My Heart Will Go On

Chapter 19

I was sitting on the couch and thinking about what happened with Lena. ‘I hope everything’s fine.’ I picked up my phone from the table and texted Lena, “Went to the doctor?” A few seconds later, my phone pinged, “Yeah, I went to the doctor today, the reports will come after 2 days.” “Ok. Take care and keep me updated.” “Sure.” she replied.

“You look tense?” My mom came and sat beside me. “I'm just thinking about what happened to Lena.” “Hmm, that’s a matter of tension.” “I hope everything will be fine. But my intuition says that something isn’t right.” “Don’t worry, daughter. She’ll inform you.” She spoke while holding my shoulder. “Hmm. Mom, I'm going out. I need fresh air.” “Sure.”

I walked out of the house and took a deep breath. ‘I’ll play piano when I return.’ I walked ahead but didn’t know where I was heading to. After minutes of walking, I stopped in front of the amusement park. I scanned the surroundings and remembered the time I came with Rey, ‘That day was one of the best days.’It still stings my heart to know that Rey and I can’t be together. ‘Fuck it.’ I didn’t stay there for a long time.

After walking for a few more minutes, I came in front of a park. Since it was evening, I decided to sit in the park and enjoy the gentle breeze. I sat on the
bench, plugged in my earphones and started listening to the music. I released a deep sigh and leaned my head back. I started humming to the song when a familiar voice interrupted, “Didn’t know you could sing too.” I abruptly opened my eyes and looked at that person. “Thompson.”

“Hi, Rose.” “It’s Rosabella for you.” He furrowed his eyebrows, “Ok, what’s with the sour mood?” saying so he sat beside me. “None of your business". I turned my head to the front and closed my eyes again. “Which song are you listening?” “Lovely, by Billie Eilish.” “Are you the Rosabella I knew?” “Rey, enough questions. Stop annoying me.”

I was about to stand up when he spoke,
“Ok! My bad! Please have your seat, ma’am.” I rolled my eyes at him and sat
down. “How are you, Rosabella?” He spoke, emphasising Rosabella. “Now that I've met you, the rest of the evening will be awful.” “Oh my, why?!” “Because I hate you.” I murmured. “You, hate me?” he smirked and continued, “Stop saying it indirectly?”

“Indirect - Oh God! Please no. I don’t love you, Rey Thompson. Get this shit inside your head.” ‘Do I really not?’ I thought to myself and shrugged my shoulders. “Ok, was just kidding.” We sat there in silence for a moment until he broke it, “Want to have ice cream? “No.” Saying so I stood up and walked away.

He stood up, came behind me and grabbed my hand. I felt butterflies in my stomach at his touch. I immediately freed my hand from his. ‘Fuck, what was that?’ I questioned myself. “What...” he looked confused. “Nothing, I just don’t want to have ice cream.” He stood in front of me, “Please Rosabella.” He pleaded with puppy eyes.

I shook my head as no. “Please. Look, the weather is so good. Please don’t deny.” I released a sigh and thought, ‘I want to have an ice cream and, one ice cream with him won’t be a big deal.’ “Ok, fine.” “Thank you! Let's go.” and we left the park.

We reached my favourite ice cream parlour and went inside. The owner gave us a smile, “Hi Rosabella.” “Hello. How are you?” “Great. How about you?” “I’m fine.” I spoke with a wide smile. He came with two mint chocolate ice creams. “Here you go.” We took the ice cream and thanked him. Rey, as usual, paid for it. ‘Not like I care.’ We were about to leave the shop when the owner spoke from behind, “By the way” “Yes?” “You both look cute together.” and he winked.

My lips parted and Rey and I looked at each other. “No, we aren’t a couple.” I
clarified. “I didn’t say that you both are a couple. I just said that you both look cute together.” He spoke, emphasising the word together. “Uh, thank you?” Rey and I gave him an awkward smile and left the parlour.

Once we were out, “Please don’t mind what he said, Rey.” “No no, it’s alright. Now finish before it melts.” I nodded and started eating. We walked together; I don’t know where we were headed to. We just walked and enjoyed our ice cream. “This mint chocolate is becoming my favourite too.” I hummed in response. “Want to go somewhere, Rosabella?” “Yes, my home.” He laughed. “Okay.”

“You know, Aron loves you with his whole heart. A mere mention of yours
brightens up his mood.” I nodded. ‘But I don’t love him, Rey. I loved you.’ I
finished my ice cream, “Thank you so much for the treat. I'll head home now.”
“Wait, I'll accompany you.” “No, thank you. It's nearby. I'll go by myself.” “You
sure?” “Yup. Bye.”

And that was the wrong decision. I should have let him accompany me. “Shit, this place feels so creepy.” I whispered to myself. I took a different route this time, nevertheless I remained confident and walked ahead. ‘Should I call Rey? Heck no, I can manage by myself. Or maybe not.’

I saw a group of 5 boys sitting on their
motorbikes, smoking and laughing. ‘Relax Rosabella, they won’t harm you.’ I increased my footsteps and walked without looking at them. ‘Shouldn’t have taken this route.’

Suddenly one of them appeared in front of me. ‘Fuck.’ “Hey sweetie.” I gulped hard and scanned him, his other friends were at their original place. “Want me to accompany you?” I ignored his question and moved ahead. He came behind me. “Why in a hurry?” and he grabbed my wrist.

My heartbeat skyrocketed and I tried to free my hand, but he tightened the grip
which made me hiss in pain. ‘God, help me.’ He kept tightening the grip and
bored into my eyes. He pulled me towards him, and I gasped. I could hear his friends laughing. ‘Fuck everything.’ “You bastard...” I spoke gritting my teeth and bit his hand. He left my wrist and screamed. “You bitch!!!” I took this as an opportunity and ran away.

I heard their footsteps following me. ‘They are running after me. Fuck! Of course, what did you expect that they'll leave you?’ I ran as fast as I could. I didn’t know where I was running to but ran to save my life.

Suddenly I was pulled into a dark alley. “LEAVE-” “Shhh.” That person shushed covering my mouth with his palm. “Rosabella, it’s me.” It was Rey’s voice.
Then we heard their footsteps nearing. “Stay quiet.” he whispered in my ears.
“Where did she go? Find her!” I was covered in sweat, breathing heavily, my
heartbeat increased. I was scared, I wanted to cry. The gang left the place.

Rey uncovered my mouth, and we heaved a sigh. “Rey...” I whispered and hugged him tightly. “Thank you so much. I was so scared, I thought-” my voice broke in the middle. He returned the hug, “Calm down, everything’s fine. I'm with you.” I cried in his embrace.

“I told you to let me accompany you.” “Were you following me?” I asked. “Yeah, I felt something unnerving, letting you go back alone at this hour didn't sit right with me so I thought to follow you. And see my gut feeling was true.” “Thank you.” I whispered and tightened the hug.

I once again felt safe, comfortable with him. ‘I hate this feeling, but at the same time I love it. What is happening with me?’ I broke the hug and cleared my throat. Rey cupped my face and wiped my tears. “You are fine, don’t worry. Now, let’s go.” I nodded and he held my hand which made the butterflies dance in my stomach. I tightened the grip.

Minutes later, we reached my house. “Once again thank you, Rey.” “No need.” He ruffled my hair. “Now go inside. Good night.” “Good night.” We parted our ways, but I turned around to look at him, ‘What are you doing to me, Rey? Why does my heart say that there’s something you want to tell me? Do I hate you?’ I sighed, turned to the front and went inside the house.

Rosabella is in a dilemma :)