Can I catch a break

I never intended for Christian to see me like this. So broken, so vulnerable. But that Tuesday afternoon, he barged into my room, and there was no hiding it. 

It had been a bad day for dad. More than usual. Seeing him in so much pain, knowing that there was nothing I could do to ease it, it was more than my heart could take. So I'd come home and collapsed onto my bed, crying as if someone had died.

Even thinking of the word made my chest tighten unbearably. But the truth was, he would soon be gone. He didn't have much time left with me… 

I'd been visiting him in a hospice almost every day for the past three months without Leah and Mrs Callisto finding out. At first, I thought it would be difficult to sneak around them, but they'd made it disgustingly easy. 

They almost never visited. I couldn't understand why Mrs Callisto would do something like that. She'd always been heartless, but this… this was beyond cruel. Her husband was dying. Instead of being by his side, she chose to cling unto power that was failing, just as quickly as dad's health. 

And Leah? she was just as despicable. 

He was her father. He'd abandoned me and chosen her. Given her everything he once said he would give me. And yet, when he needed her most, she wasn't there.

Seeing him so alone, without anyone to lean on devastated me. 

I didn't realize until today that I had no anger left to give him. Maybe because, in some twisted way, I believed he was already suffering for the decision he made over four years ago. 

"Bad day?" Christian asked, concern on his face. 

I nodded.

I was surprised he was at home on a Tuesday afternoon. He stretched his hand, reaching out for me. I simply stared at him.

"C'mon. Let's take a stroll. It'll make you feel better.

I blinked back the surprise that was registered on my face. He gave me a small smile, his features still very much etched with a loud concern.

I knew better than to read anything into this small gesture. But my heart, stubborn and incorrigible, tingled. 

"It's fine. I really don't want to go outside today." My voice was hoarse from all the crying. 

Christian sighed, shoving his hand into his pockets. "I haven't seen you do anything for yourself in months. Your routine has been the same. Hospice, then home, and then you cry yourself to sleep."

I stiffened. He'd actually noticed. Then my eyes started to blur with tears as I recalled the last three months.

 It had been filled with sadness and grief and pain, but most especially, guilt. It was eating at me. 

Years ago, on a day I couldn't take the pain anymore, in my anger I'd wished—no, prayed—that if God existed, they would suffer for treating me the way they did. And now he was. I couldn't shake the thought that this was all my fault. That I'd condemned a man I once loved to die. 

"Don't cry, Alora. Not again." His voice softened.

I looked at him through blurred vision. 

"C'mon, let's go. Let's get some food inside you. You haven't eaten today, have you? Why do you always skip your meals?"

I didn't answer.

"You need strength to cry, you know."

"Are you consoling me or are you reprimanding me? Pick one." I wiped my cheeks.

He smiled, "There's the feisty girl I know. Up up. Let's go. You have twenty minutes. I'll be waiting for you downstairs. If you don't come down, I'm coming back to drag you out. I mean it."

Christian jokingly warned, then he left.

I thought about staying in bed, but if he could help me forget, and stop me from feeling guilty for even an hour, I'd be grateful. I deserved a reprieve, no matter how small. 

It was late October, and the morning chill had faded into a slightly warmer afternoon. So, I grabbed a white tank top and a short green skirt and wore it. I slipped on a flat, and added my black leather jacket over my shoulder. I grabbed the black bag I'd taken to the hospital, wiped my no makeup face, and slowly went downstairs. 

Christian had changed too. He had that rare casual look again with fitted jeans, a black t-shirt and sneakers. 

When he saw me, he took my hand, I let him, then he walked me outside where Joshua sat in the car, waiting.

There was silence as we rode, my eyes focused outside the window. The road began to look familiar, but before I could place my finger on the reason, we stopped outside a cottage-like restaurant.

And my stomach dropped.

I knew this place.

It was the same one from that night. The one Henry took me to.

My head snapped toward Christian who'd already jumped out of the car, and was walking over to my side.

He grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it, then he stretched his hand towards me. My stomach twisted as I took his hand and we began to walk hand in hand towards the warm light emitting from the small restaurant. 

The closer we got, knots formed in my stomach. I had no reason to feel this way. I hadn't done anything wrong. But knowing this didn't stop the fear brewing inside me.

When we entered, my eyes immediately began to scan the room. Searching. 

Phew. No sign of Henry. 

I finally breathed a sigh of relief as we took our seats in the back of the room.

The restaurant had a warm rustic charm as if time had slowed down within its walls. Lanterns hung over our heads, bathing us in a soft glow. The scent of freshly baked bread and herbs filled my nose. The tables were covered with checkered tablecloths, a tiny vase of freshly picked chrysanthemums sitting in the middle. Near the window that had laced curtains, two men sat, conversing as they ate their meal. 

"Go through the menu," Christian said, already pulling out his phone. "I need to make a call. I'll be back soon."

My eyes followed him as he walked farther behind our table, going into a small room. Once he was out of my sight, I turned my attention to the menu. 

"I'm so sorry." The man that had just brushed my arm as he passed said.

I didn't get the chance to reply him before the small bell hanging on the door chimed and my attention was pulled to the entrance.

I watched with a beating heart as Henry walked in, looking as handsome as he was that night. His blue denim jacket housed a white t-shirt, and below he wore a carton brown trousers with white sneakers. His dark hair was in its usual ponytail style, slicked back neatly. 

I froze, not quick enough to look away. 

He gave me an acknowledging nod, smiling, and I gave him the smallest smile I could muster. Then, to my horror, he started to walk towards me.

As subtle as I could manage, my eyes shining and my head shaking, I tried to tell him not to come any further. 

I risked a glance at the door Christian had disappeared into. No sign of him yet.

My eyes were back on Henry, and I mouthed for him to stay back. But he kept walking towards me. I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief second, praying for a way out of this.

When I opened them, Henry was standing right in front of me.

"Hey you. Never thought I'd see you again."

"Uhm, you got to—"

Before I could finish, a hand landed on my shoulder and I froze, recognizing the fragrance.

I couldn't bring myself to look up, afraid of the disaster that was about to ensue. Before I could speak, the strangest thing happened.

"Hey bro." Christian said casually, "Long time no see." 

What?

My head snapped up just in time to see Christian and Henry shake hands and pull each other in for a hug.

I stared, not understanding what was happening.

"My man. Why does it look like you've aged." Henry joked.

"A ponytail. I always knew you had princess potential." Christian returned Henry's smug look from earlier. They both grinned.

"You… you know each other?" 

My question sent their heads turning towards me.