As Tatsuya left, I sat there in silence, thinking about what I’ve done. Not only have I broken Tatsuya’s heart and our friendship, but I’ve also disappointed myself. I was abandoned and left because of my disability, or my flaw. Now I’m abandoning Tatsuya just because he left me, and that’s because of a divorce. I have to apologize to him. I can’t let go. Not now, not ever.

I wheeled my way to the parking lot to meet Victoria’s family.

“How did it go with your friend, dear?” Mrs. Victor asked.

“Not so good. Let’s just go home for now,” I said.

I then hopped inside the back seat while Mrs. Victor started the car and Mr. Victor put my wheelchair in the trunk. Victoria sat next to me in the back seat.

“So you met him again?” Victoria asked, trying to make small talk.

“Yes,” I said, still thinking about what to do.

“Why did he leave?” Victoria asked.

“His parents divorced, and his grandma’s sick,” I said.

“Why did he come back?” Victoria asked.

“To… meet me,” I said.

“Look, Rhoa, I might have eavesdropped earlier on your little conversat—”

“You did what?” I said, cutting her off.

“What? I’m your best friend,” Victoria responded.

“Fine. So you know what I’m dealing with. How do I fix it?” I asked.

“You need to know how important he is to you,” Victoria said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because if he’s not important, if he’s toxic and no good for you, why would you spend your energy and time to fix it? It’s like trying to save a ship with a huge hole. No matter how much you try, water’s gonna come in and it will sink,” Victoria answered.

“But he is important to me. I like him,” I said.

“Then why can’t you forgive him?” Victoria asked.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“If someone really loves someone so much and they love you back, you forgive each other for little mistakes. ‘Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.’ —Robert A. Heinlein,” Victoria explained.

“There you go again with the quotes,” I said, trying to sound annoyed but actually grateful she said that.

“But how can I forgive him?” I asked Victoria.

“Rhoa, to forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness. Remember that,” Victoria said.

“Awhh,” I said. “Thank you.” I then hugged Victoria.

Through Victoria’s side car window, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Victor peeking at us.

“Vic,” I said to Victoria while pointing at them.

Victoria turned and was surprised to see her parents. She then lowered the window.

“Mom, Dad, you’re ruining our little moment,” Victoria said to her parents.

“Sorry, dear. But it was so sweet of you two,” Mrs. Victor said.

“I can’t hold it anymore. My sweet girls are all grown up,” Mr. Victor said, then started crying.

“Babe, if you cry, you’re gonna make me cry,” Mrs. Victor said and started crying along with Mr. Victor.

“Mom, Dad, if you cry, I cry,” Victoria said and started crying too.

They then did a group hug together.

Crybabies. What’s the point of crying because of something happy? I thought to myself.

“Come here, Rhoa,” Mr. Victor said while still crying.

“Why?” I asked.

“What do you mean why? You’re part of this family,” Mr. Victor said.

I then started crying out of joy too. After having an emotional moment with my family, we headed home.

Halfway home, I started to talk to Victoria.

“Vic,” I said.

“Yeah?” Victoria asked.

“How do I forgive Tatsuya?” I asked.

“I have a plan,” Victoria said.

“What plan?” I asked.

“A plan, and it involves everyone in this car,” Victoria said.

“What?” I asked.

“Yeah, what?” Mr. Victor asked too.

“I’ll tell you at home,” Victoria said.

The next day, that brilliant plan Victoria had was to leave me in front of Tatsuya's house with no other option but to go inside and ask for help. Because of Victoria, I’m now here in front of Tatsuya’s house in my wheelchair, alone.

I had no other option but to wheel myself to Tatsuya’s house. I’m now here in front of Tatsuya’s house. What am I doing here? What should I say? I want to knock, I want to say sorry, but I can’t knock. I’m, I’m, I’m scared. What if he doesn’t forgive me? I was about to leave and wait outside when suddenly Tatsuya came out of the door.

“Rhoa. What are you doing here?” Tatsuya asked.

“H… H… Hi, Tatsuya,” I said.

“What are you doing here?” Tatsuya asked again.

“Victoria made me,” I said.

“So you didn’t come because you wanted to. Maybe people do leave other people because of other people’s reasons,” Tatsuya said, trying to hint at something.

“I want to talk to you. Please,” I said.

“Let’s sit down. Want hot cocoa?” Tatsuya asked.

“Sure,” I replied.

I waited in my wheelchair at the foyer. Tatsuya then went inside to get a can of hot cocoa. He came back outside with a chair and the hot cocoa in hand and gave one to me.

“Wow, it’s hot,” I said.

“I said hot cocoa, didn’t I?” Tatsuya asked.

“I didn't know hot cocoa could be put in a can,” I said.

“Well, now you know,” Tatsuya said. He then opened the can.

“Tatsuya, you know, I miss this. Us. Talking and stuff,” I said, trying to start a conversation.

“What do you want, Rhoa? Straight to the point,” Tatsuya said, starting to get mad.

“Are you, maybe, mad at me?” I asked reluctantly.

“No, Rhoa,” Tatsuya said, then placed his head on his hand. “I’m mad because I’m mad at you.”

“Why? It’s okay to be mad at me” I said. 

“You’re my closest friend. You were my first friend here. You’re special to me Rhoa” Tatsuya said. 

“I’m sorry. I was also mad at myself. I was mad because I said all those mean things to you” I said to Tatsuya. 

“It’s alright. I’m so sorry for what happened between you and your Aunt.” Tatsuya said.

“How did you know that?” I asked.

“When I arrived back here. I called Victoria about you. So if we talk, I’ll relate and could catch back from all of those years you weren’t with me” Tatsuya said. 

“Awhh Tatsuya. You’re such a caring friend” I said while holding him in my arms from my wheelchair.