Good Things Don't Last...

I was at a college cultural fest. I had been running around the past couple of days from one event to another… from debate to jam to light music… watching one person after another as they competed against each other. I was not participating myself; I simply did not have the time to. I met a lot of people during those few days but four of them stood out for four different reasons.

It was the last day of the fest… and the crowd was dwindling in the open air auditorium after the final event of the evening - the final event of the fest. My phone rang just then and the screen blinked, showing a number I was not expecting a call from. I picked it up curiously.

“Hello?”

“Are you still at the fest?” a voice asked on the other end.

“Captain Cook*?!  …yeah, I am. Why are you asking?”

“I need a favour, that’s why! A friend of mine is over there at the fest. I need you to meet him and collect something from him and pass it along to me when we meet. Is that okay?”

“Sure… But wouldn’t you be in town yourself by this time day tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I will be but he has to leave tonight so I won’t be able to meet him in person.”

“Oh, alright! Tell me where I should meet him then!”

“Where are you right now?”

“I’m at the open air auditorium!”

“Okay, stay there. I’ll ask him to meet you there itself!”

“But-"

Beep. Beep. He had already hung up. How am I supposed to recognize this friend of his? So typical. I thought, exasperated. I tried calling him back but there was no answer. Frustrated, I decided to wait right there.

I looked around me and noticed two people lounging in the chairs that were still lying around. One was Mr. X* and the other was Dash*. Mr. X was my ex… long story, that. That’s another story for another day. 

Dash, I had met only during the fest – he was the friend of a friend; a very nice guy; witty and fun to talk to. Basically, I thought Dash could be the new blood I needed in my dry social life.

The funny thing about this fest was that one thing led to another and I was actually not on the usual ‘I-hate-you-you-hate-me-so-let’s-stay-away-from-each-other’ terms with my ex. Mr. X and I had somehow found some mutual ground on which to at least have a cordial relationship. It was in both our best interests as our social circles were too intertwined to avoid each other forever.

I was some sort of mediator between Mr. X and Dash – who were already a little familiar with each other as a result of the debate they both took part in – and we chatted about some of the most random things under the sun as I waited for Captain Cook to return my calls.

I did not have to wait long for soon enough, my phone vibrated (my phone is on eternal ‘silent’ mode with the vibration as the only indication to any alerts, messages or calls) and the screen blinked, showing Captain Cook’s number.

“A hundred years to you!” I said, sarcastically. “How on earth are your friend and I supposed to recognize each other when we’ve never met before?! You should at least give both of some clues as to what the other person is wearing or some landmark where we can meet or SOMETHING!”

“Calm down. That won’t be necessary.” He said, sounding chilled which irked me a bit.

“Huh? What do you mean? But-”

“Look behind you J.”

I turned around, puzzled. And there he was, standing in all his glory, chuckling at my baffled expression. After my initial moment of surprise, I grinned wildly and literally lunged at him (tripping over a few chairs in the process).

“You’re such a MORON!” I said, hugging him.

He laughed. “Yes, yes, it’s good to see you too!”

“But you weren’t supposed to be here till the day after!” I exclaimed, letting go.

“Change of plans. Or am I not allowed that?” he asked with mock hurt.

“Of course you are Captain!” I mock saluted, playing along.

Just then, he noticed Mr. X, whom he was already acquainted with (we all went to the same school) and raised an eyebrow at me questioningly. I shrugged and led him over to where Mr. X was sitting with Dash. Introductions were in order between Dash and Captain Cook and soon enough, we were all chatting quite pleasantly. Although he surely noticed it, Captain Cook did not comment on the sudden change in my attitude towards Mr. X, which had gone from complete hatred and loathing to a respectable level of cordiality. He must have thought it to be for the best, just like I did.

There was just one person missing in this whole setting; the one person who could make this scene perfect for me. I could not dwell on that thought for long as my phone vibrated again just then, the screen blinking and showing an unknown number.

“I see that your phone’s eternal silence has still not been done away with! If there’s any person who should be allowed their phone inside a meditation hall or a theatre or a planetarium, it’s you; since you don’t pay any attention to it either ways!” Captain Cook joked.

“Shut up! You keep that up and I will stop picking up your calls!” I threatened in good humor as Mr. X and Dash laughed.

Captain Cook mock bowed in surrender to that statement as I got up to pick up the call.

“Hello?”

I could tell that there was no expression on my face save for my mouth falling agape. It took me a while to digest the news I was given during that phone call. In fact, I couldn’t even tell if it was really happening! All I knew was that when I got off that call, there was only one person I wanted to tell first. And it felt like my prayers were being answered because there was a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see the person I wanted to see – Stratocaster*.

Looking at Strato brought my emotions to the surface as the news I’d received finally sunk it! I grinned so widely that the corners of my lips hurt and I threw my arms around Strato’s neck excitedly.

“I’m getting published!” I exclaimed, pulling back to see his expression. I felt my eyes go wet with all my unbelievable excitement as I grabbed on to him and started jumping up and down like a crazy person.

“WOW! That’s amazing you dog! I’m so happy for you!” he exclaimed as he hugged me back tightly and started jumping around with me. When we have reason to freak out, we freak out like mad people! And to me, Strato was, is and always will be the best person for all my news – good and bad! I couldn’t imagine a life where Strato and I weren’t best friends.

We jumped around, screamed like crazy people and even danced a jig or two in all our excitement for my awesome news.

“Congratulations!” Mr. X called out, with genuine admiration.

“Thank you!” I called back, with genuine gratitude… how long had it been since Mr. X and I had spoken to each other without petty ego coming in between?!

“That’s great news! Congrats!” Dash exclaimed.

“Thank you so much!”

“I want my treat!” Captain Cook said.

“Haha! You’ll get your treat alright!”

“I’m really proud of you, you know that right?!” Strato asked, still holding on to me.

I smiled. “Yes I know…”

I was so ecstatically happy and it felt so perfectly right celebrating that moment in Strato’s arms, having those three people look on, happy for me.

It was so weirdly perfect that at that exact moment, I had an epiphany.

This is perfect! In fact, it’s too good to be true!  I thought. I’m missing something… this perfect moment won’t last. Where’s the catch?

I pondered on that thought for a minute and looked around at the happy faces surrounding me, applauding my accomplishment, sharing my joy. I think it was when I saw the happiness on Mr. X’s face for me, that it hit me. Of course! It’s Mr. X and I! After all that happened between us these past few years, it’s impossible for him to be in my moment of happiness and actually, genuinely feel happy for me!

I held on more tightly to Strato as I let the bitter truth sink in. Funny thing was, Strato’s arms around me felt so real… so comforting… so warm… so secure… I closed my eyes and enjoyed the last moments of what was one of the most real dreams I have ever had.

Perhaps, it felt so real because I yearn for that picture perfect perfection ever day of my life. Strangely though, when I woke up, I was not unhappy that the dream was over; rather, I was extremely content upon having lived a moment of perfection at least in my dream. It could be attributed to the fact that even the dream me had realized that it was a dream even from within the dream and had already made up her mind to enjoy the moment while it lasted. Who knows better than I after all; that good things don’t last?

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* - The names of these people have been altered to protect their privacy. Read on for more information about the names and the people.

Mr. X - Pretty self-explanatory, don't you think? Mr. X is my ex whom I don't talk to anymore. It's an awesome, melodramatic story worth telling though! So maybe I'll get around to it in the future! ;P

DASH - Now that's just a random nickname! You know, the fill-in-the-blanks kind? :P I don't know Dash all that well! :P

CAPTAIN COOK - A very dear friend of mine back from the good ol' school days! A sea-fairer, studying to sail! So I like calling him Captain at times! Captain Cook just sounds too cool. :D

STRATOCASTER - 'Stratocaster' actually refers to the Fender Stratocaster (for those of you who did not make the connection!)... it's a very old promise between us! Always have a special place in my heart for Strato! :)