Simple Misunderstanding

 “Why can’t you just believe me?!” I asked, fuming inside, tears pricking my eyes. Why can’t he just listen to me? Why doesn’t he trust me?

“This is going nowhere. I just can’t stand this anymore. You’re doing this again and again! Have you forgotten why we broke up the first time?”

Hearing that was like knife stabbing me. I know that I couldn’t blame him. We were a couple few years ago when we were still in high school but broke up after dating for like a year plus because he found me cheating with his best friend. Then, we got back together three months ago from this party my friend was throwing. But this time, it was different. I wasn’t cheating this time. What you saw isn’t what it seems like!

This time, he saw me walking out from a motel. I was drunk and I didn’t know why I ended there. Apparently someone sent me there seeing that I was drunk the night before. A Good Samaritan who doesn’t want me to end up sleeping at the road side.

“I didn’t know why I ended up being there!  I was drunk from Bernice’s party! I left early knowing that I couldn’t drink anymore! I was gonna go to your place!” I explained as tears ran down my cheeks.

“I cheated on you before but I seriously did not this time. Don’t I deserve a second chance? You’re the only one for me!” I said, wiping my tears.

He looked at me, lost at the moment. “I’m sorry. I really can’t.” He said, finally and turned away.

Breaking down in front of him was the last thing on my mind but I just happened to do so. Crying, I yelled, “You freaking idiot! What do you want me to do for you to believe me?!”

To be honest, when we broke up last time, I felt nothing at first. But gradually, I began to miss him. All I ever think about is him. No other guy can make me feel like when I was with him. I was young and stupid. All I ever think was excitement and fun. I was stupid to sleep with his best friend. My relationship with his best friend did not last long because we were not in love with each other. It was like a one night stand thing where you met, get drunk and just sleep. We went separate ways after high school and I thought I would never see him again. But, fate brought us back together. I couldn’t be any happier to see him again. The past three months had been amazing between the two of us. We started to know each other again and there’s always spark in between us. I really do love him. But why is this happening again? Seeing his back, walking away from me was like a nightmare to me.

He did not turn around even when he walked out from my apartment, slamming the door behind him.

I was left alone in my apartment. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and began dialing Layla’s number. It went straight to her voicemail. Guess she’s busy with her work, considering she’s managing her own PR company. Is there anyone else I could call? I saw his name in my phonebook. I wanted to call him but can I?

I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling, thinking back the moment he and I spent together. Even if it’s just over a simple dinner, I would get so excited, like a child on Christmas. Holding the pendant he gave it to me during my birthday three weeks ago, I fell asleep, in tears.  

For two days, I did not show up for work. I was too exhausted. All the time I was on the bed and would cry occasionally as I remembered his back. He looked so cold that time when he left my apartment. My phone rang and I would just ignore it. This is the end. I screwed up in the past but don’t I deserve a chance? I’m different now. I am committed in my relationship. I’m not young and stupid anymore. I’m mature now.

My phone rang again and I hold it up to see who’s calling. Part of me hoped that it’d be him but the screen showed ‘Layla’.

Annoyed over the disappointment, I threw my phone away and it stopped ringing. And I began crying again. He used to tell me that he’d rather stay awake next to me to watch me sleep than to sleep with me. When he gave me this pendant, he told me that I was his world and that he couldn’t imagine living without me. And now he… he walked away just like that!

I fell asleep again and was awakened by the doorbell. I ignored it and covered my ear with my pillow. For a second, it stopped. That person who rang my doorbell must have left.

Then I heard the jingling sound of the keys and the sound of door opening. No. I must have imagined it. Who would have the key to my apartment except myself? No, there is another person who has it. Jeremy Aames. He has the key to my apartment.

“Liz? Liz? Where are you?” a girl’s voice calling me. It’s Layla. I recognized her voice.

Pulling my duvet to cover my head, I heard footsteps entering my room. Why isn’t he here? He should be here! Why would he pass the key to Layla?! Shouldn’t he be a little worried about me?

I felt someone sitting at the edge of my bed. Sniffing, I tried to fight back tears. Seriously, how long do I want to cry over this?

I stopped dead cold when I heard his calm voice, “Are you gonna stay like that for the rest of your life?”

Hearing his voice was really comforting. That’s what I love about him. I remained motionless, unsure of what to do. To my surprise, he pulled the duvet away from me. I did not dare to look up at him and remained staring at the wall next to me.

“Liz.” He began. I love the way he called my name. I really love him, which is why I can’t stop these stupid tears.

“Liz, please don’t cry. I’m sorry, okay. I’m here to apologize.”

He pulled me up, forcing me to look at him. God, he looks exactly the same. Handsome as always. I was now in my sitting position, facing him.

“I shouldn’t have jumped the gun without any proof. I had some thinking and I realized that this relationship will never work out if I don’t trust you. You may have made a mistake but that was in the past. I shouldn’t have suspected you. So, please forgive me. I was being unreasonable.” He explained.

“Jer, I…I..uh…” I wanted to say something to him but I don’t know what to say at this moment. There’s so much that I want to tell him. As if he can hear me, he said, “It’s okay. We’re okay now, isn’t it?”

Can’t help smiling, I nodded. He stood up and I caught a hold of his hand. He turned to me, grinning at me as if nothing had happened, he said, “Come on. You need some food in you. You look weak.”

Getting out of bed seems no easy task for me as I had not been eating for the last two days. Even with his help, I felt so weak that I finally collapsed in his arms.

I was awakened by voices. There are other people in here. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was his beautiful face. “You’re awake!” he exclaimed happily while caressing my cheek.

“What happened?” I asked, and I remembered.

“You’re in the hospital. You fainted. You seriously shouldn’t skip your meal no matter what happened.” He lectured, but he looked relief.

“Look at you two!” another voice voiced up. It was Layla’s.

“Layla. You’re here as well.” I said slowly.

“You really made me worrying over nothing. I got your missed call and tried to call you back. Not only did you not pick up, you did not even go to work! What were you thinking?! All of that just because of him?!” she scolded, pointing at Jeremy but I know she meant well.

“Don’t point at him!” I exclaimed.

“Whatever. Seeing that you’re fine now, I’m gonna go work. You look after her!” she said, glaring at Jeremy before she further continue, “If anything happens to her again, you’re gonna go down!”

After she left, Jeremy holds my hand, looking into my eyes, he said, “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Please trust me; I’d never in a million years cheat on you. Please believe me.” I said nervously, as my eyes became watery.

He cupped my face and replied, “I trust you. Just don’t leave me. You scared me for a moment there when I saw you lifeless in my arm.”

Smiling at him as tears stream down my face, he leaned over and kissed me on my lips. Then, my forehead. Then, resting his head on my head, he whispered softly, “I seriously can’t believe my luck! After all these years, you’re the only one for me. You are my everything.”

As he pulled away, he pulled out a small jewellery box from his pocket. He opened it up, revealing a sapphire stoned ring, which is also my birth stone, and said, “I’d like you to have this. Take this as a promise ring.”

And he slid the ring to my left ring finger. And I couldn’t be any happier!

So, this is my first attempt on short story. What do you think of this short story? Please feel free to comment on my work. Criticism is welcome as it'd only help me to improve. And again, thanks for reading!