STORY #2

SUNDAY

BY AIRINNA BINTI HASNUL BAHRI

It was a Sunday afternoon, April and James went to the park to meet each other as if every other day. Same time, same place. They would normally walk around the park, and eat their favourite hot dog. Occasionally, it would rain. When it rains, it was the most joyous time to be in the park for both April and James. They would run around dancing in the rain. Except this particular Sunday was different, James decided to bring April to the movies. April was shocked by the change of plans but she was excited anyway. After the movie was over, they went to their favourite ice-cream shop. James changed their Sunday routine because he had a secret, something he has been keeping to himself for the past 3 years.

On the way to Loopy Ice-Cream, they both bumped into Alex. He’s popular, smart, student-body president and quarterback of the football team. The worst part is, he is April’s boyfriend. April asked James to reschedule on the ice-cream as they both left together. As they we’re walking away, James whispered ‘I Love You April’. That was his big secret.

When James was on his way to the drama room the next day, he saw April and Alex arguing in the hallway. Alex took a glimpse and saw James. He quickly walk away leaving April crying. As April’s closest friend, James rushed to her. He hugged her with open arms, wishing this hug would just last forever. They both ended up skipping drama class. James didn’t care about skipping class because he got to hug April for two periods and he keeps on reminding April that everything’s gonna be okay. James saw it as an opening for him to confess his feelings for her.

It was recess and April didn’t want to go to the cafeteria. So, they both ended up going to the nearby coffee shop. They both had caramel latte and raspberry cheesecake. Then, they continued classes as usual until the last bell rang. James didn’t leave immediately because he had to stay for rehearsal for the fundraiser. When April was waiting at the bus stop, Alex came with his blue Cadillac. He got out of the car and sat next to her. He said what happened in school was a mistake, he wasn’t ready to let go of her. They talked for about an hour and decided to give it another go.

That evening, James went to her house to confess his feelings. When he arrived at her house, she quickly hugged him and says ‘you were right, everything’s okay and she practically shouted ‘We’re back together! ‘. James just pretended to be happy for her as his heart was slowly breaking into a thousand pieces.

It was the night of their senior prom. It was a masquerade ball. April wore this beautiful maroon silk dress with the most gorgeous mask you have ever seen. Everything she wore that night complimented her figure and was just simply stunning. James couldn’t take his eyes of her. The only reason he would look away was because of the guy standing next to her. He was as handsome as he has always looked. They both ended up winning prom king and queen. The next day, April broke up with Alex. She was upset but she felt like it was something she had to do.

A week after their senior prom was graduation day. It was a memorable day. Both April and James graduated top of their classes. They both spent their summer holidays together being that it might be the last because James got accepted into Princeton University while April got accepted into Brown University.

The night before their departure to Princeton and Brown, they spent the whole night in April’s backyard looking at the stars. The morning of their departure has arrived, it was the saddest day for both of them. They both left Los Angeles Airport with tears streaming down their cheeks.

After 5 years, James graduated with a master in accountancy and finance. He then started working for a major financial company. April in the other hand graduated and started working at a Law Firm. When April and James was in college, they didn’t contact much. They would sometimes text, call or write. That will be it.

It has been 2 years since they both contacted each other. April was upset because James never came looking for her but she didn’t know that James have been looking for her and he’s still is. They both lost contact when April got transferred to New York. It has been the longest 2 years for the both of them, James had finally given up.

One Sunday afternoon, April decided to go to Central Park. She walked around feeling empty. She had finally realized how much she had actually love James and the thought of never seeing him again just made her feel even worst. As she sat down on the bench, she started smiling thinking about the Sundays she had spent with James. She then decided to go to the hot dog stand to get her a hot dog. When she was buying her hot dog, there was a man standing next to her. He looked very familiar to her. She called ‘James?’ and he looked with a shocking face. He then said ‘April, is that you?’. They both were so happy they hugged so hard they couldn’t breath. April wasn’t sure that was him but it was a chance she was willing to take despite the embarrassment if it was the wrong person. They both took their hot dog and took a walk around the park. Before saying goodbye, they exchanged phone numbers and email addresses. It had been a wonderful day.

The next day, James called April to ask her out to dinner. April agreed without any hesitation. They were meeting at Nouvelle, a French Restaurant on Broadway Street. James was there on a business trip, so they didn’t have much time together. They spent the whole week together. When it was time for James to leave, the thought of losing her freaked him out. But he had to leave.

After a week, he had realized that his love for her never faded, he asked for a transfer to New York. When the paperwork was completed, he didn’t waste a single second. He took the earliest flight to New York. He arrived and it was a Sunday, he knew she would be at the park. He went straight to the park and saw her sitting on the bench. He went running to her. She was surprised to see him. He then got down on one knee and said ‘April, I have loved you since high school. I never had the guts to tell you. I was afraid to let my feelings towards you come between our friendship. I spent the last 2 years looking for you. When we met last Sunday, it was happiest moment of my life. Now here I am, asking you this. Would you marry me?’. April smiled and said ‘YES!’. She too had loved him. Tears of joy came streaming down.

They both had decided to get married on a Sunday afternoon in Central Park. It was a lovely ceremony. A day they would never forget. After 3 years of marriage, April got pregnant. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Sunday Marcheline. They were a family and they couldn’t be happier.

THE END

p/s : this story is not perfect because i'm no pro :)

with love,
airinna