UNREQUITED LOVE

CHAPTER-12

"Here, take this," someone said, offering me a tissue paper.

I looked up to see who it was. It was Nicholas. The guy who helped me a lot today even after we met only for a day or two.

Seeing him I again started crying.

"Could you look somewhere else?" I said, still crying.

He turned around. "Cry as much as you want. I won't look."

I started crying again. My heart was in pain. The pieces that were trying to get fixed again got shattered.

After a while I controlled myself and stopped crying.

"Now you can look"

He turned around and was facing me.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"But why were you crying? And where is Markus? He was supposed to take you home right?"

"Oh it's nothing. It's just that my ankle started paining again and this time it was very painful that's why I broke out in tears. And the thing regarding Markus....he already left with Natasha..."

He was staring at me as I was speaking. I looked at him and he suddenly got flustered.

"Nicholas....Nicholas?...Nicholas!"

"Y-Ye-Yes.."

"Where are you lost?"
"Nothing. Come, let me take you home."

"Huh?"

"I said I'll drop you."

"There is no need. I can just call my dad and tell him to pick me up."

"It's alright. Don't need to call him. I'll drop you safe and sound."

"You sure?"

"Yes"

"Ok then."

He helped me get up and we started walking through the hallway.

He told me to wait near the entrance. I stood there, waiting for him.

He drove his car. I didn't know he had his own car.

He came outside and opened the passenger door. He held my hand and carried me to the car and helped me sit.

He shut the door and came inside the car.

"Put on your seatbelt."

I pulled the seatbelt and clipped it in the lock.

He started driving.

After a one hour drive we reached my place. He got off and opened the door for me. He pulled me out of the car and held my hand. He helped me walk till my door.

As we were walking I saw someone approaching us. As the person came closer I could see his face clearly. It was Markus.

His face seemed worried.

"Erica! Are you alright?"

"Yes, as you can see I'm fine." I said it in a cold tone.

"I'm so sorry Erica, I didn't mean to leave you there alone. Actually Natasha asked me to go with her to take a look at the costumes for the fest so I went with her but then the costumes were not available so we headed back home. I didn't mean to forget you.!"

"It's alright Markus. I can totally understand."

"Erica, I'm sorry!"

"It's ok Markus. Let's go Nicholas." and we left.

Markus was still standing there. I went inside my house and saw Nicholas leave.

I saw Markus. He was still standing there. Looking at Nicholas leave and then to my window. As soon as he saw me, I hid my face.

I was feeling awful after what he has done to me today.

I sat down. My back facing my bed. I curled up and started crying.

I was crying harder than ever. The pain, it was coming back. The painful memories of the past were appearing in front of my eyes. Him holding Natasha's hand and both of them sitting next to each other on the ferris wheel. And now he leaving me behind, basically forgetting about me and going back home with Natasha as if nothing ever happened.

Tears were rolling down my eyes and I was not able to control myself. I was trying very hard to tell myself to forget about him but my heart was not listening to me. Both my brain and my heart were fighting with each other and it was only hurting me.

The next morning I got up at the usual time. I went to the bathroom and saw myself in front of the mirror. My eyes were red from crying all night and I had dark circles below my eyes. My face was swollen from all the crying. I washed my face and told myself that today is a new day. Let's start over everything. Forget about yesterday. Let's be happy and enjoy the day to the fullest.

I took a bath and came out. I wore my clothes and went down.

As soon as I opened my door, I saw both Markus and Nicholas standing in front of my gate. I was confused so I went over to them.

"What are you guys doing here this early?"

"I came to pick you up Erica. I thought that yesterday you hurted your ankle and the pain would be too much so I came to pick you up unannounced." Nicholas said.

"Is that ok with you?" He asked in a polite tone.

"Hmmm..." I replied.

"What about you Markus? Why are you here? Don't you have to go to school?" I asked him.

"Erica, I'm trying to make up for my mistake. Please don't get me wrong. I didn't mean to forget about you. I swear. And I'm waiting for you so that we both can go to school together. Like we always used to do." He said.

"Markus, I told you it's alright. I don't care whether you forgot about me or you intentionally left me there. I already forgave you." I said., forcefully smiling.

"So Erica...should we get going?" Nicholas asked.

I looked at him and then at Markus.

Should I go with Nicholas or should I go with Markus even after what happened yesterday?