PRESENT
The thought of those days never fail to bring a huge grin on my face. Oh those days! Even though the incident is almost 17 years old, it is still fresh in my mind. I used to be so immature then. It made me chuckle. I could still remember that Aaron had not called me even once when I was in California. The whole month I was angry over him, waiting for the school to reopen so that I could bash him. But when I returned to New York, he was the first one to inquire whether I landed safely or not. I could not stay mad at him for long. And I really regret that. He could easily persuade me.
My freshmen year had been like a dream for me. My best friends Madeline and Niall were seriously the world's best friends. And Aaron was the world's best boyfriend for me. Oops! Sorry not boyfriend. Love. World's best love. He never liked me addressing him as my boyfriend. Apparently, he felt that couple was 'too minuscule' a word to justify our relationship. Crazy as ever. But even these little things about him made me fall in love with him. Even more.
The sophomore year was a tough one though. We were growing up gradually and our maturity level increased too. We both were tired of fighting, tired of the squabbles. But none of us was ready to let go of each other.....
PAST (Towards the end of sophomore year)
I sat on the couch to watch TV but couldn't concentrate. I had been badly hurt when Aaron told me that when he proposed me he didn't actually love me. He just liked me. We would hardly go out together for dates because of one or the other reason and whenever we went, we fought like cats and dogs. Aaron never complimented me and instead, commented on the looks of other girls in front of me. I, on the other hand, released all my anger and frustration on him. It was for the first time that I realized Aaron and I were not 'made for each other'. Our thought processes totally differed from each other. And this led to the emergence of innumerable conflicts between us.
I was tired of the daily conflicts between Aaron and me. Christmas holidays were going on and Aaron hadn't contacted me since a week. Whenever I need him, he disappears. This year has been the worst year of my life. Aaron had forgotten my birthday, he hadn't wished me on our first anniversary of being together and......and he had changed! We hardly called or texted each other these days. It seemed as if everything was collapsing. We were breaking apart.
'Near.... Far... Wherever you are..I believe that the heart does go on.' My phone rang. I knew it was Aaron. I had assigned this special ringtone for him. My mom took the phone in order to receive it when I suddenly stopped her. "Lily, its Aaron calling. Let me pick it up."
"No mom don't receive it." I said.
"But why? Something wrong? Lily friends do fight. Don't make such a big issue of this." My mother said. I sensed danger as I knew that if I didn't pick his call she would give me a super-long, super-tedious lecture which I did not want to hear. So I took the phone from her and said,"Yes you are absolutely right mom. I will be back in a minute or two." And then I went to my room. It made me wonder why Aaron was constantly calling me after not being in touch with me for a whole week.
"Say." I said in an irate manner.
"How are you?" His voice was extremely husky with a tinge of emptiness. Pangs of remorse took hold upon me instantly. I was extremely happy because Aaron had finally called me but on the other hand, I felt bad for not taking the first initiative myself. Maybe he was in some problem that is why he couldn't talk to me. And it is not always possible for everyone to talk to their partners regularly. Maybe something is wrong.
"Are you okay Aaron? I asked him as I heard him cough on the other side.
"Yeah perfectly fine. Just caught cold." He said. "I missed you so much. I am really sorry I could not speak to you. Actually, my mom found out about us. And she isn't very happy about it. She had seized my phone and I got it back just today. Sorry I couldn't inform you."
"I missed you too Aaron. And you don't need to apologize. Its okay." I felt like an idiot for drawing up stupid conclusion without even knowing the truth.
"Listen Lia, I want to meet you now. I won't be able to spend the Christmas with you but at least we can spend the Christmas Eve together. Please don't say no."
"Now??? Aaron I want to meet you too but--
"Please Lia. I have something to tell you. Meet me at the Carlson Park. I will be waiting." He sounded really sad. What did he want to tell me? He had never sounded so desperate earlier. There must be something serious.
"Okay I will be there in 15 minutes. Happy?" I asked him.
"I love you Lia. Bye." And he hung up.
I opened the wardrobe to find something presentable to wear. Suddenly, a cream colored bodycon decorated with pearls caught my eye. I wanted to look good today and this was just perfect for me. So I hurried to washroom and changed into it. I secured my hair in a messy side swept bun, applied eyeliner and lip gloss and then quickly went down the stairs.
"Where are you going Lily?"
"Mom I will be back in an hour or two. Going out with a friend. Bye."
"Okay be back soon."
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I reached the park exactly 15 minutes after Aaron's call. The park was beautifully decorated with lights. I looked around the park and then found Aaron coming towards me. I was dazed. He looked marvelous in a navy blue fitted suit. For the first time I had seen Aaron dressed like this. Not that I didn't like him in his carefree-casual attire, but today he looked stunning.
"Done drooling over me?" He smirked.
"Oh just shut up!" I retorted.
"By the way didn't you get hurt?" He asked inquisitively.
"No why? I don't get you." I felt confused.
"Didn't you get hurt when you fell from heaven? You look like an angel today."
"That was cheesy Aaron." I giggled.
"Was it?" He blushed.
"But I loved it. And you don't look too bad yourself."
Biggest lie of the century! You look stunning.
"Hehe thanks. Come, let us sit there." He took my hand and started walking towards a wooden bench. The surroundings were so beautiful. I really loved the atmosphere. Lights were sparkling and the sky was ablaze with fireworks. After a long time, I felt good. Aaron and I sat down on the bench looked at each other hoping that one of us would say something.
"So Lia....You missed me a lot didn't you?"
"Not quite much but I am sure you missed me like hell."
"Quite obvious. You know I love you."
"What do you mean? That I don't love you?"
"Hey no! Not at all. Oh Lia!!!" He let out a sigh. I started laughing my head off.
"OMG Aaron look at your face! I was just kidding."
"Thank god."
"Tell me. You wanted to say something right?"
"Hmm yeah. Listen Lia, please don't react until I finish. I know I should have told you this when we got together but I just wanted to avoid this topic. Now that I truly love you, I want to share every part of my life with you."
"I promise I won't react before you complete. I am glad you are comfortable enough to share a part of your life with me." I squeezed his hand and smiled.
He took a deep breath and began, "You always wanted to know the reason behind my sudden mood swings, didn't you?"
"Hmm yeah."
"It is because of my parents."
"Elaborate?"
"Lia, my parents had died in an accident when I was 4 years old. The people whom I call mom-dad are actually my uncle and aunt. They are my foster parents. Technically, I am orphan."
I was left dumbstruck. Totally bereft of speech.
YOU ARE READING
Then Came You (Wattys2015)
Romance"Darkness had enveloped me, the silence was deafening. Then came you, and gave my life a new meaning." he said. "I had never felt so alive, never felt so much love. Then came you, like a gift from gods above." she replied. Adelia and Aaron felt tha...
