A Step Back

Emma was sitting opposite to me with a quiet smile, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the menu. Adica's gaze wandered toward the door, then back towards us. I, on the other hand, couldn't help but fidget with the sugar packets neatly arranged in their holder.

We were waiting for John. He had simply sent a message asking all three of us to meet here without providing any details, only asking us when we might be available. And to point out, all three of us got there right on time, except for John himself. The wait started to get naggingly long, and so we planned on ordering before John arrived.

"Affogato for three, please," Emma requested, beckoning the waiter over. With a nod, he jotted down our order before departing to prepare the sweet concoction. Adica scuffed the menu aside, her arms taking over the table for themselves. "Do you think he has something important to tell us?"

"Probably. John isn't the type to call us here without a reason."

Our conversation paused as the waiter returned with three steaming mugs. A scoop of vanilla ice cream floated serenely in each, awaiting the impending downpour of hot espresso. All three of us exchanged glances. Just from the look, you can tell that that's a treat which is as much about the experience as it was about taste.

As the espresso was poured over the ice cream, it began to melt and meld with the creamy vanilla. The dessert transformed before our eyes, blending hot and cold, sweet and bitter, into a delectable fusion. We couldn't resist taking a moment to savor the first spoonful. And my god, why didn't I become a coffee lover earlier. Who knew they so much so much to offer other than just blain black bitterness. The taste was heavenly, each spoonful offering a delightful contrast of sensations. I closed my eyes briefly, relishing the flavors as they danced on my tongue.

Just as we were engrossed in our affogato, the cafe door swung open, heralding John's arrival. "Sorry, guys," He walked toward us with a sheepish grin, taking his seat beside me. "My mom needed me to run an errand."

I waved off his apology, taking another spoon full of the vanilla cream. "Don't worry, we weren't bored at all!"

John took the menu in his hands, "Seems so to me," and made a quick order for another affogato. 

"So, what's the big news, John?"

"So... the reason is..." His lips turned into a really long grin, kind of like a banana, "My uncle recently brought a few local lottery tickets. And guess what, he actually got a prize."

"A 3-day 2-night trip to Hawaii?" Emma's voice almost broke out in surprise. 

"What's with that extremely specific assumption? And no, or I wouldn't have called you guys here."

"So, what is it then?"

"Well, he got four tickets to the amusement park as prize. The new one in the town. But he and his family are planning on going to Hawaii to spend their rest of the vacation... so, I ended up with the tickets in the end. And here's the best part," John continued, his grin widening. "There's going to be fireworks show in the park in a few days. I thought it would be incredible if we all went together. What do you say?"

Our excitement turned into one of those speech bubbles you see in comics as soon as we made eye contact. We all felt the thrill of the upcoming day at the amusement park, followed by the mesmerizing fireworks show. The idea of laughter, thrilling rides, and the colorful night sky ahead was too tempting to resist.

"I can't wait now..." Adica exclaimed. Emma looked at her and nodded. "Count me in!"

I grinned, as if my heart lighter than it had been all day. "I'm in too."

We all met up at the bus stop, from where it's a short ride to the amusement park. 

There is an easy grace to the parkland that flows at this part of the town. The sun right on top of us is slowly climbing down through the horizon, the slanted rays growing nimber with each passing hour. The golden glow all over the place. Colorful banners and decorations were everywhere, making the place feel festive. With all the laughter and chatter filling the air, with families, couples, and friends gathered to enjoy the rides and games, it was a scene filled with excitement, and we couldn't wait to join in.

John led the way with quite a bit of expertise. He'd been here once before, giving him a slight edge in navigation. "Guys, get ready for an epic day! You'll find all the rides you can think of, and the fireworks show is nothing short of legendary."

"Will it be the same as New Year's?" Emma sizzled, her enthusiasm matching John's. "I can't wait. I also missed the fireworks show on the New Year's Eve. But not this time!"

Adica's smile was gentler but equally excited. "I haven't been to an amusement park for such a long time. This is going to be so much fun!"

Right after entering the park and passing by a couple of shops and marts, the first ride that caught our eye was the Twirling Teacups. A carousel of oversized cups spun around a central platform, each cup equipped with a wheel to control the spin. Emma's eyes were the first to light up. "Guys, let's give it a whirl!"

Adica nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, it looks fun!" The three of us hopped into a cup, and I took the wheel. With a swift turn, we were off, laughter bubbling from our lips as we spun faster and faster.

Next up was the Bumper Cars, a raucous track with cars jolted and swerved into one another. John was already grinning like a child on Christmas morning. John and I took one car, with him behind the steering wheel, while Adica and Emma took another one for themselves. After climbing into our cars, and the moment the buzzer sounded, we were off, racing and bumping into each other with wild abandon. From there onward, we kept on trying one ride after the other. Our adventure continued as we hopped from one ride to the next, letting our legs to wander to whatever came in front of us. Our steps were light yet smiles wide. 

After our whirlwind of rides, we decided to take a sweet detour to the ice-cream vendor. The brisky aroma of freshly baked waffle cones came crawling towards us. After all the walking and laughing, the small break was almost impossible to resist. We approached the colorful stall, its glass display showcasing a delectable array of flavors in boxes placed one after the next. After a few minutes of trying to make up my mind, and watching everyone already digging in, I decided to go for a scoop of both chocolate and vanilla. The creamy sweetness of chocolate mingled with the classic elegance of vanilla, a delightful combination that never failed to bring comfort and satisfaction. As I savored each bite, I couldn't help but think that the day couldn't get any sweeter.

Suddenly, john approached me, his hand gently resting on my shoulder. "Reol, can you spare a moment? I need to talk to you."

"Me? What is it?"

"Let's step away for a bit. It's something... important," he said, his tone of voice sounding slightly cryptic. But I couldn't tell what he's thinking. I just swayed my head up and down, following him along his tracks.

"Where are you two going?" Emma gaze followed us as soon as the two of us were walking off. "Just some boys stuff. You guys stay there, we will return in a minute!" John replied.

"Hmph. Adica, come with me, let's also do the same. And you two, come back right after you're done!"

We walked down a few stores before stopping in front of a souvenir shop. We didn't walk in, as John locked me in his gaze right as he turned around and placed himself before me. "Reol. I'll just tell it once. I thought I should've let you know, and hear from you what you think. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to change my mind though."

Starting with that right of the bat. I just heedlessly nodded, trying to make sense of where he's heading with the conversation. 

"I'm going to confess to Adica during the fireworks show," he confessed, as I could hear his voice shaking from inside, "and I need you to do something for me."

"Confess? Adica!? Are you serious!!?"

"Yeah. And like I said, I'm not going to change my mind. I just wanted to let you know... well, that and also I need your help with a little something."

He's going to what? His words hit me like a bolt of lightning, unexpected and electrifying. John continued speaking, but my mind couldn't keep up. Why now? Of all times... after all the time we had spent together... "Reol, are you hearing?"

But all my churned thoughts led up to a single point. "Why?"

"Reol?"

"John, why? When you never showed any interest towards her... why are trying to get close to her now all of a sudden?" This feeling is just too well known to me. That time when he said that he said he wanted to help Adica. As if my mind is playing a cassette on repeat. And even though it's not something that really should concern me... for some reason, I just can't accept any of it.

"Reol, I though you'd say that. You really have a crush on Adica, don't you?"

"W-what are saying, John. Me? Adica? That's not even possible." The words came out straight, but after a moment's hesitation. As if his question made me rethink everything. It was like his eyes were digging into mine, probing for an answer that I wasn't prepared to give.

I cleared my throat, my voice coming out a touch unsteady. "John, it's nothing like that," I replied, carefully measuring my words. "We're friends, good friends. There's no crush, no hidden agenda. The time we've spent together is what matters, and I could never ask anything more than that."

"Then you shouldn't have any problems with it, right?"

"John, you really want to do it?"

"Yeah." 

"Even if it ends up breaking our group all together?"

His reply came in a second late, yet the same "Yeah."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"When the fireworks will start," he continued. "I need you to take Emma somewhere a bit away from us, so I can have a moment alone with Adica. You're the only one I can trust with this, Reol."