Missing Shadows

Anna walked alone in the city park on Saturday afternoon to relieve stress during work from Monday until Friday. There were so many young people, and the parents, while accompanying their children, were playing in the city park. They were talking while laughing and took pictures for upload on social media. Ana looked at the ice cream van on the edge of the park; she came directly there. Some people queuing was buying this ice cream.

“Hello, Miss. What flavor of ice cream do you want?” Asked one of the young men, the ice cream seller, with a friendly smile.

“I want a Neapolitan ice cream cup with toppings: chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and a chocolate wafer roll.” Answered Anna.

“Sure, Miss.” He made directly his fast hands. No longer, he gave an ice cream to Anna’s hands. She gave a money gift to the ice cream seller.

“Thank you so much, Miss.” said ice cream seller was friendly.

“You’re welcome.” She backed up and smiled, then looked for a seat place. She looked; there was an empty seat near the tree. Anna rushed towards there so as not to be occupied by other people. Anna was happy because she could sit here. She was putting her bag aside, then enjoying ice cream that she just bought.

Anna liked her Neapolitan ice cream, which consists of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors. “Hmm… this is so delicious!” said her. Anna dipped a chocolate wafer roll into three ice creams. But, somehow, she remembered something that made her back sorrowful.

Flashback

One month ago…

Anna spent time together with her boyfriend named Alex in the city on Sunday afternoon. While looking at the sunrise, they enjoyed their ice creams, which they bought it. They did sit nearby tree.

“Do you like ice cream?” Alex asked.

“Yes, why dear?” Anna asked back.

“I can make an ice cream factory; let you eat ice cream free as much as you like. You don’t need to pay it.” Alex began pick-up lines.

Anna laughed, “Hahaha, you are using pick-up lines. If I eat ice cream too much, I will get diabetes.”

“Not diabetes, but your sweet is more increasing. Hahaha… Alex also laughed. Anna was happier with his jokingly disguised pick-up lines from Alex. For her to entertain felt stress during working in the office. They have been dating for 1 year.

Anna met Alex when they were in the same grade 12 high school. She secretly liked him even though they had never interacted at all. During high school, he was a popular kid and handsome in his class. They talked chit-chat because they had not met since graduation from high school. The information that Anna knew was that Alex was studying at one of the universities in the USA with a major in economic business. Alex could no longer talk; he asked Anna for her phone number.

At first, Alex did often chat and follow each other on social media. One day, Alex expresses his love for Anna. The reasons are that he liked women who were kind-hearted, simple, good listeners, beautiful from the heart, and not money-hungry. Finally, they both started dating. Alex was secretly dating without his parents knowing because Alex’s parents were busy doing business out of the city until overseas.

“By the way, how was your workday?” Anna asked.

Alex answered, “Lately, I was so busy! Especially, I am a successor of business from my parents.”

Anna knew his feel pressure with his parents' continuing business after he graduated from the university in the USA. “I know your feeling. I am certain you are so exhausted.” Said Anna.

Alex sighed, “Yes, I can do it so that they don’t feel disappointed with me. Especially, they are putting my hopes on.”

Anna held his hands with a smile. “I can only say be patient for you. I am certain you can do it and prove to them that you are capable.”

He was very happy, encouraged by the lover he loves. At least, he had support from her. Alex returned her grip, “Anna, thanks for supporting me. You make me excited to work when my mental state is down.” Alex happy smiled.

“You’re welcome, Alex. I always support you and stand beside you. Please, if you have a problem, tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself, dear.” Anna said.

“Yes, dear Anna!” Alex touched her hair. They both finished their ice cream. After ice cream finished, they threw the remainder of the ice cream cup near the seat into the trash.

The sun was more sunk, and Alex embraced Anna tightly. She was so comfortable. Alex lifted her chin up. Anna’s gaze clashed with Alex’s eyes. “You’re so beautiful, Anna. I love you more!” His praise. Alex kissed her lips. Oh, this is such a sweet moment!

Anna enjoyed kissing lips from Alex. For her, it was very fun. Alex took off his kiss lips. “Do you enjoy my kiss?” Alex asked.

“Yes, I enjoy it. But I feel so crowded with your wild kiss.” Anna said.

“I bring oxygen in my heart for you, hahaha…” Joked Alex. Anna laughed too with his joke. Anna really loved so much with Alex.

***

Anna did relax watching TV on the weekend afternoon while eating snacks. She would prefer to relax in her apartment room than outside in the hot sun.

Ting…Tong…Ting…Tong…

Anna heard the sound of the bell ringing beside the outer apartment room door. She was curious who was someone squishing her bell. She stood up towards the door and then opened it. Turned out, it is Alex.

“Hey, Anna. I am sorry to hear that you are without information on WhatsApp.” Alex looked hurried up. Somehow Anna had a bad feeling.

“What happened, Alex? Please, come on in first!” Commanded Anna. Alex got into Anna’s apartment directly, and she closed the door back.

“Sit down, please, Alex. What do you want to drink?” Anna told Alex to sit in the living room.

“Oh, I don’t drink it. I want to ask you something.”

“What is it, Alex?” Anna sat. She was very curious.

Alex held her hands directly. “Anna, forgive me. We can’t continue our relationship anymore.” He said in a deep voice.

“What happened? Am I making a mistake during dating yo?” Anna asked questions.

“There is no mistake, Anna; I can’t continue this relationship…” Alex stopped talking about it because it was very heavy on his heart.

“Why, Alex? Please explain it!” Asked Ana to urge.

Alex’s lips vibrated. He was very heavy saying to her. “I am so sorry, Anna; I have been matched with a woman chosen by my parents. Next month, I am married to her in Paris.”

Anna shocked with his Alex. She wanted to cry, but she held it so that Alex didn’t worry, “Why do you like that? You said that you want to marry me in Paris soon.” Anna said with a disappointed tone.

Alex said, “Actually, I want to marry you. I have tried to refuse the request of my parents, but they didn’t agree with it and forced me to marry her. They want their partner to be equal with me. I am so sorry I disappointed you. I am sorry if I made a mistake with you during dating.

Anna sighed so that she didn’t cry in front of him, “That’s no problem, Alex. This is your decision. You don’t disappoint your parents. I hope you’re happy with your future wife.” Anna’s message with a heavy tone.

“Yes, Anna. Thank you so much for my part in life. I have to go now.” Alex left Anna’s apartment room. Anna opened the door for him.

“Ana, I hope you get the best of man for you.” Last message from Alex.

“Yes, Alex.” Anna's still-held cry in her chest. Anna looked at him walking to the apartment hallway. It felt very heavy to leave someone she loved; it turned out that the relationship ends here. Anna closed the door and then locked it. She cried while sitting, leaning on the door.

“Why must it happen today, God? He should be my soulmate, but it turns out he wasn’t!” Anna cried in rage because she was disappointed with Alex, who chose to marry a woman chosen by his parents. This heart broke in pieces. Her heart was sick like a sliced knife. Anna wanted to be together with him, but fate says otherwise.

Flashback End

Anna cried because she remembered back to what happened 3 months ago. Now, Alex lives together with his wife in the USA. After breaking up, Alex began unfollowing Anna on social media, and he blocked Anna’s phone number on WhatsApp.

Anna looked at the empty seat as if Alex’s shadow was still here. “I miss you so much, Alex. I miss your jokes while eating ice cream. I am still imagining you here.” Anna cried, sobbing so that people didn’t know.

Alex’s shadow crossed in her mind even though he was no longer present forever. There were only memories momentarily saved in mind. Anna remembered when she met Alex with his new woman in the mall; Alex didn’t know her anymore. Now, everything has changed 100% & back to stranger.