8

On the last day of December, the last day of 2007, he was alone in his apartment, sipping a cup of his favourite maple cuppucino, as he surfed the net. He needed to get away from the countdowns, from the fireworks, from the people.

He stumbled upon a blog. A total stranger.

Hey. Are you reading this?

I went through old stuff today, and memories suddenly came flooding back. I remembered things that I have forgotten, and you would have forgotten.

Do you know that the first time we talked, you asked me for sweets?

Do you know that you once asked me to find out his birthday for you?

Do you know that the first time we talked on the phone, I walked home from the bus stop, climbed up the stairs to my house and down again, before staying there after realising that it would indeed take a while? I had only called to wish you luck.

Do you know that I am smiling now as I remember that time, when I called you by your full name, and you turned around, smiling as though you had been waiting for it?

Do you know that I can't remember when was the last time you called me by name?

Do you know that at the exhibition, I waited right till the end, waited until I realised that you wouldn’t be presenting your work to me?

You know, I am not really used to your long hair.

You know, every time I try to leave, the you in me seem to get jealous and cry. And I will turn back, only to find you gone.

Maybe I have been picked by God to be your tavern, a shelter for you to rest when you are tired, someone to help you on your way.

One day, when you have found someone who understands you more than I ever will, who loves you more than I ever will, when you don’t really need me anymore, you will leave me.

Until then, I ought to be always there for you, as I had promised.

Only I can’t. Not anymore. I will be far away.

I am sorry.

He shouldn't have read it because it wasn't meant for him. The owner of the blog had probably written it, in the vain hope that whoever it was meant for would somehow stumble upon it, or simply because he knew that she read his blog. Anyhow, he simply couldn't resist reading the whole entry.

She should let him go, he thought, as he clicked to go to the next blog.

You should let me go, he realised.