A Twist In Time

Chapter 14

Ice creams were our favorites. Leighton ordered vanilla for him, and I ordered chocolate for me. We walked along the park as we had done before. The view was still the same, but the way I felt for Leighton as a friend leveled-up. He was there through my ups and downs. He was prepared to catch me even if I fall several times. I could surely depend on him and he could depend on me too, despite our nine-year gap.

He finished his ice cream and then spoke. “What are you planning to do now? The ring is out of your hand, yet you still don’t know who did this to you.” he said.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. The real culprit will come out.” I said.

 He became silent and looked at a direction far from where we were. I followed his eyes and saw a scene that really burned and turned my heart into ashes.

Sean was proposing to Chloe.

He knelt in front of her, showing the 24-carat diamond ring with bits of rubies around it. Chloe just stared at him in shock. People just stared at us like crazy, with their jaws hanging open.

“Will you marry me?” he said.

Please, say no.

But all of my hopes dashed when she gave out her answer.

“Yes.” she said.

That broke not just my heart but my whole being. Sean had left me for her. I felt weak to my knees and the tears were stinging in the corners of my eyes.

He slid the ring in her finger and they kissed. The tears were threatening to flow, but I fought all inevitable odds just to keep myself sane. They were happy. I was in pain. Terrible pain.

I finally burst into tears. I ran away without any other word coming out of my mouth.

“Carmel wait!” Leighton shouted as he followed me. I was far away from him. He was able to catch me. He held my arms tightly and engulfed me in a hug.

I cried and cried. The pain I felt was unfathomable. “Let’s go to the beach. I know you want to pour out all your emotions there.” He said while rubbing my back. It was comforting, yet I felt so weak all over.

It was mid-afternoon. I was tired of crying while he just looked at the sea. We had been here for a couple of times. I was too tired to speak.

“How are you?” he managed to ask, breaking the silence between us.

“I’m hurt. I wanna die.” I said dejectedly.

He put a hand on my shoulder. Then I started crying again.

“Why do these things happen to me, Leighton? I’m not hurting anybody. I was just framed-up twice. Tell me, am I a cruel person?” I looked up at him when I asked the question.

“No.” he shook my head. “You’re the kindest girl I ever met. How would anyone do something bad at you?” he added just to ease the pain I felt.

I hugged him and cried on his chest. His shirt was wet because of my tears.

We just laughed after talking about me. It’s in those moments that I could escape the hell I’m currently in. I felt better now. All the hurt was gone. I knew I had to prepare myself with the hurt that was about to come.

He dropped me by the house. I thanked him for it. I went inside the house and propped the main door open. Angela met me by the living room, handed me a letter written in a special type of paper.

I took it and Angela spoke. “That’s for you, Carmel.” she said.

I gave her a confused look and sat on the couch to read the mysterious letter.