for Auld Lang Syne

Dylan says:
Maybe we should meet up.

Caryn says:
We should.

He was the party of all parties; she carried with her a sense of beauty and fun everywhere she went.

In the eyes of their friends, they were seen as, cliché as it sounds, The Golden Couple. They often completed each other’s sentences; that’s how much chemistry they had between each other. D & C were seen everywhere, from getting CK undies, to Jenny’s 21st party, to Ah ma’s birthday dinner.

Alas, the relationship was not made to last. She could tell from his changes of behaviour that he wasn’t ready or going to commit. After 10 months, he threw in the white towel; the bomb on Caryn. “You are a wonderful woman who came into my life at the wrong time, baby. I’m sorry.” She read the SMS, and returned, to the food display rack, the packet of California Raisins she was getting him.

“He’s never loved me,” she cried into the arms of her best friend by the playground they always sat at.
“He loves you, more than he does a friend, but less than he would a lover. It sucks to be in such a position, I know, but take consolation in the fact that he does care for you, dear.”

Surprisingly, given the size of Singapore and limited places one could patronize, it took 4 years before their paths finally crossed. He, although without the glow his big eyes used to have, still looked as smart as ever. She looked a lot paler, and at least 15kg lighter. When their eyes met for the first time in years, the sparks appeared again, as if the feelings were never gone. Her heart skipped a beat as she wondered if she was hallucinating.

After exchanging longer-than-usual hellos, they left in opposite directions. Upon turning around, he grinned to himself. “I’ve gotta call her out for dinner tomorrow – no, make that next week or I’ll seem too desperate.” On her side, a contented smile formed on her face.

Deep in their hearts, much as they hadn’t realized, was love that was still lingering on. That night, she removed her wig, lay in bed, and succumbed to the cancer that she’d been fighting for the past year. Closure, she’d found at last.