Tristan's POV
"Bro, I heard you and Keyla are together now. Is it true?" Matt asked. Josh was busy with something, and I had a feeling it was for Keyla.
"Yeah. And we're planning to tell her parents about us." Josh replied with a smile. "How about you and Megs? Still friends, or is there something more?" He teased.
"Neither, bro. We're mortal enemies now." Matt answered, making Josh laugh.
"That's crazy. Did you mess with her again?"
"As always. That's our bond."
"Annoying her?"
Matt laughed. "That's how I express my love for her. That’s my love language. Seeing her turn red with anger makes me happy." He said with a grin.
"And based on my research, that's a technique." Josh agreed. "If you annoy a girl and then suddenly stop, they'll miss it. Right, bro?" He added, looking in my direction.
I shot him a dirty look, making him straighten up.
"Tash is mad at you." Josh stated.
"I didn't do anything."
"You did." Matt said, making me bite my lip. "You're probably being possessive again. Allright. Just a friendly reminder. Tash is an independent woman. She hates being told what to do. Even small gestures irritate her, bro." Matt added.
"She needs to get used to it." I said, downing a glass of liquor.
"It's not like that. You can't change a woman just because you want to."
"I just do what I think is good for her. What's wrong with that?" I retorted.
Matt scratched his head.
"She doesn't like it, bro. Look, she grew up being able to do things without anyone's guidance, without worrying about what others think. She can protect herself and deal with any misfortune on her own. Yeah, we have to respect that." Matt opined.
"And from what I know, she doesn't allow people into her life because she has a big trauma with a man." Josh revealed, surprising me.
I turned to them.
"Yeah. She has trauma from her dad. I don't know the whole story but since her mom died, she’s been tough on everyone because of what her dad did," Matt explained. My mind was filled with questions.
"What did her dad do?"
"I don't know, bro. All I know is that she probably feels suffocated by whatever you’re doing, which is why she didn't like it." Matt said directly. "You have to say sorry to her before it's too late." He added.
"Then how? How can I apologize if I don't know where she is?" I responded.
Since we returned from the province, I haven't seen her even though we live next door. I haven't bothered her because that's what she wanted.
"Go to her house. And bring something as a peace offering," Josh suggested.
Okay. Maybe they're right. I made a big mistake. I’m thinking about how to make it up to Tash. For a woman like her, saying sorry isn't enough. I think I have to do something more. But she might misinterpret it again.
Alright. I’ll just go to her house. I'll talk to her properly. And whatever happens, I'll accept it.
"I have to go." I told them.
"Me too." Matt said.
"Alright. See you tomorrow, guys. Bye." Josh said as we left his house and Josh had invited us to hang out at his place because he was bored and had nothing to do.
It had been three days since we returned from the province. It's Friday night and it's already 6:35, so I'm sure Tash is home from Oxford University. I stopped by Neo Flower Shop to buy flowers before heading to her house. Flowers seemed like a neutral gift that wouldn't make her overthink. I also planned to give her the bracelet I found at my house the other day. I think it belongs to her.
When I arrived at her house, I was greeted by a locked gate and a dark house. She hasn't come home yet? But it's almost 7 PM. So where did she go?
I felt a bad premonition, so I quickly called one of her friends, Megs.
Calling: Megan
"Hello. Who's this?"
"Um, this is Tristan."
"Oh! Hi, Tristan. Uh, why did you call?"
I took a deep breath. "I just want to ask if you are with Tash right now?"
"No. Uh, our exam ended early today and she said she would come home early."
"But she's not here. I'm outside her house right now. Uh, do you know a place she sometimes goes to?" I asked, feeling uneasy.
"Wait!" She paused to think. "Oh! The cemetery. Yeah, today is her mom's death anniversary. Sh*t! I forgot! I need to go there." Megs said, starting to panic.
"No. Just stay where you are. I'll go to Tash."
"Oh God! She needs us. Thank you! Please take care of her. Please." Megs pleaded.
"Okay. I will."
I ended the call and quickly got into my car. I felt a tightness in my chest and the heaviness in my heart told me that Tash might be in danger. I drove as fast as I could, hoping to find her safe.
The sky was gloomy, reflecting the heaviness of my emotions.
I quickly got out of the car when I arrived at the cemetery. I searched the entire place but couldn't find a trace of Tash. Hillside Cemetery was huge and now completely dark, making it hard to find her.
I walked through the cemetery until I saw a woman crying by a grave. Without hesitation, I approached feeling that it was Tash. As I got closer, I felt raindrops starting to fall from the sky. I could hear the sound of thunder, signaling the onset of a heavy downpour.
"Tash, let's go." I said.
I took her hand and she turned to face me, showing me her tearful eyes filled with fear.
"No!" She struggled and the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
"The rain is getting heavier, Tash. We need to leave—"
"No! I won't go with you!" Her voice cracked. "You’ll never get me to go with you, Dad!" She said with fear in her eyes. Dad? "You ruined my life. You might as well have killed me!" She sobbed again. "I hate you with all my heart. And don't ever show yourself to me again!" She pushed me away. "Just leave and don't come back! Please.. Let me live a normal life." she cried.
"Tash—"
"No!"
She probably ran away from where we were and a heavy rain greeted us as I tried to chase her. She sees her dad in me and I think that’s not good for her. From what I’ve witnessed, she has anxiety attacks because she sees her father and I don't know what might happen now that she’s lost control of her thoughts.
I kept my eyes on her, trying to catch up until we reached an empty highway. I tried to reach her but a blinding light from an oncoming car appeared in her direction. She didn’t seem to notice it as she paid no attention to her surroundings until the unexpected happened.
"PPPPPPPPP"
We both tumbled and I closed my eyes. It felt like a huge thorn was pulled from my chest when I felt Tash's body in my arms. I hugged her tightly, my heart pounding with fear and worry because of what had happened.
"Tashhh!"
She didn’t move and in the profound silence, I saw her unconscious face. At that moment, she lost consciousness due to the impact and the overwhelming anxiety that had taken over her.
Without hesitation, I gently carried her to my car. I quickly got her inside and carefully arranged her position. I placed a jacket over her shoulders to ease the cold that enveloped her body. Even now, I could still feel the worry from what had happened.
I stared at her unconscious face.
I won't let this happen again. I will make sure she is safe and I will do everything to protect her and ensure her safety at all times.
