Lovesick the Series : The Declaration

7 - Forgiveness

Noh played with his game console to erase that annoying voice in his head. Earn headed out to a nearby beach that had shacks opened till late night. Phun showed up that night at Aim's house with a trembling heart and an unsettled mind. 

Aim. That girl who had captured his heart once upon a time. They were the perfect couple as claimed by both the boys and girls in their respective schools. Their pictures on social media was all about relationship goals for others to follow. Aim was bold and demanding. Phun was submissive and shy. Aim didn't shy away from showing how intimate they were as a couple. Phun initially had a problem with that but he gave in, like he always did. Their relationship took a sour turn when Aim's colorful past caught up with Phun and he caught her red-handed while they were still dating. Things ended quick between them but it took a long while for Phun to come around.  Aim had wanted to meet with him at the coffee shop. If only he had said no. If only he had refused to go. But it was too late to take a step back. He couldn't ignore.

After he rang the bell, he waited. Sweaty hands and a bit cold despite the warm evening. He was nervous.  A kind lady showed him in and as he waited in the living room, he heard a scuffling and someone scream from the room above. A bit startled, he didn't know if he should stay around. The same kind lady who ushered him few minutes ago was a little startled too and embarrassingly told him to come another time, there seemed to be trouble brewing upstairs. He was just about to leave when he heard a door bang close and his name next, "Phun?"

He turned around and saw Aim flurrying down the stairs. Hair a little dishevelled and teary eyes. She seemed distressed as she came towards him. She caught his hand and dragged him out of the house. As soon as they shut the main door, Phun heard Aim's mother calling out after her from the inside. Phun was puzzled by the things that were happening around him and to him in quick succession. Aim stood facing him, putting an effort to smile as if re-assuring him that everything was alright. Phun looked at her with great concern and asked her how she was doing. She nodded again with a smile. Despite all the drama that he had just witnessed, he asked her, "Aim, are you pregnant?" That re-assuring smile faded from her face.

"How did you come to know?" she asked subtly.

"It doesn't matter. I want to know if its mine?" he questioned mildly even though he knew the answer would rock his world, if true. 

She looked away. She hesitated. He stood frozen listening to his own heartbeat pounding against his chest in anticipation of her answer. 

"We are not 'us' anymore Phun so I don't think I need to answer your question. It doesn't matter anymore. I am going to keep the baby. I will raise the baby - not here, but in a different country, in a different city." This was coldly put and her determination to end the conversation was obvious in the way she folded her arms as she turned away.

Phun turned her around and pleadingly, asked once more. She refused. Aim always had it her way and he always gave in. This time wasn't going to be any different. She flatly refused to answer him.  She walked him to the gate and said, "Am glad you came, one last time to see me. Please don't worry about me. I don't have an answer to give you yet but maybe someday, I will Phun. For now, let's just say Goodbye and leave things as they are. My pregnancy shouldn't concern you." With that she closed the gate and left a puzzled Phun outside to wonder about the answer he never got. 

Tomorrow she was flying out. He didn't even know where. He forgot to ask her. Will Aim tell him someday as she had promised? Was it his at all? If it was, was it Aim's way of making up for the hurt she caused him, by not telling him about the baby? Did she actually free him from all obligations and responsibilities by keeping mum? He saw another side to Aim tonight, one that he forgave with all his heart for the misery she had caused him. He went home, still worried.