C71 seventy one

Instead of me being the irritated one to leave, it's not because she managed to turn the situation around.

I kept bothering her, calling or whatever. Until she agreed to go on a date with me, it seemed like the moon, the stars, and the sky rejoiced because on that day, she finally said yes to me.

A month passed and Akia suddenly called me. She explained everything that her stepfather, Tito Ferdy, once entered her room and attempted to assault her. I felt extreme anger because somehow I also considered Akia a friend even though we had separated.

"Why don't you want to tell Hastler that he's your boyfriend? Selene might get suspicious, even if she doesn't say it to me, I know she's jealous of you,"

I didn't accompany Selene because of Akia, even though I wanted to go back to school, I couldn't because I couldn't leave Akia. I'm afraid of what else she might do to herself aside from cutting her skin.

"She's still studying in the U.S. I don't want her to come home because of me because for sure she'll just neglect her studies. I also don't want to burden her. Sorry, but if there's anyone I can turn to, it's really just you," she explained.

I could only nod, her only request was for her to stay in my unit for a few days before returning to Canada because her stepfather requested it. I took care of her, watched over her because I was afraid that with just one glance away, she might do something to herself.

I could hear my cellphone ringing, a sign that someone was calling and texting, but I couldn't answer because Akia woke up, looking terrified as if she had a bad dream.

I almost ran to Selene's apartment when I found out that she got sick. My heart felt like it was being beaten up when I saw her tired and swollen eyes, obviously just having cried.

"Baby... Why?" I asked, concerned, while wiping her eyes.

She sobbed, "I just missed you," she said and hugged me.

I could feel her exhaustion in her voice. Exhausted,

"I'm already here now, Baby," I said tenderly.

My chest tightened when I heard her sobbing, I wanted to hurt myself because of the sobs I heard from her.

"Baby... Please stop crying," I urged.

"Baby... Please, Hearing you sobbing and seeing you crying made my heart broke into pieces. I'm sorry if you did miss me," I said lovingly.

Her sobbing seemed like a sharp object that pierced through my heart every time I heard it.

I lightly tapped her back. She even tightened her hug on me.

"Don't be mad, Baby,"

"I'm not mad," she immediately answered.

"Baby..." I softly said.

I released myself from her embrace and placed my hand on her shoulder, slowly bringing her closer to me.

"Sorry," I said. "There's just some trouble," I almost whispered.

"Can you please explain? Because I'm going crazy thinking about it," she said.

I explained some of it to her but not everything because Akia didn't want it known to others. I respect Akia's privacy.

I also cooked her food and kept asking her if she wanted me to stay. I held back my tears in front of her, it was painful for me to hear her almost pleading for me not to leave. Because the person I love so much is in pain... hurting... begging as long as I stay by her side.

We ate together in the canteen and just seeing her laugh and get annoyed at my teasing remarks made me happy. She even cried, thinking I wouldn't show up to pick her up again. It hurt, it hurt that she doubted me, thinking I wasn't there again.. that Akia was the one with me again but I can't blame her.

I invited her to dinner when I remembered that I wanted her to meet Mom and Dad, I could still feel her nervousness. Our conversation went well enough while we were at the table when my cellphone rang.

Akia called, I was nervous to look at Selene who was now just staring off into space. I didn't want to answer but it might be an emergency.

I stood up even though I didn't want to. I turned around and walked away from them as tears fell from my eyes. I hurt her again! I hurt her again!

"C-Cyrus, I saw Tito Ferdy at the mall! He threatened me that the next time we see each other, he'll take me to Canada!" she shouted frantically.

Akia's problem needs to be resolved so Selene and I can be okay again.

I immediately went home to my unit, the next day we immediately set up a lawyer to handle Akia's case against Tito Ferdy.

"Don't just leave her until her stepfather is imprisoned. It's difficult especially since she's addicted to drugs and it's likely she'll lose consciousness, she might go back to Akia," said the Lawyer.

I don't know what to do. Maybe we can take a break from each other, Selene and I? When everything's settled, we can get back together? Fuck!

[Hello] she started.

From the tone of her voice, I knew she had just finished crying. I desperately shook myself.

[H-hello] her voice cracked again.

"B-baby..." I struggled to say.

I could hear her sobbing, which shattered my world.

[Hmm] was all she said.

I knew she knew that I was feeling this way, she took deep breaths, and I heard her sigh heavily.

"Baby, I love you but," I stopped.

I couldn't do it! I didn't want to! I didn't want to let go!

"I can't give you my whole damn time because some of my friends need me. I can't choose to be selfish right now, baby." I said, my voice breaking.

I leaned against the chair for support because my whole body felt weak after hearing her loud sobs.

"She needs me right now but Baby. I loved you, alright? Akia needs me now because of her problem---"

[But I need you too,] she cried.

My chest tightened, I could feel the pain even just imagining her face, full of tears.

"Baby..." I pleaded.

I couldn't hold back my tears. I didn't want to!

[Are you sure about this?] she asked.

I fell silent for a moment because I couldn't bear it.

[Because... When this ends,] she stopped to take a deep breath. "There's nothing... There's no one for you to come back to,"

It felt like a lightning bolt struck me. I stood up abruptly as if a cold water had been poured over me.

"Baby.." I said, afraid.

[I'm not something that you can just leave and come back to anytime. Always remember that kite, when you let it go, is difficult and blurry to obtain again,]

Fuck!

[Tell me, Are you sure that you want us to break up? Because if we break up, it's over. This means that it's the last for us. Our finish lines and no longer can go or find other lines because it's finished,] she gently said. [Are you sure?]

"No," I suddenly answered..

Akia called me.

And

then Selene agreed... to break up with me.

I frantically looked for the keys to my car.

[Bro! We saw Yoreh with Samuel and Angel said Yoreh's leaving! What the hell did you do?!] Sai yelled at me through the phone.

"fuck!" was all I could shout as I ended the call.

Tears fell from my eyes as I walked away, attracting some glances from passersby.

"Return Selene's clothes. Please, Mawi!" I shouted.

She panicked, I grabbed Selene's suitcase and went up to her room.

I tried to stop her from leaving but she insisted that she wouldn't come back to me no matter what I did but for her, she's willing to wait.

Mom invited me to a restaurant where I could see my half-sister whom I really considered a sibling.

"I'm glad you finally decided, Liane, to introduce C.E to us," Aunt Rina said.

I hugged Liane because this might be the last time I could do this with her.