Cliff
Unlike last time, the sun was up. Shining like there is no tomorrow. The trees remain calm in their position, unlike their leaves that sway to the beat of the wind. As if it was waving farewell to Hayden who wish to jump off the cliff again.
Yes. He tries to commit suicide. But unlike before, the time and feeling is a little bit off.
Maybe because-
"Jump."
- of this woman.
"Don't look at me."
"Why?"
"You're making me nervous.."
"You're going to die anyway." Nola said. She sat two feet away from him, dangling her legs from the cliff.
She was right. What's the point of being nervous and scared of dying? For goodness sake he planned his whole death for months. Nothing going to stop him.
"Fine. I'm jumping now." Hayden said. Taking three steps back from the cliff. Nola raised an eyebrow.
"No regrets?"
Hayden gulped. Avoiding her gaze.
"No regrets." He said. Nola nodded, respecting his eagerness to die.
He stepped few steps back, calculating his chances of dying from each steps he took.
"I mean like what if you really die this time?" Nola asked again, interrupting the whole calculations in his mind.
"That's the point of committing suicides, Nola. Dying." Hayden groaned. This is no time for conversation.
"Won't it hurts?"
"I don't care. As long as I-"
"I mean, again, like, what if?"
"What if, what?"
"What if your girlfriend didn't actually cheated and it was all some misunderstanding situation that you assumed what you assumed?"
Silence. That's what answered Nola suspicions.
Hayden finally realise that she actually had a good point. He never speaks to Leela and it was Brad who told him that Leela cheated on him. But how about the evidences? The pictures?
'Shut up! This is Brad we're talking about!' Screamed Hayden's inner thoughts.
Yes. He got a point you see. Brad is unlike Hayden, actually Leela's types. Not just visually they looks good together but even their backgrounds matches and complimented each other very well.
Why would he lied to Hayden? To Leela? For goodness sake they are best friend.
Yes, of course both of them have the same feelings for Leela since their friendship started. Brad maybe have been liking her since the first year and probably still.
But Hayden confessed his feelings first. Not Brad. Hayden asked Leela's out. Not Brad. Hayden asked Leela to be his girlfriend. Not Brad. Leela chose him. Not Brad.
So where does this situation puts Brad?
Stuck in the middle, of course.
What does it makes him then?
A supportive friend, obviously.
So I dare you again to convince Hayden, why on earth would Brad lie to them when all along they were best friend. There's no way he would do that to his best friends.
At least that's what Hayden thought. Until now...
"I... don't know." He whispered so low. Nola heard it clearly although it was only for him to hear.
Hayden felt so lost. What if he was wrong? What should he do next? He'd probably be too embarrassed to face Leela. To tell her that he was wrong. The shame would be unbearable.
But what if she really did cheated on him. Should he plan another suicide on the next day?
The only thing left to do now was to ask Leela.
There's no way I'm asking her that! Screamed his inner thought.
He was right. Although he was a loser in life, doesn't mean he has to lose his dignity. He is indeed a loser...with dignity.
"Hey, listen. I know you're stressing out right now. I can see you're torn between your curiosity and pride-"
"What do you want from me?!" Hayden hissed, cutting her words. His eyes were shut as he mentally screamed in vain, while the woman sat 5 feet away from him, biting her tongue, trying so hard not to curse him for interrupting her.
'Asshole' she silently thought. 'Might as well push him right now'
Sounds like a good idea.
Maybe he really does need a push?
That's when the idea struck in.
A push.
Shrugging off whatever negativity that started to surround her, she smiled at him. Sweet and kind as possible.
"Do you wanna work for me?"
Silence.
That was more like it.
He was having a life crisis and she was hiring. What a perfect duo these two.
"Do I wanna work for you?"
"Do you wanna work for me?"
Her question was now questioning his question.
Hayden looked at her like she have grown two head. His face masked with pure confusion, meeting Nola's genuine smile. He felt offended by that.
"Do you wanna die with me?" Hayden asked rhetorically, mocking her, but Nola was having none of his bullshit.
"No. But sure is nice living knowing that you too live." Nola smiled again. Her smile never left, even her dimples deepening. Hoping it would melt Hayden's cold heart.
Who knows. Maybe it was working. Hayden even started to hesitate at the sight of it.
"Why are you asking me to work for you? What's the motive?" Hayden asked her. She smiled at his defeat.
"Just like I said, I want you to live."
"But I-"
"I want you to live and see life at my point of view."
Hayden was silent. Her deals sounds good but something was off.
"But it won't solve my problem."
"No it won't."
"What's the point then?"
"Think of it like retreat session. Stop thinking about your problem. Take a step back and relax. You can't solve problems with your current state right now. It'll only do more harm than good. "
Again. She was right. Hayden hate admitting it but she was right.
He was tired emotionally and mentally. Hence the shortcut he chose, suicide. There was no one before.
But right now, there she was, sitting at the cliff, smiling. A stranger. A passerby. Someone who stayed although for a while
'This is good enough' Hayden thought. Silently grateful.
After a long moment of silent he finally asked.
"Are you hiring?"
The smile that never wears off finally replaced with a chuckle. She stood up and grabbed him by his arm.
"Let's go. I'll treat you a cup of coffee to celebrate your new job."
Without they realising, that was the beginning of their beautiful friendship.
