2 Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Time was an invincible entity, but it was one of the most important making the world round. Seconds mattered as it makes it to minutes and run to hours. Time passed as I was in the bathroom stall as I regained my nerves back. I was shaking and could not manage to get the sob out of my mouth. I supported myself as I stood from the dirty marble floor and snuck out of the bathroom stall as I made sure that no one witnessed my outburst. I washed my face as if cleaning out that outrageous weakness I had shown for a single man. I fixed my disheveled uniform as I stared at myself through the mirror. I could see the face was disastrous. The makeup smudged because of the tears. I washed my face again as I hoped that this would help. However, it was a futile attempt. I put on the thick glasses and gathered myself before walking out. My mind was running wild, but the phrase, 'it would be alright' was still replaying throughout.

I knew I was a mess. I want to forget. I don't want to think. With that I ended up in a bar. It was one of those famous bars young people come and go to socialize. Everyone was dancing on the dance floor as the DJ rave on his raving music. Some people would slip to each other and would try to hook up. However, I ignored such a feat. My tempo was just ordering beer and drowning them down as if I was thirsty from a long hot day. I was never a drinker, but this was different. Everyone would certainly think I was a drinker. I chugged it down as if I was a pro. I removed my ugly glasses and let my hair down. I was getting loose. The suffocating excruciating pain was subsiding, I guessed. Or was it more like I was starting to get numb from that pain.

Ring.

Ring.

"Hello," I answered my old broken phone. I barely could hear anything. I was not certain it might be the phone's problem, or I was too drunk to hear it. "I am sorry, I can't hear you" I tried saying as I tried to control my mouth not to be slurred. I guessed I was drunk. "I am too drunk to hear you" I said before ending the call. I put my phone away and ordered to the bartender another beer.

Another hour passed. I kept wallowing to the drinks I kept ordering. The boisterous chatters around me became hazier. I could not understand a single word, but I did not care. I was aware I was beyond drunk. "One more!" I said not caring to control my voice. I was thirsty for more. I wanted it more. I wanted to drown in this bitter cold drink I keep ordering.

"That's enough" someone said. I felt someone holding my hand down and sat quietly beside me. I looked at that person. As I was intoxicated, my sight was blurry. I could not see the person's face. I could not even tell if that person was a male or female. "Samantha, why are you drunk?" A male voice came to my ears. I looked at his way. I was seeing haze. "Who are you?" I asked. I heard a deep sigh from him. He tried to hold me, but I was pushing him away. "Don't touch me. Who are you?" I said as I was starting to get annoyed for disturbing my quiet time.

"Let's go back to the apartment, Sam" he said and tried again to hold me. I stopped struggling. "Is that you Charles?" I asked as I touched his face trying to take a closer look. I acted like I could recognize his face contour. I could hear his chuckle as I crunched my face as I realized I could not recognize the man. "Men." I stepped away from him, but he pulled me closer to him. He made sure my face was a few inches away from his. "Can you recognize me now?" He asked. I was not able to recognize his face. His tone of voice was captivating. He was serious and demanding. He wanted answers to the reason behind my behavior. However, I ignored his tone. I smiled like a kid who just saw someone with a candy on hand.

"Charles!" I said and wrapped my arms around him. I was certain I was using my baby voice. I was trying to be cute, and it was never like this when I was sobber. However, deep down I do not care right now. "Charles, why is it that guy show up after years of not seeing him at all" I placed my head to his shoulder as I complained. I could still picture Jeremy's face earlier. He was aloft and full of control. "Is that how the world is so small?" I added. I tried to stay awake, however, I was slowly losing consciousness. "It hurts" I mumbled as I did not notice tears flowing down my cheeks.

My consciousness dropped me down to memories that I buried for years. It was raining hard when I heard the news about my family. I was sick at that time when they had the accident. I was stuck in the house when they went to get my brother from his school. In that moment it felt my world was falling apart. Reality sank slowly to my heart and mind. However, miseries came fast. I lost the house before my family could be buried. I had got no relative willing to take me in. They preferred me in the orphanage to being a burden into their household. I stopped going to school as one by one, my so-called friends started to turn their backs on me. This young girl who never had a chance to work in her life, started to give resume to part-time. I had got a lot to learn at that time. I had to break lots of plates and glasses before I could finally learn to count my hard earn money. I stayed in a closet room in one of the part time place I manage to get. The owner was kind enough to let me stay for free while I was under their payroll.

"Mom…"

"Dad.."

"Brian.."

I called out as I could remember their smiling faces as they entered the car and leaving me.

I woke up in my room. I felt sick. My stomach was churning. My head was drove over a ton truck; crashing like it wanted to be flat. I tried to sit up and controlled in throwing on my bed. I heard a soft knock, but I did not bother to answer. "I got you a honey water and headache pill" Charles said as he handed me the glass and the pill. "I feel sick" I told him as I tried to take the pill and the honey water.

"What made you drink?" Charles tone was serious. I did not bother to look at him. "I saw my ex" I honestly told him.

"Surprisingly, he did not recognize me. We were together for years and he could not recognize me. I guessed that I am not that remarkable to be remember."

I paused. Charles waited for me to continue. I stared on the floor as I held the glass as I gather my thoughts

"He was dating the Trio princess while we were together. In fact, he left me when I finally manage to catch them hand and hand together while they were about to enter a love motel…" I started as I could remember that moment. The pain was stabbing me as I remembered how I was rooted to the spot when I caught them. "I could remember how shock I was. I could not believe it. The only person I believe, and trust was holding another woman, and what crushed me, he was looking at her tenderly like she was someone to be treasure. I had that look before. I had that all to myself… before…" I continued and ended looking at Charles eye to eye. I did not know what my face show. I was distraught in remembering it.

"But at that time, I could point out that I lost that look from her. I stood out for hours until they came out. I stood at the door waiting for him. When he saw me under the cold weather, he grabbed the princess' hand and walked pass me as if I was never there or I was not matter" my eyes were still on Charles.

Charles wiped my tears. "He did not come back home since then. I changed residence and left his things to the manager without leaving a single note" I tried to smile toward Charles as if trying to be brave. Charles hugged me. The warmth was intoxicating. I hug him back and cried. "After a month, I saw the news of him and her about to be marry. It was joyous event, but it only gave me misery" I told Charles as I continued around his arms.

"Do you still love him?" Charles whispered to my ears. His tone was as if about to murder someone if I don't answer.

"I don't know…" I sobbed. "I might not be… I might be just having lingering pain" I tried to deny this familiar feeling.

Charles did not say anything. He hugged me tight as if trying to contain me. "I am here" he whispered after the long silence between us. I did not say anything. I was enjoying this moment when someone was caring for me.