Love In Memory's Wake

Chapter 28

"So you avoided me because I asked you to kiss me when I was drunk?" She asked him.

Noah shook his head with his eyes fixated on her.

"Then why?"

She was starting to get confused. Hana thought it was because he might have felt awkward or mad. That he found her actions inappropriate and disgusting.

"I just needed time."

"To do what?"

"Think."

"of?"

Noah laughed and reached for her to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Why do you have so many questions?"

"Because you give so few answers."

His smile stayed, as if finding the conversation amusing. "Do I now?"

She nodded. "So what did you have to think of that you needed to be away from me?"

He swallowed before laying on his back, looking at the ceiling.

She was starting to get impatient waiting for him to speak so she propped herself up to have a proper look at him. She held his shoulder and started shaking him. "Hey. Answer me—"

"I like you."

Her heart almost stopped upon hearing his words. She quickly sat up and looked away to hide when she felt her cheeks flush and her heart beat faster. She doesn't know if he was kidding or not but her reaction is not something she would want to discuss about.

He was silent for a while. Thinking about what to do or say to her. To make things right after ruining everything. He sat up and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that," he said before laughing awkwardly. "I was just kidding, Hana—"

Hana did not respond. Her mind was going crazy just like her heart. She couldn't think well but felt a pang of pain when he apologized. When he took back what he said as if she'd believe that. She saw his face when he said it and she knows he's not the thpe to joke about that.

"Why are you apologizing?" She asked him.

"Huh?"

"Are you ashamed of liking me? Did you seriously think you can just take that back and say it's a joke?"

Noah shook his head, "No... It's not that I'm ashamed..." He answered immediately. "It's just what I said was so stupid and fucked up. I shouldn't have—'

"I was confused." She interrupted him. Her index finger scratching her thumb. Something she would often do if nervous. "I have girl friends but when things go wrong... You're the first person I run to."

Noah stared at her. Listening carefully to what she has to say. His heart was beating too fast that he's starting to have a hard time breathing properly but he stayed still. He listened to her.

"I feel comfortable around you and I never have to pretend because you know the real me and you accept me... You never looked at me with pity even after knowing the truth. Instead, you even helped."

Hana's tears started to fall on her cheeks as she remembered everything that Noah had done for her. He might not have much in terms of wealth but he's overdlowing to give with everything else he got.

"You were always by my side whenever I needed you and... and you always protected me..." She wiped her tears but it still kept falling. "Even after knowing how messy and fake my life is... You still found it in your heart to like me..." By the time she finished speaking, she was sobbing.

He moved closer and wiped the tears from her cheeks. His touch caring and gentle. As if he's holding an expensive fragile antique. "Don't cry, Angel..."