Chapter 1 - The First Date

Chapter 1 – The first date



I woke up. Almost forgetting that today was the third day of the funeral.

I laid on my bed wishing that sleep would once again take over my consciousness. Closing my eyes hoping to doze off again. So that I would not have to face this dreadful day….
…but I couldn’t.

There was nothing. No more tears streamed down my face. No more sleepiness to take over me. No more emotions left.

Nothing.

I was numb all over. The only thing I could feel was the rhythmic beating of my heart, the ticking of clock, and the creaks of the springs in my bed.
Finally, I decided to get up. Took a shower then headed to my wardrobe to look for a decent dress to wear. I rummaged through everything and I ended up fumbling on an old familiar texture. I took it and pulled it out.

A very familiar dress came into view and my mind raced back to when everything had begun….


“Are you enjoying everything so far?” Ben asked me from across the table. Nervous. But still his bubbly self.

It was our first date and I couldn’t help but smile. Couldn’t hide the joy within me. I bit my lips and lifted my eyes to look into his gorgeous sky blue eyes.

“I couldn’t ask for more. The food is so darn delicious! Darn you for knowing my weakness!” We laughed. Couldn’t help ourselves but show how happy we were. He was making me happy. He always made me happy. Ever since the day we met.

Seeming like reading my mind, Ben started to reminisce how we first met.

“Do you remember that day at the fair? The first time we met?” He laughed and I joined him. Couldn’t help myself but blush at the memory. It was very embarrassing!

“You were so high on something that you would bulldoze over the people who’d get in your way between you and your food!” He mimicked me on how he had seen me in an overly exaggerated way.

He laughed harder and I blushed even harder. He was really enjoying himself embarrassing me in front of the perfectly cooked steak and veggies on our table.

“Stop it!” Then I threw some veggies to him. I don’t even know why I did it. I just had the urge to.

“Hey!!” He tried to dodge them but it was too late. He stood up too quickly and caused the table to swivel causing my glass of wine to spill onto my dress.

We gasped at what happened and he immediately made his way to my side.

He started to wipe my dress with table napkin. “I’m extremely sorry! But I think you deserve it. Now we’re quits!” He stood and crossed his arms. Evident that he was enjoying hihmself.

I stood up. Though I know he was inches taller than me, I tried my best to look as intimidating as I could manage.

“I’m sorry, but what did you say?” I squinted my eyes at him. I wanted to sound menacing but the smile in my lips just wouldn’t go away!

He laughed and said, “Well, not that I’m taking my gentlemanly manners, I did say that you deserve it, since you ruined my favourite shirt.” He was smirking at me. Chin up with that boy-next-door gesture that I love seeing him do. He looked as if he was very delighted with himself. Delighted at always teasing me. He knows how to get to my nerves and this should-have-been-perfect-date was ruined. Ugh!

I nodded, feigning understanding and said, “hmm.. Fine. Fine. Quits then.” I leaned back to the table and sneaked my left arm and grabbed a handful of mashed potato. “You say were quits? Well I’m sorry-“ then I smashed my hand to his face and sent mashed potatoes all over him. “-but not really.”

His mouth hanged open, a bit shocked maybe from what I did. I shrieked like a little girl and ran away from him. Forgetting that I was in high heels, I ran for the hills. Away from him as fast as I could get. Still grinning like a kid who has seen the first light of her life.

I looked back and he seemed to have recovered from what I did, he grabbed the bottle of wine and a handful of mashed potato. He ran after me, wanting to shower me with wine and mash potatoes.

“Come back here! I’m not done with you yet!” He said, and I shrieked again.

“Wait! Wait! Don’t waste the wine! That’s too good to be used for bathing!” I exclaimed, hoping that he would stop.

“Aww, stopping would ruin the fun.” He stopped and pouted. Making him looked so adorable.

I giggled and made my way back to him. I couldn’t help not to. I always had this urge to ruffle his hair whenever he pouts. And that moment wasn’t any different from the rest.

“You look so cute when you pout!” Then I ruffled his hair and the boy grinned from ear to ear. Pleased with himself.

“I guess….” He looked back for a while at the table then returned his gaze towards me. “…that this formal date thing isn’t the thing for us.” We laughed and sat down on the grass. I grabbed the bottle of wine from and took a swig. I love this wine.

I acknowledged what he said and then took his hand and played with his palm. I traced the lines as he looked intently on me.

“How about, we order some pizza? And just have a movie marathon?” He asked and grinned.

I looked up to meet his gaze. “Sounds nice to me.” I smiled. “No more of these formal mushy lit up candle solo dates okay?”

“I think it’s called being romantic?” He said a bit of sarcastically.

I gasped. “I never thought you ever had a romantic bone in your body!” He looked hurt then started tickling my side. He laughed and his tickling knocked the air out of my lungs. “Okay! I give up!”

But he just didn’t stop yet. “Okay! You do!-“ I managed to release few words in spite of him tickling me. “-have a romantic bone.” He stopped and then hugged me.

We laughed and snuggled for a couple of minutes on the grass before we decided to go back in and start changing clothes.


That was our first date. The first memory we had as a couple.

I wiped my tears away and let the dress drop back into my dresser. I dried my tears and told myself to be strong. Just as what Ben used to say, It’s not the end of the world yet. You’ve got a life to live.

It was his favorite quote. Urging him to move forward and stand up. I admire the courage he had and his will to carry on, even though life was hard for him.

He lost his parents in a car crash, and the eldest brother of his mother took him in. He and his wife loved him like he was their real son. Pity that they never had a child of their own, but they were already content in having Ben with them. Benjamin was his whole first name. Benjamin David Callaway.

I decided to wear white pants and a black blouse and my black converse.

As soon as I finished dressing up, I headed down stairs to grab breakfast. My mother greeted me then gave me a hug. Then settled my plate of eggs and sausages before me. It had been the routine for the past three days.

It was summer, so we never had to worry about school. Everything was free. Except for me.

“Sweetie, you have to eat. You’ve lost so much weight. And I’m not even sure if that’s possible because it’s only been three days!” She sat in front of me and took my hands into hers. I looked up and I met a pair of sad and concerned eyes.

I was at the verge of crying again, but I pursed my lips and forced the tears back. I smiled weakly at her and she let me go.

I took my fork and started to eat. I hadn’t realized that I was already hungry until I tasted the scrambled eggs. I was grieving, but food was still my favorite thing. Though eating gave me comfort, I know it’ll last only until I finish my food. My mother thought that wasn’t eating enough, but in reality, I was really eating a lot. I’m a stress-eater. Whenever I’m stressed, I eat. But I never get fat. Ben usually- sigh.- he usually teases me about my abnormality (though we both know the scientific explanation to it) and continually said that I was getting fat though I really wasn’t.

“Honey?” My dad went into view from the living room. “Are you finished yet?”

“A few more sec, Dad.” I took my last bites of my food then stood up.

“Okay, good. Let’s go.” We bid goodbye to mom, who promised to follow as soon as she’s finished dong the chores. Then we went to the car. Heading back to the funeral.

The third and last day of the funeral.

Then tomorrow’s the time to really say…
…Goodbye…