Missed Call

XIV. Define Ugly

[ A I R ]

I'm in a bench, waiting for Dom to pick me up. Feeling so drained from Finals, I'm lying on my side with my handouts on my face blocking the sun out. I'm going to meet his parents today, 2nd attempt. I hope my haggard version won't turn them off, maybe we should postpone?

Someone sat beside the bench I'm lying in. I felt the person blow my handouts out of my face. I let out a chuckle still with closed eyes, knowing it's Dom from the smell of his favorite watermelon gum.

"Aireen Steinberg." My eyes immediately flew open when I recognize the voice not in front of me but behind. And sht, Cain's face was a few inches away.

I swallow a few times before facing the person behind me, Dom. Unlike his usual teasing mood around me, it was back when we first met - stoic and cold.

My handouts scatter as I quickly run after him. Grabbing his hand to stop him but as if I'm a hot rod, he moved so fast away from me. He looks at me, disappointed and hurt. I want to speak but somehow my tongue got stuck, my words ran out.

"I'm sorry for forcing you into a relationship when you already have someone you like." Cringing from the monotone statement of Dom, again, I attempt to clear the misunderstanding but he already slammed his door close.

I'm in front of their house but according to the maid, they were all out for dinner. I'm supposed to meet his parents at that dinner. We could've been official both sides by now. I called him again and again but he keeps rejecting my calls until he just probably shut it off.

Hopeless that he'll give me a chance to explain, I scream cuss words directed at me. Cain pulled me into a hug, he insisted to drive me here to help me explain. "I'm sorry, Air. I never thought Dom would see it like that."

Pushing him away, I said, "No. I assumed you were Dom. Thank you for personally delivering the books I borrowed and for driving me here."

The next day, I'm in front of their university gate. Waiting for his car to pass but sadly, no sign of him. It has been 5 hours already.

Fetching myself a drink from the vending machine, I realize that we're really over. Just like that. Bullsht, why would I keep on chasing someone who can't even trust me? He won't even give me a chance to talk. He's been always a God, doing whatever he wants. Dragging me to this relationship and easily throwing me out like that.

I repeatedly kick the vending machine, hoping by some miracle that Dom might come out because of my commotion, "You're a moron, Dom! After I gave you a superman boxer you go disappearing like that!"

I'm aware of the eyes staring but I no longer care. I started to bawl out crying like a kid in the middle of their hallway. And my sensitive nose detecting the same scent as his university hoodie when I was sick is not helping. "You moron in a black shirt! Change your cologne. It smells like poo!" Ranting like a kid, I threw the bottle towards the clueless stranger before running out of the parameter.

It's been a month. No single text, call, or visit from Dom. His Facebook and IG is left the same, our pictures are still there. And his bio is still "Property of Dorky Otaku". I tried to contact Dion but she's not answering as well, I guess his whole family hates me now.

So, I immersed myself studying and taking extra jobs to keep me occupied. Knocking thrice on Cain's door, I never did blame him for anything. It's my fault for assuming that Dom is the only one that likes watermelon gum, that I'm too one of the boys that Cain didn't assume that a gesture like that will turn out like this.

When he opened the door, I immediately speak my purpose, "Hey! I'm here to return-" I stopped, staring intently at his naked upper half. Finally dawning to him, he slip on his shirt then tries to reach for the books even without offering me to go in.

I step back, out of his reach. "Where are the stitches from your car crash, Cain?" Panic evident in his eyes. He's about to blurt out an excuse but a voice inside interrupted him, "Baby, is that the pizza?"

My brow shoots up while Dion reflects the same panic from Cain. I gave them a bored look, until Cain sighs finally reading what I want - explanation.

Dion walks towards me and Cain, "We set it up." she said almost inaudible. Not rushing them to spit it all out, I just stand there watching Dion clutch her boyfriend's arm.

"The story was a lie. My mom is alive and my parents have a nice relationship. The story behind that picture-" Cain was cut by Dion, she's crying.

She launched towards me, hugging me, "I'm sorry. I did that because he's making you a rebound. And I'm worried you won't handle his extremities. You're too precious to be exposed to that kind of ugly." Putting 1 and 1 together, I get that it was Dom in the picture and not Cain. It was Dom that engaged suicide and not Cain.

Feeling venom in my mouth, I pushed her away, "Ugly? The only ugly I'm exposed to is a friendship with a shallow-minded liar."