It was a really sad breakup. Although both of them, Tim and Barbara, went
well in the end; Barbara writes new year card to Tim every year by brush. Tim
replies too, though with pen writings only.
You ask any friend of them, and they would say it's really unfortunate for
the two, that how out of imagination the sudden breakup was, but they'd then
express that they're very, very happy for the two having found the true love
for each of themselves after all.
The breakup happened on a sweating, rainy day in September, when the couple,
still slime-y with each other after having been dating for three years, was
going downtown after school. On the way, they walked arm in arm under one
umbrella. Then, all of a sudden, Tim said something which completely changed
Barbara's life. His own also, perhaps.
"Barbara, sorry. But I think I love my umbrella much more than how I loved
you."
Years later, Barbara described that she was almost bursting into tears when
she heard what Tim said, but she somehow managed to held it back in and asked
why, in the calmest tone she could ever have.
Tim answered while he's sneaking his umbrella away above Barbara's head. "You
see, it's like when you eat rice."
"What in the primate-"
"No-no, Miss Barbara, listen to me. When you eat rice, you'd say damn this
rice is so delicious, and you fell into love with that rice, right?"
Barbara wasn't sure if she should nod or shake her head, so she just stared
at Tim, waiting for him to continue.
"But in the whole thing, it's not rice who contributed most to you. It's the
bowl and the chopsticks. Chopsticks paid most, I'd say. They even send rice
all the way into your mouth, and leave, and come back, then leave, again and
again without muttering no complaint."
She found Tim's words amusing, and was actually thinking there, her eyes
still full of water, for a while.
"Yes... yes, Tim. You're right."
"So I am sorry, Miss Barbara, but I think it's time for us to part ways. I
have found my true love, and we wish the best for you in the future."
Tim then walked away with the lovely umbrella. From the direction, he's going
to the movie with it.
His figure disappeared around the corner while Barbara was still standing
there pondering. Rain fell, but she didn't care. She chewed what Tim said
around in her head for a while. It wasn't until the rain stopped that she
finally remembered that she wasn't some historical statue.
After that breakup, both took a while to get used to their new ways of living
without the other there. Tim now lives in California with his dearest
umbrella, and Barbara, having listened to Tim and still being thankful
towards him till this day, married a successful Japanese man who runs
publishing business worldwide.