That day, I set out at the crack of dawn with barely any sleep. Not like that mattered, I was going to see her off. Yuna said she'd be at the Great Lakes bridge, the river that splits the city. Right down the middle, impossible to miss.
For some reason, instead of walking, I ran. I was way ahead of schedule, but still I ran.
Running through the cramped housing districts, the people opened their windows to embrace the morning air.
Past the church that rang its early bells with the fat pigeon still perched in front of it.
The city square had merchants readying to open their shops and food hawkers preparing their daily menus.
Then, finally, I made my way past the king's castle.
A truly breathtaking spectacle, it glowed with the rising sunlight. Maya didn't want to come here when we spent time. Now I know it's because the people there caused this.
Facing forward, I ran.
It was a straight path to the bridge from here. Passerbys were few and far between this early in the morning, but people nonetheless.
None was her, but I was ready and willing to wait.
"She will come." I have a lot to talk to her about. An apology, yes, but a kiss goodbye? Yes too. It would be a great way to see her off. Just thinking about it got my dick on standby. Her lips, her soft body, her behind–everything ahh. No, this isn't about; I need to behave.
So I waited. Leaning on the railings, watching the water below, replaying everything in my head. Her laugh. Her voice. Her stupid insults. Her smell, my god, her smell.
People passed by, guards changed shifts, kids came out to play, then back in for lunch.
The sun climbed…then slowly began to fall. Time passed.
I walked down the sides of the bridge continuously. Watching the endless, same crossing happening over and over again.
"She will come."
Just then. A smell crossed my nose. It was unmissable. It came from a fancy carriage crossing over; without a doubt, it's her. I turned and rushed back to the bridge. I knew she'd come.
I ran towards the open carriage door, "MAYA!!'
"Mm?"
It wasn't her. It was just a noble lady. The lady looked at me, bewildered, and I quickly left the scene.
"...Did I get the wrong place? No, that's impossible. There is no other place like this in Uno."
So where is she…
I waited. Waited and waited, but nothing. My chest tightened. My heart began to beat rapidly.
"No…no, she's just late."
Evening came. The sky turned orange. Then red. Then dark. The bridge lights flickered on as the darkness came. This side of town is so bright.
I watched as adventuring parties, hunters, and fishermen crossed the bridge after a long, hard day at work.
Some laughed loudly, punching the air triumphantly, probably had a nice day out. Some hung their heads; not everyone had a good day. Some were injured. In general, it was a mix of everything.
"Maya..."
But deep down, I began starting to doubt. No way Maya would leave just like that, right? Without saying goodbye, right? Not like they were stopping her.
Maybe they were, so that must be it, right?
It seems it was rush hour, so there were many people around. From everyone coming back, preparing to close, buying what they need and basically doing everything before it gets too late.
A crowd. So many people, I could miss her. "No, no"
I need to look more closely, to pay attention, because in this spot I could so easily miss her. With so many people moving back and forth. However, I couldn't keep up. As I checked one, another passed by me.
Gripping my chest, I couldn't take it anymore. "Maya!"
"Maya!"
I ran from one side to the other. Airing every last breath of air I held.
Without concern, I called for her until the bustling bridge grew quiet. With no buyers left to sell to, the vendors lined up alongside the bridge, headed home.
More time passed, and I settled down.
I walked around for a bit in the cold air of the bridge. Barely anybody outside on this side of the bridge. And almost no noise except the soft sounds of the river flowing.
Is Uno like this at night? Or is it because we are so close to the king's quarters? Eventually, I sat in front of the bridge, and my heart began to beat louder and louder.
My chest, no, my body began to quiver a little. I shook even though I wasn't cold. All this from the fact that I couldn't deny it anymore.
"She's gone."
What is this feeling?
My teeth began to clash as I struggled to keep my body calm while my mind went blank.
She's gone just like that. I haven't even known her for that long, but I care so much. I have a whole life I cannot remember, yet this means so much to me.
Why? I didn't even come here for her. I didn't join them for her, so why? How did she become so important to me? Why is she? I guess that's it…oh well. Time to go to bed. I missed out on a lot of sleep after all. However, I stayed. Thinking about our time. She must have been suffering so much, yet she was so strong for so long. I want to see her again. Maybe I should leave the faction. I haven't been here long, and I don't know anyone too well. So I think it's fine if I leave; they won't really care. I don't know any of their secrets.
Just take Bella and…what am I even saying?
I crouched against the bridge railing. Slowly, my eyes began to drift, the cold air soothing my skin and putting me to sleep.
I woke up to see not a single person. The strange cold left me, but now I'm left with an empty feeling inside.
I guess this is it.
"She left me."