“Oh gosh I’m late..,” said a girl as she ran towards the elevator. “Hold the elevator please!”

It was Monday morning again. The dreaded day of her week. The start of all frustrating and irritating clients day. “Wear your game face on, girl,” she said to herself as she pushed button number 28th. Even though she was all prepared to face the day, her body didn’t agreed with her. Her eyes were so heavy that she almost fallen asleep while leaning on the elevator wall. She was also distracted by the other passengers who chatted noisily about their weekend happenings.

“You should have seen her moves!,” said the excited guy in-front of her.

“Was it worth dying for?,” asked the other with wide opened eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you were comin’ man?”

“I thought you were busy with your girlfriend?“

“Oh hell, no!”

This made her eyes rolled. The two guys continued their discussion until they were off on the 20th floor. Then, finally, she was alone. Time to think about what would she expect this day. Would it be meaningful enough for her to stay? Will her co-workers be as kind as she would want to.. or would it be different? Different from her usual office days.

On the 21st floor, the elevator’s door opened. She didn’t glared up on the new passenger until she heard him called her name, “Loraine?

I never thought I would see you again..”

Her eyes widened. As she looked up to see the guy’s face, she whispered, “Martin..”. They stared each other for quite a long moment. Wondered who would break the ice and speak their mind. He carefully looked at her face while she was astonished to see how familiar the guy was.

Martin opened his mouth and was about to say something when suddenly the elevator stopped and everything became black.

“What happened?!,” Loraine was frightened while she reached out for a bar to grip.

“I think the power’s out,” said Martin.

The emergency light lit up the small space they were in. Martin tried to use the Emergency Call button while Loraine thought about using her mobile phone to call the people responsible for the elevators.

This was probably the worst day for Loraine. Her mobile phone’s power ran out too. “Damn!,” She sat in one corner in defeat. Martin couldn’t do anything but to wait as well. If he must had brought his things up with him before he left his boss’ meeting, they might had gotten the Administrator or the Engineering people’s attention.

5 minutes..

10 minutes..

15 minutes had passed and they were still inside the malfunctioning elevator.

“Don’t you look at me like that,” irritatedly said Loraine.

“Sorry. Can’t help but to stare,” Martin said. “Seems nothing has changed to you.” He sat beside her and Loraine looked away.

The silence was deafening. “When will this end? What was he doing in this building anyways?,” Loraine asked her self. As she tried to look beside her, she saw Martin smiled while he looked at the blank elevator door in-front of them. “What’s so funny?,” she asked. Martin uttered a small laugh.

“Nothing really. Maybe I’m just glad.”

“Glad that we’re almost 20 minutes stuck in here?!”

“I guess, yeah,” Martin smiled.

Loraine shook her head in disbelief. She saw Martin stared at her again from the corner of her eyes.

“Aren’t you wondering? Of all the people that I have to be stuck here with is you?,” Martin asked. ” I remember that first day.. you were so quiet. You seemed to be struck by a lightning or something each time we meet,” Martin gazed away. He had a deep breath and asked, “Are you still mad at me?”

Loraine bit her lips.

“If it wasn’t because of stupidness…you know..,” Martin hesitated but continued.”..We would have been still together.”

Lorraine looked down.

“Sometimes, I wish I never saw you, never met you and.. never knew you at all..,” Martin said with sad eyes still looking away. Loraine looked at him this time with a blank expression. Then her eyes narrowed.

“Neither because I don’t like you nor hate you, because.. I felt fear that one day..

I might loose you.”

Hearing this made a sudden change of feelings for Loraine. She felt her heart beats faster and faster. She felt her chest tightened.

“And that day came,” Martin continued. “It’s just weird though. I still have this.. very…weird and… very… special feelings for you..”

Loraine watched Martin met her sight slowly and said, “We don’t have to look back at the time we..”

“Please come back to me..,” Martin interrupted.

Both of them felt the pain inside their chests. No body wanted to let this moment slip away. They wanted to let the each other know how they really feel. The feeling was so strong to fight back.. All they can think of was to give in and let them float in the clouds of comfort.. The longingness for the warmth of each other. The sweet scent of her hair, the hard and smooth feel of his body.. Everything came suddenly back.. How happy they were, how they shared each other’s misfortunes and lucky times, how it really made them feel complete..

TING!

The electricity came back. Without knowing it, their lips were close to each other. So close that it could end their imagination and could put things back the way they were. One kiss that could made them feel at ease and surprisingly awake to know that the wait is over. Face the truth and don’t hesitate anymore.

Loraine opened her eyes. Blinked few times as she realized the power was turned back on. She quickly hesitated and said, “The power’s back.” Bewildered, Martin said, “I-I’m sorry..”

They both stood up and fix themselves.

“What floor were you heading?,” Martin asked.

“28th.”

Martin pushed the 28th button and looked at her. “Loraine?”

Loraine looked up to him quickly.

“Can I.. hold you for the last time?”

Loraine felt her eyes were getting wet as she put her arms around his well built body. No one wanted to let go. “For the last time…,” he whispered to her left ear.

The elevator stopped and opened its door on the 28th floor. Time to leave. She wiped her tears away as she composed herself and get ready for work.

“Goodbye..,” was her last word for Martin.

Too many questions in mind. Confused. Dazed as they were. She looked over her shoulders from time to time as she walked until the elevator shut it’s door.

Martin knew how Loraine really felt. It was still wonderful but she chose to refuse for unknown and unclear reasons.