VALERIE

Chapter 28: Autumn Feels

Copyright © @zylgnagnaba 2013

 

Valerie’s POV

Dark skies, shorter days, heavy rains—I suddenly loved autumn. It somehow represents the blustery emotions I have held up inside me for the past weeks. I feel like this season empathizes with me. But just like the season, I think what I feel inside would go on for a while until it eventually change into another form—whether it be a warmer or colder one. I just really hope the sequence of my emotions doesn’t follow the season. Or else, I’d know I’ll be a cold and indifferent person soon. It couldn’t be farther from the truth though.

Harry has been giving me the cold shoulder since our last confrontation. There’s nothing I can do but yield to the way he treats me. He doesn’t talk to me when we’re home, much too different whenever we’re out in public. Most of the time, I’d cry in front of my food in the dining room when he always preferred to eat alone in the lounge. His back is always facing me whenever we’re in bed. He doesn’t hug or kiss me anymore whenever we’re alone. It’s not that I’d expect that, but… everything’s just different now. I can’t believe that my consecutive mishaps would create an apathetic human being out of thoughtful, caring, and fun-to-be-with Harry.

I couldn’t even compare these with the way he treated me when we’re starting out. At least then, I don’t feel invisible.

I find myself being entertained with the minute droplets on the glass wall of the cafe, guessing as to which of them would slide to the bottom of the glass first. I smile to myself when the droplet that I was rooting for wins. I think I’m crazy.

With the ring of my phone, I am dragged out of my child-like thoughts. I flip through my purse immediately to search for the gadget, wondering who must be calling. A little smile blooms on my face when I see Harry’s icon appears on my screen, but I immediately withhold it as I press the green button.

“Where are you?” He goes directly as soon as I put the phone against my ear.

“At a café near the agency. Why?” My voice is soft and submissive.

“Okay.” He clips and hung up just like that. I frown as I examine my phone. What was that about, he just called to ask where I am?

Moments later, I sit up straight from being slumped in my seat when I see a familiar black vehicle pulling up in front of the cafe. With the recognition of a tall and lean male opening a yellow umbrella as he climbs off the car, I quickly bolt out of my seat and jog towards the door with my purse.

I excitedly step outside, clearly not myself for defying the rain that’s beginning to soak my hair and jacket already.

“What’s wrong with you?” Harry yells over the boisterous rain so I could hear him. He runs towards me and shield me under the umbrella. “You could wait inside the café.” He tells me in a bossy manner but I don’t mind. He clasps his arm around my frail shoulders and guides me to the front seat of his car.

I would like to think that this sweet gesture is something that would come naturally from him, but I know this is just an act since we are in a public place—though not a lot of people dare to go out on this dreadful weather.

I climb in the car just as quickly as I opened its door. Harry runs around to get on his seat, closing the umbrella as soon as he gets in. I instinctively sway my damp hair out of my face, tucking them behind my hair at the same time that Harry put the wet umbrella at the back. He grabs a box of tissue from the dashboard and pulls out seven—I counted—strips of tissue, leaning towards me and wipe my face with it.