UNREQUITED LOVE

CHAPTER-11

We went for the rehearsals in the school auditorium. I wore my heels as I will wear them on the day of the fest.  I wore them so that I'll have a practice of walking in them during the fest.

The rehearsals were going pretty well. Me and Markus went on the stage to announce the next performance. After announcing when we were coming down from the stage, my heels got stuck in a small hole and while trying to remove it, I twisted my ankle. It was very painful. I tried to stand up but I was not able to.

Markus held my hand and told me to get on his back.

"Erica! Are you alright?" He said in a worried tone.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that I'm not able to stand."

He knelt down. His back facing my face.

"Get on."

"Huh?"

"I said get on. I'll carry you to the infirmary."

"Markus it's alright. I can go by myself."

"Just get on!"

Before he got further angry I got on his back.

He took me to the infirmary. The nurse there bandaged my leg and told me to take some rest.

"Thanks for sending me. I think you should go back."

"No. I'll stay here with you."

"There is no need. Just go back. Don't let them wait, otherwise the rehearsals are gonna get delayed today as well."

As we were talking the door of the infirmary opened. I saw Nicholas coming in.

"Markus, I think you should go back. I'll stay here with Erica." Nicholas said.

"Are you ok with it?" Nicholas asked me.

"Sure."

"Great."

Markus looked at me and then looked at Nicholas.

"Erica just give me a call if you need something."

"Hmmm...just go." And he went. Nicholas came and sat beside my bed.

"So... are you ok?" he asked me.

"Yeah...my leg's fine now."

"Good"

"But how do you know that I twisted my ankle?"

"Oh.. I saw you getting your leg stuck."

"Shit!...That's embarrassing!"

"No it's not. It can happen to anyone."

"Yeah.. Thanks for keeping me company. But I think we should go."

"Is it ok for you to leave right now?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's not hurting anymore and I can just sit and announce."

"Fine. Let me help you get up."

He held my arms and pulled me up.

"Don't wear these heels. Instead wear these shoes."

"Thanks."

He gave me the shoes and helped me wear them.

He helped me stand up.

We walked together to the rehearsal area.

We went there and I saw Markus announcing the performances. After he was done announcing the first performance he came towards me.

"Erica, are you ok? Are you able to walk?"

"Yeah. Nicholas is helping me walk."

He looked at Nicholas. He shook Nicholas' hand and held my hand. I was shocked and confused by his actions.

"Thanks man, now I can take her with me."

Nicholas looked at him. "Sure" he said and left.

I was glad that Markus was there with me. He told me to sit on the chair and do the announcements.

I sat and started reading my script. He stood beside me.

He suddenly got a call from someone.

"Erica, I need to go somewhere. But don't worry I'll come pick you up and then take you home."

"Hmm.. Sure." And he went.

I sat there for hours. Everyone present there was going home one by one. It was past 8:30 pm. Markus was still not there. Naomi suddenly called me up.

"Hey Erica!"

"Hey"

"I heard that you twisted your ankle! Austin just told me and I immediately called you. Are you alright? Is it painful?"

"Chill out! I'm fine and it's not that painful. It's bearable."

"Thank god. By the way, where are you?"

"Oh I'm still at school. Markus told me that he'll pick me up."

"Markus? He left a long time ago."

"Left a long time ago?"

"Yeah, I saw him going home with Natasha. I'm telling you something is going on between them."

I froze. I was not able to speak anything. Not a while ago Markus was taking care of me and now he forgot about me and went back home with Natasha? How can he do this to me? How can he forget about me? Am I nothing to him?

Tears were rolling down my eyes. My heart, once again started paining. It was paining a lot. It brought back the memories from the amusement park.

"Erica you there?" Naomi asked as she was still on the call.

I controlled my emotions.

"Yeah, I'm there."

"Do you want me to come pick you up?"

"NO, it's fine. I'll go back by myself. Don't worry."

"Ok. but call me up or text me after getting home."

"Yeah, don't worry, I'm not a kid."

"Hmm...take care."

"Yes...Bye"

"Bye" and we ended the call.

I broke down in tears. I was crying a lot. Markus gave me a lot of pain but still I was not able to stop my feelings for him.

In fact, everyday, whenever he came and sat with me or talked with me I felt happy and forgot about the pain he gave me and fell in love with him again and again. He was the most beautiful yet the most painful thing in my life.