Coincidence

Chapter 49

Joe's POV

I pulled my jacket closer, seeking whatever warmth I could find. The cold bit at my fingers, sharper than I remembered. Or maybe it was just me. Maybe I was still adjusting after returning from summer in Australia, thrown back into winter's unforgiving grasp. Either way, the chill had settled into my bones, much like the dread curling inside me.

I sat in my car, fingers wrapped around a cup of coffee, waiting for Tina. I had asked her to meet me in the parking lot before classes, and now, as the minutes passed, anticipation and anxiety tangled in my chest. God, I missed her. Her voice, her laughter, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about things she loved. I missed the warmth of her arms around me, the softness of her lips against mine. But I never told her any of this. I buried every longing, every desperate thought in the depths of my heart. Because if I let it slip, if I let her see just how much I missed her, I wouldn't be able to say the words that would shatter her.

Trisha's going back had already left her broken, and I. I had left her too. While she was getting through all alone, while she grieved in silence, I was thousands of miles away, basking in the summer sun of Australia with my family. And I hated myself for it.

I glanced at the small paper bag on the passenger seat. The latte and pastries I picked up from café. It wasn't much, but I knew how much she loved them. It was my way of saying sorry without actually saying it. A peace offering for the distance I created. For the messages I left unanswered, the calls I kept short.

The truth was, I had been preparing myself for the inevitable. Dad had made it clear. He was sending me to LA to set up a café, and no matter how much I wanted to fight it, I knew he'd get his way. I had spent weeks trying to convince myself that letting go was the right thing to do. That Tina deserved better than someone who would always be halfway across the world. If she decided to break up, I would let her go. Because the truth was, I didn't deserve her.

A soft knock on the window pulled me from my thoughts, snapping me back into reality. The cruel, unforgiving reality.

I turned, and there she was.

"Hey," Tina greeted, her voice light, her lips curling into a smile before she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against mine. A casual one, like nothing had changed.

Like she wasn't hurting.

Like she hadn't spent nights missing me the way I missed her.

"Hi," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"How was your vacation?" she asked as she slid into the passenger seat, her tone easy, effortless.

I studied her for a moment, searching for cracks beneath her composed expression. I had spent days convincing myself that she might break up with me. That my absence had created a rift too wide to mend. But here she was, sitting beside me, as if nothing had happened.

Who was I kidding? Tina had always been stronger than me. She had survived long distance before. Maybe, to her, this was just another hurdle.

Instead of answering, I reached into the backseat and pulled out the small handmade board I had bought from a street market in Sydney. A wooden stand carved with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, our names engraved at the bottom.

She took it, fingers tracing the details.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice so soft I almost missed it.

I handed her the coffee and pastries, and for the next few minutes, we talked like nothing had changed. Like I wasn't holding onto a secret that would break her heart. Every time I tried to bring it up, the words lodged in my throat. I told myself I'd tell her later. When the time was right.

But time had a way of slipping through our fingers.

Weeks passed. Our routine became mechanical. The only moments we shared were in between lectures or stolen kisses in the backseat of my car. I tried. God, I tried to tell her about LA, but every time I looked into her eyes, I lost the courage. And now, there was only a month left until graduation.

She once mentioned that she was having second thoughts about staying back, and I told her it was her choice. That I wouldn't ask her to stay when I might be leaving.

But before everything ended, I wanted one last perfect moment with her.

The winter had begun to ease when I finally set my plan into motion.

"Do you have any plans this weekend?" I asked casually.

To my relief, she shook her head. "No, why?"

I smiled. "Let's go for a drive."

She agreed without hesitation, and just like that, fate gave me one last chance.

The evening air was crisp, the sky painted in hues of gold and pink when we reached our spot. A secluded hilltop overlooking the city. Our place. The one we had claimed as ours.

"Are we going to our favorite place?" she asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Her laughter echoed in the stillness, and for a moment, everything felt right.

As soon as we stepped out of the car, snowflakes began to drift down, catching the fading sunlight like tiny shards of diamonds.

I pulled out the thick comforter and spread it over the ground, patting the space beside me. She sat down, pulling her coat tighter around her.

"Why are we even here? It's freezing," she said, teeth chattering.

I chuckled, wrapping the comforter around us. "Better?"

She sighed, leaning into me. "Much."

The world around us fell silent. The only sound was the soft rustling of the wind, the rhythmic pattern of her breathing. I turned to look at her, and in that moment, I knew.

This was it.

She was breathtaking. Her cheeks flushed from the cold, eyes reflecting the golden horizon, lips slightly parted in awe at the view before us.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

The sun touched the horizon, filling the sky with soft shades of gold and pink. Snowflakes drifted down gently, catching the light and sparkling like tiny stars. The air was cold, but the beauty of the moment felt warm, as if the world itself was wrapped in a quiet, peaceful love.

But I wasn't looking at the sunset. I was looking at her.

She turned to me, catching me staring, and a slow smile curved her lips. I didn't think. I didn't hesitate. I reached for her, capturing her lips in a kiss that held everything I couldn't say.

She melted into me, fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer, as if she, too, wanted to freeze this moment in time.

I kissed her like it was the last time.

Because deep down, I knew it was.

This place held too many memories, too many firsts. And tonight, it would hold our last.

Tina's POV

Dusting the snow from my winter coat, I rubbed my hands together, trying to chase away the cold. The moment I stepped inside the pub, warmth embraced me, a stark contrast to the biting chill outside. My eyes scanned the familiar wooden interior, the dim lighting casting a cozy glow over the place that held so many memories.

But Veronica was nowhere to be found.

I checked the time. Ten minutes early. Typical. Vero was always a latecomer. A small smile tugged at my lips as I shook my head. This was our last night together before she flew back to Mexico. Our last time in this pub. The place we had once chosen for Trisha's bachelorette party before she decided she didn't want to risk bumping into Edam. Instead, we had celebrated at her apartment, drinking cheap wine and laughing until we forgot why we had gathered in the first place.

I sighed, pushing away the thought. There was no point in dwelling on what had already passed. I needed to find a place to sit, but just as I turned, my gaze locked onto a familiar face.

My breath hitched.

Edam.

For a split second, I hesitated, unsure how to react. His presence caught me off guard, stirring emotions I thought I had neatly tucked away. But then he looked up, his tired eyes meeting mine, and before I could think twice, I waved. He waved back, though there was something distant in his expression, something broken.

He was sitting alone, a glass in his hand.

Heavy footed, I walked toward him. Each step felt weighted with memories, with unspoken words, with the knowledge of how much had changed.

"Hi, Edam." My voice came out softer than intended. "How have you been?"

He lifted his glass slightly in a mock toast, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "As you can see."

I hesitated before pulling out a stool and sitting opposite him. My fingers instinctively traced the edge of the wooden table, my nerves betraying me. What was I supposed to say? How do you talk to someone who's been shattered by love. By a love you once believed would last?

Edam had done so much for me. He had given me my first job as a trainee at his company, let me stay at his place when my family visited, and even arranged my flight and stay when I wanted to surprise Joe in LA. He had been generous, kind. Someone I could always rely on. And yet, I had no words to ease the pain I saw in his eyes.

I took a deep breath, breaking the silence. "Are you okay?"

His fingers tightened around the glass. "Trying to keep everything going. Holding up. Erasing her memories." His voice was low, almost a whisper. Then his eyes met mine, sharp and searching. "How is she? Did you know she was engaged, or did she lie to you too?"

My heart stopped.

How did he find out?

I swallowed hard, guilt settling like a stone in my chest. The look on my face must have given me away because he smirked, shaking his head before downing the rest of his drink in one go. The glass hit the table with a sharp thud, and he exhaled heavily before speaking again.

"The night Trisha told me about her arranged marriage… that she had to go back to India, I... I couldn't believe it." He ran a hand through his hair, the pain still fresh. "After she left, it took me hours to process what had just happened. And then I made the biggest mistake of my life."

I leaned in, my hands gripping the table. "What do you mean?"

His eyes darkened. "I went after her. I thought… I thought I could fix it. That maybe she'd change her mind if I just talked to her. I went to her apartment." He paused, his jaw tightening. "I was in the lobby, begging the guard to let me in when another man walked in. Said he was there to see his fiancée." He let out a hollow laugh. "Guess who it was? Trisha's fiancé. Some Indian guy. The guard knew him. Let him in like he belonged there."

I covered my mouth, my stomach twisting.

"The receptionist told me the apartment was his. That he was Trisha's fiancé." He stopped, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. "She never even told me about him. Not once. And all that time, I..." His voice broke for a second before he composed himself.

"Edam…" I reached across the table, placing my hand over his. His skin was cold, his fingers tense. "I'm sorry. I really am. We were just as shocked as you were. But Trisha was our friend. We had no choice but to support her decision."

His lips parted, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he tapped my hand gently, then looked away. "You don't have to justify it."

Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "So… how are you? Graduation is just around the corner, huh? You excited?"

I smiled faintly, appreciating his attempt to shift the conversation. "Yes and no."

His brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

I let out a small sigh. "Yes, I'm excited that I made it this far. Finally graduating. But no, because we all three promised we'd stay together for at least another year. Find jobs, apply for work permits. But now? Trisha's gone. Veronica is leaving too. And I'll be the only one left behind." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I guess the saying is true. Promises are meant to be broken."

Edam studied me for a moment before nodding. "Write a letter of interest and email me. I'll arrange your job at the import-export company we talked about."

I opened my mouth to tell him I was thinking of leaving too, but before I could, Veronica arrived.

She halted for a second when she saw Edam with me, but then walked toward us. I could tell she felt sorry for him. She always liked Edam. Not romantically, but in a way that made her respect him. He had done so much for all of us, even paying for her mother's funeral when she couldn't afford it.

"Hi," she greeted, giving him a small smile. "How are you?"

Edam gave her the sweetest smile in return, one that almost reached his eyes. "I'm good. And you?"

We all sat there, catching up, sharing drinks, reminiscing. It almost felt normal. Almost.

I looked at Edam and saw him watching me. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

"It's just… you feel like Trisha's presence here." I paused, gathering my thoughts. "Edam, I know what happened between you two wasn't supposed to, but sometimes life has other plans. She moved on. And you should too. Someone special is waiting for you out there. You just have to give it time."

Veronica raised her glass. "And cheers to that!"

We laughed, but the weight of reality still lingered. When Edam finally excused himself, I called after him.

"Wait."

He halted, turning to me. Without thinking, I walked up and pulled him into a tight, warm hug. Maybe he needed it. Maybe I did too. Maybe I just had the feeling that I wouldn't see him again.

"Take care," I murmured. "And… thank you. For everything."

His hand cupped my cheek for a fleeting moment before he nodded and walked away.

And just like that, another promise faded into the past.

After few more drinks Vero and I stumbled out of the bar, the warmth of alcohol still buzzing through our veins. The streets were quieter now, with only the occasional passing car and the distant sound of laughter from late-night wanderers. The city lights flickered against the pavement as we flagged down a cab.

"We really shouldn't have had that last drink," Vero chuckled, leaning her head against the seat as we slid inside.

"Tell me about it," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "We have one last exam before graduation. The finals."

Vero groaned dramatically. "Ugh, don't remind me. I just want this to be over."

I smiled, knowing exactly how she felt. We were so close to the finish line, yet it still felt miles away. The cab rolled through the streets, the night air creeping in through the slightly cracked window. I watched as familiar buildings blurred past, my mind already half drifting to the comfort of my bed. But then I remembered. I needed to stop by the bakery.

"I'm getting off here," I told Vero as the cab slowed down. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, yeah, don't forget to study," she teased sleepily.

I stepped out, and the cold breeze kissed my skin, sobering me up slightly. Pulling my coat tighter around me, I took long strides toward the bakery, my stomach rumbling in protest. The moment I pushed open the door, the familiar scent of warm bread and sweet pastries wrapped around me like a comforting embrace.

There weren't many customers left. It was nearly closing time. I wasted no time grabbing my favorite pastries, the ones that would be my much needed fuel for tomorrow. As I paid, I let out a small sigh of relief. At least breakfast was sorted.

Stepping outside, I was about to look for a cab when something across the street caught my eye. A small, dimly lit library stood there, its glass window reflecting the golden glow of the streetlights. A sign on the display read in an elegant script. New Arrivals.

A familiar pull tugged at my heart. This was my place. A sanctuary where I could lose myself between pages and escape reality for a while.

Without thinking twice, I crossed the street, my feet carrying me toward the doors like they had done countless times before. As I stepped inside, the scent of books. Aged paper, fresh ink, and something inexplicably magical. Wrapped around me. It touched something deep in my soul, a feeling only true book lovers would understand.

I wandered toward the New Arrivals section, my fingers grazing the spines of the books, savoring the texture beneath my touch. It was my favorite thing to do. Running my hands along the shelves, feeling the stories waiting to be discovered.

Just as my fingers were about to grasp a book, another hand reached for the same one. A strong, familiar hand.

I looked up, my breath catching in my throat. Joe.

For a moment, my heart forgot how to beat.

"You?" I blurted out, my voice betraying my surprise.

Joe smirked, holding the book up like a prize. "Didn't expect to see me here, did you?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You? In a library? That's… unexpected."

He chuckled, tossing the book slightly in his hand before catching it again. "I do read, you know."

I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "You like horror, not romance. As far as I know, at least."

"It's for my mom," he admitted, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "She asked me to pick this up on my way back."

I glanced at the book. A romance novel, just as I suspected. I couldn't help but smirk. "So, your mom has good taste."

"Apparently," he shrugged, then held the book out to me. "If you want it, take it."

I shook my head. "No, it's okay. The cashier has more copies."

We walked to the counter together, our shoulders almost brushing as we moved in sync. My eyes landed on a small board sitting at the counter, a name written in bold letters:

'Ocylinx – New Edition Coming Soon'

Excitement bubbled up inside me. My favorite author.

"I'm going to reserve a copy," I announced eagerly, practically bouncing on my heels.

Joe glanced at the board, then at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "That obsessed, huh?"

I shot him a playful glare. "You don't understand. It's Ocylinx. Every book she writes is gold."

"Right, right," he chuckled, shaking his head.

I turned to him with a teasing smile. "Want to reserve one for your mom too? Since, you know, you guys apparently have the same taste."

He hesitated for a second before saying, "Nah, she'll order it herself."

Before I could protest, Joe pulled out his wallet and paid for both books.

I blinked at him. "Hey, you didn't have to..."

"Too late." He handed me my copy without a second thought.

Something about the gesture warmed my heart. He wasn't the type to do unnecessary favors, but when he did, they always felt… special.

"Thanks," I murmured, holding the book close.

Joe stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. "Where are you heading?"

"Home," I said softly.

"Come on, I'll drop you."

The ride back was quiet, but comfortable. The city lights blurred past as we sat in an unspoken understanding. There was something about being with Joe that felt… easy. Like we didn't need words to fill the silence.

In just ten minutes, we pulled up in front of my apartment.

I hesitated before speaking. "Do you… want to come up?"

He hesitated too. "Umm… I can't. Mom's waiting for this." He gestured at the book lying in the back seat.

I smiled knowingly. "Right."

I leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against his lips. A simple goodnight.

But just as I was about to pull away, Joe's hand gently grabbed my wrist.

Before I could react, he pulled me back, capturing my lips in a kiss that was nothing like the first. It was deep, passionate, and filled with something I couldn't quite grasp. His fingers trailed against my cheek, down to my jaw, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

When we finally broke apart, his thumb traced my lips gently, his gaze searching mine.

"Goodnight," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. There was something different about that kiss. Something final.

I got out of the car, watching as he drove away. A strange, unsettling feeling settled in my chest. Why did that feel like goodbye?

I shook the thought away. I'm overthinking.

Joe always had a way of being romantic out of nowhere. That's just who he is. Right?

Yet, as I walked inside my apartment, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.

_______________________________

"Coincidence is fate's way of staying anonymous."