It Had To Be You

Chapter 25: Time Doesn't Heals Broken Hearts

*6 Years Later*

Noella's POV

"Are you sure you don't want to go to Thompson's party?" Drew asked me in his posh British accent. He was my colleague who has become a very good friend of mine. We have been working as professors in the same college for the past couple of years now. "No, I am really tired today. You carry on." I said smiling. "Oh bummer. Okay see you on Monday then." saying he left.

I took a cab to Karla's place. As I rang the doorbell I heard the sound of someone coming running towards the door. As the door flung open, I saw the smiling face which lifts me up and makes my day better everyday. 

"Mom, Karla made choco cake today!" Esme, my six-year old daughter, said jumping in excitement and dragged me into the house with her tiny little hands. We both sat down on the couch and she started telling me about how her best friend's birthday party today was and how she wanted all the exact same things and themes for her birthday.

I can't believe it's been six years since I experienced the darkest phase of my life. And yet somehow I manage to shed tears as I run down the memory lane which haunts me every night. I sometimes feel like just running away from all this fucked up reality and to never come back. But then I remind myself of Esme. This angel who came into my life and who manages to make me happy every time I see her. Just by her hands in mine, I feel all worries and pain vanish. It's hard but not impossible, not with Esme in my life.

After having dinner at Karla's, Esme and I came home where Juliette and I shared an apartment. It was already around 9:30 pm, so I put Esme to bed. She tried real hard to pretend she was not sleepy, like always, but after a failed protest, she fell into deep sleep. 

I watched her as she enjoyed her slumber. She held all his physical qualities. From his dark hair and dark green eyes to his nose and perfect smile. She was indeed a striking resemblance of her dad. 

Dad. 

I am unknown to the fact whether he knows about his own daughter. Hell, I don't even know where he is or what he has been doing in these past years. Even though I loathe him from all my heart, I can't deny the fact that I still love him. 

A fucking irony. 

I still love him like an fucking idiot. An idiot who knows that all of it was a facade, a fucking lie and yet I am still carrying him in my heart. I haven't been able to move on and I feel like he will always be a part of my life. And I hate that. So much so that it pains me like some hot iron has been stabbed into me. And just like that a couple of tears slipped down unknowingly. The doorbell made me wipe them off and get the door.

"Guess who had a date today?" Juliette cheered. "But all this has to come to an end as I have work tomorrow ugh!" She rolled her eyes as she removed her heels and sat on the couch sighing. 

"Well, don't have an option do we? Not in college anymore unfortunately." I chuckled, shrugging. 

"Yeah Yeah. I know Mom." she shook her head smiling. "Is Esme sleeping?" she added. I nodded as I took a seat beside her pulling my hair into a bun. 

"Noe have you been crying again?" she asked with a little frown as she turned towards me. 

"No. No I haven't." I lied but I knew it was not going to work with her. She has witnessed me cry in the middle of the nights. 

"You have to know it's you who is getting hurt with all this. Please don't do this to yourself Noe." She said by taking me into a hug and rubbing my back. I just nodded my head not knowing what to say.