Miss her badly

After 15 years, he came back. After wandering in the town aimlessly, he finally had the courage to ask someone about Miss Herbadly. The townspeople remembered him as a little boy so they directed the way to Miss Herbadly’s house. Of course, he still remembers where she lives. He just pretended that
he doesn’t, that’s all...

He would wait for her and together they would walk home from school every school day. They’ve spent a lot of time together and discussed literature. It was his favourite subject. To be able to see her every day, he prepared a picnic by the lake under the shady tree for her every Saturday...and church
every Sunday...hoping that one day she would come. Finally, she did, only once just right before he told her that his family is moving to another town which is less than 50km away.

“I’ll come and visit,” It bothered her when he said that. Her troubled face worried him. He understood how she felt and knew exactly what she was thinking. He lowered his head and without realizing he uttered, “If only you are willing to wait.” She was taken aback for a moment but she just shook her head slowly and said to him, “You will forget me.”  She walked away slowly. He stood there and watched as she disappeared from his sight.

As usual, they walked home together on a normal school days. As they were approaching her house she reached her house, he said to her, “I will never forget you.” She just smiled weakly and walked into the house. He left the house feeling dismayed.

Without realising, he reached the gate of her house. The house looked the same the last time he was there. He opened the white gate and walked along the stone path. He went up the stairs and rang the bell at the door. He waited for answers but there was no one home. Feeling a little disappointed and
relief at the same time, he sat on the couch at the patio. He started to imagine Miss Herbadly’s reaction if she saw him. After quite some time, he got up and left.  He walked to the lake where he used to wait for her every Saturday. As he was approaching the big tree, he saw a swing, which was not there before. The swing was tied to the big branch of the old tree. With little flowers of white on the vines, yellow, and peach in colour coiled down on the ropes of the swing, the view was indeed beautiful and a place one who live for retirement. On the swing, there sat a woman.
 

He walked towards the tree and wondered if she is Miss Herbadly. His heart was pounding tensely as her face became clearer. She stopped the swing and looked at him. The moment their eyes met. She smiled at him and immediately he felt like he was struck by a cupid. He felt embarrassed when she stared at him, at the same time, all the nostalgic feelings was flowing through his body. For a moment, he was not able to speak out and felt like he was the same 14-year-old boy who used to admire his teacher but he pulled himself together and he walked up to her and greeted her. 

This Herbadly resembled her...but it was not she.