Knotted in Love

Part 2

Kevin is standing in front of Alice’s apartment when Haseena arrives. He calls her to come in to witness such a ridiculous scene and Haseena didn’t wait one second before making her way there. These are her people. No matter what happens. No matter what changes. They are her people. If they need her, she will be there in a heartbeat; except if she is in a meeting. They have to wait a couple of heartbeats if she is in a meeting.

“Why are you standing there?” Haseena gets off the elevator and heads down the hall to Kevin who has his arms crossed over his chest in front of the door. He looks like a standing ball after he lost a bet at the station and had to shave his head. They had a good laugh about this but after a few days have passed, they get used to the scene.

“We’re banned.” He answers and points at the door.

“What?” Haseena is confused until she sees the sign at the door. Alice has put up a sign at her door saying; ‘Single only zone.’. She has recently broken up with Ben and couples piss her off. According to her, Kevin and Haseena smell like love and it hurts her nose.

“We can just go in.” Haseena suggests since they both have keys to the apartment.

“I love my life. I love my wife.” Kevin says as he steps back and lets Haseena do the job. “I have a baby on the way. I don’t want to die.”

“Will you back me up?” Haseena asks whispery. Their eyes meet and tiny nods are given. They are about to initiate a secret operation that is so life-threatening and one of them has to take it for the team. Haseena gets the key out of her pocket and carefully unlocks the door. A booby trap can be hidden behind the door and they could die. “Alice. It’s Haseena and Kevin. Your dearest friends.”

They enter the apartment with Haseena leading in front and Kevin slowly following. They stay alert for any harm that could come their way. The apartment is quiet and neat. Nothing is out of ordinary and no one is found. Alice is nowhere in sight.

“Alice.” Haseena calls out again.

“Hey.” Alice finally makes an appearance. She steps out of her bedroom with a smile on her face and a laundry basket in her hands.

“You’re doing laundry?” Kevin asks suspiciously. What is happening in front of him seems to be more of a mystery than any cases he has been on. “God, you clean. Haseena made a mess when she was sad. And you. You clean.”

“I... I... I’ve never liked Ben.” Haseena struggles with words and the ones she is using don’t seem to sound right for Alice. She sets the basket down and throws a piece of clothes at Haseena. “I liked Ben?”

“Shut up.” Alice throws herself down on the couch and lies there with her face buried in the cushions.

Kevin moves the dirty clothes basket out of the way and walks himself into the kitchen. He starts raiding the refrigerator as usual. Once he opens the fridge, he sighs. Alice is heartbroken and her fridge is empty.

Haseena sits on the coffee table and looks at Alice who doesn’t move one bit. Breakups hurt. Everyone has been through it at least once in their lives. Haseena has been through it once and it knocked her out off track. This girl who is playing dead pulled her back so now it’s her turn to do the same.

“Alice.” Haseena rubs Alice’s back gently before getting on her knees to get closer to Alice’s ear. She whispers gently. “Hey, buddy.”

“I don’t understand.” Alice mumbles through the cushion that she is still using as her face burial. She knows she is being ridiculous but it hurts deep in her soul. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t understand.” Haseena repeats after Alice but with a different tone. It is not the frustrated tone that Alice was using but it is the understanding tone mixed with a tiny bit of compassion. “I don’t understand why anyone would leave someone as amazing as you.”