When I went to my aunt's house, I saw a delicate Georgian, dingy medium sized clock hanging on the wall of their living room.

"Aunt, what is this scary looking clock? It's like a clock in a horror movie," I asked while looking at it.

From the kitchen, aunt went closer to explain. "Your uncle brought it, month ago. He said it was from his friend. But he will give it back today."

"Why?"

"I don't know. But when he brought it, we find it hard to sleep at night. We don't believe in stuff like that, but I'm really uneasy at that old clock."

"That sounds scary," I laughed, caressing my goosebumps.

"Yeah, a lot," she chuckled. "They said it's a wishing clock though."

"Wishing clock?" I asked.

"If you make a wish in front of the clock, it will make your wish come true. So I wished many times to this clock."

"What did you wish aunt?"

"To be rich."

We looked at each other and laughed out loud.

"It's not legit," Aunt added. "Your uncle said that the wish will only be fulfill when it is about love. Very funny."

Love?

"Oh wait. I'm gonna make a hot chocolate for you. Stay here," Aunt said and went back to the kitchen.

Love wishing clock huh.

If that's true, then should I try making a wish?

I walked closer to the clock, staring intently as I listen to the ticking sounds: ~tik tok tik tok.

With a whisper tone, I wished, "I want to find the right man for me."

After saying those words, the hand of the clock suddenly stopped. 

Along with it is an unusual quietness around. No sounds from the street, from the kitchen, just nothing but the echoes of my breathe. It feels like the world stopped revolving.

When I made a step away from it, I finally heard sounds and the hand of the clock starts ticking again.

What the hell just happened?

"My niece, I forgot to buy milk powder," Aunt went here to the living room.

"A-Aunt," I stuttered. "Was there an electricity black out a moment ago?"

"Huh? Black out? There's none. Why?"

Then what was that?

"N-Nothing."

"Anyway, can you buy a powder milk at the convenience store?" She requested then hand me a dollar bill with 07041776 digits on it. It maybe because I studied Math so much nowadays, that I suddenly have a habit of memorizing numbers around.

"Sure Aunt," I agreed and walked out.

I studied in this town when I was in Senior high. So I'm quite confident that I know the way to the convenience store. But now that I'm out, I'm confused. Maybe because there are new buildings.

"Ahhh," I winced when a man accidentally bumped his shoulder to mine.

I believe that the road is too wide. Then, Is he blind? Or he did it on purpose?

"Ahh, I'm sorry," the man apologized.

"Yeah. It's okay," I replied as I look into his face.

Just like how the clock stopped before, my heart frozen as soon as I saw his face: his slanted eyes, his pointed nose, his cat-like lips and his perfect small face. No matter how many years had passed, I will never ever forget that man I loved.

"Oh? Aren't you (y/n)?" He recognized, pointing my face.

This handsome man is Joshua Hong, my high school's friend's  boyfriend.

Because of some family affairs, my aunt took me in and let me studied here for a year. That's when I met him.

My friend  Cindy, me and Joshua were in the same class.  They dated for too long so there are times when I was with them when they're dating.

He was dating my friend but I was the one who were falling in love as I got to know him.

Sure it was a one sided love. But the memories  with him are precious for me. Even if I was not the girl on his side.

"How have you been? Woah, its been a long time right?" He said.

"Right. How's Cindy?"

"Cindy? Ahhh," he chuckled while scratching his nape. "We broke up already."

They did?! Since when?! I mean... they really love each other!

"Why?! And when?!" I asked in surprise.

"When you went back to your hometown, we broke up," he answered then changed the topic. "Are you studying in college?"

"Y-Yeah," the only word I can uttered because I'm still shock.

"After you moved back,  we didn't have any news about you. I can't find your Facebook account. And you didn't give your contact too." he continued.

"Ahh, yeah," I repeated, still in awe by his beauty.

So he dyed his hair in blue. And he got piercings.  It looks good on him. How did he get this handsome while I still remained like an ugly potato? Life is so unfair. Tsss.

"I have a Facebook account.  But I'm not using my real name. Also, I can't browse in social media for long time since I'm busy with my study. "

I made myself busy so I can forget you. Lol.

"I see," he nooded. "Then are you here for a vacation?"

"Yup. Just for two months."

"Ooooooh. That's good. Then that means we can hang out while you're here."

"Ahh. Yeah." Wait a minute. "Huh?"

We will hang out!?

Why!?

I mean... I know we were good friends but...

"Great! Then give me your phone number so I can contact you," he suggested.

While my mind is still processing, I gave him my phone. Joshua dialed on it to call his number. Then he saved my contacts.

"Got it," he smiled as he handled my phone back. "So where are you going now?"

"A-Actually, I was f-finding the convenience store. B-But got lost in the middle of it," I confessed.

"Really? Wait a minute." He got his phone and called someone. "Hello uncle. I suddenly became busy. Would you get it instead? Im sorry. Bye." Then he hang up and looked at me. "I should come with you then." He offered then started to walk. "Follow me."

After I made a wish on that clock, I met him. Does it mean that he is the right guy for me?

Days passed by.

Joshua and I continued to spend our school vacation together.

It's different.

We hanged out before ,  but  that's when he was my friend's boyfriend. Now that we are alone together, it feels different.

This feelings I hid, and tried to forget, are coming back. In a way that I couldn't stop no matter how many times I told myself that in his eyes, I'm just a good friend he's comfortable with.

"You're a great guitarist," I complimented while watching him plays guitar at the park.

He chuckled, very sweet. "Thanks. Do you want to play it?"

"Oh no no no," I furiously declined. "I really can't."

"Awww," he pouted. Then put his guitar down so he can sit closer. "I think it is very romantic when I watch those scenes in movie."

"What scene?"

"When the guy teaches the girl how to play guitar. Because he can hug her behind using that as an excuse. They can look at each other eyes in close gap. Then... Do you know what happens next?"

I couldn't escape by the look of his eyes as I responded, "what is it?"

Joshua gulped. Before I watched his eyes travelled to my lips. "They'll kiss," he whispered.

He did it again; telling words that I might misunderstand. 

"Your face is all red," he laughed.

So he really is teasing me.

"Ahhh," I sulked after avoiding his gaze.

Joshua scratched his nape and awkwardly avoided my gaze.

For 5 minutes we just stared at the sunset, in silence. Until...

"I'm going home tomorrow," I said.

"To your hometown right? You've stayed here for two months. Time is surely too fast," he sighed.

When I first met him again, I thought that the wishing clock did fulfill my request. However, two months passed  but theres still no progress to our relationship. We remained as friends. And I stayed loving him unrequitedly.

"I have something to tell you," he murmured. "Actually, we didn't bump by mistake.The day we've met again, its not an accident."

With my confused eyes I looked at him. The sun warmth is kissing his face as he looks freely at the sky.

"I saw you and already recognized you from afar. Then I bumped you in purpose," he continued.

"Why would you do that?" I asked.

Finally he met my gaze. And with his smile that is more warm than the sun, he said,  "Because I want you to think that meeting me is your fate."

It's not a confession. He didn't say "I love you" but my tears almost burst out after hearing those words.

I turned my head, away from him. I feel the muscles of my chin tremble like a small child and I look toward the sun, as if the light could soothe me. Then my eyes drip with tears. The wall that keep me strong...just collapsed. Moment by moment they fall. Even as I clenched my fists, it trembles.

I can't stop.

Why can I not stop crying?

"Are you okay?" He asked, trying to glance on my wet face.

I wiped my tears. Again and again. Hoping it was the last drop.

"J-Joshua," I sobbed."I really regretted meeting you again. You made me did the same mistake I did."

I stood up, inhaling sharply.

"I hope I won't meet you in the future," I continued. "So then, I won't fall in love with the same guy over and over."

"W-Wait. Then do you mean..."

"It was fun hanging out with you." I smiled at him. And his eyes widened, not because of my smile by the my tears. "Goodbye."

Then I dashed away. I heard him called my name, but I never had a courage to come and to look back.

This is the right decision.

I woke up early in the morning to pack my things. Uncle will drive me back to my hometown at 6am so I got done packing by 5:30. 

Before I hopped inside the car, my eyes travelled around.

It will be hard to forget you. But for the last time, I want to say. "I love you Joshua."

"Go in now my niece. It's cold," uncle said as he hopped inside the car.

I went inside. I am sitting to the passenger seat, looking outside the window. Uncle turned the radio on as he drives along the high way.

I feel my phone vibrates inside my pocket. Wondering who it might be, I checked it and got surprised when I saw his name on the screen.

Joshua texted me!

I opened his long message and read it:

"Hi. It's me Josh. I don't know how will I start but... yeah. All right. Here it comes.

Before you transferred in our school, Cindy and I were only dating because she loves me. She was my childhood friend and I was the only one who stayed by her side. Then she fell in love. I once rejected her, but because she had a depression, it was hard to leave her alone, especially when she said she will kill herself if I don't date her. I was on... a very tight situation.

I tried my best to fall in love, but I couldn't. Cindy is just a sister for me.

Then you came.

I was surprised how Cindy made another.friend despite of her situation. You are kind, uhmm yeah, cute too and happy to be with.

You didn't know how I enjoyed having you in my company. Until, you went back to your hometown. That's when I realize that I have fallen in love with you.

Dating Cindy while having this feelings is not good. I knew I should make things right. So I broke up with Cindy.

My plan is to find you and confess. But...  Cindy took her life.

All of our classmates knew the reason why. It was my fault.

Our classmate didn't tell you about this, afraid you might blame yourself when in fact, you are innocent. It was me all along. It was me who gave her false hope. It was me who fell in love with you.

Years passed. Then I met you again. Do you know what is the first thing I want to tell you?

Right.

I loved you.

And I still do.

I'm a selfish guy, am I?

Also, a coward man who cannot get out from the past.

You said you don't want to meet me again in the future, right?

Okay. I will grant it. I won't be a part of your life again. I will wish you'll find the right guy for you. Someone who will make you happy. And will love you the way I do and I always will.

When we met again, to be honest, I am supposed to go to L.A that day. Now that you're gone, it's time for me to go and let go. Goodbye. Take care. I love you."

The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds. The taste. The smell. Everything was just gone. I paused trying to hold back the feelings rumbling inside me but I couldn’t. A lone tear traced down my cheek, and just like that, the floodgates opened. So many tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down my face. My chin trembled and I breathed heavier than I ever had before. I was gasping for air that simply wasn’t there. My throat burned forming a silent scream as I just hug my cellphone while trembling.

If only I didn't came into his life...

If only I didn't meet him again...

Then he wouldn't feel the same pain.

Then he wouldn't lose a friend.

He wouldn't be broken like now.

I closed my eyes, bit my trembling lips and cried out.

Suddenly...

The sounds from around vanished.

When I opened my eyes, I am standing in front of the old clock inside my aunt house.

My eyes aren't wet and I am not holding my cellphone.

What happened?

"My niece, I forgot to buy milk powder," I heard  Aunt  voice as she walked here to the living room.

This scene, it already happened.

"Can you buy a powder milk at the convenience store?" She requested then hand me a dollar bill with 07041776 digits on it.

07041776. It's the same digit she gave me  two months ago.

Did I have a premonition dream?

There's wo way that everything  that happened within those two months are dream!

Then what is this?

Wait a minute. When I made a wish in the clock, the world seemed stopped. Isn't that mean the clock turned back the time?

If the time went back, then the possibility of meeting him is...

"Ahh," I winced when he bumped my shoulder.

Ahh, I'm sorry."

That voice.  I slowly looked back and saw his face.

"Oh? Aren't you (y/n)?" Same gesture, same reaction; the time repeated.

I realized why would the clock did this. I wished to find the right guy for me. And it telling me that Joshua wasn't the one. We might bump each other but the ending will be the same as before. So to avoid hurting each other more, the clock gave me a second chance.

"Hi Joshua, nice to meet you again. I came here for a vacation," I replied.

"Ooooooh. That's good. Then that means we can hang out while you-"

"Ahmm Joshua Im sorry. I am really busy right now. Anyway, I am so happy to see you again. Take care," I tried to move away but...

He held my wrist.

I bit my lower lip before turning around and showed a fake smile.

"What is it?" I asked.

His grip loosened as he is staring at me. "N-Nothing. Nice to meet you again. Take care." Then he pulled back and walked away.

I made the right choice.

Right.

This is how it works.

It's for the better.

It should be.

Then why?

Why am I hurting more?

Why am I regretting as soon as I let him walk away like that?

What are these tears for?

I wiped my eyes before I entered my aunt house, holding the powder milk. When I am removing my shoes in front of the door, I heard my aunt's voice.

"If only I knew you'd come here, then I should ask my niece to buy more snacks," Aunt said.

She has a guest.

"It's okay. I just came here to pick up the clock. I was on my way to get my things and to go to the airport. Uncle asked me to get this scary looking clock," his man guest replied.

This voice.

My eyes widened and my heart beats faster after hearing it.

I remover my shoes before I slowly lifted my head. Joshua is here.

"Do you think it's scary too?" Aunt laughed.

"Yeah," he chuckled.

"But I heard it's a wishing clock. They said if you make a love wish to this clock it will grant your wish."

"Really? Woah. Then should I make one?"

"Sure."

Joshua looked at the clock and said his wish out loud, "I wish I can see the woman I love again. And have a chance to confess my feelings."

Aunt saw me standing in front of the door. "Oh? My niece! Did you buy the powder milk? Can I ask you to buy more snack? We suddenly have a guest."

So Joshua turned around. His eyes widened when he saw me as he gasped, "Oh?"

"Do you know her?" Aunt asked.

"Y-Yeah," he stuttered. He stared at me again and smiled. "The clock must be real," he murmured.

I get it.

It was the other way around.

The clock turned back the time so it can fulfill my wish.

Joshua is really the right guy for me.

And this happened so we can be together, forever.

---

The end.

A/n: this is a special one shot story for this book's 100th chapter. Hope you like it.