The Man in My Dreams

CHAPTER 15: Fragments Of A Shattered Prom

Chapter Fifteen: Fragments Of A Shattered Prom

YORRIS

After Luke and I had our conversation in the garden, we decided to return to the venue. Luke advised me that if I truly loved Van, I should fight for him. I needed to do something to win him over. At that moment, I realized he was right. I should fight for Van. I wouldn't let him just go to Gia.

I just hoped Van hadn't gone home yet because I wanted to talk to him. I knew I had made a mistake earlier. I would find him, talk to him, and make amends for my mistakes.

I was grateful that Luke understood me. Even though he was hurting, he chose to support my feelings. I was glad he didn't put himself first. In the two months we've known each other, I could sense his feelings for me. I wasn't oblivious to it. Even if he didn't admit it, I knew he was hurt when he saw Van and me together earlier. I knew he was in pain when he saw us kissing. I was glad to have a friend who wasn't selfish.

Luke and I walked back through the corridor into the venue. The party wasn't over yet; the prom was still going on, with performances still happening.

As we reached the venue, my eyes scanned the room, searching for Van, but I couldn't spot him. I told Luke I would find Van on my own, but he insisted on coming with me.

While walking, I continued to look around. We almost reached the counter where the bartenders were performing tricks with drinks, but I still couldn't find Van. There were a few Tellurians at the counter drinking. I kept walking toward the counter and sighed with relief when I finally saw Van drinking at the side. I thought he had gone home. Smiling, I continued walking, but my smile quickly faded when I realized Van wasn't alone. He was with Gia. Why were they together?

I walked quickly towards them but stopped in my tracks when I saw Gia and Van's lips meet. My eyes immediately filled with tears. Tears streamed down my face as I watched him respond to Gia's kiss. It hurt so much, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from them. My tears flowed continuously down my cheeks.

"Bal, let's go." I heard Luke say. I knew he saw what I saw and was worried about me. But I couldn't respond or even move from where I stood. Van pulled away from Gia, maybe because he heard Luke's voice. But my tears didn't stop. Seeing the person you love enjoying a moment with someone else. Why was I being punished like this? Why were the people I trusted and loved causing me pain?

I looked towards Van. When he saw me, his face initially lit up but then quickly changed to one of deep concern, probably because he saw my tears or realized I saw their intimacy. My tears continued to flow. I looked down at Van's hand still holding Gia's waist. He pushed Gia away and stood up quickly.

"B-Baby, let me explain-"

I didn't let him finish. I turned away and walked off. How could Van hurt me like this?

"B-Bab-"

He called out to me again, but his words were cut off as he stumbled. Even without looking, I knew Luke had punched him because I heard the impact clearly. One punch wasn't enough, Van. It doesn't compare to the pain I'm feeling right now. It doesn't compare to the hurt you caused me. My tears kept flowing.

"Stupid bastard." Luke shouted at Van.

I continued walking, indifferent to the curious stares from others. I heard their whispers but ignored them. I felt Luke following me, but I didn't turn around.

"Bal," Luke called as he ran to catch up with me. I didn't look back.

"Bal, I'll send you home." He said with concern as he walked beside me. I thanked God for Luke's presence.

I headed straight to the parking lot where Luke's car was parked. I wiped my tears as he opened the door for me. Just as I was about to get in, someone grabbed my wrist.

"Baby, let me explain." I quickly pulled my hand away and faced him. My tears flowed freely as I confronted him. His hair was disheveled, his tie askew, and his lip was bleeding.

"Baby, please listen to me. You got it wrong-"

I cut him off.
"You don't need to explain. What I saw explains everything."

"No. It's a misunderstanding. I was drunk, baby. I was drunk when Gia kissed me-"

"So now you're not?" I interrupted again. Drunk? What a stupid excuse. He tried to reach for me, but I backed away. He tried again, but there was no more space to retreat as I was against Luke's car.

"Baby, please listen to me. It was a mistake. I was shocked by what she did. Please, listen to me. I was drunk. It was a big mistake." My ears rang. A big mistake? Was he kidding? He thought kissing her back was a mistake? I laughed bitterly.

"Really, Van? Do you think kissing her back was really a mistake?" I saw his shock. Is that what happens when you're drunk? You don't remember your actions?

"No, baby, it was wrong. I'm so sorry." He said, reaching for my face.

"Let go of me, Van. What's wrong with you?"

"No. I won't let you go. Listen-"

He was cut off by Luke.

"Did you hear what she said? Let her go," Luke threatened. But Van didn't release me; he tightened his grip. It hurt.

"No. Can't you see? We're still talking." Van said angrily, making Luke's jaw tighten. Van's grip on me only tightened, and the pain was intense.

"Van, let me go. You're hurting me." I cried out.

"Damn. You're hurting Zarianna, let her go." Luke yelled, grabbing me.

"No-" Van didn't finish his sentence as Luke suddenly punched him. Van released me. For the second time, Luke punched him, and the sight pained me, but my sympathy vanished as I remembered what they had done earlier.

"Bal, get in the car." Luke ordered authoritatively. I didn't respond, just got into his car. He quickly got in and drove off. My tears continued to fall. I saw in the rearview mirror that Van had stood up when he saw the car drive away.

"Zarianna, baby, come out first. Listen to me, baby. Let me explain." Van yelled, banging on the window. He was crying. This was the first time I had seen him cry. It hurt so much to see someone you love in tears. But he had emotionally hurt me. Luke sped up, and Van couldn't keep up. He continued to run and call out to me.

"B-Baby!" He screamed as he ran fast.

"Zarianna!" He shouted. It was painful to see him suffering, but I am hurting too. I saw him stop running and kneel. Someone approached him. Gia had the audacity to comfort him again. Gia tried to console Van, but he rejected her. Good for her.

By the time we reached home, my tears had not ceased. I was hurt by what Van and Gia did, and I was also pained by Luke hitting Van, but the worst was seeing Van cry. I got out of the car without a word, and so did Luke.

"Bal, I can stay if yo-"

"I want to be alone," I interrupted, walking straight into the gate. I heard Luke sigh but continued walking. I heard him drive away. Before entering the house, I composed myself. I wiped away the tears and continued walking.

Daddy and my brother weren't home when I entered. They were probably asleep. I went straight to my room.

This was the saddest prom I had ever attended. I quickly took off my gown and went to the bathroom. I removed the rest of my clothes and sank into the bathtub. My eyes welled up again as the events of earlier replayed in my mind. I sighed to calm myself and closed my eyes. Enough, Zarianna. Enough. Don't cry for them anymore.

I couldn't keep my eyes open as sleep overtook me.

-Anniarian