Falling For You

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

"I wish I were a little girl again, because skinned knees are easier to fix than a broken heart."
- Julia Roberts

Afflictions of the heart.

" Maine?" It was Richard. I didn't know what to say to him, I felt twitching in my heart. I chose to keep silent.
" Maine, please. Giving me a silent treatment isn't helping. Did you get my letter? flowers?.." Richard asked
" Time, Richard. Please give me time." The phone's dial tone clicked ending the phone call.

Memories from last night brought back painful memories. The supposedly anticipated happy event as we all prepared for the dance went south. The sweet slow dance as we swayed to the song became nostalgic as I think about it now. As the night went on, I joined Pat and Paolo on the dance floor, we were ecstatic and was happily dancing to every beat, after Richard excused himself to the restroom. My position from the dance floor was adjacent from the restrooms and I saw Richard passed few tables to the men's room. Few seconds gone by and I saw him turn from a distinct voice. A young lady approached him from where he stood. I saw him smile and hug her back awkwardly. She looked familiar. Very familiar. I noticed her white pale face looked exactly like the girl from Richard's photo from his office wall.  Sophia. She placed a hand on his arm and held it close. Too close. I wanted to walk to where they were but I felt as if my feet were stuck like a thousand gallon of cement was poured on it. I couldn't move. Pat noticed my gaze and she stopped dancing. Paolo excused himself to order a drink from our booth. Sophia gave Richard another hug and they kissed. And just like that. The whole world collapsed and I felt as if a large knife pierced through my heart. I stood there watching amidst to the people around.  I felt my tears on my cheeks and realized, how can someone you love betray you just like that? Despite Pat's persuasions, I didn't listen to her as I adamantly left the bar. I felt the chilly wind on my face as I walked out onto the cold, dark night. I have never felt so abandoned. Few minutes went by, I ignored the sound of a revving engine slowing down. I slowly turned and realized it was Richard's blue beamer. Richard hollered in his soft voice of his, I felt more pain. I couldn't bear looking at those eyes I adored. My tears continued to flow and I turned away from him. Richard begging me to get in the car was the last thing I wanted to do.  I couldn't remember things that he said. I was too overwhelmed with my emotions. I wanted to be by myself and collect my thoughts. His betrayal was too overbearing, instead I chose to keep silent and as he drove up to my house, waiting for him to explain and apologize for what he did, instead we were both speechless. I gradually left his car with a heavy heart. I was hoping Richard would come after me, but didn't. As soon as I closed my front door, I felt weak and I felt my knees melting like candles as I sat on a cold wooden floor with my back still pressed by the door. The lights were off inside the house. I have never felt so alone. I was in total darkness as my pain cuts in black. Pitch black. My hopes of a bright future with Richard was getting bleak. I finally got the courage to walk to my staircase, collapsing at the end of the second floor hallway and my tears began welling in my eyes and let out a sob. How can he do this to me? The night became more difficult as I just stared at my ceiling. This is going to be a sleepless night for me as I hoped for sleep to come. I woke up with a pounding headache and wondered how I managed a few winks when I  was up all night in tears. My pillows were damp from uncontrollable cries from last night.

A soft, light rapping on the door caught my  attention as I quickly tidied my room and act nonchalant when Ruby appeared at my doorway and started to inquire after me. I avoided to keep eye contact and pretended to stare at the passerbys from outside of the gates. Barely noticing Ruby as she quietly left the room, I saw a pizza delivery car stopped by my parkway. A young pizza delivery guy got out of his company sedan and was walking directly to the front door.