A Bitter Truth
Isla and Lawrence went inside the house. Isla hurriedly made some warm tea for Lawrence as his body was cold and pale. Lawrence sit still on the main room sofa, not moving at all like he was freezing. His eyes glued to the table, not rolling a bit. He's like a statue.
Isla approached him with a warm chamomile tea and placed it on the table. Her heart hurts so much as she saw her friend pathetic condition. He was pale like a corpse. All his liveliness were gone. For the past two years, he smiled almost all the time. Isla realized how wrong she was for taking his smile as granted.
Isla's mind went blank and she don't know what to do, as Lawrence was always the one who consoled him. But this time, it needs to be the other way round. She confusedly placed her hand on his shoulder. "Lawrence." She called him with a gentle voice.
Isla's gentle voice reassured Lawrence with a slightest bit. He turned his face to Isla and saw in her eyes, the care she had for him. "My mom's funeral will be held today evening. The private jet will soon be here to bring me back to Denver." He whispered. His eyes were lifeless.
Isla knows very well how much Lawrence loved his mother. To him, she was the most important person in the world. His friends from his hometown used to teased him 'a mama boy.' Though he lived away from his parents, he always returned home on his mother's birthday to celebrate for her. Isla's mind was filled with questions. Lawrence's mother didn't have any disease beforehand but how did she suddenly died? She wanted to know the reason but she was afraid it will hurt Lawrence more.
Lawrence noticed Isla's puzzled mind and understand her mind. "They said she had a stroke. She suddenly collapsed and remained unconscious. They rushed to the hospital but it was too late." Tears were forming on his eyes.
Isla patted Lawrence's shoulder. "It will be alright. I'm sure your mother will rest at a beautiful place where there will be no pain and worries." She comforted him with a warm voice. "Do you want me to come with you?" She added.
Lawrence shook his head. "No. It's embarrassing enough to let you see me in my weakest state.I don't know when I will be able to return, but when I return, I'll come to you right away."
Isla nodded her head. "Fine. Be strong and keep your promise." Isla showed a comforting smile.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Thirty minutes had already passed since Lawrence entered Isla's house. August was still standing beside the house.
He was wondering what happened inside the house. The weather was still dark. Many dirty thoughts crossed his mind and he felt his heart dropped to each thought. He told himself "Isla is not that kind of girl. She will never disgrace herself!" Though he tried to reassurred himself for more than 100 times, his mind still cannot be at ease. He walked back and forth, again and again; waiting for the door to open.
After what seemed to be forever, the door was finally opened. He gasped and glanced his watch and realized forty minutes had passed.
Lawrence stepped out from Isla's house. But Isla came out with him, dressed with a casual dress. For the third time this morning, August was really shocked! The sun is not risen yet! Where are they going?
Before August could composed himself, they rode the car and drove away. He was left utterly shocked!
August wanted the answers to his suspicion. He didn't want to back off easily. Then he started his bike and followed them.
After driving for about half an hour, the sun started to rise. The two friends finally reached their destination. It was Lawrence's house. They got off from the car and entered the house.
Once again, August felt his heart dropped to the floor. He thought his suspicion was confirmed right before his eyes. He felt an immense pain throughout his body and his heart was the first to broke due to the pain. He watched the girl he cherished dearly, entering other guy house without hesitation.
He can't endure any more suffering or heart break. He start his bike and left in a hurry.
Without a destination, August drove all around the city, like a little kid who finally knows how to drive. The sun already soared high up in the sky. More than two hours had passed.
While he was driving endlessly like a mad man, he recalled all his memories of Isla. Her beautiful smile; the way she always looked at him with a gentle eyes; the way she cared for him and how she was always there for him. Was everything just a lie? Did she really thought of me as just a friend? Though he believed what his eyes saw, his heart cannot. The truth was right before his eyes but he dared to accept. He hated himself for being such a coward.
If it was any of the other girls he used to date, he won't be bothered by it. He won't even flinched a bit, so far from being hurt. But it was Isla. The matter was different. She was different for him. She was the only one who can made him feel at ease; the only one who can comforted him.
After four hours of driving, his gas finally drained up. It was already 10 a.m. He was fully exhausted. He get off and sit on the ground, leaning his back to his bike. He didn't care about his location. His eyes were lifeless. He felt dizzy due to the direct sunlight he received for the past four hours. He barely keep his eyes open. He was thirsty but didn't even had the energy to grabbed some water from the store. His stomach was empty and he was hungry. But all of these didn't matter to him.
The only thing matter for him was the shocking scene he witnessed early in the morning. From his perspective, it was a bitter truth. While his mind was occupied by it, his phone suddenly went off...