DESTINY

Chapter 10 - The first encounter

                She watched her enter the diner and sat on a table few steps from her and Henry. Tinkerbell was alone and as Regina stared at her, she remembered what she has told her before, the first time she saw the lion tattoo. This is your chance at love and happiness. A fresh start, no baggage. You can let go of all the anger that weighs you down. But she didn’t open the door and meet her soulmate, she was afraid because all she had back then was anger and without it, she assumed that she will be nothing but weak. And looking back, it seems like history has the habit of repeating itself. Was being happy such a terrible fate? Regina thought. And while she was contemplating on her complicated history with Tinkerbell, she didn’t notice that Tinkerbell was already staring back at her with her eyes filled with confusion. No one knows that Robin and Regina’s relationship was on the rocks especially when most of the people in town had seen them together the past days with Henry and Roland, well, at least, no one aside from Emma.

“Here’s your order,” Ruby announced putting their food on their table, slightly startling Regina.

“Thank you,” Henry replied, grabbing his bowl of ice cream first.

Regina was quite detached from reality thinking about her need to talk to Tinkerbell. But then the door swung opened and she saw someone she thought she’d see last, she instantly smiled.

“Mama Gina!” The boy got loose from Little John’s hand and ran towards Regina.

“Roland!” Regina exclaimed in excitement as she stood from her seat and fetched the boy with a hug. The little body of the adorable lad just fell in comfort at Regina’s arms.

“Regina,” Little John interrupted. “I was just wondering if you’re with Robin? I haven’t seen him since last night.”

“Oh,” that was just what Regina was able to say. She stood up and brushed Roland’s hair, looking down on him, not wanting anyone to see her eyes. They were twinkling, probably because of the tears that were set to fall any second if she can’t force them to stop. “I haven’t seen him since she left my house this morning,” she sighed.

“Oh, okay then,” Little John responded. And as Roland felt very secured and happy with Regina and Henry, he voluntarily sat beside Henry which made Regina smile again. Henry handed his little brother a spoon and offered him his ice cream which they eventually shared. Seeing the two boys happy made Regina glad until she heard someone’s phone ringing. She saw Little John pulled out his phone out of his pocket and answered, “Hey… Yeah, I was looking for you… We’re at Granny’s diner… What? Okay… Okay.” He touched the screen of his phone and put it back to his pocket. Regina was just watching him, she wanted to ask if it was Robin or what. “Roland,” Little John called the boy, “your father is going to get us in a few minutes. Come here now.”

“Was that Robin?” Regina asked and Little John nodded. “Where is he? Is he fine?” There was nervousness at the tone of her voice, she couldn’t stop asking ‘til she gets answers that Robin is well.

“Yes, it was Robin. He seemed… okay. He said he’ll pick us up in few minutes.”

“But I still want to eat with mama Gina and play with Henry,” Roland complained. “Can we just ask papa if we could stay a bit longer here?” Regina just looked at the little boy then looked back at Little John with probably pleading eyes.

“Well, let’s ask him when he gets here, okay?” He answered supportively. Roland just smiled and took another spoonful of Henry’s ice cream.

The two boys sat together with Regina as she ordered another plate of burger and fries for Roland. And on the table nearby, there was Tinkerbell, grinning, watching Regina enjoying the time with her kids. All eyes must have been looking at them, seeing the Evil Queen happy, not hurting or threatening anyone felt a little surreal, but nice. And just in time when Ruby came to put down Roland’s foods, the door opened and everybody stopped in anticipation. It was the Queen’s man.

“Robin,” Tinkerbell waved at him happily as she saw him coming in. He just smiled towards Tinkerbell’s direction and went straight to where Regina was, where Roland was. He didn’t say anything and neither did Regina but there were still observers on that little happening. Regina slightly viewed her surrounding, and the people instantly looked away from them.

“Robin,” she uttered lightly as she turned her gaze back at him. But there were no words that came out of his mouth, instead, he extended his arm towards Roland and the little boy hesitantly grabbed his father’s hand. That arm, showing off his lion tattoo right in front of Regina’s face, the symbolic mark of the Queen’s only soulmate, just passed her by, for another time.

                There’s not a single word he said, he took his son’s hand and walked away. She watched him go but she waited for him to turn his back, probably smile or go to her again. She was waiting for him to talk to her and hold her hand, for his last touch seemed to be a million years ago. She’s no longer used to not having him around, to not hearing his voice, not feeling his lips against hers. She missed the smell of forest. She needed him more than she wanted to admit and the pain she’s feeling when he ignored her is just too real, just too real. And while Regina sat in silence with Henry opposite her, confused and concerned, others were just looking back at her again, wondering. Then there was Tinkerbell, looking most alarmed and muddled.  But the Queen didn’t want others to see her fragile state, especially not his Prince, not during this time that there’s still a lurking danger from the Snow Queen and the Wicked Witch. And so she did what she has always done best, put up a brave face and smile like everything’s fine. No one dared to ask what’s going on, not even Henry. She just had a bite of her burger and got some fries, she saw Roland’s untouched food and it hit her again, she’s not with Robin anymore. She took a deep breath and just urged Henry to finish his dinner. Granny’s has been silent the moment that Robin exited the diner but just like any other evening, the people just came in and out, dining.

Few minutes later, when Henry swallowed every bit of his food and Regina was playing with hers, he asked if she wanted to go home. “Mom?” Henry called when she wasn’t answering.

“Huh?” Regina asked back.

“I said if you wanna go home, now?”

“Oh yeah,” she replied, putting down the piece of fries she has been messing with the ketchup the past minute. She stood up and waited for Henry to lead the way through the exit and when Henry walked past Tinkerbell, Regina stopped and quickly said something to her. “Meet me at my house at ten o’clock tonight,” she scowled at Tinkerbell. And without waiting for her reply, Regina left her behind, followed her son and made her way out, passed the people’s inspecting eyes.

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