Red Lilac

Chapter 21

"If it doesn't break your heart, it isn't love."

--Unknown

***

Aiden just had left my apartment. I pretend that everything is okay between the two of us, like I never heard his conversation with Claudette.

I called the office earlier to inform Mrs. Collins that I can't go to work today.

My heart is breaking into a million pieces. I never thought we will come to this point. If he doesn't love me anymore, he should at least tell me. Right? He should not play with my feelings.

How can you do this to me, Aiden?

For the first time since last night, I let my emotions overcome me. I lie back in my bed; cover my face with the pillow he used last night. I can still smell him in the pillow, his musky male scene that doubles all the intensity of the pain and I cry and cry and cry.

After I cried out all the tears, and my heart is a little steady, I take a bath and fix myself. It is enough that I am miserable in the inside. My physical appearance should cover it up for me.

When I get back to my room, my phone chimes with a text message, I grab it from my night stand table and read it, and it's Aiden.

I hope you can tell me what was wrong. My mind is running away. And don't like it.

He has the nerve to text me. You are my problem, Aiden. You are the wrong.

Why can't you just break up with me? It'll be easier, than cheating.

I didn't respond. I lie back in my bed and I just stare at my ceiling as my tears keep on falling down the sides of my face.

I am so hurt and so wounded.

My phone chimes again signaling a call. I ignore it too; it went directly to voice mail.

After a moment, I decided to listen to it. This time, it's Liam.

"Hey babe, I am back in town early. Can I pick you up for lunch? Beep me back. Okay?"

I get up from bed, then I look in the mirror, my eye lids are fluffy my eyes are blood shoot. My hair is a mess in my head as I didn't comb it after I took a bath. In short-- I look like hell.

I decided to call Liam back. I know that someone else's company will keep me busy, away from my thoughts and broken heart for a while.

On the second ring he picks up the phone.

"Hey.." Liam said to the other line.

"Hey back," I said in sardonic tone.

"What's wrong, Alyana?" he asked alarm.

"Nothing," I said trying to make my voice lively. But I really can't.

"I am at home, I didn't go to work." My voice is barely a whisper, and I doubt if he heard me. A sob escape from my throat. Fuck!

"I'll come over, right now. Hold on, don't hung up." I heard anxiety in his voice and hurriedness.

After a while I heard he started up the engine of his car. He's really coming over right now!

But my phone runs out of battery. It died after Liam mumbles some words I can't understand.

I fix myself, a little in a hurry. A moment had past until I heard a car park outside my apartment. After a beat there's a solid knock on my door.

"Open the damn door, Alyana" Liam said outside my house in his full male tone but there is anxiety mixed with it.

I walk leisurely to the door and when I open it, a worried-pale-faced Liam greets me. He look at me from head to toe then shakes his head.

"You will be the death of my life, woman." he commented.

"You should have seen your face, Liam." Once again, I tried to be lively and fail miserably.

He shakes his head once again.

"I guess we need a drink. I'll be back in a minute. Hold on." he said and runs again to his car.

***
"So, this is about Aiden." it's not a question but rather a statement of fact.

He bought several cans of beer and get back almost immediately. So now, we are drinking some beer. I had down two cans already; I do drink, but just a little. Liam is a harmless man and I know he will take care of me if I became a drunken master later. I know him; we have been friends for four years. He won't do any harm.

Very slowly, alcohol clouds my brain, it makes me numb. It takes the pain away. I feel a little better. Just a little better.

"I think, he's cheating on me." I whisper.

"That bastard, how dare him!" he is now burning in rage.

"I don't want to talk about it any further. Please, I like the numb feeling right now."

He nods, a sign that he silently agrees with me.

Another hour had past, I down four or five cans-- I can't even count straight. My vision is doubled. A moment later, I can't keep my eyes open.

But I am aware that Liam puts me in his arms and lifts me effortlessly and lay me to bed. He huffs and mumbles something I can't understand.

There's a knock in my door. But I can't make a move. I can't even move my lips or my eyes. I really feel nothing. I didn't know the feeling of being drunk until now. I am laughing inside my head. After twenty one years, I finally get drunk. Really drunk. And it's just a beer for crying out loud.

I am vaguely aware that Liam gets out of my room, and he let someone in. They talked for a while-- but I can't catch up with their conversation. Suddenly, there's a sound of shattering vase or glass-- I just don't know. I want to get nervous, but alcohol keeps me. Amazing!

There is a man groaning in pain and cursing of two men in my living room. Spitting words I didn't want to hear. Who is Liam fighting with? Suddenly I realize that it was Aiden cursing at Liam. Shouting and maybe punching and there's a sound of fists that hits a part of a human body. Then there's groaning man again.

Fuck! What's happening outside?

I want to get up. I put all my last energy and tried to lift my body off my bed. But I failed. I tried once again. And finally succeed. But my knees are too weak; they won't keep me up longer. I can't see clearly; my vision is in swaying movement-- like the way you see when you are in a swing. I walk in snails' pace once I manage to get up from bed.

Finally, I open my door, leaning in the wall, I manage to take two steps closer to my living room and in my vague vision, I see that Liam is on the floor and Aiden's back facing me. He is still in suit, but it is a little disarray. His hands are both balled into tight clenched fist. Now I am nervous. I can almost hear my heart beat through my ears.

He walked out and slammed my door forcefully without looking back. I want to call his name but words didn't come out of my mouth. I want to get close to the door but I can't move my feet.

Liam groan in pain once again as he tried to sit up from the floor. I tried to focus my eyes on Liam, but all I can see is a blurred red-faced man.

And that was the last scene in my memory as dizziness consumes me and I fell on the floor in front of my room. I can hear Liam calls my name before the black thing consumes my vision and everything shuts down around me.