I am sorry

Immediately Calvin and Allison got to their room, he immediately cupped her face and looked at her worriedly

"Don't listen to her Allison. She's just bitter."

"I wasn't really paying attention. We're not a real couple after all, so I shouldn't feel threatened. She is right about me being poor though."

"You might not have money but you are better than her. I really don't care about your background Allison, I really don't. I don't care what people think or say about you. You are perfect just the way you are." He said with concern vivid in his eyes. "I shouldn't have left you alone there."

Why was he talking as though he really care about her and the look in his eyes wasn't meant for just a friend. Why was his words affecting her in ways she didn't want? Why did he become so caring overnight? Wait! Was this devil by any means falling for her? No, that shouldn't be it. She quickly shook her head as if dispelling the thought. She shouldn't be thinking of that.

"I'm okay." She said and walked towards the direction of the sofa.

"Would you like to bath?" he asked her curiously.

"I just had my bath before breakfast. It's not even up to an hour." She replied him a bit amused.

"Do you want to sleep?" he asked again.

"Hell no! Do I look sleepy?"

"You don't but you don't look okay." he said and went to sit with her. "Is something bothering you?"

"I'm okay."

"You can always talk to me "

"Why?" She asked him surprised.

"Because we're friends."

"How come?"

"I asked you yesterday."

"I didn't agree to it."

Calvin kept quiet for a while before saying "Am I really that bad?"

"Of course you are." She replied without even thinking and she saw his mood drop immediately.

"I really mistreated you Allison and I deserve to be hated." She looked at him immediately not knowing what to say or feel, his words sounded genuine like he actually regret treating her the way he did. Calvin turned to her, and with the most sincere voice she has ever heard, he said.

"I am sorry Allison. I am so sorry. You don't have to forgive me right now but don't push me away again." he held both of her hands in his rubbing it with his thumb. "I'm really sorry. I was stupid, what I did was inhumane. No girl would easily let go of that, so I won't ask you to forgive me. You can punch me, scold me, punish me all you want, but don't push me away again." His voice cracked as he said those making Allison's eyes widen in surprise.

Allison remained quiet not knowing what to say. She would be lying if she said that she didn't feel sorry for him. She felt like reaching over to hug him. He looked so vulnerable right now and it was a rare sight to see. How did everything turn around so suddenly? Why was he looking at her like he will crumble if she pushes him away? Was he really falling for her?

"Please say something." She was brought out of her thoughts by his pitiful plea, his hand still holding hers firmly.

"Whether I will forgive you or not, it all depends on you. You put me through a lot when I was already battling my own pain, so you actually have to work hard to earn my forgiveness." She said, not finding the heart to push him away. Somehow the way he looked dejected made her feel sad.

Calvin broke into a huge smile.

"Thank you so much Allison, I will do everything to make you forgive me. I promise you that."

"Better."

"So does that mean we are friends now?"

"Yes." Before Calvin could jump on her, she added "This doesn't mean that you can touch me whenever you please." Calvin began to sulk and she couldn't help but laugh at his childish behaviour.

"I will make my own decisions and you will never address me as your possession again."

"Can I call you my girlfriend then?"

"Hell no!" This guy just doesn't know the limit to anything.

"Fair enough " He smiled "Can I hug you now?" Calvin didn't wait for her to reply before wrapping her in a very tight hug. He hugged her so tight that her face was stuck in his chest.

"I can't.... breath " She choked out and Calvin immediately pulled away.

"I'm so happy Allison."

"I told you a minute ago that you can't touch me whenever you please."

"This doesn't count."

"Everything does."

"I asked you first."

"I didn't answer or rather, you didn't let me answer."

Calvin's eyes travelled to her lips, it was pink and moist and he wondered how it would feel if he kissed her now. He had kissed her before but that was forced, he wonder how it would feel if she gave him her consent to do so.

"Why are you staring at my lips?"

"I am thinking of kissing them. Can I?"

"No you can't. You don't go about kissing your friends."

"I'm sorry okay."

Allison laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I don't think of you as the type who would apologize easily." She said.

"Actually I don't. I really can't remember the last time I apologized to someone."

"You have to learn it then. I wouldn't like you to go about hurting people without apologizing."

"Yes ma'am." he smiled happily.

They were quiet for a while before Calvin suddenly said.

"Tell me about yourself." he said and Allison's mood dropped immediately. "I'm sorry for bringing that up, you don't really have to tell me anything." Even though he really wanted to know about her, he didn't want to see her sad. He wondered what happened to her that made her so sad all of a sudden.

"I will tell you.," She suddenly said. "Just tell me what you want to know."

"Are you sure? I don't want anything that will trigger a bad memory for you." He said worriedly.

"Don't worry, I have always been able to handle myself." He smiled and caressed her cheek.

"If you say so." he paused a little. "I have always wondered about your family. Tell me about them."

"Kylie is my only family."

Shit! By Kylie she meant her sister who is currently struggling for her life in the hospital. Wow! Great! Just great! She has really been going through a lot and the only thing he ever did was to add to her pain. She was an orphan and he took advantage of her. He really doesn't deserve her forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." he said worriedly and pulled her into a hug, forgetting that he was supposed to ask her. She didn't do anything about it though.

"My father died when I was sixteen years old in an accident and my mother followed shortly after. She couldn't bear the loss of her husband and she died from a heart attack. She was sick before that though. They both died in a hospital and I developed fear for hospitals after that." She said with a sad smile.

"But you visit your sister almost everyday."

"I can't leave her all alone. And it's not been easy for me." Her voice cracked. "Each visit always leaves me traumatized." He saw a drop of tear roll down her eye, she lifted her hand to wipe it off but he did before she could reach it.

"I'm so sorry Allison. I am sorry for everything that happened to you. I am sorry for not being there for you. I am sorry for adding to your pain. I am going to protect you from now on, I promise." He hugged her tightly, sniffing her hair and stroking her back. She couldn't help but melt in his embrace. He was so warm and felt like the comfort she needs.

"Thank you Calvin." She said.

"For what?" he asked confused.

"For comforting me."

She is used to bearing all her burdens alone without relying on others. She thought she was doing fine until now. Delia will always be there for her when she is available, but she can't always be.

"It's nothing compared to what I have done to you."

Allison felt tears cloud her eyes, she tried holding it in but failed. Before she knew it, streams of tears started rolling down her eyes and she began to sub uncontrollably. Calvin who had no idea how to console a woman could only try his best. He stroked her, patted her, rocked her until he heard her breath in a steady rhythm. Phew! She has fallen asleep.

He gently wiped her teary face with his shirt and carried her carefully to the bed.

He laid her down softly and got up slowly, so as not to wake her up. He felt pain explode in his heart. She is really going through a lot and he did nothing to help her. He saw her as strong because he was never able to see through her walls all those times. She must have really gotten used to taking care of herself. Circumstances even made her to assume the role of a mother at such young age.

At that moment, Calvin swore to himself to protect in every way he can. He was going to end her suffering and give her a new life. Even if she doesn't accept him in her life.

*****

I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far. Please leave a comment, let me know your thoughts.

Love you all.