Virago ~ The better wrong

Chapter-12

Liam and Deb were now standing with Tris and Ben. Ben was hugging Deb tight from behind and Tris was dancing with Liam, when they heard Lillian shouting. They all came to halt at once. Ben loosened his grip and Tris moved towards Owen but Liam held her hand shaking his head.

“I cannot do this anymore Owen. I don’t go on drives with strangers and hug them without any reason.” Lillian said, she was sitting on ground and had her head in her hand.

“Strangers? Lillian, you just told me that I was your best friend.” Owen said.

“Oh common Owen, what are you 13? Best friends! What do you want to braid each other’s hair now? Grow up. Maybe you would understand when you come out of your poems and become more realistic.” Lillian said and immediately regretted it. She got up fast and said, “Owen, listen__” but felt silent when Owen held up his hand.

“No Lillian, you listen this time for a change.” He said, “Pushing every person who cares about you away is not cool okay. You are wanted but still we all believed you, ever thought why? Because you have a good heart Lillian. I know you had rough past but the least you could do for yourself is not ruin your present and everyone else’s. You don’t trust anyone right? Well here is a suggestion, remedy it because now I am seriously done of making you realize how trustworthy everyone in this trip with us is. Try and give yourself a break. Being wrong is not a reputation that you have to keep or anything. Realize the importance of everyone present willingly around you and when you do that, then we will talk.” With this he went and sat on the only bench in adjoining garden with no one around.

Lillian trailed him with her eyes and then looked at her four accompany standing there with their mouths open. Tris and Liam turned to walk towards Owen and went to sit beside him whereas Deb and Ben walked straight to Lillian.

“Stressed?” Ben asked.

“You think?” Lillian answered not looking up.

“You know, our mum had the best stress relieve trick.” Ben said and moved forward towards Lillian and slowly engulfed her into a big hug. Lillian smiled a little and hugged him back.

“Yes, it works.” She said in his ears.

“Is this all because of what I said?” Ben whispered in her ears and felt her shaking her head in no and they breaked apart.

“You don’t expect a hug from me, do you?” Deb asked loudly “And if you want, you can cry. I don’t judge people.” She added.

“I don’t cry. And thank you for staying here with me.” She replied, smiling.

“Lillian, Owen cares about you the most in this world. Don’t do this to him. He basically lives for the fact that you are his best friend. I know it is childish but trust me under that armor of toughness, there is a little boy who always cared about you, we all care about you, believe it or not. I don’t know what the problem is but are you willing to give it all up just like that? And most importantly, is giving it up even worth it?” Deb asked looking at her very seriously.

“I know what you are saying but…” Lillian said looking away.

“But what Lillian? Sometimes you have to let go, not of your loved ones but your rules. Shutting the world out is not a solution, sharing your problems is. Don’t tell us your story, but at least don’t throw us all out. We really love you.” Ben said walking to stand in front of her.

“You shouldn’t love me.” Lillian said in slow voice.

“But we do. And you cannot change that. Now quit being like an egg shell and talk to Owen.” Deb said sternly.

“You do know I am a criminal right? And egg shell?” Lillian asked smiling.

“Egg shell as in hard and you may be a criminal but I can take you down. And you know I can.” Deb said.
“Sure. Let me go talk to Mr. angry.” Lillian said laughing lightly and walked toward Owen.

Tris and Liam got up and went to Deb and Ben and Lillian took her seat beside Owen, who was looking everywhere but here.

“Owen.” She said looking at him, trying to catch his eyes, when she saw a tear roll down his cheek which he hastily wiped off.

“Oh cutie, you are crying.” Lillian said quickly putting her arms around him and placing his head on her. “I am so sorry Owen. You are really my bestest friend ever and I cannot express how grateful I am for having you. You came back to my life right when I needed you and you did everything you could for me and Tris. We cannot pay you back, even with all our money. I do care about you, sweetie but you know how crazy I get when I am angry. I am so sorry. Forgive me please?” Lillian kept babbling rubbing his hand. No more tears felled on her.

“One condition” Owen replied after a few minutes. “No more cutting me or anyone off. No more being a spoil fun and no more not trusting anyone. Lillian we all love you and we better not have this conversation again. Got it?”

“Yes sir.” Lillian replied smiling. “Head back to others?” She asked.

“Yeah.” He replied and together they went back to the group and Tris hugged Lillian and Owen, soon joined by Ben and very reluctant Deb, who had to be pulled in, literally. Liam stood beside them smiling slightly.

“Liam, come in. Look me and Deb, we both hate hugs yet here we are. Common.” Lillian said holding out her hand which Liam took after a minute of hesitation.

“I really hate hugs.” Deb said breaking out.

“I know right. Suffocating.” Lillian said, breaking out herself.

“Yeah right, only fun you get in is making me cry.”Owen said.

“You spilled one tear, that’s not crying.” Lillian accused and laughed at his scowl face.

“Before we end this topic, what past was Owen talking about?” Deb asked and all other three nodded in curiosity as Owen and Lillian looked at each other.