Rain Tree Hall

The dream opened at my sixth grade building, and in one of the classrooms at the central wing of the second floor, was where my boss was discussing a few items. I was quite unattentive and was eager to go out of the room already as the bullies kept on bombarding me with messages that they have arrived. It was almost 3 in the afternoon, and I only had an hour of downtime.

In the room beside the staircase was where what seemed like a council meeting was happening, and also where my former teammate at the current agency was. Not sure if I dropped by to say I’d be right the left wing and would be in an hour later.

That Starbucks had the BGC 32nd vibe, which apparently was situated just two doors after the council meeting room. The boys and I sat on the native chairs, and we sure were having a good time. We were unusually taking a lot of pictures, as if we wanted every single laugh documented. Hated to be the party pooper but at around 3:30 to 3:45, I was already starting to say I’d be going in a bit.

He was surprisingly bold at that moment — casually and openly putting his arms around my shoulder, as if he got no care in the world. Topping it off was the shift to tight hugs, which I gladly returned. That second was too precious I had to ask for our photo to be taken, and a few minutes after, there it was, being printed from the Instax camera. He was genuinely sad that I had to go, and if I had a choice, I really wouldn’t dare move an inch. It was a sad scene, but somehow there was this burning feeling that the separation was temporary, and that we’d be together again in no time. It was unclear if we were to meet again later that day once I’d be free or some other day, but my last line was either I’d text them or they’d text me. I still kept looking back even when I finally walked out of the coffee shop, and seeing them on their way downstairs was difficult I could almost cry.

I then went inside the council meeting room and started reading the book that was handed to me, out loud.