The Farewell

"Ava, you just said it all passed and we need to move on, then don't you think it's also time for you to let go? Why don't you put all those behind and start over? Do what you always wanted to do. Start playing and cultivate a group of children who loves music as much as you do. Wasn't that what you dreamt of once? Why don't you give in to your dream?" Jacob said seriously, he felt heartache thinking how Ava was suffering because of one accident.

Ava knew what Jacob said was true but she just couldn't let go. She couldn't forgive herself. Maybe if she didn't insist on accompanying her that day she would still be alive.

"Jacob, people changes, their dream also changes. Yes, I used to dream of teaching piano once but I was young back then. Now I like what I do. Being a doctor is not that bad actually I love to save people. That's more honorable than become a pianist, don't you think?" Ava said smiling lightly, looking at Jacob and hiding all the pain deep inside her heart.

Jacob suddenly held Ava's hand and said sincerely, "Ava, no matter what, I just hope you're happy. Don't blame yourself anymore. It was not your fault."

Ava nodded and her eyes become moist. She used to share every big and small secret of her life with Jacob but now Jacob was leaving and all her secrets will be gone with him.

Ava said slowly, "Thank you, Jacob. I hope the same for you too. Don't blame yourself for the past anymore and live a good life in the future."

Two people quietly looked at each other and let go of everything they had between them. They knew this was the farewell.

"We... Can we still be friends?" Jacob's tone was light and his eyes were a little uncertain. He knew it was too much to ask her but he still couldn't stop himself. What if she said yes.

Friends? They loved each other once but there was too much bitterness between them. Could she forget everything and be friends with him? She didn't know.

"Let's make a deal. We won't contact each other, if life brought us in front of each other again in the future, we will be friends again." Ava knew there was a very slight possibility for them to meet again so she said that instead of denying him directly. She was not ready to be his friend yet.

"Deal." Jacob nodded and smiled happily. The simple smile on his face was like a child who just got his favorite toy.

"Have you decided where will you go?" Ava asked.

"No, I am planning on traveling for a while. I will stop where my heart wants to settle down."

For Jacob, his future was uncertain, he didn't know where he would go and what he would do. Maybe he will find a suitable job abroad and make a comeback to the business world in a few years.

"Jacob, take care of yourself." Ava's eyes turned red, she suddenly wanted to cry. They have known each other for many years, they have seen so many good and bad times together. It was impossible not to feel anything while saying goodbye to him forever.

"You too, Ava take good care of yourself, I let you suffer a lot blame me for all of it." Jacob lowered his head, and his eyes were full of agony.

He couldn't stop but to think if he didn't do all that, probably Ava would be nestled in his arms right now and he would be the happiest man in the world. He thought of a hundred possibilities in his mind how things could have turned, but it was too late for him to make any of it real.

Ava looked up at the sky, to stop the tears from falling and Jacob thought she was still the same, very tolerant, always hiding all her pain deep inside her heart. In the past, he could share some of her pain but in the future, he wouldn't be able to do it anymore.

Ava thought in the past she trusted Jacob most but now who could she rely on. Suddenly Oliver's face appeared in her mind. She didn't tell Oliver about meeting Jacob today because she knew he wouldn't let her see him, Oliver was sometimes very unreasonable and he wouldn't understand that she needed to see Jacob one last time. He was very possessive about her so Ava knew he would misunderstand if he knew.

"Ava, Thank you for coming today. Call me if you ever need anything. If I can help you, I definitely will. I will send you my new contact details through email. No matter whether you need me or not, I will wait for your call." Jacob said with a warm smile, his eyes were hopeful.

Ava nodded and with a bright smile she said: "Goodbye, Jacob."

"Goodbye Ava."

On such a day, the sky was a brilliant blue and the wind was very warm. Ava watched Jacob leaving and wished him a bright future.

That's how goodbye should be. One should say goodbye with a smile rather than tears because that will give both of them to hold onto a pleasant memory.

After Jacob left Ava walked back to her favorite lavender meadow. She had too many memory attached to this place. Looking at the center of the lavender flower field, she seems to see a familiar shadow.

A 19 years old girl, standing in the middle of the lavender field playing her violin, the breeze was blowing her beautiful hair like a waterfall. She still had the same innocent look and the sweet smile on her face.

Ava stood there in a daze. This must be an illusion how could she be here? Suddenly she heard her best friend's voice.

"Ava, what should we eat?"

"Ava, I have to tell you something, I met someone."

"Ava, don't be afraid. We will be okay."