Hold Me Tight (Completed) ✔️

Chapter 57

The narrow desolate pathway was the last place I wanted to find myself in. The chirping of the crickets and the occassional fading horns from the far highway road being the only proof of life beyond this street.

It was not enough.

There has to be more. I longed for some other signs, for a presence, someone to rely on, to trust in this darkness.

A strong hand gripped onto my shoulder. The sharp nails digging in, threatening to spill red beads of blood. The pain was nothing compared to the fear enveloping me. Scream I reminded myself but nothing came out. React, I chastised, but I was frozen.

I need someone to help me escape from this prison. I can't do this alone. I wept.

The nails dug onto my skin and I felt the wetness slid from the cuts to my chest. I tried to move or maybe scream, I couldn't realise, but everything went in vain.

The only movement was the trembling of my knees which soon spread onto my whole self.

I closed my eyes embracing my fate since there's nothing I could do, no one to help me out of this. I am alone afterall, I realised.

A small flash of brightness sprang into motion within my closed eyes. A light filled with promise, hope and love.

I maybe alone here but am I really? Am I really lonely? Even if I am, shouldn't I be strong? I must be alone for a reason. I'm here only because I am strong to be by myself. I shouldn't weep when I have all this strength. I shouldn't give up without a fight.

Nobody is alone, everybody has someone somewhere. If you don't, then it simply means it is not the right time. You have to stay strong until it's time. Until you can lend your strength, as in equals.

And I remember I have found mine and it is not in this make-believe world. I need to get back, for my strength is there, in the living world. The horrors I am facing right now are only the reminders of how powerful I am, how potent I must have been to cross through the harsh hurdles life threw at me. It is not time to give up, it is time to live.

I opened my eyes with a sudden determination. I realised it was a dream but not just a simple one you will forget within seconds. But one that held all the meaning and strength I needed. One that opened my eyes to see it all in a new found way. A refreshing challenged way.

Inspite of the sweat beaded on my forehead I found myself smiling. I realised I have took the time and now it is for me to live through it and not cower.

I forced myself to look to my side and saw him sleeping peacefully. I found myself getting lost in that beautiful face of his. It was not just that but his heart that made me aware of my own ragged beatings.

I gently rested my palm on his cheeks careful not to wake him up. I got so lost that I couldn't stop myself from brushing my fingers through the soft dark hair which I recollected I used to do a lot.

He bristled lightly and broke open one of his eyes and looked at me. Seeing me awake he opened both and smiled gently which swarmed my insides with a feeling so warm and pure.

He gently placed a kiss on my forehead and pulled me closer to his chest, resting his chin on the crown of my head and bounding me with both his hands. I listened to his beating heart, a rhythm riveting enough to hold onto this life.

He murmured 'I love You' as he slowly patted my head carefully and lovingly. I closed my eyes slowly drifting off to a dreamless sleep.

-

A few weeks later

"Liz, it's time to go. Don't be late. AGAIN." He shouted while I was shoving my feet onto the new 'professional' shoes like he said.

"That was just one time." I shouted back mustering all the frustration for him being right again.

"Really? And what about the next time and the next. I could go on and on and you would still be wearing that shoes."

"For god's sake, I am ready." I said shutting the door behind us while heading to the car parked onto the driveway.

"Ready?" I was about to make a quip when I saw he was all past the early remarks and genuinely asking about how I feel.

"Hell yeah. This time I'm gonna get this." I exclaimed which made him laugh and gave me a quick kiss on the lips before giving his attention onto the road ahead.

This was my fourth interview if I am right. First one, I bailed suddenly getting all anxious and raising self-doubt. He helped me get over it supporting me through the next days and even now.

The second one I was all confident until when I came across a guy who reminded me of someone tied upto my past. The day itself turned out to be the darkest that I got so late to the interview which was all wrapped up.

And the third one I was genuinely late. My poor driving skills kicked in (also coz I lost touch in driving) and knew the interview was already a lost cause.

This time I won't fail. I even got Jin to drive me to the company so that that problem won't come again. And the rest of the problems are things that I should manage on my own. I am strong and I won't be afraid. I reminded myself.