Hearts On The Highrise

Chapter 47 : dark clouds

As Heidi pulled up in front of my building, the rain continued to pour outside, matching the torrent of emotions raging within me. She turned off the engine, and for a moment, neither of us moved. I sat there in silence, feeling numb and hollow, while Heidi reached out to gently stroke the back of my head, a gesture of comfort amidst the storm of my despair.

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" Heidi's voice was soft, tentative, as if unsure of how best to offer her support.

I shook my head slowly, my gaze fixed on the rain-slicked window. "No," I whispered hoarsely. "I think I just want to be alone."

Heidi nodded understandingly, but concern etched deep lines into her features. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "I don't want you to be alone in a time like this."

I forced a small, grateful smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "I'll be okay," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Heidi. For everything."

With a heavy heart, Heidi leaned over to give me a brief, comforting hug before stepping out of the car to open my door. I stepped out into the rain, feeling its cold droplets mingling with the tears on my cheeks. As I watched Heidi drive away, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for pushing her away when all she wanted to do was help.

But deep down, I knew that the only person who could truly ease the ache in my heart was Engfa, and she was gone. And so, with a heavy heart and weary steps, I trudged up the stairs to my apartment, bracing myself for the long, lonely night ahead.

As I opened the door to my apartment, I let out a shaky breath and closed it behind me, shutting out the world beyond. Standing there in the dimly lit room, I felt a wave of sorrow wash over me, threatening to engulf me entirely. Everywhere I looked, memories of Engfa surrounded me, each one a painful reminder of what I had lost.

I remembered the countless moments we had shared together – Engfa's attempts at cooking dinner for us, her laughter filling the air as she tried to follow a recipe; the nights spent curled up on the couch, sharing stories and laughter, our fingers intertwined as we watched movies and indulged in our favorite snacks. I remembered the warmth of her embrace, the softness of her kisses, the way she held me close in moments of quiet intimacy.

But amidst these bittersweet recollections, there were also moments of pure joy – snapshots of us dancing in the living room, lost in each other's arms; impromptu pillow fights that left us breathless with laughter; stolen kisses in the kitchen as we prepared meals together.

Standing there, lost in a whirlwind of emotions, I could almost hear Engfa's laughter echoing in my mind, a haunting reminder of what I had lost. I buried my face in my hands and allowed the tears to flow freely, the weight of my grief threatening to crush me.

With a heavy heart, I made my way to the bedroom, where Engfa and I had shared countless moments of love and intimacy. Photographs of us adorned the walls, capturing moments of happiness and love frozen in time. My heart ached as I looked at each one, longing for the warmth of Engfa's embrace, the gentle touch of her hand.

As the rain continued to fall, its incessant slapping against the windows growing louder by the moment, I felt as if the world were crying beside me. The darkness of the night seemed to seep into the very fabric of my being, enveloping me in a suffocating embrace that reflected the pain in my heart.

With a heavy step, I made my way to the wardrobe, each movement resembling a Herculean effort. I reached out and pulled one of Engfa's sweaters from its hanger, the soft fabric cooling against my skin. Holding it against my chest, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, hoping to catch the slightest trace of her perfume.