Forgive me
Letta began packing her work clothes to put them in her locker before checking her belongings one by one in her bag. This time, she couldn’t afford to leave her phone or wallet behind as it would inconvenience her.
“Hey, are you done?” someone tapped Letta’s shoulder, making her turn around and look at Molly.
“Yes, just a few more. I might need to check the kitchen. My task isn’t to lock up the shop,” Letta said, making Molly nod. Over the next two weeks, they took turns checking the store before leaving as Noah was out of town, adding to their workload. Today was Letta’s turn to make sure everything was secure.
“Well, I’ll leave now,” Molly said, followed by Dirly, who also left first. Letta made sure her bag was complete, then walked to the coffee machine to ensure everything was safe before heading to the kitchen. However, Letta furrowed her brows when she saw Romeo still standing in front of the wide table apparently reserved for his use in making pastries.
“You’re not leaving yet?” Letta asked, making Romeo look her way.
“Of course, I’ll leave in a few minutes,” Romeo said.
“My task for today is to lock up the shop, and I need to head home quickly,” Letta said, making Romeo look at her with a blank stare.
“You’re kicking me out?” Romeo asked.
“I’m not kicking you out, I’m just asking you to understand my responsibilities. You know, I walk home alone to my apartment. I don’t want to come back too late at night,” Letta said. As it was already 10 p. m., Romeo finally sighed before picking up his bag and walking past Letta.
“Such a bother,” Romeo’s words were still audible to Letta, making her gaze at Romeo’s upright back as he exited the kitchen.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Actually, who’s the one causing trouble here, it’s not herself,” murmured Letta, immediately sneering at Romeo’s back. Letta then made sure the kitchen was secure before locking the store. However, Letta was slightly surprised to see someone standing there with a warm smile, folding both hands, gazing in her direction. Without waiting long, Letta immediately ran and embraced the man.
“So, this is the surprise you meant?” Letta asked, making Abian nod and hug her tightly. “Yes, you’re surprised, aren’t you?” Abian asked, making Letta nod in his embrace.
“I thought you would send another gift. Turns out you came in person,” Letta said as she unraveled her embrace. Abian didn’t answer right away, instead, he looked into his lover’s eyes.
“It’s been almost three months, hasn’t it, since we last met?” Abian said, making Letta nod.
“Yes, that’s why I missed you so much,” Letta said, making Abian smile and immediately open the car door for Letta. However, Letta fell silent.
“Why?” Abian asked, seeing Letta not responding, without intending to get into the car.
“Actually, my apartment is just around the corner there, not too far away,” Letta said, making Abian furrow his brow.
“So, you really did leave your aunt’s house, huh?” Abian asked, making Letta nod her head.
“Yes, it seems so. I should have lived independently and not troubled them anymore,” Letta replied, making Abian close his car door again.
“Haven’t they been the ones causing trouble all this time?” Abian said, making Letta sigh deeply.
“It doesn’t matter who’s troubling whom, after all, it’s still their home. So, I’m the one who has to leave,” Letta said. Blaming someone didn’t seem important to her this time.
“Alright then, do you usually walk to your apartment?” Abian asked, making Letta nod. It didn’t seem bad to stroll along the sidewalk at night with her lover. Abian immediately took Letta’s hand quite tightly and they walked slowly, enjoying the shimmering night lights illuminating them.
“Are you okay?” Letta asked, looking up at Abian who had soft hairs growing on the sides of his face, which she didn’t know when they appeared.
“Yes, I’m fine. Everything’s good,” Abian said, smiling at Letta.
“Thank goodness.”
“How about you?” Abian asked, making Letta can only bow her head. Watching their slow steps, Letta didn’t know how to answer. Was she okay or not at the moment?
“In my apartment, there’s nothing much. Should we stop by the convenience store over there?” Letta asked, ignoring Abian’s question. Abian just smiled and didn’t pursue it. Perhaps Letta was still thinking about her aunt and cousins. Even though they always troubled Letta, for her, they were still family. That’s what Abian thought.
“Yeah, some snacks maybe and drinks,” Abian replied, making Letta smile. They finally stopped at a convenience store to buy some groceries and a few canned drinks before continuing their steps towards Letta’s apartment, which was located right at the intersection, not far from Coffee Break where she worked. The apartment was on the seventh floor, with the number 201. Abian immediately surveyed the surroundings of his lover’s apartment.
“Is the neighborhood safe?” Abian asked, making Letta nod her head.
“Yes, even though the apartment isn’t as spacious as Mia’s, but this is enough for me,” Letta replied. She placed her bag on the sofa, along with Abian sitting and placing the items they bought. Letta then sat next to Abian, but before she could open her mouth, Abian suddenly pulled Letta closer and their lips met. Letta could only close her eyes. She didn’t know how long she had missed this gentle kiss from her lover. She just absorbed it, feeling how Abian started to move his lips softly and carefully. Abian always gave her kisses like this.
Abian finally released their lip lock and gazed at Letta tenderly.
“I really missed you to the point where I wanted to drop all my work just like that. But, of course, I can’t be selfish. It would harm the other team,” Abian said, making Letta smile. Letta nodded, then laid her head right on Abian’s chest.
“I missed you so much too. Even to the point where I wanted to join you in the Savanna. Does it look beautiful there? What are you doing there? Are you okay? Sometimes I think about those things,” Letta said. Abian lifted Letta’s chin to look at her, then kissed her lips briefly again.
“Forgive me for not always being by your side. I know you’ve been struggling,” Abian said, making Letta fall silent. As if she didn’t deny it, a long-distance relationship certainly wasn’t easy for her. However, the love between them undoubtedly provided strength for Letta.