“You said yes!!!” Alice shriek as she helped Liza put on her shirt. “How can you go back to that house Liza? How can you go back there after what he did to you?”. “I didn’t have an option Alice. You are going to Paris for your conference soon and I am not allowed to live on my own for another three weeks “Liza replied. “I would have stayed with you Liza, I would have missed that damn conference.” Alice said. “I know Alice but I can’t ask you to do that. I know how important this conference is for you and how excited you were for going to Paris”. Liza replied “It’s not more important than you. My brother has already ruined your life. If we hadn’t become roommates, there was a chance that you wouldn’t have met him. It’s partly my fault too Liza” Alice said as tears filled her eyes. Alice had never felt ashamed of being Jonathan’s sister even for a moment but after he had cheated on Liza, Alice had been hating to call her his sister. She still loved him, she will always love him since he was her brother, however as a woman she knew that there was nothing more shattering than having the one you love cheat on you and break your trust. She hated him for doing this to Liza. Initially Alice had no idea about how to breach the topic of Jonathan with Liza. It had felt awkward during the first few times but now Alice simply let her fury take over her while talking about Jonathan. Alice felt as if it was her responsibility to make sure that Liza stops suffering because of Jonathan and therefore she did every possible thing to make sure that Jonathan stayed away from Liza, but now Alice had to go to the conference but she didn’t want to leave Liza with Jonathan.
Liza could see emotions flitting in Alice’s eyes. She knew that Alice felt at fault for what down between her and Jonathan and that she was afraid that Liza will hate her along with hating Jonathan. She wanted to assure Alice that whatever had happened was not her fault, that she never blamed her for Jonathan’s acts. Alice had been one of the most constant figures in Liza’s life and Liza would never imagine living without Alice. She was Liza’s sister, mother, best friend, counsellor and everything else. They had been together through thick and thin and Liza wanted to assure her that whatever happens, Liza won’t leave her. So Liza, stretched her arms forward and pulled Alice into a hug. “Don’t worry Al, I will be here when you come back. Stop blaming yourself. It is between me and Jonathan. I still love you the same and possibly even more than I did before. So just go and enjoy your conference. It has been your dream, don’t let it go to waste.” Liza said. “Ok” Alice said pouting “But don’t you dare forgive him Liza.” “You don’t have to worry about it Alice. I am staying there because I have no choice, I don’t plan on forgiving him ever and anyways even if I forgive him for accusing me of cheating, I can never forgive him for betraying me.” Liza said with a sigh.
Jonathan was busy talking to Liza’s doctor and completing the formalities, when Alice came out of the room pushing Liza on a wheel chair. “We are ready to go.” Alice said curtly, her sentences short and cold. The little comfort and sympathy that Alice had provided to Jonathan during Liza’s coma was now gone, if anything Alice seemed madder than usual. Jonathan and Alice always had a close relationship. They always had each other’s back. In 9th grade Jonathan had punched a boy senior to him for teasing Alice and then that punch had led to full blown fight. That boy had been way stronger than Jonathan and had punched him so hard that Jonathan had started bleeding. It was Alice who was standing there crying , had gone to the boy and kicked him hard where the sun doesn’t shines and then had pulled way Jonathan to the nose. When Jonathan asked why did she kick him her reply was simple “Nobody punches my brother other than me. I was just safeguarding my right”. Jonathan missed his sister but he knew that how fierce his sister could be to protect her loved ones and right now according to Alice it was Liza who needed protection from him.
Jonathan picked up the small duffel bag and led them out of the hospital towards his car. Jonathan would have offered to push Liza but he had a feeling neither Liza nor Alice would like that so he kept his offer to himself. Alice helped Liza into the car and engulfed her in a hug. “I will see you later sweetie” she said and then pulled away. “No hugs for me “Jonathan joked “Just be glad that you are in one piece Jonathan “Alice grumbled and walked away. Jonathan sighed and climbed into the driving seat of his black Maserati. “How are you feeling today, Liza?” he asked trying to break the uncomfortable silence that had settled upon them. “Fine” was Liza’s short and cold reply. “Are you experiencing any pain?” he asked again “I told I was feeling fine didn’t I “Liza snapped. “Look, just because I have agreed to go back to that house doesn’t mean that I want to talk to you or I can tolerate you. Going back is not my choice but my only left option so please stop trying to talk to me. It will be a lot less painful for both off us.” Liza said in an emotionless voice.
Jonathan’s heart burned as those words poured out of her mouth. Never in a million years had he thought that there would be a time when it would be difficult for Liza to even tolerate his presence, when living with him would become something that is forced for her. He knew that once again no one else was responsible for this but him. He was angry at himself for letting things go that far, for breaking Liza’s trust and for letting his trust in her fade away but most of all he was angry at himself for letting the kiss that started this mess happen.
Liza was shocked at her outburst. She had decided to ignore Jonathan for the time she would be spending at his house but it had only been half an hour and she had already snapped at Jonathan. She had no idea how she was going to control her emotions. She saw the man sitting beside her. His strong Jaw was clenched making it look more beautiful, his beautiful eyes were focused on the road and his hands were holding the steering wheel so tight that they were almost white. She knew that he was angry and she wondered who gave him right to be angry at all. She knew that she had shouted at him and as much as she would have preferred to ignore him, she did not regret even a single word that left her mouth. She had meant every single thing she said. She hated him and she hated the fact that she trusted him with her heart. She hated that even though she should have kicked his ass and left the first time she found about his betrayal , she held on to the stupid hope that he will come back to her. Liza had become something she wasn’t. She had become a doormat for him, always waiting for him at the door and letting him stamp all over her feelings. But not anymore, she vowed to herself. She promised herself that she wouldn’t fall for him again, she wouldn’t forgive him for what he did and she definitely wouldn’t forget. She had put up a wall around herself and Jonathan could no longer knock it down. He would never get the old Liza back, he had lost her along with her trust.
Jonathan sneaked glances at Liza from the side. He saw her eyes showing various emotions stopping at cold hard determination. It didn’t take rocket science to figure out what she was thinking. Jonathan knew that she was stubborn and she hated him. He could see it in her eyes and in her rigid demeanor but he was as stubborn as her, he would take all the pain she gave him gladly and wouldn’t stop trying to get his Liza back.