[Love Hits Hard Volume 2] Deception or Truth?

Ch12 - I love you , Noah

I don't want to die but I don't want to live like this.
People whom I once loved are now turning out to be my enemies. In search of Justice , I lost my everything. Am I to be blamed? Was I wrong? Are they hurting me because I deserved it?

Here I am , sitting in court , questioning myself while the culprits are going through the hearing. But then I recall my mother's words , " Believe in yourself when you are on your own."

The judge's voice echoes : "In the murder case of Noah Maxton , this court finds Ms. Cindy Brown , Mr. Alan Jones , Ms. Daphne Warner, Mrs. Mary Maxton and Mr. Joshua Brooks as guilty."

Yes , you heard correct 'Joshua Brooks' , the boy who once loved me. That familiar caller turned out to be him.
And again you can blame me for Noah's death because his involvement in the murder is driven by his obsession with me.
Alan was found from a warehouse of Manhattan , yesterday. According to him , the only reason he hated Noah and murdered him was that Noah was going to become the owner of one of the biggest companies after his father , even if he didn't deserved it and on the other hand Alan was still going to be lower than him.

The verdict is being delivered : "Ms. Cindy Brown and Mr. Alan Jones are sentenced to life imprisonment without parole possibility till 25 years  for the murder of Mr. Noah Maxton as well as Ms. Anna. Ms. Daphne Warner and Mr. Joshua Brooks receive 10 years  imprisonment and a  $100,000 fine  for aiding in the murder.  Mrs. Mary Maxton is sentenced to 20 years  imprisonment  for her role in the murder and bribing police officers. The court is adjourned."

At the end its always truth who wins.

Ari approaches me sobbing ,"I am sorry for everything that Alan did."

"Its not your fault, Ari. He is the one who should be guilty and I am grateful  you didn't turn like them. I used to think that all I want is Justice. But now I question myself that is it really what I wanted? "

"Emy, Noah would be so proud of you. You did what was right. True friends are like stars, you only recognise them when it's dark around you. And now you know who were the darkness of your life."

"But was it necessary to see the darkness? Was seeking Justice worth the cost? Is it healing me or breaking me further?"

"Maybe , you could have fooled yourself by not knowing that you were in darkness but remember if you close your eyes and pretend that you are fine it won't happen in reality. And yes , it was necessary to go through the darkness , after all there was hope waiting for you in it , the hope for Justice ." 

I visit Noah's grave , bouquet in hand , seeking for forgiveness.

"Hey. I hope you are resting in peace . Look at those stars , see how beautiful they are , just like you.  I never thought that people we loved will..will be our enemies. I don't know that how much pain you might have gone through when they attacked on you but I  just want to let you know that at that time I wasn't there and I am sorry but now I am here with you and I will always be. I don't know why I am saying these things on a grave but I just .. love you Noah. I love you so much."

"He must be a  nice guy," a man in a Black coat and  hat , sitting in a wheelchair said.

"Yes , he was", I reply ,still confuse about who he is.

"By the way , I am Nicholas Flynn," he introduces himself.

"Do I know you?"

" A kind of. Five years ago , I was appointed to investigate Noah's murder case."

"But.... I remember that the case was handled by Mr. Ethan Ryder. He was the one who declared the conclusion and closed the case and was the head of the department at that time."

"Yes , you are right. But before that , Mr. Haward Maxton had reported the case to me and so it was my duty to investigate the case but then I came to know about truth and when I informed about it to my head Mr. Ethan Ryder , he asked me to ignore everything and close the case."

"So , did you closed the case?"

"No , I decided to tell the truth to Mr. Haward but on my way to his house I got into an accident and lost my legs. "

"An accident?"

"At least that's what I thought till I got the threaten to stay away from that case and resign. I have a family and I couldn't risk their lives."

"I understand."

"I thought that there is no one who cares about him because everyone was behind his death and so I didn't told anyone about it but then I came to know about you."

"Were you that anonymous sender?"

"I did what I could. He was lucky to have you , kid."

"I don't think so. He died because of me , I consider myself unlucky."

"I can understand what you are going through but remember life is like a book. Some chapters are sad , some happy and some exciting. But if you never turn the page you will never know what the next chapter holds. You were always right and its time for you to move on. Your today decides your tomorrow and I know that you have a lot to do in your life so good luck , kid," with that he left.

I sit there for hours , lost in my thoughts.

"Wake up," a soothing voice whispers.

I open my eyes to an unbelievable sight , " Noah?"

"Hey beautiful."

Tears are rolling down my cheeks.

"Noah , where were you!? I missed you so much. Do you know what happened? Do you know they weren't real friends, they betrayed us."

"Hush , its ok. Relax."

"How can I relax? I am on my own , broken hearted. I am trying to pick all the shattered pieces of my trust and love that I used to have for those murderers. I can never be the same."

"Who said you are on your own? I will always remain here with you."

"I know you aren't real. Hurt me with a truth but don't comfort me with a lie. Don't give me the hope to wait for you."

I'm bursting into tears, my sobs echoing through the air.

"Whenever you miss me , just close your eyes and you will see me standing in front of you. I will never let you be alone. Just keep moving forward in your life and I will be there in your struggles and success of life."

"I'm left with just a whisper of what we had , a fleeting shadow of love. I miss you. I love you Noah. I love you so much. I am sorry that I wasn't there when you needed me. I am sorry."

Tears are flooding my face.

" Do not blame yourself. This should be your last teardrop for me , promise me."

"I promise," I say , smiling softly.

"You look so pretty when you smile. Love you , Emy."

As I wake up from my dream , I find myself alone at the grave , my cheeks still wet from the tears. But as I promised , this will be my last teardrop.

With his Justice , I have completed my college and become a graduate.
I have said farewell to everyone and returned  to San Francisco , moving forward in my life just as he wanted.

Every night , I close my eyes and find him standing before me asking me to sleep well.

"Love you , Noah."