I Will Face Him Alone

(Arata)

No, no, this can't be happening. 

This only happens in romance novels or web novels. This was my life, when did it become one of those web novels my mom loved to write and I enjoyed relishing with my evening tea? 

My hands shook, and Stella's phone clattered to the ground as my vision completely blurred from tears pooling in my eyes. 

All I could ask myself was. Why? 

Where had we gone wrong? 

That love I had seen in Andy's eyes couldn't have been fake. 

Right?

How could he betray me in such a fashion? 

There has to be an explanation for his behaviour. No one just wakes up and chooses to marry someone else. 

It doesn't make sense. It just doesn't. 

Stella's urgent voice explaining the video and my mother's soft cries in the background kept me standing. 

Baba's huge arms once again curled around me, pulling me into his fatherly embrace. The arms that never failed to calm me down. 

But, today my heart had been slashed open by such a horrendous betrayal. The love of my life had left for another woman, without a warning, without even a single hint. 

My hiccups grew louder as I completely broke down in my father's arms and bawled my eyes out. 

"...." 

No words were uttered, just my sobs echoed in the vicinity of our home. 

He just held me without saying a word, letting me vent. His hand rubbed my head with such gentleness. 

I knew my father's heart was in shambles too. But he was my pillar and I was just a flailing vine of misery and loss in that moment, holding onto his fatherly support and affection. 

My mother was on the phone now speaking to Andy's mother, trying to get to the bottom of whatever this was. 

Finally, she turned, ending the call. Horror etched on every centimetre of her face. 

"Mrs Lawson was as unaware of the situation as we were or so she claimed." Her disturbed eyes flickered towards me as she extended her hand and wiped a lingering tear on my cheek. 

"That's a whole lot of bullshit. I am sure they are involved in this bizarre fiasco," Stella burst out, still frantically typing on her phone, trying to reach her contacts. 

At that moment, I didn't know what to believe; my whole world was crashing down around me. 

"Don't cry, we will get to the bottom of this." Her determined words were like a reassuring balm for my wounded heart and I nodded my head at my mother while slowly declaring. 

"I am going to confront him. I need to know if this is some kind of a cruel joke or if he has truly married someone else." 

The last of my tears were wiped off with the back of my hand. My mother held this stance of resilience which she extended to me. 

"We will come with you," Baba firmly stated and my saddened eyes shifted to him. The contours of his face had been set in stone, and his calm, oceanic eyes seemed to have a tempest brewing in them. 

I slowly shook my head, knowing my father would probably wring Andy's neck for what he had done. All rationality will escape him. It always did when it came down to his family. 

No one messed with family. 

"I wish to speak to him alone. Let me do this, please" I pleaded. Mom placed her assuring hand on Baba's shoulder and squeezed. 

"I know how difficult this situation is but we have to let them talk. I trust my daughter." 

Baba was not convinced so I took his hands in mine and placed them on my face. His perturbed eyes wouldn't waver from my anguished face. 

"Baba, this is my battle with him. I chose him, and whatever lies at the end of that road I chose to travel has to be faced. I have to face it alone; you made me stronger, so I am asking you to let me do this." A sad tear carrying his burdens leaked out of his crinkled eyes and it seemed to have pierced my heart. 

He made my Baba cry, I was going to show this fucker that he messed with the wrong girl. 

I wiped his tear as he finally spoke in a broken voice. 

"Take Kail with you. I am not letting you go alone."

Urgently taking out his phone, Baba called Uncle Kail, our bodyguard and Baba's most trusted man. 

"Let me come, Arata," Stella lifted her head from her phone. Whatever she had been trying to do didn't seem to have worked.

"No, it's between me and him. Let me do this." 

My mother had put up this bold front. She seemed fragile but she was one of the strongest women I knew. 

"I believe in you, Ara. However, it might turn out to be, we are always here for you." 

She hugged me tight, transferring that resilience and strength she held. 

I refused to cry; they made me stronger, and I couldn't make them weak. 

"Kail is here. Call me if there is anything. I am going to speak to Mr Lawson." Baba led me towards the door. 

We exited our home where Uncle Kail was waiting for me with the back door to my father's black Mercedes open. He wore a grim expression and a silent message passed between him and Baba. 

My father helped me settle down in the car as Mom and Stella watched with sombre faces. Bending down he placed a tender kiss on my head and silently closed the door, respecting my wishes. 

But he murmured long instructions in Uncle Kail's ear. The big bald man grimly nodded before getting in the front of the car and driving away from my home. 

Uneasiness hit me in full force once the car began to move towards the City Hall. That's where Stella's contact had seen him and shot that video of Andy. She was a reporter and a very influential one. 

So many horrible, unsettling thoughts crossed my mind. The world around me became a gigantic blur. 

Uncle Kail observed me from the rearview mirror but stayed quiet for now. Soon, we parked outside the City Hall, and Uncle Kail opened the door for me. 

I climbed down and threw one gloomy look at the white spherical building of the City Hall. 

My heart thudded so loudly in my chest that all other noises were bloated out, only my own blood seemed to roar in my ears. 

Tears stung the back of my eyes but I refused to shed them. Clutching my hands tightly I ignored the stabbing pain in my pumping organ and readied myself to face whatever lay inside this building. 

"Everything will be fine, kiddo. I am right here beside you." Uncle Kail's voice seemed to be coming from a distance. 

I nodded pushing myself forward. My heels thudded against the hard granite of the pathway. 

I hadn't even entered the building when Andy emerged from inside with a woman on his arm. His sleek brown hair was brushed back revealing his sharp features. His tall stature held this air of aristocracy about him which commanded respect from others. The sides of his lips were pulled up in a gentle smile which wasn't meant for me but for the beautiful woman beside him. 

Their laughter appeared like a sharp tang of mockery. It halted me dead in my tracks. A poisonous dagger seemed to have been plunged deep into my heart seeing the woman's white wedding dress and wedding band on her ring finger. 

That ruby engagement ring in my own hand seemed so heavy in my hand. 

Heavy with questions.

Heavy with regrets.

Heavy with frustration. 

I gasped, my hand clutched the front of my dress, and my heart ached brutally underneath. 

It hurt, it fucking hurt so much that I wished to wrench it out and throw it away. 

Andy's head swivelled in my direction and that smile disappeared only to be replaced by a perpetual scowl. His eyes, which always held love and affection for me, were now narrowed and held contempt. 

Contempt for the woman he had promised to marry and failed? 

My legs wobbled, my body unwantedly quivered but I needed to face him, to ask him….why?

So I straightened my posture and held the tears threatening to leak out at bay. 

Boldly taking a step forward, I asked in a steady voice. 

"Who is she? And why is she in a wedding dress? What was the meaning of that text you sent me?"