CONFESSIONS

"D-did she just..? Joeyyyy." Melody growled at Joey in anger, and he shook his head, refusing to answer.  "Are you really not telling me?" Melody queried further, but received no answer from him.

Melody was so angry that she drilled a hole in him with her absurd question. "You took her to a fucking party, wearing this? Did you also..?" and Joey gave her an intense look "Sorry, what did you say?" he was shocked with that accusation.

"Sorry. I didn't mean that, Joey. I am.. just worried what exactly happened that you have to hide things from me." Melody clarified her statement and Joey's anger subsided, just a little. He understood Melody's concern for Lyrical, but that did not justify her bullcrap accusation.

"Melody darling!! She is young and it was just a party, where she got drunk and kissed somebody. It's ok. Such things happen," Joey tried to calm her down by giving excuses, but it wasn't working for Melody.

"Oh really? Joey, this is the exactly the reason why you should've asked me before taking her to a party." Melody accused.  "Oh..k, just wait a minute. It wasn't me who dragged her to the party. In fact, it was the other way round. She asked me to go with her." Joey clarified and scoffed in frustration. "It was her friend Jennifer's party."

Melody took a deep breath and made a decision. "Ok. Forget whatever happened, tomorrow onwards she'll go back to working from office. I'll ask somebody else to help you."

"And who are you to decide everything?" Suddenly a hoarse voice came from behind them. Due to their argument, Lyrical had lost her precious sleep and was sitting on the bed watching both of them verbally bite each other.

"What did you say?" It was Joey who asked this question to Lyrical.

"N-nothing. What I mean is. Do you really think, just because I need this job, I will be pleased if my boss keeps picking on me?" Lyrical asked.

"So, you think I am bulling you? Huh!" Melody mocked laughed. "Until yesterday, you were uncomfortable working around.. people like us and now he has become your frie--?" Melody questioned her.  Her voice filled with anger and frustration.  No matter what Melody does, Lyrical always ends up wrongly accusing her.

"Yes. He is my friend now. That is why I took him to the party, instead of you. I kissed someone, because I wanted to. You have a problem with that?" Lyrical yelled at her, but before Melody could reply Lyrical' stomach started acting up, she scurried to the washroom and started vomiting.

Melody stiffened at the same place in anger, while Joey rushed towards her, placed his hand on her back and soothed her, held her hair while she gagged.  By the time they came back from the washroom, Melody had already left Joey's apartment.

On the other end, Jennifer was very upset with her brother for what he had done.  "How can you, Kev?" she questioned him. "What? I liked her, I couldn't help it." He replied honestly.  "Argh! Seriously Kev, I will kill you." Jennifer growled. "She is my friend and.. much younger than you."

"How the heck am I suppose to know who that girl is, Jenny? I- " Her brother tried to reason but stuttered instead.  "You knew every single person who is invited for this party is my friend. Then how dare you?" Jennifer hit her fist on her brother's shoulder.

"Listen, I am not making excuses. I know all these people are your friend, but believe me when I say this. I really liked your friend and would love to get to know her. Please, just give me her number and let me talk to her."

Jennifer was very furious at her brother, she yelled loudly, "For God's sake, Lyrical is of my age and that means she is much younger than you, Kev."

After it was confirmed that Melody had actually left, Joey turned to ask Lyrical, "Why do you hate her so much?"  When she did not answer, he went to sleep and so did Lyrical. She felt relaxed after vomiting everything out of her stomach.

The next morning, Lyrical woke up with severe headache. She dragged herself out of the bed and staggered towards the table where Joey was having the breakfast, he had prepared. Dropping down on the couch beside him, she stared at her breakfast while her stomach growled in anticipation. But, her head was not cooperating with her.

Joey handed her an aspirin and water which Lyrical gulped down her throat and rested her head back against the wall, eyes tightly shut.  When the pain subsided and her head felt a little better, she picked up the pancake and started eating.

As soon as she took the first bite, her stomach thanked her million times, so she took another bite. "Hmm. Thanks Joey!!" she said in a croaky voice and smiled at him.

"Melody made the breakfast. Thank her." Joey deadpanned.  Melody came out of the kitchen and sat beside Joey, silently having her breakfast.  Lyrical received a call, she peeked at her phone but then kept it aside focusing on the pancake.  It rang again after ten minutes, by that time she was done with eating her breakfast and was feeling better.

"Hell-o" Lyrical answered the phone, her voice was still gruff. "Hi!!" Lyrical heard a male voice on the other end. "Did I disturb you?"

Lyrical instantaneously sprang out of the couch and darted towards the verandah. She wouldn't ever forget that husky male voice, she had heard last night. Lyrical cleared her throat, "Hey!!" Lyrical spoke in a low voice. "Lyrical, right? This is Kevin, Jennifer's brother. Are you ok dear?" He asked her with concern and Lyrical grinned covering her mouth with her hand while nodding her head.

"Hello. Are you still—" Kevin said, but Lyrical cut him, "Yes. I-I am here and I'm better now." she stuttered. "Oh- cool. Actually, I-I wanted to talk to you about--" Kevin searched in his mental dictionary to come up with the right words to say to Lyrical.

"Yea. We need to talk about last night" Lyrical plainly replied.

"Oh, yes. Right!!" he fumbled, "Umm!! I can come pick you up or you can come down, we are still here. To tell you the truth, I had to steal your number from my sister's phone. So, it'll be better I come to see you, because she is definitely going to kill me for doing this," Kevin sweetly chuckled.

"No. I'll come to see you at your house. Give me time until afternoon and please can you send me the location." Lyrical said, as if she had already thought it true.  "Cool. See you then." He smiled on the phone.

When Lyrical turned around, she was startled. Joey was standing behind her expressionless. However, the concern was evident in his eyes.

"Don't get me wrong, but isn't he too old for you?" Joey raised his beautiful eyebrows.  "Ten year, approximately." Lyrical replied with all seriousness. But it sounded as if it was ten minutes and not years..  "His parent were childhood friends, fell in love and got pregnant not much later than prom. So, they did not want to have another baby after him, which is why Jennifer came years later." Lyrical explained.

Joey nodded in understanding. "One thing I don't understand, why him? You don't have to answer, if you don't want to. I'm just curious to know a beautiful girl like you, wants -"

"Since he is older than me, he is more mature and understanding. And unlike Jennifer he grew up watching his father earn every penny and build himself up. So, if Jennifer is such a good natured person, imagine how worthy her brother would be." Lyrical threw back at him.  "Hmm." Joey nodded his head.

"See you on Monday, I need to go now." Lyrical excused herself and was about to leave, when Melody stopped her "I'll drop you."

"No need. I need to change my clothes, so first I'll go home and then take a cab to his house," She answered curtly.  Lyrical knew Melody had heard their conversation, so there was no need to hide or lie.  "Your house is on the way, so I'll drop you. You can take a cab to go him later." Melody too gave a short answer.

Unwillingly, Lyrical agreed to take Melody's help. Because she was right that her house was on the way, so it made no sense taking a cab to her house when Melody was already leaving.

While they on the way to Lyrical' house, both were silent.  Lyrical kept stealing glances at Melody, because it was weird of Melody to be so quiet when they are together. Lyrical knew she was a little harsh with her words last night, and so she did not provoke Melody any further.  But this silence was killing her.

"Uhm!" Lyrical cleared her throat to say something.  "You should drink lukewarm water today, you'll feel better." Melody replied without giving a glance at her.  Lyrical looked at her, relieved. Even if after a long time, at least Melody spoke to her. "Actu-

"We've reached your house." Melody pointed out as she brought the car to halt and Lyrical grunted silently looking at how soon they had reached. "You.. Take care." Melody said with her lips pressed together. 

When Lyrical stepped out of the car, Melody called out. "Hey!!"  She turned around hoping Melody would say something stupid, funny or at least flirt.  Instead, Melody said "You.. can continue working with Joey. He needs your help."  Lyrical smiled and nodded, but Melody drove off--- disappearing far away.

Entering her house, Lyrical went straight to have a long and warm bath. She scanned her wardrobe to find herself something decent to wear and chose a light blue denim with coral green top.  Lyrical took out a lip gloss from her bag and noticed, she still had Melody's clothes with her.  She brought it closer to her face and sniffed it again.

"Shit" Lyrical cussed, as a realization hit her. Shoving the cloth in her bag she left her house to get to the Jennifer's party house. 

When Lyrical reached the said location, the amazing view of the house from last night had changed into a messy one.  Right from the beer bottles and cans, used cups to the clothes and the people in it were scattered everywhere.  Lyrical walked further inside and found the stairs from last night.

As she was about to step on it, "Well, hello there!!", she heard a familiar voice.  Lyrical turned around to see her friend walking towards her and behind her friend was her brother.  Jennifer came and Lyrical hugged her tightly. "Good Afternoon" she chirped.  "So you are sober now, huh?" Jennifer enquired and Lyrical nodded. "And as soon as you get sober, you come here to find my brother?  She looked at Lyrical, clearly upset with what was happening.

"Jennifer, actually…" Lyrical wanted to explain, but Jennifer was in no mood to listen.  "Your life, your problem." she snarled at her brother and walked out, leaving these two people alone. 

Lyrical smiled at Kevin and he reciprocated, "Hey!" he waved his hand and they walked towards the terrace.  Kevin brought a cold-drink can for her and a beer bottle for himself, while they sat chatting. They both were nervous because of their own reason.

Lyrical was first to speak, "Kevin!! You and I won't work out and we both know that. Whatever happened last night was.." she sighed, "..something which shouldn't have happened.  Jennifer is my friend and making out with her brother was wrong and it has clearly upset her." Lyrical paused, but did not look at Kevin.  "Let's say I was desperate and I found myself a very handsome guy at a party, so I couldn't control. Or even better.. blame the bloody alcohol." they both chuckled at this.  "But, I know you are not the one I want to date," She gave him the truth, before it lead to more misunderstanding.

"I appreciate your bluntness and honesty. And yes, somewhere I knew this would be your answer. But, let me also be honest with you, I really like you and I don't regret what happened between us.  So, can you at least let me be your friend?" Kevin asked with sincerity and smiled at Lyrical when she looked at him.  He stretched out his hand and after hesitating for few seconds Lyrical shook it. "Only if you help me get my friend back." She pouted and Kevin nodded. "Of course"

They sat there talking about Kevin, his future plans and Lyrical also told him about herself. They joked and laughed as they teasing each other. 

"You sure are very handsome. Poor me." Lyrical said.  "Are you flirting?" Kevin asked and Lyrical denied "W-what no. It was a compliment." she chuckled shyly. 

'Was she flirting just now?' she questioned her intentions.

But was glad the issue between them was well sorted. Kevin, as expected was very understanding and did not hate her or called her foolish.  Lyrical let out a sigh of relief, "You know what Kevin? Not that I regret it. But, frankly last- uhm –night? It-it was my first kiss." She smiled timidly.

"Are- you sure about that, my dear?" Kevin asked. "Why? Yea." She nodded her head.  "As far as I know, you were moaning in somebody's name last night." Kevin countered. "Mel- was it Melvin or Marvin?"

'Fuck!' Lyrical cursed inwardly.

"We- we should go, Jennifer must've already turned into ashes in anger by now." She joked and they went downstairs.  They cleared out things with Jennifer and promised to remain friends with each other.  Lyrical offered to help clean up the house, they both shook their head to refuse. 

Kevin offered to drop her home, but Lyrical refused and left after taking a cab.  Jennifer and Kevin went back to cleaning the house.  After listening to what Kevin said, Lyrical face-palmed herself.

'Was he talking about Melody, by any chance? Because I definitely don't remember having a friend whose name could be Melvin. But, how is that even possible. It can't happened.' She nervously questioned herself and tried to remember what could've happened.

No matter how much Lyrical tried, she couldn't remember anything.

Lyrical reached home, freshened up, made herself a chicken stew for dinner and dozed off as soon as her head hit the pillow. The next morning, Lyrical stretched her hand to grab her phone. There was no call or message from Melody. She remained in her bed, looking at the ceiling, a weird feeling engulfed her heart.  Lyrical had gotten used to waking up to Melody's messages, but since yesterday she had neither called nor messaged to check on her. Also, those words that Kevin said kept bothering her.

Lyrical took a deep breath and made a mental note to ask Melody, preferably indirectly about any such incident.  Maybe, she was thinking too much into it. Nothing could've happened and it must be a simple misunderstanding, Lyrical thought.  But, unfortunately Melody did not call her for next few days.

"If I may ask, what happened with that guy at the party?" Joey asked and Lyrical simply replied, "Nothing. We are just friends now. I chose Jennifer over her brother."  Joey laughed on this statement, "Smart decision."

As the days went by Lyrical was worried that Melody hadn't called her since that day, but Lyrical wasn't ready call her either.  She wondered, whether Melody had called Joey all these while?

Lyrical was so lost in her thought that she did not hear Joey calling her name.

"Lyrical darling.. Why are you so lost?" Joey literally tapped on her shoulder to get her out of her trance.  Lyrical pondered on how to put forward her question, without sounding desperate. Not that she was desperate or anything, nearly like that. 

She thought long and hard staring at Joey's face. 'I have to ask him about, Melody.' She almost blurted out, but then changed her mind. "Actually, I must apologies to you." Lyrical whispered. "Uh-huh. For?" Joey arched his brow.

Lyrical went silent again. "Can you promise me not to tell Melody or anybody else about this?" she finally whispered, unaware that the reason Joey was calling her was Melody couldn't reach her.

"If it's something related to Melody, I would suggest you to talk to her directly. Don't expect me to lie or hide anything from her." Joey rejected the idea of secrecy between him and Melody.

"Oh. No-No. It's not about her, but about me. I-I never told anyone why I am afraid of going to parties alone." Lyrical averted her gaze.  "Do you want to talk about it?" Joey pulled her closer and hugged her sideways. But, Lyrical couldn't say anything. Tears filled up her eyes and threatened to fall.

"Tell you what, darling. Let's talk about it, you'll feel better. But not right now. Do you wanna go shopping?" Joey offered.  Lyrical shook her head, "Later".

"Ok girl. Can I ask you a question?", Joey said in an attempt to change her mood. Lyrical nodded.

"Why do you hate Melody so much?" he enquired.  "I don't. I respect her for what she has achieved without any help." Lyrical replied innocently.

"Uh-huh?" Joey arched his brow.

"I just can't stand her being right all the time. I know, I should've asked my boss before bringing you to the party. And she was right, when she got upset on you for allowing me to drink."  There was a lingering smile on Joey's face.  "The reason I was rude to her that night, was because I felt I had disappointed her and that is why she wants me to go back." She answered sincerely.

"Oh dear. Melody was worried not disappointed," Joey hugged the innocent girl.  Melody on the other side smiled to herself. Lyrical would've never confessed this to her. 

Since Melody hadn't called her, Lyrical made up an excuse to call Melody. She desperately wanted to hear her voice.  "Hi!!" Lyrical said awkwardly as soon as Melody answered her phone. "If you're not busy, can we talk right now?"

"Yes.." Came Melody's reply. "I-I wan-" Lyrical was about to speak, when Melody interjected.  "..I am busy right now. Call me tomorrow morning please."

"Ok" Lyrical whispered. She was little disappointed.

Norman had been calling her since Monday, but Lyrical avoided it. All this while, she sent him a text that she will call him later, but never actually called back.

Today, she received a message from him, "We need to talk. Call me right now."  Lyrical reluctantly called her brother. "I had told you Lyrical, avoiding me will do you no good." Norman scolded her. "Is there something you would like to tell me?"

"When you know everything, then why ask." Lyrical deadpanned.  She had no explanation to give him. Lot of things were simultaneously happening around her and she was in confused state these days.

"Are you trying to get yourself in trouble, Lyrical? Whose dress were you wearing and seriously? Don't you regret at all?  Lying to everybody and most importantly… For fuck's sake, get a grip. That guy is older than even your brother here. Are you planning to date him? Are we that desperate?" Norman reprimanded her actions.

"My dear brother. I agree, lying to you all was wrong on my part, but going to that party wasn't. I agree, that outfit was not what I usually wear, but I loved the dress.  I agree kissing Kevin was wrong, but we have cleared out things. And please be rest assured we are not dating." Lyrical explained everything to her brother.

After Norman patiently heard what Lyrical had to say, he calmed down.

"Ok sis. I trust you. Please remember, I am not there with you, so I get worried for you."

"I know." Lyrical replied plainly and made an excuse that she is tired, so she can put an end to the conversation.  She was in no mood to talk to anyone right now.

The next morning, Lyrical, as per habit checked her phone, and found no message or call from Melody. She decided to visit Knack Dreamz instead of going to the gallery.  Lyrical dropped a text to Joey informing him about her plan and he agreed.

Lyrical left early, so she could reach before other staff and once she reached office, she was stunned to see Melody already in her cabin.  Melody was having a nightmare again, sweating profusely while in sleep.

Lyrical went in and slouched down at her face level and placed her hand on Melody's forehead, forcing her open her eyes in panic.  As soon as Melody was awake, she was startled to find Lyrical in her cabin and so close to her face.

She snapped at her. "What the fuck are you doing here? Don't you have to go to Joey's?"

"Yes Melody. But I came to visit you, I wanted to talk to you." Lyrical replied calmly.

"I told you to call me today, that doesn't mean you'll show up at my cabin so early in the morning." Melody snapped again.

"What is wrong with you?" Lyrical retorted. "Anyway, I just came here to ask for leave tomorrow."

"You can't," Melody replied sternly. "In fact, I want you to report to office tomorrow, I mean.. here."

"Oh, well I can't. Tomorrow... I have to take leave and I will. Stop me if you can." Lyrical countered in anger.  "I am not kidding here, mind you. I am your boss and I do not approve your leave for tomorrow." Melody spat.  "Oh, Watch me." Lyrical retorted sardonically. "Out of all day, I don't want to see your face, at least tomorrow."

Having said that, Lyrical stormed out of the office, without sparing a glance to her friends whom she hadn't met for some time..  Even though Lyrical left the office in anger, she wasn't actually angry. She felt miserable and also couldn't help but notice, Melody looked worn-out and drained.  Fortunately, right at that moment Gisselle called her.

At first, they talked about different things that were going on with their life. Lyrical was happy to hear Gisselle's voice, she told her how much she was enjoying working with Joey these days.

Gisselle told her that her pregnancy was due soon, she reminded Lyrical, to go and check on Melody as she is careless and must've not re-stocked the grocery. Lyrical agreed.

"Can I confess something, Gisselle?" Lyrical asked. "Of course. You don't need to ask." Gisselle laughed cheerfully.  "Something is wrong with Melody," As soon as these words left her mouth the cheerful voice turned curious. "What do you mean?"

Lyrical told everything from the start. How a lawyer came to their office. How she missed on reporting it and later when Lyrical told her about the visit, how Melody almost killed her. 

"Since then, I've been noticing a pattern. She looks tired and gloomy, goes missing for one whole day and no matter how many times we try, she is unreachable.  Also, in recent days, she has always been the first person to reach the office. I think she sleeps in her cabin most of the time. And lastly Gisselle, she keeps having nightmares." Lyrical sighed, having confided everything to Melody's best friend. "Look! I may be overthinking here. But, I had to talk to you."

"Oh.. no. Thanks for telling me everything," Gisselle chuckled, "It's probably because she is over-working herself. I'll check on her, you don't worry." Gisselle concluded and promised to talk to Melody.

  To Gisselle, if the lawyer's name didn't ring the bell, then the nightmares did.  Even though Gisselle assured her that Melody is just exhausted, she was afraid there's more to it. She had to talk to Melody about it... and soon.