met-a-noia

Chapter 25

Tarian's POV:

God damn, who the hell bashed my head in? I groaned, going to rub my head due to the skull smashing fucking headache that I was met with, as soon as I opened my eyes. That is, when I felt a slight weight pinning my arms down. I looked down and my eyes widened, then softened as I smiled down at her, "Hey Mel", I whispered as I watched her adjust her sleeping position. I looked at her sleeping face, the soft peace that was written across her face as she snored softly against my cheek. Ive forgotten how adorable she looks when she sleeps. My eyes widening as a sudden shock of pain waved up my body.

"Agh!", I yelped, before gasping and looking down at Imelda whose eyes fluttered opened. Shit. I've awakened the beast. "Tarian! You're awake!", Imelda exclaimed, a hint of excitement laced in her voice as she threw her arms over my neck, hugging me tightly. I groaned, pain erupting up my body and winced, "Love.. you're.. hurting me".

Imelda gasped and pulled back, "Shit! Sorry!". I chuckle only to be interrupted with another shock of pain, gripping my side as I clenched my jaw. God damn, what the fucking hell happened here? Why do I feel like absolute shit? I cant even fucking move. Imelda sighed, her face stern and emotionless as she said, "Let me get you some food and something to drink so you can wash down some pain killers okay?", as she threw her legs over the side of the bed and started walking away.

I huffed, gripping my side as I grabbed her wrist and pulled her down on top of me. I chuckled at the red flush that crossed her cheeks, "I dont need pain killers love, Im a big girl". Imelda rolled her eyes and huffed, "Im not going to slag you, horny bitch". I rolled my eyes and brought my hand up to her cheek, choosing to ignore the throbbing pain that shot through my ribs and up my side to the back of my neck. I brushed my thumb against her tan cheek and smiled softly, "You've always been there for me, havent you Mel?".

Imelda hummed, closing her eyes as she nestled her face against my palm and said, "Only because you've been there for me Tarian.. you've protected me ever since we were children..time for me to finally pay you back for that". I smiled as I laid my other hand gently on her hip, my thumb circling her hip bone and said, "You can pay me back by telling me whats going on with you love".

"What? Nothing's going on with me dont be silly"

"I may be injured but im not blind Imelda, you've never look so stone faced in your entire life not even when those bastards bullied you in secondary school"

"Tarian, I promise you im fine-"

"I know you're not. You know I know you better than you know yourself Imelda, so tell me whats going on. Now.", I say sternly making her look at me and giving me a pointed look almost as if her eyes were saying: 'what the? did you just order me around?'. I raised a brow making her sigh  as her walls fell, and her eyes revealed indescribable fear and sadness. What??? I've never seen her like this. What could've possibly made her like this?

My eyebrows knit together as her smaller figure trembled against my own . I felt my own worry fill me as she whispered in such a broken voice it shattered my very soul, "Last night... when I saw you the way I saw you... I thought... I thought that scaly bastard had killed you... I thought I lost someone else important to me". Last night? My mind flashed with images of events that happened last night. The feelings of his fists against my stomach, his hands on my throat, closing my airways cruelly as his foot came in contact with my ribs . The burning feeling of pure desperation filled my body when I called her. So thats why I feel like absolute shit? Fucking bastard not only beat me to a pulp, he made her worry. Fuck off Aldrich.. honestly. Just another big bully.. but this time hes in my family and in the government.

I watched as her eyes fell to my thighs and her head dropped, as she shook her head. I snorted and looked her in the face, tipping her chin up and held her face gently in my hands as I said, "Listen to me Imelda, and listen to me well when I say this to you. I have been through much much more, than a measly beating. Sure, he beat me pretty good but thats not enough to take me away from the people that I care for, people that I love. I will not give up my fight just because of one old man who is angry at the world. Im going to live, no matter how many times he punches, kicks, or chokes me". Imelda shook my hand away, as she looked away from me and rubbed her hands up and down her thighs , something she had always done as a kid  when she was upset.

Imelda started rubbing harder and faster, to the point where harsh marks appeared on her thighs, her voice harsh as she growled, "I feel powerless... I feel like I cant help you... I feel like I've failed at being your friend". I leaned forward, hissing at the pain that my body was going through before I put my hand on her hand, making her stop her fidgeting and look up at me. I shook my head and put her hand in mine and said, "Stop acting like a idiot Mel,  you have been amazing friend to me. You've.. You've kept me 'alive', Mel. After.. Devika's death... I wasn't so sure I would be able to live again but you kept me grounded. Kept me sane. Helped all those nights you and I cried, and drank our asses off. And for that, I will never be able to repay you.. for all the kindness you've shown me".

Her eyes watered as she held my hand tighter and fell into my chest, her arms wrapping almost carefully around my torso as her cheek nestled against my chest. After a while, I felt wetness soak the fabric of my shirt making me whisper, "Hey.. its okay", as I held her tighter against me and rubbed her back gently. I felt my own eyes water as her body wracked feverishly against my body. "It'll be all okay love, im here for you. And I always will be," I whispered into her hair, the scent of vanilla and coconut filling my nostrils. I promise to be there for you, Imelda. I always will, just like you have been for me. I promise.

"C-Can you promise me something... T?", Imelda whispered after she sobbed for a couple of minutes, her wracking subsiding as she calmed down against my chest. I pulled back from her and cupped her cheek once more and wiped her tears, nodding. "Be happy... dont let Aldrich ruin your happiness.. please", Imelda cried into my chest. I was sent back from what she said and asked, "You saw the article...?". Imelda nodded and looked up at me, pressing a soft kiss to my jaw as she sat up straight, wiping her own tears as she placed her hands on my face and whispered, " I know you're going to want to push her away.. but please dont. Ive never seen you so happy... smile so brightly.. ever since D's death. She's gorgeous, shes good enough to make you smile, and she must be intelligent to have caught your eyes. Shes... everything you need. So dont lose her... dont let her slip away".

I smiled to myself, knowing she was right. A loud snicker broke me out of my thoughts , making me look at her with a raised brow, "What is it arsehole?".

"Whats her name?"

"Whose?"

"The girl in that article AKA the girl who makes you smile like a love sick teenager, and trust me I've seen love sick puppy Tarian and thats what you look like right now"

"Im not in love with her", I scoff feeling my cheeks heat up. Imelda laughed, sliding off my lap with a gentle pat to my cheek as she said, "Babes, with that blush on your cheek? Not very convincing". I roll my eyes as we both settle against the headboard of my bed, her head laying down on my shoulder. I smiled as we intertwined our fingers together and whispered, "Amira... Amira Wyatts". Imelda smiled at me and said, "Well then, go to her".

"What do you mean?"

"Well let me get you some pain killers and you can visit her, hang out with her a bit"

"I cant.. my uncle-"

"Your uncle can slag off, plus who says you two have to go somewhere? You can invite her over and stay here or even stay over at hers"

"What about you?"

"Oh my sweet sweet Tarian, I have things to do darling", Imelda grinned mischievously. Ouuu that's interesting. I nodded and said, "Okay, but can we take a nap first? Im still in a shit ton of pain". Imelda nodded and cuddled into my side whispering, "Plus its 6:45 in the morning, we can sleep till 10". I nodded and squeezed her hand , the pain that was once prominently rushing through my body subsided as I closed my eyes...

To be continued...