Unwanted Ties

What did they do?

Days have past ever since I started hanging out with Axel. We both enjoyed each other’s presence and company. We were inseparable after we started to hang out. We went to our university together. Axel would often pick me up to my house and we spent the whole day talking and gossiping. It was nice getting to know him. I was confused if he’s being generous or is he showing me signs, so I asked my friend, Shane.

“Shane, How do I know if someone likes me or not?” I seriously asked Shane.

“Well it depends, it’s not just about what they are showing to you like for example I could be your best friend and still stare at you and pick you up before and after school. We don’t know if they’re showing love as a friend or a potential lover unless if they say so.” Shane replied.

“Oh okay, I was just being confused of how Axel treats me because he does things normal friends don’t do or I haven’t experienced yet.” I told Shane.

“Like what?” Shane asked.

“I mean he opens the door for me, brings me food, spends time with me, buys me flowers and meets my parents.”

“Girl, I do those things to you”

“Yeah but it’s my first time seeing a boy do such generous things to me.”

“Well, you better ask him.” Shane answered my question.

As I was not ready to ask Axel yet, I remained quiet and still hang out and meet him per usual. One day at the restaurant something shocking happened that may possibly change our state of living. As I walked outside the campus I felt a cold breeze of air and it was something that was bothering me. I immediately walked of in an uncomfortable feeling. And as I walk home it suddenly started raining really hard. I ran as fast as If a cheetah was chasing me and had to fight for my life.

As I reached home I noticed that a black car was parked outside our house where our restaurant was placed. I went inside and noticed that my mom was crying while my dad was talking to a lawyer-looking woman.

“What’s wrong mom? Who is she and why is she here?” I asked my Mother.

“She’s a lawyer, she ordered for demolition of commercial business structure and we’re going to lose this place.” My mom said, I can feel her heart aching as her tears falls like raindrops as the rain continues.  I couldn’t do anything in fact I didn’t know what I could do.

All I did was stare as my dad talked with the lawyer while I was there hugging my mom witnessing the sadness in her face. It was a sad night knowing that it has a special place in our hearts. That place holds many memories especially for my dad and my mom. I had my first steps on those floor. I met friends who were customers. It was hard for us as a family that we had to let go a place that was almost a museum for us. Just like a museum, memories are always preserved and protected there.

The night wasn’t like the usual night anymore. As we sat at the dinner table silence fills the air. I can feel both of my parent’s hearts breaking into a million pieces as if it was a fragile little glass. I promised my self that one day I will bring back my family’s business again, but bigger.

I told Axel about what had happened that night and told him how it affected my childhood memories that my parents kept there. He felt sad for me as I kept on talking. As I talked I couldn’t help but tear up. I hanged up the call. I kept on crying because that place had a space for my heart. Eventually, my parents heard me crying so they went upstairs to check on me.

“Elise? Are you there?” My dad asked while knocking on my door.

“I couldn’t answer him because of how loudly I cried.” My mom and dad opened it and immediately went to hug me.

“I know how you feel sweetie, there’s nothing we can do about it anymore.” My mom said.

After hearing ger words I couldn’t help but cry even more.

“Promise me, we’re going to build it up again as soon as you become a lawyer. Hopefully. No worries for your law school fees because thankfully we were able to save the perfect amount.” My dad’s words marked in my mind as if it was pinned to the bone. One day.

After talking with my parents we heard someone knocked on our doorsteps, and to my surprise it was Axel. He brought one of my favorite food, ramen and chicken. He also bought one for my family. We ate together at the table, this time there were smiles that fills up the air. I was thankful for Axel that a guy like him could cheer me up in the times that I needed someone’s shoulder to cry on.

Axel felt close to my family. My family seems to like Axel too, good thing. After eating the food Axel brought, it was already late at night so my mom offered Axel to sleep at my house. At my bedroom. I felt an awkward feeling knowing that he’s going to be sleeping there. My dad let him borrow one of his pajamas to Axel. Axel had no any other option. So he just wore it and got ready for bed. There were no extra beds or bedrooms which means we were going to be sleeping next to each other.

“Your parents are so nice, you’re so lucky to have them.”

“Yeah, they were the ones who taught me to be kind to others because you never know what problem they are facing.”

“I wish I had parents like yours, doesn’t pressure you, love you, and make you feel special.”

I pat Axel’s arms to cheer him up. I couldn’t imagine how his parents treayts him badly.