Nothing makes us feel more surprised than the moment when we realize how times flies before we even think about it. The same happened to me. It felt like yesterday Harry and I stopped talking to eachother but it’s not yesterday, it’s many months back and it’s hard to believe.
We were nearly in the last year of our graduation. All my days passed with my college works, roaming the town and the main thing; the silent battle between Harry and I. We didn’t even participate in any dance competition that made Vickie jump in happiness. As promised, Noah didn’t disturb me again in the name of love or girlfriend. We kept talking casually like normal friends.
I was in my room listening to songs while thinking about last night. Oh! I didn’t tell you what happened last night, right? Anna and I went to the carnival that was set recently in the outskirts of the town. When we were returning, we came across the woods where the woods party always held. To my surprise, I saw Harry there with a drink bottle in his hand. We suddenly became detectives and followed him. He reached the lake and sat there drinking calmly. I expected he might be doing something like, you know, something with girls or other things but he left me shocked. Before he even saw us, I dragged Anna from there and we left.
I kept recalling that but my thoughts were interrupted when Anna entered in holding two dresses in her hands. A black knee length frock and a cream coloured full length gown.
“Which one?” She asked me looking at the dresses.
I thought for a moment while imagining the dresses on her. Finally I selected the black one as she looked so cute in that.
“Perfect.” Anna’s face lit up with a bright smile. “I don’t understand how to impress Roman’s parents.” She sat making a worried face.
Tonight there’s a party at Roman’s home as it’s his mother’s birthday. Roman never took Anna to his home though his parents were aware of his relationship with Anna. They even knew how she looks like but never talked to her. It’s time he decided to introduce Anna to his parents officially and she was really scared what would happen there.
I held her hand saying “Come on, Ann. Everything will be fine. They will definitely love and accept you.”
Anna nodded her head taking a deep breath. She asked “You are coming, right?”
I smiled looking at her then replied “Will you go alone if I won’t come with you?”
“What? Of course no. I can’t and I won’t go anywhere without you. Moreover, my mom too won’t send me at nights without you.”
I rolled my eyes saying “I know.”
We then spent the day talking to eachother. More like she was talking and I was listening to her stupid talks about tonight’s party. We already told Anna’s mom that we were going out tonight as there was a friend’s birthday party and come back soon so there’s no need to inform her again just a text of ‘Going’ was enough.
As it’s time, we started to get ready. I didn’t get ready much just a party dress with little makeup whereas Anna was hell bent to look like a doll. She took nearly an hour to get ready that made me annoyed. My parents were invited to the party by Roman’s parents but as my dad had works they were unable to join with us. If they join, there’s no doubt in confirming Anna and Roman’s relationship to my parents. Yeah! Though they had been doubting them, I kept telling the things to make them think about everything as rumours. I can’t dare telling their relationship to my mom, what if my mom tells her friend; Anna’s mom? Though she won’t, we can’t take risk. God! We can’t even imagine that.
Roman called Anna asking whether we started or not. He kept calling us since the moment we started to get ready. Anna and I reached there in my dad’s car as he didn’t take it to his works. Anna was literally shaking inside but she was trying so hard to maintain a good composure.
As soon as we got out of the car, Roman walked to us inviting inside. His big bungalow was decorated beautifully and a lot of people were there. I recognized most of them as they belonged to the town.
Roman held Anna’s hand taking her inside while I kept walking beside Anna. When I reached inside, I saw Harry talking to Roman’s parents. There’s no surprise in that. After all, Harry was their relative. I expected granny too but she didn’t come.
“Hello Stella darling! Where is your mom? And dad?” Roman’s mother asked.
I smiled looking at her and said “They are so sorry. They had works aunt, so they were unable to come. Instead of them, I’m here.”
She nodded her head and looked at Anna. “Anna! You look beautiful.”
Anna replied “Thank you ma’am.”
Roman and I turned our heads to her seeing her respect towards them. Ma’am? Seriously?
“Oh Anna! Call me aunt or you can call me by my name.”
Anna started to respect them too much that was making us three, Roman, Harry and me, left shocked. I could easily say she was bringing heaven to earth to make them impress.
She was beside Roman’s mother most of the time. It seemed Roman’s mother liked Anna which made me so happy. I sat on the chair while looking at Anna laughing with Roman’s parents. Then I shifted my gaze and saw Harry looking at me. Why does he always do things that makes me uncomfortable?
When he was gazing at me, a blonde girl, who was one of the members in the party, strolled to Harry and sat beside him on the sofa. She kept talking to him and Harry seemed not interested in her words. She was trying to get his attention by moving closer to him. She then took out her cell phone and started to take a selfie with him. I tried to ignore them but I was defeated with my inner battle. I stood from there and walked out as I was getting irritated with her actions and I didn’t want to spoil my mood.
I stood in the garden area where there were barely any people. It felt comfortable to me not being in Harry’s presence. It was relaxing to see few kids smiling, laughing and playing. When I was in my little relaxed state, I heard his voice from behind.
“Stella.”
I flinched hearing his voice but didn’t turn back as my heart started thumping. I didn’t want anything wrong to happen in the party. I started to fear again.
Harry then walked around and stood in front of me. I looked at him with fear, anger, sadness and many emotions gleaming through my eyes.
Harry let out a sigh saying “Please don’t give me that look. Please Stella.” He turned his face to a side.
I turned back and started to walk away but he caught my wrist that made me feel scared again. He stood in front of me saying “I want to talk to you, Stella.”
“P… Please, leave me Harry.” I stuttered.
Harry’s jaw clenched hearing my words. He held my shoulders asking “Don’t you even want to talk to me? Why are you giving me that look, Stella?”
I nodded my head in negative saying “Because you scared me, Harry and I started to fear of you always. I can’t even be with you in this close proximity. Please don’t touch me.” I said closing my eyes.
Harry removed his hands standing straight. I understood I hurt him but what I said was truth. He said “Stella, I know why you don’t want to get touched by me. But it’s months back. I was not in my senses and was so angry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for that. But even if Roman might had not come, I wouldn’t have done anything. I might had been angry but I know, I might had not gone to the level where you completely loathe me. Can’t you forget it and forgive me?”
“It’s not as simple as you say. You tried to…” I stopped my sentence in the middle controlling my emotions.
Harry gulped hearing me and said “You always forgave me whatever I did, Stella. You forgave me many times and now I want you to forgive me so badly but you are not in the position to do that. You didn’t even look at me though I tried many times to talk to you.”
What? He tried? When did he try?
He then asked “So it’s over what’s between us?”
I scoffed hearing him then I asked “What’s there between us?”
“Don’t talk to me like that. Is there nothing between us?” He gritted his teeth.
“It’s you who said there’s nothing between us except a nameless, no strings attached relationship. And yes you are right. There’s nothing between us. We are not perfect for eachother and I should’ve thought about it already but my stupidity made me love you and I’m so sorry for that.” I shouted and paused for a moment.
Before he said anything, I continued shouting “You are not correct for me and I’m not perfect for you. Not only me, no one can be perfect for you because you are not perfect first of all. You are a stubborn, egoistic guy who doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings. I’m still trying to forget everything I had with you, Harry so please don’t make me recall them again and I don’t want that.”
“Stella…”
“Please Harry! Don’t spoil this party.” Saying that I stepped away but I stopped in the middle and my eyes widened in shock as soon as I saw her walking inside the house. Anna’s mother.