No escape

Chapter six

It's been seven months and Austin has never done anything to hurt me. He had also never tried to force me into doing anything I'm not ready to do. Tirzah is still warning me about Austin though. I no longer care about what she says because Austin has proved her wrong all the time. He even no longer talks to her nor any girls from her clique. Our first month anniversary was at the cinema. We just watched a movie and went for milkshake. Our second anniversary wasn't celebrated because Austin was home because of family emergencies but he had made it up to me. He had secured us tickets to my favorite shows. We are really close but till now, he has not yet told me the kind of family emergencies he attends to. I stopped pushing him to tell me. I know when he is ready he will tell me. Our monthly anniversary celebrations are now my favorite days of the month. The previous anniversary was very amazing. Austin had pretended like he had a family emergency. He was away all day and he got Ellie to take me to the shelter where he took me on the first night of us being officially a couple. He had orgainsed everything to look like the scene of that night. Most guys from college were around. I was over the moon that night. Austin's speech made tears roll down my eyes it was so sweet. "I would like to present to you the most amazing girl in this world. Most of you thought I'm incapable of loving and settling down. I don't blame you all because I thought that too. That was not until I met you Harley. It's you and it will always be you.  I know I always fuck things up but I'll always come back to you my love. I want you to know one thing that if I'll have to fall in love again, it's still going to be with you." Austin said. After the speech he had asked for a dance. We danced till other couples joined us on the dance floor. The party went on till morning. He had made me feel so special that day and that's why I'm planning to surprise him too. Today I'm actually planning to take our relationship to a whole new next level. I know Austin has never asked me to sleep with him and has never pushed me to but I know he wants to. And I know enough of his history right now that he has had a number of girls before me. He has had a lot of flings and that's why sometimes I feel like I'm putting a hold on his life and he will soon get bored of me. We have talked about it a number of times but he always promised that he loves me so much and he enjoys my company with or without sex.
"Are you done dressing?" Skylar banged on my door while screaming. I checked myself in the mirror one last time and rushed out. It was almost time for the anniversary celebrations. Unlike Austin, I had invited only a few of my friends and a few of his. We were going to hold it at the back of the twins apartment. It was cheaper that way and it had no rules to be followed. I had called Austin the previous day at the time I knew he was too busy to take calls. He obviously didn't take my call and when he called back I pretended like I was too angry. This was all part of the plan for the surprise anniversary. He has been trying to reach me till he gave up a few hours back. I made sure he is at the venue though. I called Lara and she informed me that Austin was already there and they were having drinks. We planned that they would have drinks in the living room to distract Austin from thinking that anything was up. I'm supposed to be the last person to reach the venue. At around eight o'clock, Lara told everyone to go to the back of the apartment. I was already there and Austin looked confused which made me smile. It was totally dark hence no one discovered all the decor. Lara managed to convince Austin to stand directly in front of the red carpet without him questioning her alot. After Lara called for silence and our best song started playing in the background,I took my position on the red carpet just before the lights were switched on. I managed to catch him gaping and I smiled. I liked it that I still make him react this way to me after all this time. I totally expected him to react that way because I was putting on the kind of dresses he loves. The ones that are skimpy and hugged me all the way. I saw him smile in contentment when he looked at the heels I was putting on. He found them really sexy though I see nothing sexy about them till now. We had installed screens all over the place displaying our photos. Austin closed the space between us and kissed me desperately. It's like he had forgotten there were people around. He managed to let me go and he once again checked me out. "You got me so worried harley, never do that to me ever again. You don't know how miserable I've been since last night but you look so fantastic. I feel like I want to take you somewhere else away from the crowds. I bet you know what I want to do to you," he whispered. I started blushing when he started moving his arm on my bare back. I almost whimpered. It took everything I had for me not to beg him to take me right there and them. I smiled and led him to our seats.
The party went on smoothly and Austin tried to get his hands up my dress but I slapped it everytime. After all activities on the agenda were done, I led him away and took him to the hotel I had booked. He looked puzzled and that's the exact look I wanted to get from him. I didn't give him a chance to ask any questions when I dragged him towards the room I had booked. I excused myself to the bathroom to get myself ready. I had got a sexy black lingerie which matched perfectly with the red heels which he found sexy. I tried it on but I felt too exposed and dirty. I finally decided I couldn't do it and switched back to my dress. After all it exposed way too much too. I moved back to the room and found Austin seated waiting for me. He smiled when he saw me and I moved closer to him. He turned me drastically pushing me to the bed and falling on top of me but careful enough not put all his weight on me. He kissed me passionately and my breath quickened. I was both scared and excited though I didn't know if I was ready. I was only only sure that I wanted to do this for Austin. He has been so good to me and abstained for all these months. I know it's not easy for guys and very few guys would be able to put up with it. Whatever the case, I was going to make Austin happy too. I don't want him to regret choosing me and being with me. Nothing scares me more than the day he will get bored of waiting for me and he decides to leave. That would be the death of me. I don't want it to happen and thats why if this is what it takes to feel secure, then I'm ready to do it.
Austin took off his shirt and then helped me with my dress but he didn't stop kissing me at any single moment. He started trailing kisses down my neck and I whimpered. I had suddenly forgotten about everything around and all my worries. All I wanted now was more of Austin. His scent was toxic and I wanted to keep it with me forever. I wanted to drown myself in everything that had to do with him. I was startled when Austin sat up and ran his hands through his hair. I sat up spooked wondering what I had done wrong. He sat and pulled me to his laps. "Harley, I know why you're doing this but I want you to know that you don't have to do this. I don't want you to do this with me because you're insecure and you feel like it's what I need. I want you to do this with me because you want it." Austin said cupping my face in his arms and kissing my forehead. I tried nodding my head and resisting that that's not the case but Austin silenced me taking my lips once again carresing them with his. "Harley you should know that me just kissing you is enough. I get much more from your kiss than I got when I was with all those girls. Your special to me." He smiled against my lips. I know I didn't look satisfied with his words and that's why he promised that we were going to choose a date when we will finally do everything. I found that weird but exciting.  I accepted and he smiled contented.
                          ***
I was walking to my room the next day when Tirzah came running after me. It had been long since she had pulled off her stunts on me. I thought she had given up but when I saw her coming towards me, I knew I was a fool for believing that she would ever stop. I stopped when she almost caught up with me. "Hey Tirzah, do you have anything new for me today?" I asked sarcastically. "Harley, I'm not hear to start up trouble. It's been months since I last bothered you and your temporary boyfriend. Though I'm not sure that your boyfriend wanted to stop bothering me. Anyway to cut the long story short, your time is up."  She giggled. "What do you mean you bitch?" I erupted. She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Don't swear on me. I don't want to see you crying. I know you and Austin are going to choose a day. I'm here to warn you though. That day is going to be the final day you will ever be with him. That's what he does Harley. Wake up, I told you that you're a very beautiful girl. It's not yet too late baby girl," she sniggered. "Austin is the kind of boy who will give you the paradise only to wake up and your walking through endless hell," she added. "I don't know what you're talking about and I'm certain that I don't want to know. If you don't mind, may I take my leave?" I asked as politely as my patience could go. I turned to leave just before Tirzah managed to toment me once again. "Harley as you go, ask yourself how I found out about what you did last night," she stated.
I almost bumped into Lara when I entered the room. Tirzah had really ruined my evening. I wanted to yell at someone and and blame them for anything I could come up with but I knew that whoever I wanted to yell at, that person can't be Lara. She had been nothing but good to me. She had stayed up on nights when I cried myself to sleep. She has never judged me but supported me everytime. She even stopped doing things I didn't like and adjusted to anything I wanted. She even managed to tolerate Austin there past regardless. Most people would have rubbed it in my face that they warned me but there is no single day she reminded me of the time she told me to stay away from Austin. She simply gave me a shoulder to cry on and did as much as possible to help me move on. I placed my bag on my bed and ran back to Lara. I hugged her tight and cried. I was so confused that I didn't know why I was I was crying. I only knew that I wanted to cry so hard. I felt like I needed a release and crying in my friend's embrace was the exact magic I needed. Lara didn't ask what was wrong, she just soothed me to sleep. Lara has never asked why I cried actually, I think she knew why. I didn't have many reasons to cry anyway. It always had to be something to do with Austin or Tirzah. I couldn't stop wondering why I and Austin can't be together without any interruption. "Was it always this hard in love?" I wondered. Sometimes I felt like I could give up. Though I couldn't figure out a way on how to do it. I could convince myself that I can leave without him. I would avoid calling him or texting him but I would feel so excited when he calls. I practically skip and answer his calls on first ring. Things go back to normal till something else comes up. I've been holding on this long but I feel so exhausted. Austin may have changed but his past won't stop tomenting us.
I woke up in the middle of the night and Lara had brought my duvet and covered me. I think she didn't want to wake me. I had an exhausting dream on top of the miserable evening. In my dream, Austin was with a mystery girl. They were walking on a beach and I was watching from the control tower. I watched as they kissed each other and played in the sand. I watched as the went swimming and built castles. I watched as Austin carried her. I wanted to do something but I couldn't. I tried to scream his name but I couldn't find my voice. I tried coming down from the control tower but wen I stepped on the first stair, the whole stair case crushed. The sound made Austin and the girl turn and look at me. I felt relieved thinking that Austin would stop doing whatever he was doing since he found out I was around. To my dismay, he turned to the girl and said something. The girl pointed to me and Austin nodded. They both laughed out loud. They continued laughing louder and louder. The sound got deafening and I covered my ears with my hands and closed my eyes. When the sound started dying out, I opened my eyes only to find out that Austin and the girl were walking towards the deeper side of the waters. I started screaming calling after him and telling him he shouldn't do it. He and the girl turned and looked at me one last time before the water swallowing them up. I woke up feeling more exhausted and in a worse mood. I knew I was being hopeless but the only person I wanted to talk to was Austin. I called him but a girl picked up. I disconnected and checked the time. It was past midnight. What what was a girl doing in Austin's room and what was she doing with his phone. I started panicking. Was the dream trying to warn me? My palms started sweating and I started feeling dizzy. "No no no, it can't be. It can't be." I kept muttering to myself while covering my ears. I saw the screen of my phone lighting. I checked and it was Austin calling. And as always I picked up without a second thought. When it came to him, it didn't matter whether he had just screwed up. I would always go back to him. "Hello love," he said panting. I remained silent till he continued. " I'm really sorry I didn't pick up when you called. My sister had issues so she asked me to sleep at my place. I left my room for her and I slept at the coach. She was using my phone for something and that's why she had it when you called," he mumbled. I really had nothing to say to him. I don't know if it was the effect of Tirzah's words or the dream but I didn't believe a single word he said. I didn't have the energy to argue though. So I just said ok. I told him I had just called to wish him a goodnight since he kept insisting that something was really wrong and I should tell him. He didn't believe me but I had already lost morale for talking to him. "Your voice sounds like your really upset Harley. Don't sleep like that. You know I can come over to your place at any time," he said. "I told you I'm ok and nothing is wrong and I can't take you away from your sister she must be having a real problem by the time she came to you. Just in case she is your sister." I blurted. With that, I hang up and switched off my phone. I knew Austin couldn't leave me alone unless I switched off my phone. He would keep calling and sending me endless texts. I lay on my bed not wanting to sleep. I thought about what Tirzah had said. I knew she was right about one thing. I knew I had to worry about how she found out about what me and Austin did on our anniversary night.
I woke up very early the next morning. I really didn't have much sleep last night but I didn't feel like sleeping anymore. I found a lot of voice mails but its only one that got me panicking. Callie had been trying to reach me to inform me that my father is hospitalised.
                        ***
I threw a few things I would need in my backpack and called for a cab. I texted Lara on my way home not to worry because I'll be back as soon as everything is ok. I wanted to call Austin and tell him but after what happened last night, I didn't want to bother him. God knew what he was doing right now. I texted Ellie who promised to help me out with classwork as soon as I get back like he did always. The cab took me straight to the hospital and I rushed to my father's ward. He was still unconscious and his condition made me develop cold feet. For all my life, I had never seen my father in such a vulnerable state. My mother's face was red and her eyes were puffy and red from all the crying and Callie had dark circles around her eyes. I bet they had not slept at all and they were exhausted. I asked them to first go home and refresh before they could tell me anything. It was so hard to convince my mother but she finally accepted to go home and change. I remained in the hospital staring at my father, all my worries from last night seemed like nothing compared to what's in front of me. I couldn't bid my father farewell right now. It was too early and he is a strong man. He has to be fighting. "Father, what really happened to you. You are always the strongest of us all. You can't stay here doing nothing. Remember when I was I'll, you always told me it's not good to sleep all day. I had to be brave and go out and play with my friends. Why don't you get up now father. You can't leave your babies you know. Father I have so many things I want to tell you. I'm so confused about a variety of things. Why don't you just get up and help me figure things out. You even didn't hug me when I came back home. Father please," I sobbed. I didn't notice that I was shaking him vigorously until the nurse told me I should take it easy on him. I was desperate for him to wake up. My eyes were now terribly swollen from the crying of last night and now. I had to be the strong one amongst us but I didn't have the will to. Not after all the things I've been through this week. I was already broken and this is way too much to handle. I feel like I'm almost reaching the point where I'm just numb to the pain. It's been six hours since mum and Callie left. I think they decided to take a nap while I watch father. I really had nothing to do at the hospital apart from talking to someone who is unconscious. I have already been sobbing since last night and I feel like my eyes are on fire. I've tried to sleep but they feel itchy when I close them. I decided to text a few of my friends for a little distraction. I had put my phone in a silent mode so I couldn't hear it ring. I found alot of missed calls from random guys from college. I think Lara or Ellie must have told them what had happened. I called Ellie back since he is the most charming person I know. Atleast I trusted him that whatever the situation, he can cheer me up promptly. He picked up on first ring. He asked me what's happening here and how far well my father was. I told him everything I know and I felt like I was going to breakdown again. Ellie managed to get my mind off the situation at hand and we talked about random topics till Callie and mum returned. He made me smile and I watched my mum smile too with relief from the window. That too made me feel lighter. At least I managed to make her smile. A few hours earlier she looked like she will never smile ever again in life. I thanked Ellie for always being there for me both physically and virtually. We said our goodbyes and hang up.
My mother looked better after showering and having a nap. She looked like she got a new ray of hope. I wanted to ask her what really happened to father but I didn't want to remind her of that again especially now that she seems a little happy. I decided to go ask Callie. She also looked ok right now and I knew she was the only one who could tell me everything without breaking down unlike mum. We told my mum we were going to have a walk around the hospital and catch up so that she couldn't listen to what we were going to talk about. She had a friend who was giving her company and that would be enough distraction for her.
"So what happened to father?" I asked my voice cracking. I didn't want to make Callie cry but I couldn't help it. "It's going to be ok Harley," she said hugging me. She dragged me to the empty bench in a hall way and asked me to calm down before she told me anything. "Dad has had a fever for a two weeks now. He refused to go for a check up right away insisting that he has a strong immunity and that he would be alright in a few days. After the first week, he started getting weaker and started acting weirdly. We talked him into going for a check up but he still refused. We told him that he doesn't have to take the medication but just a check to make sure he is ok. Mum actually called a doctor at home but he made it hard for anyone get close to him. He got a knife a threatened anyone who would dare to come close to him. We were finally defeated and the doctor left," Callie sobbed. I held her arms, I needed to encourage her to keep going. This must have been frustrating enough to make Callie cry.  She must be hurting as much as everyone else. She had acted brave when I had just arrived. I think she only acted brave to encourage mum who had completely broken down. Now I knew we were all acting strong but all us were at our weakest. We just needed to be their for each other. I had encourage Callie to continue though. I needed to know the reason as to why dad was lying unconscious. "Harley, dad got worse each day. He was acting stranger each time till he was finally too weak to get up. He had even forgotten who I was," she mumbled and I shivered at that. This was much more serious than I thought it would be. "You can stop telling me if you feel like it's too much for you. I can always ask the doctor though I just wanted everything that happened before he was hospitalised," I whispered to Callie whose sobbing was getting louder now. But she shook her head. "I have to tell you everything now. You have a right to know Harley," she said. I nodded and she continued and her voice is a hoarse strangled whisper. "Yesterday morning dad felt better and he was able to eat and move around. He even seemed to remember me. Everything looked normal and we stopped worrying. After we had lunch, I went to my friends house and mum went to water the flowers. Dad went to bed because he had said he needed a nap. Five hours passed and he had not come out. That was new because he hardly slept through out the two weeks. Mum decided not to bother him since he had finally got some rest. I came home and dad was still in bed. Mum decided it's time to wake him up since it was time for dinner. She went to the room and the next thing I heard had me running to check and see. Dad was lying on the floor with a white liquid coming out of his mouth. Mum was shaking him vigorously but he was not responding. I felt terrified and confused Harley. I didn't know what to do and I had so many images forming in my mind. I thought dad was gone Harley." She wept harder and this time I had no nerve to stop her as I wailed too. This must have been a very hard moment to witness. We hugged each other while we cried our sorrows out. I managed to compose myself and soothed my little sister. This is the time I had to be strong for her. I lay her head on my thighs and soothed her to sleep.

       

Thanks for your time❣️
Keep the fun going⏩ glad you're enjoying. Feel free to comment and like