Images of the Past, Present and Future

***

“Aaah, that steak was delicious! Just like I remembered it!”

Fantasia rubs her contented belly as they walk outside from the restaurant.

“Thank you for taking care of the bill, next time, I’ll treat you!”

“Your ego still won’t let it go, eh?” Fantasia chuckles.

“No, no, that’s not it! I just want to take care of you, like I promised to Eleona that day.”

“Oooh~? But you’re taking care of me all the time, you don’t need to work any harder, love.”

“Ah… when you call me ‘love’, butterflies are flying in my stomach…”

“Aww, so sweet. How many times have you said things like this to your ex-girlfriends, hmm~~?”

“Hey! Don’t confront me with my past like that!” Ravel’s face turns red rapidly.

“And why are you blushing, young man? Do you still have feelings for some of them?” Fantasia teases him, nudging him with her elbow.

“No, of course not! You’re the only girl I love!” He makes his voice resound loudly through air.

His declaration drew the attention of passersby, with comments like "What a cute couple", "Aah, we were like this in the past too, do you remember?" and "Such a brave young man."

Shit, I went overboard! But… those reactions… this is not something I was used to hearing.

“Hmmm, that makes me think… I met all of your previous girlfriends, right? Lady D, Lady B, ‘Lady’ C… I don’t know if I should also count Leanna… but… that leaves us with Lady A, are you in touch with her?”

“N-no, I’m not anymore…”

“Did you have a tough break-up?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“I wanna meet her! She must be a wonderful girl, just like Leanna or Bisha!”

That’s not something you would say about your partner’s exes.

"That’s… impossible.”

“Whyyy? Come on~, no secrets between us, right? I would love to see the girl that started it all! Every time I meet one of your close people from your circle, past or present, I get to know you a little bit more.”

Fantasia’s eyes shine with curiosity, determination and honesty. Logical thing to do would be to refuse her request, but since it’s Fantasia, this one of a kind girl, Ravel knows there are no ulterior motives.

“Okay… let’s go meet her then.”

“Really?! Yay!! When??” Fantasia skips on her feet from joy.

“Right now.”

***

The sun slowly set, casting a beautiful orange hue across the sky as the couple reached their destination.

“R-Ravel? What are we doing at a cemetery…?”

Fantasia’s grip on his hand tightens, her mind immediately drifting to her mother, who departed from the world early.

“We’re here.”

Ravel stops in front of a relatively new grave, standing as a solemn testament to a life cut short. Fresh flowers adorn the mound, their vibrant colors contrast with the somber atmosphere.

“Here lies Ariana… Lady A.”

Fantasia’s voice is unable to make a sound.

“She was the first person that I fell in love with as a young teenager full of ideals. We’ve hated each other for years… We would constantly tease each other, complain all the time when we ‘had to’ spend time together. But deep down, we both knew the truth. We couldn’t stand one another, yet we couldn’t afford to go a long time without talking.”

Ravel’s frozen gaze fell upon Ariana’s name engraved on the black marble and hasn’t moved away since.

“She would always find any excuses just to justify showing me affection. ‘I need to practice when I find my real love, I don’t want to look like a loser if I won’t have any experience with kissing!’ That’s how we shared our first kiss. ‘I guess we should hold hands, what if some guys think I’m available? I don’t want them to approach me!’ That’s how all of our friends kind of accepted we were dating. When she ran out of excuses, she finally dropped her tsundere act, and confessed to me. By then, I was already head over heels for her. So it brought me unimaginable joy, since I was too scared of her reaction and therefore never asked her out properly. But she taught me love, she taught me patience, selflessness and shaped me into the man I am today.”

Ravel subconsciously releases Fantasia’s hand and makes a step forward to briefly touch the cold stone.

“When she learnt she had only three months to live due to a cruel diagnosis, she told me first. I didn’t know what to do. I felt like my world had been turned upside down. I had to promise to her three things, as her last wish. First, I would accept our break-up then and there and leave her alone until the day of her funeral. Second, I wouldn’t stop seeking love once she was gone. As she wouldn’t be able to do so herself, I was to experience love as many times as possible. For me and for her. Third, when I’d find that one special girl, I’d make her the happiest person alive, never to abandon her. She’d always say that when a girl is happy, magic happens.”

Ravel's eyes remained empty, devoid of tears. He must have cried his soul out for Ariana already.

“I really didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to be selfish either. If that was her wish, I honored the first promise. When it comes to the second… that’s the real reason I became fixated on the alphabetical order. For the record, my feelings for those girls were genuine, I didn’t lie to anyone. But… as for the last of her wishes… that came earlier than I thought. All because I met you, Fantasia.”

Ravel finally turns around and faces Fantasia, her eyes reveal everything she feels. Heart wrenching tears stream down her cheeks, as she’s been listening to Ravel’s story without a word.

Ravel’s gaze falls to the ground.

Fantasia passes him and faces the gravestone, bowing her head deeply, leaving frozen Ravel behind her.

“Ms. Ariana!! I’m very heartbroken we couldn’t meet while you were still here! But I want you to know one thing! He did it!”

Fantasia's voice trembles, tears intermingling with her words.

“Ravel fulfilled all of your wishes! I’m the special girl and he does make me the happiest! I can feel he’ll never abandon me!! So please, rest peacefully until the day we can finally meet in the faraway land!”

Ravel’s eyes show a sudden shock due to Fantasia's intense reaction. He didn't expect her to express her emotions so strongly, but then again, he should have known better.

He turns around to face Ariana’s soul again. “Ariana… you’ll always have a special place in my heart. But that heart belongs entirely to Fantasia now. You’re my past, while she’s both my present and my future. This is the last time I’m visiting your grave.”

He takes Fantasia’s hand and pulls her gently away, not looking back.

“Babe?” Fantasia’s voice slowly regains its strength as she wipes away her tears. “Can we stop by my mother’s grave, too?”

“Of course, love.”

***

The sun had set, but the last remnants of its rays illuminated the sky with a reddish hue, casting a reflective glow on Fantasia's and Ravel's silhouettes. They arrived at Fantasia's mother's grave, where Fantasia began her silent prayer, and Ravel bowed his head in respect for the late Mrs. Swan.

After a minute of silence, Fantasia addresses her mother affectionately.

“Hi, Mama! It’s your favorite daughter again. Do you remember the boy I told you about like a billion of times already? This is him. His name is Ravel Unique and he’s the sweetest boy ever. You would have loved him! Even dad likes him, and that’s saying something.”

I seriously doubt it sometimes…

“Ravel, wanna say anything?”

“O-oh… sure… Good evening, Mrs. Swan. I’ve heard only the best of the best things about you from your daughter and husband. I saw your family photo and I must say, you were an exceptionally beautiful woman, just like your daughter. I want to assure you that I am planning to make Fantasia happy and take care of her forever and ever!”

“Hehe, you see, Mama? He really is sweet. Whenever he’s talking about wanting to make me happy… I always think back to what you used to say: ‘Don’t worry about your appearance, just be happy and the rest will sort itself out’. And you were right! I feel like I don’t need anything else in the world, hehe. W-well… except you… but I promised I wouldn’t be sad anymore, right?!” She smiles through tears.

Ravel’s eyes widen at the wise words of Fantasia’s late mother.

As they both say goodbye to Mrs. Swan, they exit the cemetery with a newfound peace in their souls.

“Fantasia? It’s your birthday this Saturday. Let’s go for another trip. Just the two of us.”

CHAPTER 43: END