The Space Between

Chapter 15; Fool for you

True to that woman's words the news did calm down and was replaced by other attention grabbing stories instead.  Francis was once again annoyed of how fast the people seemed to forget and he was finding new ways to trouble Xavier. Sarah on the other side did not know what to feel or tell. She didn't even know if she had any right to take his side or even if he cared. Her heart yearned from one call or message from his side but there was nothing. As she didn't feel like going to work today she decided to call in sick and stay at home. Copped up in her room, she didn't get out and her mother was not liking this state of hers. A knock came at the door and Sarah put the laptop at the side. Aimen entered the room with a tray in her hand. Sarah made space for her on the bed and turned towards her.
"What are you watching?" Aimen asked and Sarah waved her off smiling.
"It's a Korean drama. You won't like it anyways" 
"True" Aimen agreed crunching up her nose and Sarah laughed. Sarah looked down and her mouth watered seeing chips and spicy chicken wings on the plate. Aimen satisfied, smiled patting  her head and said. "I knew you would eat this at least so I made it for you"
"Ah mama you're the best" Sarah said happily hugging her mom. She started eating and Aimen also accompanied her daughter. In between bites, Aimen decided to finally ask her daughter the question that had been troubling her all day "Sarah is something wrong at work? Are they pressuring you too much? What is the matter?" Sarah slowed down listening to the words of her mother. She sighed. She didn't want to but still she knew this day would come and she would have to face her mother. "Nothing's wrong at work mama. It's nothing like that"
"Then? Why am I seeing you look so stressed lately."
"It's not that...ok...it's...something else"
Aimen even got more worried panicking she asked.
"Have you gotten yourself in some big trouble Sarah?"
Sarah not wanting her mother to get the wrong idea held her hand gently and spoke. "No mama. It's just...look...I can't tell you right now because even I myself don't think it's right to even mention it. It's nothing serious just some momentary worry. You trust me right?"
Aimen looked at her daughter and she wanted to know more and get more concrete answers but she wasn't going to force her daughter if she didn't feel like telling. Besides, she knew her daughter well enough to know that she could blindly trust her. She had raised her well and she was confident she won't take any wrong step that would damage the family. So she nodded and the duo decided to talk about some other topic instead.

Xavier not being able to hold anymore decided to drink today. The pain was unbearable for him. He knew that what he was doing was the better choice yet his heart was not agreeing with him. His mind and heart were at the constant battle about the love of his life. Most of the time, he would distract himself with work but today he was really finding hard to control himself. It didn't help that the recent visit to his past triggered another set of nightmares. He switched off his phone  not wanting to use it because if he would the first thing he would do would be calling Sarah and telling her everything. He shouldn't. This was best for her. That was all he could think. She was pure and sweet and she needed to be kept protected. Xavier loved her and he needed her more than he needed anything in his life but he couldn't be selfish and destroy her life because of that and under the influence of alcohol he would only think about one thing. Her. He squinted his eyes as he struggled to see through his blurred vision who was walking towards him. It was a woman. That much he could gather. But who?
"Xavier" The woman spoke coming closer and Xavier could only hallucinate Sarah's face.
"Sarah"
Amelia felt her heart break hearing that name. Even after all those years she was the only one in his mind and heart. He still loved her and even in this state of total confusion, she was clear to him. Amelia not being able to hold back kissed him and Xavier groaned kissing her back and spoke. "Oh you have no idea how much I have waited to do this". The kiss deepened and Amelia moaned calling his name once again and that was when he pulled back. Coming back to a stable state he was clearly able to see Amelia's face.
"Amelia. What are you doing over here?" He stood up angrily and Amelia stood up too.
"I just came to meet you" She said softly and Xavier looked away. "This isn't the right time. I'm drunk. I think you should leave" He said turning his back on her and Amelia burst into tears. "Then when is the right time Xavier? When is ever the right time? You always do this and I always come back" Turning around, Xavier's tone and eyes softened. He didn't mean to hurt his friend but they had been doing this for years now and Xavier had pushed her away many times in hope that she would forget about her feelings for him. "Never. You already know I will never look at you like that Amelia. My heart belongs to somebody else. I can't give you false hope"
Amelia not having the strength to stay any longer walked out and entered her car. Teary eyed she put her head on the wheel. She couldn't understand what was so special about Sarah that he had never once let any other girl come close. How was it that even though they were not apparently connected their bond was this strong. Amelia was once again burning in jealousy. For now, she was going to drive off. She would talk to him later she decided.