A few distances away from the house, he reached for the phone and instinctively dialed a line. With a few rings, a hushed voice came through~not waiting for a word from her, he voiced. “ Hey...can we meet?~ I need a talk with you.” Those were the only words his wandering mind could bring forth as he stared out of the glass.
“ Umm...sure, at your place or?”
“ No, the beach would be okay.” From his words and how he sounded, Aimscious intuitively knew there was something up with him but then, she didn't want to rush him or pressure him. Since he'd asked them to meet up, she'll get to find out soon enough, she told herself.
“ Noted, see you in a bit, bye.” The line briefly dropped afterward. She scanned the screen for a moment in thought before dropping it. Aims swiftly brushed aside the novel she was reading and rolled out of bed~ rushing to her closet for a pair of clothes.
It was July in the city and the heat was bullying in its humidity. In the distance, Mart's gaze just kept spacing past the towers of the Farragant houses which rose like an ugly Lego attempt without even noticing. How well could he break the unexpected news to her, he thought.
*******************
Her cab soon pulled up at her bus stop after about a 25-30 minute drive and Aims wound her way down the short stairs leading to the shores~ their regular place, that's the simplest name they've tagged it. She arrived in blue jeans coupled with a baby blue and white striped top– her hair simply pulled back in a ponytail to prevent the wind from blowing it over her face and everywhere.
On arrival, she scanned the empty space, scrolling.“ He's not yet here?” She mumbled. With nothing much to do, she just settled on the rock which seemed like an island, surrounded all around by the sea. It's such a refreshing spot~ quiet with just a few people walking by.
Just when she took in the site with her headphones plunged on, she noticed a familiar figure approach from afar. “ Mart...!” She called, weaving him over; over a broad smile. With a forced smile, he weaved her back and she giggled.
Her smiles sunken his heart into sorrow~ he couldn't bring himself to hurt her feeling but then, he was at a fixed now with nowhere to turn to. As he closed up on her, he masked up with a pretense.
“ Hey, are you okay?~ you sounded quite distressed...Is something bothering you? anything I need to know?” She blunted as soon as he settled in.
For a few seconds, he remained silent before speaking up briefly after. “ Can we move to a much more private area?” Without hesitation, she nodded and they further relocated to a part that looked like the secret garden of the beach~ people hardly visited the place so it was quite convenient.
“ Can you tell me, now?” She asked the moment they settled in. “ You're making me anxious.” She lamented since he wasn't talking much as his usual self.
That's when their eyes remained locked on each other~ her perfect seductive eyes, endowed by her charming beauty refused to let go of his grip. He instinctively pulled her with a mural of two towers under the words, “ I'm sorry” and then his mouth was on hers, sweet and warm and obliterating.
Finally cubbing her face in his hands after breaking from each other, Aims spoke up– she looked confused and lost on what was going on. “ What's this about, Mart?~ you're making me nervous.” She queried. “ Why the kiss with a sorry?... I don't get it. ”
He couldn't bring himself to say it but then, he had to. “ I'll be moving back tomorrow to join my father in the city to further my education over there.” He answered in hesitation.
“ What?” She mumbled in a near whisper. He looked so sad and helpless. Silent tears trekked down her cheeks~ this was the least she expected, so sudden. She felt her whole world crumble down before her eyes. He reached over and hugged her and they both drenched in tears.
“ But...what of your promise?... to always be by my side?~ what happened to it and why now?”
“ I'm sorry, Aims...I didn't mean it like this.”He cried. “ But I still promise I'll keep to it, huh?~ I'll come back for you. I promise to call daily as well.”
“ Can I believe that?”
“ Yes, just wait for me.” With a forced smile amidst tears, she nodded. “ I will .”
AUSTRALIA
Since all her plans had drastically gone down the drain, Lilia decided to go the hard way. She'd been so blinded by jealousy and hatred that it never crossed her mind when their friendship bond gradually degraded to an enemy affair in her eyes. She was supposed to have a heart for her after hearing about her loss but rather, she had deployed other means to get to her.
Henrietta was busy getting her nails done when her daughter arrived from town with a young man to whom she gladly introduced as Kingsley, her Fiance. Her mother was surprised at first since she'd never brought home or talked about any guy of a sort but since that was her happiness, she readily accepted him in.
They shared a few pleasantries and soon, they'd already bonded like mother and son. They chatted and giggled happily and Kinglsey felt at home. Lilia on the other was delighted since that would aid her mission.
“ Well...mum~”. She called her attention and Herty gave in. Knowing she had her mother now, she opted for a go. “ Kingsley here had qualified to join Scholars University back in town for a project and I would like to join him as well.” She expressed but then, Herty wasn't in acceptance of it.
They'd wanted her to join one of the greatest Universities in Australia but she just wished to return to their home country on her own, which wasn't sounding so well on her page. She knows how troublesome Lilia could be at times and wouldn't like to risk it but Lilia on the other was well determined to go no matter the case so she took her last bait.
“ I heard Aims lost her family~”
“ What?” Herty screamed. The news threw her into a state of shock. She never knew all this had happened within such a period of time~ She couldn't believe her ears.
“ I believe she needs me now, don't you think so?” Lilia took advantage of the situation and got her mother's approval.
“ I'll talk to your dad for you...I believe he would understand. ” She affirmed and Lilia hugged her with a smile.
“ Thanks a lot, Mum. I promise I'll be good.” She said a soft smirk flashing along with a forced smile.