With Love, Anonymous

By Waniya Ehtesham

Scarlett,

You look beautiful as always today. Also, how do you manage to make me fall in love with you more and more each day? It’s truly a talent.

I had a not-very-good day yesterday. But it became better when I saw you fighting that girl who tried to bully you in the cafeteria. It did put a smile on my face. You never fail to amaze me. Never change. For me. For yourself.

With love,

Anonymous.

A smile was constantly set on my face as I kept reading the words again and again. It was another normal day, another anonymous letter. I don’t know who writes me these but reading these letters are the best part of my day. It has been three months since the first letter made its way into my locker. My curiosity is definitely not satisfied since I have no clue who Anonymous is, but it still gives me comfort knowing that at least there is someone who loves me.

“Another letter?” I heard a masculine voice from beside me which undoubtedly belonged to my one and only best friend, Alex. “Still haven’t figured out who it is?”

“No, but I swear, when I figure out who this is, I’ll tell them that I love them. I mean, not in that way, of course. Unless...” I chuckled. The expression on Alex’s face was twisted, I couldn’t understand it. Before I could speak again, he beat me to it, “Scar, but what if you already know Anonymous and you don’t love them?”

“Then, I’ll start loving them.” I responded unproblematically, a shrug accompanying me. He went silent for a few seconds, looking down at his shoes and letting out a low sigh. I positioned his glasses correctly on his face since it had slid down to his nose.

“Well, I hope you love them.” He smiled, making me return an even brighter smile. “Now, let’s get to class.” he offered and I nodded, grabbing his hand to walk to class together.

******

“I’m sad.” I announced to Alex who was just minding his business. “How could the universe do this to me?!” I whined, setting myself on the vacant seat beside Alex. One of the librarians turned to me, glaring and gesturing me silence myself. I mouthed a ‘sorry’ and she turned away.

“What happened now, Scar?” Alex murmured; his nose was still buried in the book he was reading. Nerd alert.

“Anonymous happened. It’s been three days and I still haven’t received a letter.” I groaned, making sure to say it quietly so the librarian won’t scold me again. Alex stiffened at my words, finally looking away from the stupid book. He took off his glasses and set them at the table, still avoiding my gaze.

“Maybe they’re busy. It’s no big deal.” He spoke.

“Yes, I know. But it has never happened in the past three months.” I whined again. “Also, put your glasses back on, you look very cute wearing those.” I managed to crack a smile at him.

“Do I now?” He smirked cockily but put his glasses back on nonetheless.

I sighed heavily, “I just want to meet Anonymous sometimes, like desperately. And it’s one of those times right now.”

Who are you, Anonymous?

******

Scarlett,

Meet me at the Sydney Park near your house. 11 p.m., tonight.

P.S. You look very beautiful.

With love,

Anonymous.

Anonymous want to meet me?

A squeal left my throat before I could even stop it. I looked around the hallway to see if anyone was looking, sighing in relief when I saw everyone minding their business.

Anonymous wants to meet me.

Without wasting any more time, I made my way through the crowd of students and out of the school. If I have to meet him tonight, I need to pick out a dress, decide what shoes to wear, oh- and also, I have to buy flowers for Anonymous. Today is going to be the best day of my life.

*******

“It’s okay, Scar. You can do it.” I muttered to myself as I stood in front of the park. It’s currently 10:56 p.m. and I am just so anxious. The bouquet of roses in my hand was still as fresh as ever, its scent calming me a little. I rubbed my palms down the length of the little black dress I was currently wearing that ended at my mid-thighs. I had worn the dress on Alex’s request. He had said that I look very beautiful in the dress, and I couldn’t help but blush at his choice of words.

I let out a breath in anticipation, finally entering the empty and abandoned park. It was extremely dark in there, but a sharp breath left me when it became bright enough for me to see around me. My eyes widened when I acknowledged the source of the lights that were just turned on.

A smile broke out on my face when I saw the trees all decorated with bright warm lights. Not only that, even the benches were decorated with lilies scattered around them. It all looked so beautiful. My gaze stopped at a bench where a piece of paper could be seen. With no second thoughts, I basically ran to pick up the paper. I set the bouquet of roses on the bench and picked up the paper, which seemed to be a letter. A last letter possibly.

I opened the letter, breathing heavily in anticipation.

Scarlett,

I wanted to tell you how much I loved you, but this time, I wanted to tell you that in person. Please, return my feelings. Please, love me back.

With love,

Alex.

I read the letter again and again, just to make sure it wasn’t my mind playing games with me. It cannot be my imagination. The letter dropped down from my hands to the ground. It wasn’t signed as ‘Anonymous’. He wrote his name in the letter. It was Alex. My hand flew to my mouth in shock. Was I really this blind?

Alex is Anonymous.

“Are you not happy that I’m your Anonymous?” I heard a voice say from behind me, a voice I recognized so dearly. My best friend’s voice. Alex’s voice. It didn’t take me two seconds to turn around to face him. And there he was, in a black tux. He looked absolutely gorgeous with his hair slicked back with just a strand falling over his forehead. He wasn’t wearing glasses right now, which gave him a mature look. His tall height made him look obnoxiously hot. A rose was in his hand and he was smiling at me.

“You- You’re Anonymous?” The words left my mouth in a stammer, to which I coughed and cleared my throat. He just smiled at me, stepping forward towards me. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I inquired again.

“Because I was afraid you wouldn’t love me back.” He was now in front of me, leaving only a little distance between us. He hesitantly brought his hand to my cheek but relaxed when I leaned into his touch. Placing my hand over his, I spoke, “If you would’ve just told me, I would have abandoned ten Anonymouses just to be with you.”

He was slightly taken aback by my confession. Letting out a breathy scoff, he spoke, “I had no idea.”

“Of course, you didn’t.” I snapped, hitting him on his chest rather harshly, which caused him to groan. “Jesus, Scarlett.” He whimpered as he took a few steps back. As soon as he gained his composure back, I hit him again, this time on his back.

“Scarlett? Not Scar? You’re dead.” I said, still stepping forward to beat him up. He jogged away from me and I followed, trying to keep up with his long strides. “Sorry, Scar! I said sorry!” He shouted-- half laughing and half scared. I didn’t listen to him; I was raging right now.

“You have been fooling me from three months!” I exclaimed as I took off my heels to run faster. He laughed and stopped running, inaudibly asking me to stop. I stopped and put my hands on my knees to steady my breathing; I could see Alex do the same from my peripheral vision. I still stepped forward, hitting him one last time on his shoulder, to which he didn’t react.

“I hate you.” I whined softly, wrapping my arms around his torso and burying my face into his chest. I couldn’t help but get relaxed by the smell of his expensive masculine cologne. It didn’t take him much time to wrap his arms around my frail shoulders, the same frail shoulders carrying the weight of being the love of her best friend’s life.

“You hate me?” He asked, a hint of amusement present in his tone. I tightened my grip around him even more, “Shut up, I love you.” I confessed and he hummed in approval.

“You want to hear a secret?” He offered and I hummed in response. “I love you more.” he let out.

“That’s not much of a secret. I’ve basically known that from three months. Ignoring the fact, I didn’t know that it was you.” I replied, letting out a small laugh. Tilting my head up, I saw him already looking down at me, a smile made its way on my lips, mirroring his expression.

Leaning down, he placed his lips down on mine for barely a second, but it was enough for me to know that he loved me. And I loved him. I grinned looking at his face and then remembering the letter that I just read, with his name on it. On the same place where he once used to write ‘Anonymous’; now it was his name there.

With love,

Alex.

By Waniya Ehtesham