13 Receiving a Heartbreak

A year has passed since then. Ashley was now able to open her eyes however that was the only development in her condition. The doctor was right when he said that she would eventually be in a vegetative state. They declared there was no activity going inside her brain. It meant that she was far from recovery. 

It was depressing especially for Ashley. She was trying her best to keep her sanity intact. Even she, herself, started to lose faith. She was afraid that the day wouldl come when she won't ever wake up. That with her consciousness instilled, she won't be able to move her body and witness the world ever again. 

Her friends and some of her relatives didn't even visit her anymore. Her Boyfriend, Jamie, rarely visited her too. It was three months ago since he last visited her. She wasn't surprised if he didn't love her anymore. She accepted it a long time ago. 

She understood that they had their own lives, but she couldn't help but feel sad. They were moving on with their lives, however she was still here with no improvement or whatsoever. Months from now, she was supposed to graduate from college. 

Her dream of helping their business, shattered in an instant. She didn't even know if it was still standing. All she knew was that the stocks in the company went down as well as it's value. 

The only friend who found time to visit her was Cassie. Even though it wasn't as frequent as before, Ashley still appreciated it. They weren't even that close to begin with. 

Today was supposed to be the day that she visited again. Ashley's mom left early for work today. Her mom also started to get back on track. After two years of not working, her mom decided to go back to work earlier this year. Her dad was also busy with business. 

Ashley was excited to see Cassie. Cassie was the also the person who told her about what was happening around their school and group of friends. She would tell rumours and news about the happenings in their social circle. 

She was also the one that updated her about her favorite artists, singers and a lot of things. She was one of the reasons Ashley remained sane.

It was late in the afternoon when Cassie arrived. Ashley was surprised to see Jamie as well. She couldn't help but feel happy to see Jamie's face. 

After three months, Ashley couldn't help but swoon at Jamie's face. He seemed to grow more handsome since she last time she saw him. 

She wanted to rush up to hug him.. kiss him. 

However she wasn't prepared to witness the scene that happened next. Cassie held Jamie's and smiled. She looked at Ashley hesitantly and squeezed his hand like she was giving herself courage. Jamie then kissed her cheek to comfort her. He was also agitated because the woman in front of them was his past lover. 

Cassie approached Ashley's immobile body which only stared through thin air. 

'What's going on.' 

She grew confused. Of course she knew what their gestures meant. She wasn't an idiot. However, she refused to believe what she just saw. 

"I think it's time we tell her..." Jamie said. He gulped as if it was a hard thing for him to say. Cassie nodded and turned to Ashley. 

'Tell me what?' Ashley began to feel nervous. She felt like they were going to say something she didn't want to hear. 

'Tell me what?.. Jamie' she wanted to say to them. 

The deafening silence was slowly killing Ashley. Her heart felt like it was slowly being torn into pieces. 

Cassie held her hands. She looked at her with a tear-stained face. She was very guilty with both their decisions. They knew it could hurt someone. Though that someone was Ashley, who was in a vegetative state, they still wanted to tell her. It was her right to know. She didn't mean for this to happen. It was love after all. 

She clasped her hand with Ashley's and her voice shook. 

"I-I'm sorry Ashley.." 

"I—We.. Jamie and I, we've been together since last year." 

It felt like a bucket of ice was poured on Ashley. Even if it was just her subconscious, she couldn't help but feel cold all over. It was like someone punch her stomach but the pain stinged so bad. 

She didn't even know what to say or feel. All she could think of was how it hurt so bad. 

'And you only tell me, now?' 

Even though she was preparing herself when she knew that Jamie would soon find someone else. She didn't expect it to be Cassie.

Even though she slowly accepted it, she still hoped that Jamie would stay but—Last year, with Cassie?. Ashley felt betrayed. 

Now she knows why Cassie did all those efforts to visit her. It was because she tried to atone for her sins. It was in fact a mirage. All of them were just illusions. 

It wasn't an excuse that she was in this situation. They would've at least waited for her to die. She knows that Cassie was a good friend and maybe when she wasn't there, Cassie was the one who comforted Jamie.. But Cassie knew how Ashley loved Jamie. It was all over the campus. Everybody knew. Since she was in the same class with him, she would know. 

She would always imagine her life with Jaime and now she didn't know how to live without him. Curse this stupid love. 

It hurts! 

Ashley wanted to shout. She wanted to get mad. She wanted to cry. 

She never wanted this. She never wished for this. They didn't know how hard it is for her to see the people around her lose interest in her. How her loved ones were slowly abandoning her. How much she wanted to go back to her original life. 

Even now, when the situation was an emotional hurdle for her, her body was still unresponsive. She wanted to show at least one expression on her face, for them to know how she feels. 

She knew that contrary to her inner reaction, her outside self was wearing a blank expression. Cassie continued to apologise while Jamie was coaxing her. 

"I'm sorry Ashley, I always wanted to tell you.. I just..I couldn't!" she cried out loud. 

Seeing this scene didn't help her at all, it made her feel worse. Their expressions made Ashley feel like she was the bad person. The one who did everything to ruin their love story. 

'This sucks, I want to leave...' 

Ashley felt emotional stress build up in her mind. Now the thin thread she was holding on for so long  was cut off, and she just fell into the abyss. 

It stayed like that for an hour until they decided to leave. 'They looked happy together.'she said. 

The glimmer in Jamie's as he looked at Cassie broke Ashley's heart. It hurt alot. She wanted to cry it all out.

She remembered the thing she prepared for Jamie. It was still in her drawers, those two plane tickets she bought for them. 

She knew that he also prepared something for her.  He worked extra hard to save enough money for it. 

What if the accident never happened? Would they still be together? 

She knew the answer to that. 

But now.... 

It was all gone in the blink of an eye. Everybody changed and she was left alone.... Hurting.