My Unfolding Story

23. Only you

Lexi's POV

It was a Friday evening. I was back from work. Andrew was yet to come. I changed into something comfortable and I stood near the window of Andrew's room. The sky was slowly changing its colour and the atmosphere was turning cool and dark. My eyes slowly traced the beautiful sky and slowly landed on the children playing in the apartment park. They were enjoying the evening as it's weekend the next day. I miss my weekends these days. I miss my parents. I never tried talking to them. Even though Andrew's mom advised me to do so, I didn't. I was feeling guilty for hurting their feelings. I didn't have the courage to meet them and apologize so I procrastinated it.

I sighed as I remembered those beautiful evenings with my parents. Tears slowly filled my eyes and I bit my lips trying to stop them but I failed. I didn't even notice Andrew was already home and he was standing behind me. I turned around as I was wiping my tears and I got startled to see him standing there. I acted normal as I said, "you're back. When did you come?"

He was silent but I could understand from his expression that he was worried about me. "Lemme make you a cup of coffee", I said as I tried to be normal and walked out of his room. I made two cups of coffee for both of us and I kept them in a tray. I walked to the hall and kept it on the tea table. I sat on the couch and he came and joined me. I searched for the remote as I knew that he would watch the soccer match. As I got up and removed the pillows on the couch to search for it, he held my hand suddenly which made me look at him. "Are you okay?", he said. I couldn't lie to him so I stood there with my gaze fixed on him. He slowly pulled me and made me sit on the couch making me face him. "Tell me...are you okay?"

I was taken aback as I didn't expect him to do that. "I.....I miss my", I started but the door bell sound made us both turn our gaze towards the door. "Lemme see",said Andrew and walked towards the door. "Is Lexi around?", said Ryan who was now waiting outside to meet me. "Yeah I am", I said as I walked and stood behind Andrew before he answered Ryan. "Did you forgot? You've promised to help me with the project", he said which made me remember the same. I placed my hand on my temple as I massaged it and said, "I'm sorry! I forgot. Lemme help you now".

Andrew's POV

"What?!!!", I said in my mind as Lexi agreed to help Ryan. "She is going to help him! Stop her Andrew...stop her", my heart said to me. "You can work from here", I said as Lexi was about to leave which made her look at me. "I don't want to disturb you Andrew", said Ryan. "It's okay. You can work from my home", I said convincing him. "If it's okay for Andrew, we can do it from here Ryan. Go and get your things", Lexi said looking at me. He came back carrying a laptop and a whole set of books for reference. They sat on the couch and started working. I sat before the TV but I was side-eyeing them the whole time.

I was getting restless as the time passed and I kept on rotating the remote in my hand. The match didn't seem to be interesting anymore. I wasn't even watching the TV and I kept on stealing glances at them but I was glad that they didn't notice me.

"Thanks for the coffee Lexi", he said as he sipped it. Lexi couldn't tell anything as he already drank it. I clenched my teeth as he kept on sipping it and opened his laptop to work. Lexi's mood was off the whole time. It was when Ryan said, "something is off with you Lex. What's bothering you? Tell me", I thought I would lose my mind. "He called her 'Lex', huh!!??? When did they got so close that he calls her like that? Lexi! Please don't...". She first denied it by saying she was okay but when he insisted, she remained silent for a minute and said, "I miss my parents". I clenched my fist as I couldn't hold it inside anymore but I couldn't do anything. I stood up and rushed to my room. I walked back and forth thinking how she could tell 'him'. I couldn't believe that I was so upset and angry. I wanted to ignore that feeling. "Why are you so bothered Andrew? You always act like she means nothing to you. Why are you getting upset over the fact that she is sharing her emotions to someone else and not you? You don't want to fall in love..then why are you angry....are you jealous?"

"No! No! No!", I said as my mind got clouded with these thoughts. "I'm not jealous. I don't love....", I can't complete the sentence because I knew that I was lying. I slowly sat on the edge of the bed with my hands clasped together staring at the floor. I stood up and slowly came back to the hall. By then, Lexi had already shared where her parents live and they were both talking about their families. Then I heard Ryan consoling Lexi by saying that she could visit them anytime and why did she have to worry about that unaware of Lexi's situation.

"This is why you are worried Lexi. Don't worry. Everything will be alright", I said to myself imagining I was saying that to her. As soon as he left, Lexi went and closed the door. As soon as she turned, I locked her by placing my right hand on the door. She got startled and looked at me. She said, "What are you doing Andrew?" and tried to move but I locked her again by placing the other hand.

Lexi's POV

I stood there confused as to why Andrew was behaving like that. My heart beat could be heard in my ears. I wouldn't be surprised if Andrew heard it too. He said, "if something hurts you, you should share it with me and no body else...only me! You understand?" He waited for my reply and I nodded in slow motion. I didn't know how long we stood there like that but neither of us didn't want to move away from each other.