THAT NIGHT
We’re supposed to be celebrating our sixth anniversary, but it’s been 30 minutes and he hasn’t arrived yet.
I’m sitting in the restaurant where we both enjoy eating. He used to be the first to arrive, but not any longer.
It’s been a month since he’s acted so differently, so different from how he used to. I suddenly recall him refusing to let me touch his phone and even put a password on it so I couldn’t open it. There were times when he was preoccupied with things I didn’t understand, and whenever I asked, he would simply say it was for work. Just a few days ago, he refused to let me go to his house if I want to visit, preferring to go to mine.
I keep doubting, but I push it out of my mind because I believe in him. But, no matter how hard I try, it still bothers my mind. I can’t talk to him about it and just waits for him to say something.
I’ve been waiting for 40 minutes now and I’m getting impatient. He’s not even responding to my text messages, which he should be explaining why he’s taking so long.
I was about to call him when I received a message from him.
“Baby, I’m so sorry for being late; something came up. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you as soon as I can. Just stay there, okay?”
When he finally texted me, I felt relieved.
But, that relief is quickly replaced by worry as I wonder what has caused him to take so long to arrive.
I looked at the time and it’s already 8 p.m. It’s been an hour and he’s still not arrived. I decided to leave the restaurant and take a seat on a nearby bench. I keep staring at my phone, waiting for his message.
The cold wind then brushes up against my skin, making my night feel even more lonely without him and his warm embrace.
I miss him so much.
I can’t wait any longer and don’t want to be alone here, so I’ve decided to go to his house without telling him.
But before I leave, I’ll try to call him and see if he’ll take my call.
Twice already.
I tried calling him twice, but he didn’t answer.
I got up from my seat and was about to walk away when he suddenly called me which I immediately answered.
“Ba–”
“B-Baby, I’m sorry. Are you still there?”
He talks so fast and catching his breath.
“I’m still here. What’s going o–”
I stopped when I heard a woman’s voice but couldn’t make out what she said.
Because of that, I’m starting to get nervous.
“Baby, just wait for me, okay? Don’t worry. I love you so much.”
“Where are y–”
I couldn’t finish what I was saying when he abruptly hung up. My knees feel so weak after the call that they suddenly bend and force me to sit back down on the bench.
I am staring at the ground, thinking about the woman I had just heard, and the way he spoke bothered my mind, making me think about something I shouldn’t be thinking about.
I’m so nervous, my heart is racing and my mind is also racing with negative thoughts. I feel like I’m about to burst.
I couldn’t stop myself; tears streamed down my face. Even though I’m not sure what I’m thinking, I still feel devastated, and every time I think about his new actions and the phone call we just had, thorns won’t stop clinging to my heart.
I can’t stay here any longer. I need to go to him and find out what he’s up to.
***
I’m now outside his house, and the closer I get to the gate, the faster my heart beats.
As I approached the gate, I noticed it’s open. Without hesitation, I went inside.
I’m walking all the way to the door and notice the door is slightly open. I start to wonder why it’s just open. It then occurs to me that he has let someone into his house, and just that thought pricked my heart with thorns again.
As I got closer, I started to shake.
Slowy, I approach the door.
As soon as I’m in front of it, I reach for it and open it wide with my hand.
As I opened it, my knees became weak once more, causing me to fall to the floor. My body feels cold, and the thorns in my heart have ripped it open, causing me great pain.
I’m at a loss for words. I’m shivering looking at him.
My man, my love, my everything is lying on the floor, covered in blood.
“B-babe!”
I crawl over to where he’s lying with tears streaming down my face.
“Babe!”
I place his head on my arm and gently shake him awake. I’m not bothered by the blood on my clothes. All I want is for him to be in my arm. All I want is for him to wake up.
“Baby, please…”
The blood on his chest continues to flow, so I try to cover it with my other hand, however, it doesn’t stop coming out.
I’m at a loss for what to do, and he isn’t responding. He isn’t…breathing….
Tears continue to flow from my eyes, making everything I see blurry. I can’t wipe away my tears because I can’t let go of him in my arms.
In my desperation to get him to wake up, I consider calling for help.
“Help!”
I continue to yell for help even though my voice is trembling.
“P-Please, help!”
I don’t mind if my cry for help disturbs the neighbors. I just… I just need someone to help us…
“Please, someone…”
I’m no longer able to scream. My body wants to lie down with him on the floor because of being weak.
Then, I hear footsteps approaching the front door. As I Iook, I saw two people looking at us with their eyes widening.
“Oh my god, what happened?!”
“Call the ambulance, hurry!”
My body can no longer take it.
I’m exhausted, and my eyes are closing.
But before my eyes close, I give him another look.
***
“Are you awake now?”
I slowly open my eyes and notice someone looking at me.
“You’re finally awake.”
I immediately get up as soon as I realize I’m in the hospital. Then I remember what happened, which prompts me to get out of bed.
“Hey, where are you going? You need to rest.”
“N-No. I...
