Love For Dummies

I tapped my nails against the ceramic body of my third coffee mug. I was acutely aware of this sharp sound amid the incessant cacophony of the coffee shop.

As nervousness rose inside me like waves, I looked at the distractions surrounding me. The aroma of coffee was floating inside the packed shop, mingling with the laughter and giggles of numerous people. Large posters of coffee mugs were plastered on the walls, while the busy waiters moved from one table to the next. Despite my futile attempts, I could not help but seek that one face I was waiting for.

I was sitting in the coffee shop for the last thirty minutes, but Zach was nowhere to be seen. He had asked me to meet him here at seven o'clock.

I looked inside the empty coffee mug, reminiscing about our times spent together. Zach and I were childhood sweethearts. We became friends in kindergarten and started dating each other in freshman year. Since then, we were inseparable.

It was a picture-perfect relationship. Our days were filled with constant chatter, while our nights were spent with our cell phones pressed against our ears—sharing sweet nothings with each other.

As I tore my gaze away and looked up, I noticed Zach entering the coffee shop.

Zach sauntered towards my table; his light steps oozed confidence. His blonde hair framed his oval face and fell over his blue eyes. His soft lips twisted into a small smile, as he occupied the seat across me. My gaze followed his every move as if I was looking at him for the first time.

"Hi, Brooke,” he said in a gruff voice. "How are you?"

"Good,” I replied, barely managing to turn my thoughts into words. His gaze fell on the three empty mugs that were lying on the table. Embarrassed, I quickly added, "Coffee?"

He raised his hand. "Oh, no thanks."

Uncomfortable energy descended between us. I felt as though a stranger was sitting across me. He was looking everywhere but me, clearing struggling to find some words. Lines of worry covered his face as he curled his hand into a fist and looked straight into my eyes.

He had never looked so stressed before. My stomach tied into a knot, as I recalled each incident that unfolded between us during the last few months. We didn’t fight. We didn’t avoid going on dates. In fact, I could not remember a day when I didn’t call Zach. Although I noticed that Zach had stopped initiating phone calls and planning dates.

"What's wrong, Zach?" I squeezed his hand gently. "You look worried."

Zach inhaled a deep breath and looked away from me. I bit my bottom lip, trying to make sense of his despondent action.

"Zach?" I said again.

"It's over between us," he whispered.

I narrowed my eyes at him. His voice sounded so timid that I wondered if I had misheard him. I refused to believe what I had just heard.

“What?” I said.

“It’s over, Brooke,” he replied a little louder.

It felt like someone had just squeezed my heart out, and I laughed due to the overwhelming pain that had just grasped my entire being. My chest ached, as I forced a burst of throaty laughter. I shook my head, trying to convince myself that it was just a ridiculous joke. Tears welled up in my eyes, as I started losing my breath. I had hoped that Zach would snap me out of this trance by joining in my laughter, but he appeared as emotionless as a corpse.

I tried recomposing myself, but my entire body trembled. Unable to hold back my emotions, I drowned into desperation. I squeezed his hand between mine and leaned over the table. In an imploring voice, I said, "Why, Zach? Everything is so perfect between us. Isn't it?"

Zach pulled his hand away. Suddenly, all the warmth vanished away, leaving my hand as cold as ice.

A lump formed in my throat, as my heart crashed against my chest. The longer I stared at him, the more he repulsed me. Leaning away, Zach said, "I am sorry, Brooke. I think that we both need a break from each other."

A tear strolled down my cheek. "Then take a break! But please, don’t break up with me." My voice quivered, sounding utterly weak and helpless. At that moment, I loathed myself.

Zach rose to his feet, fed up with my requests and tears. He shook his head and looked straight into my eyes. His eyes held no inkling of affection. "That’s why I wanted to meet you and have this talk. I am tired of this relationship. The spark has gone, Brooke! We are not made for each other."

He didn't wait for my reply. He marched out of the coffee shop, leaving behind a trail of unsaid words and broken promises. My eyes were wide-apart while my body was numb. Did it really happen?

There was something wrong with Zach. He could be worried about something and that’s why he needed some space. Yes, that must be it. It was Zach who confessed first. He promised me that he would never leave me. The moments that I spent with him could not be fake. The love we shared was real, after all.

I stood up and ran after him. I could not let our relationship end abruptly. I would make Zach understand that I truly loved him. I would tell him that no matter how difficult the present moment was, we could always find a solution. That's what couples are supposed to do.

When I stepped outside, the cool September air caressed my cheeks. I looked around and noticed Zach walking towards his car. I wiped my tears away and forced a smile on my face. I would make him realise that no sparks were finished, and then, we could go back to normal. As I opened my mouth to call out his name, my voice got stuck inside my throat.

There he was, Zach, sitting in his car with Liana. He smiled at her, the way he used to smile at me, and finally leaned forward and kissed her.

I clapped my hands over my mouth to suppress the whimper that was about to escape my lips. Tears trickled down my cheeks. I turned on my heels, unable to witness the scene any longer. It was the day my little perfect world came crashing down. I thought that everything was perfect in my life—but how wrong I was.