my regards for not being ablt to wish her face-to-face.” The male pat the young man, lips tugged into a grin, before he slipped passed the doors. But before he left completely, he tossed a long look behind his back, of the cafe and the smell of coffee…something tells him that he won’t be visiting for a long, long time to come. But nostalgia could come later - the raven cracked a smile, bidding it goodbye in a soft whisper as he turned on his heels.
The book contained a series of developed photos, most of them featuring the little duck, and a few of them with Gomdori. Photos he’d taken on his birthday earlier that year, better days of the mix. And on the last page, was a photo he’d snap a very long time ago, a photo of both his cherished friend and her trusted companion. A candid shot, as most would call it. A handwritten note was found on the first page, well-wishes of her birthday and a small note:
To Juniel (& Sandeul). Happy birthday, and I hoped you have a great one. I promised pretty photos, and I’m here to deliver them. I’d be gone for a long while, and I guess I’d see you when I next see you. Don’t miss this old man too much and pass my regards to Sandeul. Stay healthy and happy, little one. Much love (to Sandeul <3), Eric.
“A present?” She blinked in bewilderment, at the employee flashing an ambiguous smile. She couldn’t quite tell if he was teasing her or was simply amused by her wide eyes or even both. She couldn’t guess, but that was irrelevant in comparison to the book in her hands, fingers grazing over the leather texture. “For me?” With a laugh, the young man nodded and ended receiving a frown and a light hit on the arm from his boss. Obviously, he was having fun registering her doubtful surprise.
The soot brown cover intrigued her, its content still sealed away from her avid curiosity. Her eyes would only changed their object of interest when she was crossing the roads and taking the stairs to the fifth floor. The scent of almonds and cinnamon greeted her return, the result of preparing tea early in the morning.
And indeed, what more than a simple cup of tea, pale pink in appearance but nutty in taste, to relax after a long exhausting day filled with volatile inspiration and words of no meaning when knitted together. Calluses were felt on her fingers and a frown creased her forehead. It seemed like she had returned at neglecting her limits in order to advance further in her profession. It was the least she could do though. With her debts increasing with each comeback, she must improve in order to break even with the company soon. Thankfully, the coffee shop kept neutralizing the amount, preventing it from going to the negatives.
The gift was a pleasant distraction. Her cup in one hand and the other unlocking the book, the note was what she read first followed by a roll of her eyes and a smile as her response. She didn’t mean to express irritation upon seeing how Sandeul would always be favored and mentioned when opportunities were given to the older man. It was actually very funny, funny how he could be so childishly thickheaded for his age.
How long would it take for them to see each other again though? It was odd. She wouldn’t hear his lame pranks for a while. She wouldn’t have someone that would bother her to no end. She wouldn’t get to release a bit of her displeasure masked with playfulness when it becomes overwhelming.
She would miss him definitely, but the thought of meeting again comforted her. At least, it wasn’t a permanent goodbye.
Her expression softened with each page turned, revealing new pictures every time. Memories connected to the illustrations flew by, the warmth mixing with the one going down her throat at each sip. His talents amazed her since each shot captured parts of the past, giving them a chance to be timeless.
“Oh–” Her posture straightened at the last photo. She had not recall him pulling out his camera and snapping that moment. A candid shot. Totally unexpected, but delightful to see. Her smile seemed to shine so brightly, her eyes crinkling with affection at the duck staring back at her.
So… was that how is she seen from others’ perspective? Was it just the timing and the lighting that permitted her radiance to be the focus of the photo? In the end, she wouldn’t know.
“Thank you.” She whispered, her smile lingering. “Let’s see each other soon so I can thank you in person.”
