Chapter Eighteen

Aliyah's POV

The place that Ruzzel and I accidentally reached was beautiful.

I've decided to lie down on the lawn.

Lewis's face suddenly flashes on my mind while our song played over again.

Our childhood memories.

I smiled.

If only I could be stuck in those moments and not be able to move forward. If it is only possible.

Lewis. I used to think, he was the person that when I told others, all I will do is to smile while recalling all our happy memories. But, I was wrong. Because the story has become bitter no matter how sweet it was from the start.

Suddenly everything has changed.

The former smiling face of the man I first loved is now suffering. Did Lewis commit suicide?

He is calling my name. I also wanted to call him but no voice is coming out of my mouth.

I tried to shout, fortunately, I succeeded.

"Lewis !!!"

I was suddenly dilated. I fell asleep and had a bad dream.

I immediately saw Ruzzel next to me.

"A-are you okay?"

He looked so worried. I tapped his shoulder then nodded.

I looked around. Lewis is not here but why is he in my dream?

I suddenly felt pain.

The same pain I felt when he left me.

"Come on, let's go home," I said to Ruzzel.

I walked to the car first. I was about to enter when he suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Aliyah ..."

I can sense pain through his eyes. It was his birthday but he was sad. I tried asking him why but no words wanted to come out of my mouth and I just hate it.

"Aliyah, please help me. Help me in replacing Lewis in your heart. I know I have no right to ask you for this thing but I hope you can grant me. I will do everything, just please help me."

Then Ruzzel hugged me.

I am not moving, and I can’t hug him back, neither ways, I can’t just let go of his warm embrace.

Somewhat I feel comfortable.

Suddenly it rained so hard, Ruzzel's hug tightened.

I closed my eyes. Just please, not this one. I do not want to be hurt again.

Then I finally hugged him back. We’re both drowning with the feelings. Drowning with the rain.

This is the second time this has happened to us. Realizing that being drowned in the rain with the guy who loves you this much can be magical sometimes.

We had stayed there for almost half an hour. After that, we have decided to get back into the car.

"It's cold." I can't help it but it's really cold. I am shivering.

Ruzzel suddenly grabbed a paper bag from the back seat. He handed me the sweatshirt he got inside it.

"I always have something with me in case of emergency, you can now change your clothes ... I will go out first."

I nodded. When he came out I changed immediately. I was in a hurry because it was still raining outside. I opened the driver's seat door after I changed.

"I'm okay, you may now come in." He also entered immediately.

"You must change your clothes too," I said when he sat down.

"When we pass a gasoline station, I will change in the comfort room."

“Just changed here. I wouldn’t mind.”

“You, sure?”

I nodded.

“Thanks, My Aliyah.”

I smiled. Yes, you read it right, I smiled.

“Just be thankful because it is your birthday today so I’m trying to be a little bit kind.”

Then he laughed.

I am the one who is driving. I will gonna find our way home. Alright Aliyah, trust.

I let Ruzzel rest and upon looking at him, he had fallen asleep already. Looks like he is very tired.

I went by the first drive-through I saw. Ruzzel and I hadn't taken our meal for tonight. I suddenly remembered what he told me this morning. Until dinner, he wanted to be with me.

After I reached my order, I left as well. I glanced at Ruzzel and he was still asleep.

I've decided to go straight to his place since our way is closer to it.

"Ruzzel." I am trying to wake him up. He was still sound asleep. Time check, 11:36 in the evening. Yes, he might be sleeping right now.

I even shook his body, little did I realize that he was warmer than the usual body temperature. I immediately touched his neck. Dbdsjfbhdsb! He has a fever.

"Ruzzel !!"

Finally, he woke up. He looked outside the car.

“It’s my place.”

"Yes nobody is owning it. Hurry up! You need to get down so you can take medicine too. You have a fever."

“B-but I feel completely fine.”

“Whatever. Just come on. I bought some food earlier, let's have dinner."

I went down first. He immediately followed and helped me bring the food I bought.

I approached him and immediately touched his neck after I unloaded my belongings.

His fever got worse.

"Change your clothes again Ruzzel, I'll just arrange our dinner."

He nodded and went to his room.

We ate as soon as he came out. We were both quiet while eating.

I noticed he was eating very little so I moved next to him. I added his rice and dish.

"Consume all of it, I will become your real girlfriend if you have eaten all of that food.”

But of course, it is just a joke, though I am giving him a chance to prove everything.

"R-r-really Aliyah?"

"Just kidding. Maybe I’ll think about it some other time so you better eat.”

After we ate, I looked for his medicine box.

When I looked at my watch, it's already two in the morning so I have to go home.

“I need to go home Ruzzel. You better get well. It might be late but I still want to say this, Happy Birthday. I don’t have a gift for now but I hope this one will be counted...”

I leaned closer to him. Took all the courage to kiss him on his cheek.

I was about to turn my back when he suddenly held my hand.

"Please stay with me, My Aliyah."

I bit my lips then just found myself nodding.