After 'us'

Prologue

Nikki felt it coming, either she was indenial or she was just waiting until it actually happens. For she didn't knew how she'd react.

It did happened. And it crashed her in all kinds of way she could remember.

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The car was running on a speed Nikki never wanted. She could complain but she remained silent thoughout the whole ride. Good thing she always have her seatbelts on or she might have flew out thru the windowshield as they stopped right in front of her house.

"We're here", her boyfriend Ivan said without looking at her.

"Are you coming in?", she asked trying to lighten the mood.

"No, you said you're tired so you might as well get some rest", he said in a monotone, eyes still on the road ahead.

"Babe...", Nikki called acknowledging his upset reaction.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened trying to control his breathing but failed miserably.

"What the fuck was that?!! Is that your definition of enjoying a party?!!" he asked through gritted teeth.

"S-sorry babe, I was just tired", she answered trying to remained calm while holding her tears from falling.

"And you wasn't even forced to come in the first place! I asked you a hundred time but you insisted! And you barely talked to the people back there no matter how many of them reached out! For Pete's sake Nikki, they don't have a disease so stop acting like you might be infected or what! Those were my friends! How many times do I need to tell you?", he continued, not being able to hold his temper.

Although she felt it coming, she was still shocked by the reaction. She tried opening her mouth but no words had come out to defend herself.

"We've argued about this several times, and it always ended up with me adjusting. I am not complaining, no. It's my choice. But my God Nikki, you could have tried too."

She turned her head and bit her lower lip to prevent the tears from falling, but they were too stubborn.

"You know I have never asked you to change. I love you for who you are, babe but really, we were not the only ones here. Stop acting as if the world is just about you and me."

"I know.. It was just my way of loving you, babe.. I never wanted you to feel any lesser..", she explained in between sob.

"I know..", his voice calmed, but Nikki felt more anxious of what he would say next. "..but, we can't stay this way."

"A-are you..?", she asked but couldn't finish. ".. no way, babe! We could work this out. I-I'd reach out, I promise. I was just really tired. I'll try harder this time. I mean, I'll change.. Just please don't...", panic and fear was evident in her voice but Ivan shook his head in disagreement.

"I've already said I didn't want you to change. I think maybe, you just needed to grow without me by your side. It's as if this relationship is holding you back, which it should not." he said as if choosing the right words.

Nikki knew he still tried to be a gentleman even up to the last minute. But a break-up is a break-up. It would always made either one or both hearts shred into pieces.

She wanted to plead more but she saw the decision was firmed when he looked directly to her eyes. How could she have lost in a battle where she did her best and gave everything to put up a fight.

With that, she did not have to say a final word and just get out of the car. Her clothes soaked from both the rain and her tears as she made her way thru their yard which seemed to be a long way that night. She went straight to her bedroom and cried the remaining tears she was holding the whole time.