"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. All these years I had been cursing God because I thought he had done injustice only with me. All these days I kept on rebuking Aaron for behaving weird, I kept on chiding him because of his sudden mood swings. All these days I had been unknowingly rubbing salt into his wounds. All these days! How could I be so insensitive? How could God be so unfair? Just how!
I did not have the strength to utter a single word. I felt as if all my senses went numb. I just stared into the eyes of Aaron. I could see the reflection of a broken soul. His eyes welled up with tears.
"Ever since their death, my uncle and aunt have brought me up. They don't have any children and they say I am like their own child. However, I am not their own child. I feel frustrated." By now, tears had started flowing from my eyes. I squeezed his hand as a gesture of assurance.
"Lol it's not that they are like Cinderella's stepmother or something like that." He laughed although I knew it was a fake laugh just meant for making the atmosphere lighter. "But you know, I feel the void. I really feel it. Uncle is good. He is usually very busy and rarely spends time at home. But whenever he returns home he makes sure that he spends quality time with us. Aunt Stacy is not bad too. But she-" His voice was choked.
"Tell me Aaron. She?" I managed to say.
"Sometimes I just dislike her. She doesn't let me watch television or stay at a friend's place. Moreover she does not behave like a mother should. It is because of her that I feel like an orphan. Even though they fulfill my every possible need." He smiled. "You must be wondering why I hadn't told you about this earlier or why I am telling this to you now. I seriously do not know the reason. But I could not bear the frustration alone. You are the only person in my life who knows this now. You have become an integral part of my life now. That is why I wanted to share this with you. I am sorry for dragging you-
Not being able to control myself anymore, I pulled him into a tight hug. Aaron wrapped his arms around me and embraced me even tighter. It was for the first time that I embraced Aaron. I felt warmth and comfort in his arms. There was so much silence that I could hear the creaking of the crickets. Though Aaron was reluctant, I slowly pulled away from the hug.
I placed my palm on his cheek and said,"Trust God. I cannot say everything will be alright but I can assure you that there is a better life waiting for you ahead."
"I feel like a loser." Aaron sighed."I don't believe in your GOD. He is the epitome of injustice. He took away my parents. He broke your family. Thousands of homeless people roam the streets. People don't get food to eat! Why should we pray to him when he makes us suffer for no fault of ours?" he looked visibly angry.
"Firstly you are not a loser Aaron. Secondly, I don't have anything to say about this. You have a different point of view and I totally respect that. I have many reasons to be grateful to God. You are one of those reasons." I said. Aaron gazed at me for a while. His eyes had turned red. For the first time I had seen him so hurt and serious. He was completely broken.
Suddenly, he pulled me close to him and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. Aaron and I had never been so close to each other. I noticed how soft his eyes had gone. "I have lost everything Adelia. Everything. My parents. My reputation. My hope. People underestimate me because I am easy-going and do not possess the typical bad boy attitude. They think I play with girls. They call me stupid. I have tolerated every bloody thing. I am ready to give up everything but not you. Maybe it is too early to say this but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I just can't afford to lose you." His eyes welled up.
"I will remain by your side forever and beyond eternity. I promise. No power on earth can separate us." I assured him.
"Clap clap. So you will marry me right?" Aaron asked me eagerly.
"Yes I will. Only if you ask me to." I giggled.
"Yippee! I am on cloud nine." he said and started jumping enthusiastically. "So I will be calling you wifey from now onwards."
"OMG Mr. Smith stop behaving like a 10 year old! Relax okay." I said laughingly.
"Shut up stupid wifey. Let me bask in glory!"
"Dare you call me stupid. I have a renowned brain. People die to have brain like me and you just called me stupid! Remember, you fell for me because of my intelligence." I said triumphantly.
"Yeah yeah okay!" he said.
"If thou must love me, let it be for nought. Except for love's sake only. Love me for love's sake, that evermore, thou mayst love on, through love's eternity. "
"Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Sonnet 14. You copy cat." said Aaron.
"I didn't know you are so much into literature."
"Neither me. Listen, its getting late. Let us leave. Your mother must be worrying about you."
"But I wanna stay with you." I said making a puppy face. Aaron grinned and pulled my cheeks.
"So do I wifey. But we have to go home. I promise to text you after we reach our homes. Now let me first drop you home."
"No it's okay I can go by myself. Don't bother."
"Did I even ask you? No. It is my responsibility to drop you. No arguments please."
"Okay okay." I raised my hands up in surrender.
And we left the park...Together again.....This time our bond being stronger than ever before.
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PRESENT
Though every single memory of Aaron was etched in my mind, this was a special one. The unforgettable Christmas Eve. If my trust for him was 99% before, it became 100% on that day. The later half of the sophomore year had been brilliant. Not only because the bond between us had strengthened but also because my results had been soaring to great heights. Everyone had appreciated my efforts and I couldn't have been happier. I remember how happy I was in the beginning of my junior year due to my rising popularity. My paintings had been admired by all too.
The beginning of the junior year had been one of the times for me. Aaron was at his sweetest behavior, my studies were going pretty awesome and moreover I was having fun with mom too. I was happy. After a long time. I had changed totally, my friends said. I had evolved as a person. The tinge of selfishness in me had started fading away. Aaron had taught me the 'art of giving'. We used to donate our old belongings to the orphanages every month. It was the best phase of my life, I thought.
Little did I know that a disaster was waiting to happen and my world was about to come down.
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...
