Unforgotten Desire

Talk About Fate

Caleb

My eyes squinted as I stared at the guy beside me. "Sky?"

He turned his head to me. "Caleb, dude." We shook hands and bumped shoulders.

We sat back to the bench as we laughed. I guessed we were just so happy to see each other again. "How have you been?" He asked. "It's been like a year."

"I'm fine. I'll be graduating next week with my Masters." I told him.

"Wow. That's great."

"How about you?" I wanted to know.

"I'm great. I've been helping my Dad run our business."

Sky and his family had owned chains of bars in the city. Yes, they were wealthy and filthy rich. We met in college. We both took up a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at NYU Stern School of Business. Sky decided did not take up the Master's degree anymore because his father wanted his help in managing their company.

"What are you doing here, by the way?"

"Oh, I'm looking out for my niece and nephew. They're over there." He pointed to a group of kids, where Callum was too. "What about you?"

"Same. That boy who seemed to be the eldest among them is my brother."

"Oh, really? No wonder why he looked exactly like you. Same looks, same outfit."

We both laughed. When our laughter died, he suddenly asked. "How is Lucy doing?"

Oh, why did he has to bring it up?

I shook my head. "I don't know. I haven't heard of her for like almost a year."

"Why? Did you two break up?"

I laughed dryly. "She's a b*tch. I caught her sleeping with the quarterback in her dorm room. They f*cked each other right in front of me."

"Sh*t. She's indeed a b*tch."

"Yeah, man. A cheating b*tch. I didn't even know why I get involved with her."

"Let's not talk about it anymore. It's gross." He made a face that made me laugh. "Tell me about the girl. Did you finally see her again?"

That silenced me. I didn't know what to say. Should I tell him, "Yes, I did. She went to the shop in the late night and asked me to fix her car"? What should I tell him? I didn't even know if that woman was the girl.

I smiled as I stared into space. "I haven't seen her anymore, Sky."

"Oh."

Silence.

"I wish it was her." I suddenly said.

"What?"

"I wish it was her at the shop."

"You met her at the shop?" Now, he sounded so curious and excited.

"No, I told you I wish it was her. There was a woman who went to the shop. It was late at night and she asked me to fix her car. She had a flat tire. She looked exactly like her."

"Wow. It might be her. Did you get a reaction from her?"

I recalled. "No. She's so passive."

"Did you get her name?"

I shook my head. "She was in a hurry. She left right after giving me two bucks."

"Let me guess. You asked her to tell you her name, right?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah."

"She was acting, Caleb. She acted like she didn't know you."

I frowned. "Why would you say so?"

"Why? She could've told you who she was. I mean, it wouldn't take a minute or two. Just her name, but she didn't."

"Maybe, she just doesn't want to tell who she is to strangers." I objected.

"Or maybe, she just doesn't want to bring the past up. I mean, she was there too."

I hung my head down. "I don't know. I really want to see her again. I just want to at least thank her for what she had done."

"I know, dude. I also wish you'll meet her again."

"Thanks."

"Uncle Sky!!!!" We suddenly heard someone shouted.

"Oh, my babies." Sky stood up from the bench and caught the two kids approaching him in his arms. "Did you two have fun?"

I just watched them. "Yes. We met a new friend. Oh, he's here." The pointed to her right. I smiled. She was referring to Callum who was walking up to me.

"Hey." He sat beside me. "Are you aware that you are the eldest among them."

"Of course. I just want to around with kids."

Because admit it or not, you also want a baby brother or sister. I thought.

"Sky, this is my brother, Callum. Cal, meet Sky, my buddy in college."

"Hi." They shook hands.

"So, you're the new friend, huh?" Sky asked. "Angel and Taylor just love meeting new friends."

"Yeah, I know. They're so friendly."

"Angel, Taylor, this is Uncle Caleb. Dude, my niece and nephew."

I pinched Angel's cheek and ruffled Taylor's hair. "Where are your mommy and daddy?"

"They're having a date." Taylor answered.

I chuckled. "Oh really."

"Yeah. They need privacy." Angel said.

Wow. These kids knew a lot.

"It's nice to meet you again, dude. But, we have to go now. I have to bring them to mom and dad."

We did our signature manly hug. "It's okay. It's nice to meet you again too."

"Bye, Callum and Uncle Caleb." Taylor and Angel chorused as they waved at us.

We bid them goodbyes. "Take care." Callum said.

I turned to my brother. "You want a baby brother or sister."

He rolled his eyes. "No, I want a niece or nephew."

That shut me up.

A few moments later, Callum suddenly burst out laughing. "Your face is so priceless." He was not clutching his stomach and tears already formed in his eyes.

"So funny." I said when he finally stopped laughing.

"Really funny." He retorted.

I swore my brother could be irritating sometimes. He loved making fun of me.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't tell me you're annoyed. You kept teasing me earlier too."

See? He gets that attitude from you. Talk about being a role model.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop it. Let's go to the pond already."

He laughed. "Okay, bro."

We started walking to the pond. As we were about to cross over the mini bridge, someone was also about to cross it from the other side. We locked eyes. I just stopped walking and so did Callum. I could feel my feel my brother staring at me as I continued to look at the person on the other side of the bridge who has a baby in her arms.

Talk about fate.