𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 ✓ (𝟷𝟾+)

The open heart surgery

Arin

Roger said he loved me but I didn't believe him.

Scrambling back, I watched him as he entered the room. When his back turned to shut the door, I returned to the balcony.

I needed air, now more than ever. The artificially warmed air wasn't what I needed. I craved the dusty carbon monoxide inside my lungs to jolt me awake.

This was a dream. I was sure of it. Perhaps a nightmare.

I watched the horizon. The blazing ball of fire dipped into the horizon, streaks of red and grey left behind in the darkened sky.

The sound of Roger's muffled steps appeared closer. He cleared his throat, hovering behind.

I was sure that this was a dream. Shutting my eyes tightly, I counted.

1...2...3...

In a quick spin, I turned around and opened my eyes. If this was a dream, the jolt of action would walk me.

Nothing.

I still stood on the balcony with Roger standing next to me.

"I know that the red eye and the jetlag aren't doing my appearance any favor but I don't think I look so bad for you to shut your eyes."

Roger tried to lighten the mood. I was still wrapping my mind around his sudden appearance at my hotel to react.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

Roger tipped my fallen face to look at him.

"For you! I am here for you."

My life revolved around making mistakes. So, when one major mistake of my life stood in front of me, the decision I'd taken to secure my heart and protect myself from feeling anything for Roger, resurfaced.

My brain had begun detoxing whatever my heart felt for him. It took me some time but I kept reminding myself to go for a person who cared for me and loved me. That did the trick.

Now, I'd to ensure not to fall for his theatrics.

"We are two different people who want different things, Roger. Our paths will never meet. Better we understand it now."

Harsh, cold winds pricked my skin. My face, my chest and every inch of me felt numb.

Yet, external climatic conditions didn't hurt me as much as the pain I felt when Roger rejected me.

"You're right, Arin. We're two very different people. But our paths have already collided."

He pulled me closer, blowing warm air through his mouth onto my pale knuckles. He turned me around and moved me back inside.

Like an idiot, I'd stood outside without any warmer. Only when the warmth inside the room hit my body and thawed my skin did I realize how cold it was.

Pulling my coat over me, I rubbed my chest. If there was a competition to catch pneumonia, I would be running as the first contender for it.

Moving closer, Roger rubbed over my coat-laden body. Some extra warmth didn't hurt.

"You're freezing," he said. The icy blue of his eyes darkened. "I can't believe you'd stand outside like that. It's not summer, Arin."

With every second that passed, I began reeling into his touch. His cedar scent wasn't helping with my resolution either.