FALLING STAR (2022 version)

 Dec. 15, 2018, 22:52:28

It was a clear night. The sky was cloudless and all the stars twinkled as brightly as possible. Aubrey spent most of the evening staring at the sky. Watching the stars as they blink in place.

All of a sudden, a falling star appeared. It shone brightly and quickly faded back into the darkness.

Aubrey quickly closed her eyes. “I wish Eric will be mine,” she quietly wished.

Dec. 16, 2018

Aubrey quietly stared as her friend Eric ate his food. She listened as he noisily sipped his soup. Her eyes follow the movement of his jaw as he chewed his food. She is obsessed with her friend.

For Aubrey, Eric is the perfect guy. Athletic. Smart. Handsome. He comes from a family of Spanish descent, and it shows. His fair skin, caramel brown eyes, and pointed nose are just icing on the cake that is Eric. He’s one of the few men she knows who truly gets her. He laughs at her jokes. He’s interested in what she has to say. It’s a big plus that he’s also a mama’s boy. Eric is the perfect guy, for Aubrey.

Aubrey wonders, will her wish the night before ever come true?

Suddenly, as if fate heard her question, Eric turned his head towards her and winked.

They say you should make a wish whenever you see a falling star. Whatever it is that your heart desired, it will be given to you. Aubrey’s wish is about to come true.

Jan. 18, 2019

Aubrey is seated in her small office space, staring at her laptop, pretending to work.

Eric quietly approaches the girl. He sits at the edge of her table.

He taps her on the shoulder. “What are you doing after work?” he asks.

“I have no plans for tonight, what’s on your mind?”

Eric reached out towards his back pocket and pulled out two tickets. “My friend plays drums in a band. He asked me to attend his gig tonight. I -uh, I don’t have a date. Would you like to come?”

“As your date?” she inquired. She was dying inside. This was what she wished for. It’s starting to come true!

He looks at her funny. “Yeah, why not.”

“Sure,” Aubrey said. She’s never answered a question as quickly as she did Eric’s. Finally, a date with the man she adores.

Jan. 19, 2019

The concert ended at 1 a.m. As it was already late, Eric offered to drive Aubrey home. She gracefully accepted.

He took her hand as he guided Aubrey to his car. Like a gentleman, he opened the door for her.

This is it, her dreams started to come true.

Feb. 14, 2019

Aubrey arrived in the office and was surprised that on top of her worktable was a dozen of the reddest bouquet of roses. A card is pasted on one of the stems.

She excitedly picked it up, to read what it says.

“Only the best, for my girl. With love, Eric.”

She could only smile.

Mar. 02, 2019

Aubrey hugged Eric tightly. This is his last day at work. He found a very lucrative job with a huge multinational company. An offer, no one could ever resist.

For Aubrey, this will be hard. She will no longer see him in the office. She’ll no longer be his lunch buddy. Eric’s office is in another city. She fears they won’t be able to see each other as much as she wants.

She buries her face in Eric’s chest. She doesn’t want to let him go.

Aubrey will miss him so much.

Eric pulls the distraught girlfriend. He takes out his handkerchief and wipes her tears.

He gives her a big smile.

“Hey, don’t cry. I will still see you. We’ll still see each other,” he promised. He kisses her on the cheek.

May 1, 2019

“I’m sorry. Can’t make it tonight. Busy with work.” Eric texted Aubrey.

It’s barely been a month and he no longer has time for her. This is the third time Eric canceled on Aubrey. She tries to understand. Eric is new and can’t say no to his boss. This is his dream job. Aubrey has to be the understanding girlfriend.

Is that what she is? They never really labeled what they are.

“Ok,” she texted back.

Oct. 30, 2019

Aubrey was trying to decide which restaurant she was going to eat in. The mall was big, and there were a lot of choices. In the corner of her eye, she saw this quaint Italian restaurant. The aroma of fresh pizza wafted to where she was. Tempting, she thought.

Like an invisible hand, the smell pushed her toward the restaurant.

And just as she was about to enter the establishment, her eyes spotted him.

Eric.

It’s been months since she last saw him. Since she last heard from him.

His work took him away from her. After he moved, Aubrey never saw him again. At first, he canceled their dates. Slowly, the calls became fewer until their text exchanges stopped one day.

Now, here he is, in front of Aubrey. Eric. Alone.

Her heart started beating faster. She wanted to know what happened between them. She has to know.

Suddenly, Aubrey was behind Eric. She tapped him on the shoulder.

Eric turned around. He looked surprised to see her.

“Hi,” was the only word Aubrey was able to muster.

It took him a bit to recognize her, but as soon as he did, he give her the biggest smile.

“Aubrey!” Eric responded. He gave her a big hug. “It’s been… uh… forever! How are you?!”

“I’m good. I missed you,” she answered, with sadness in her tone.

Eric can only smile.

“Hi.” An unfamiliar voice came from behind her. Aubrey turned her head to see where it came from. Eric suddenly moved past Aubrey, to the girl behind her. Eric kissed the girl, took her hand, and went towards the heartbroken Aubrey.

“Lisa, this is Aubrey. I worked with her before. From the company, I came from. Aubrey, this is Lisa… my girlfriend.”

Aubrey forced a smile towards the woman who took her man. “Nice to meet you, Lisa.”

“Likewise. Uhmmm… would you like to join us, Aubrey?” Lisa offered.

“Yeah. Join us.” Eric echoed, less convincingly.

With all her strength, Aubrey forced a smile on her face. “Oh no… Thank you. I’m actually about to meet with a friend. We’re eating somewhere else. But thank you for the offer.”

“Aww. Well, enjoy your day. Nice to meet you again,” Lisa replied.

“Yeah, Aubrey. It’s… uh… good to see you again.” Eric hugged Aubrey.

She hurriedly walked away from the couple.

As soon as Aubrey got home, she immediately buried her face in her pillow. Suddenly she can’t control the tears from pouring out of her eyes.

“Wishing on a falling star… it’s all bullshit!” That night, she cried herself to sleep.

She no longer believes in wishing stars.

Dec. 15, 2018, 22:52:26

“I wish to find my true love,” Lisa quietly whispers as she sees a falling star in this clear cloudless night sky.

*****

Translated the old story into English. Is it better or worse?