If Only..(Part 1 And Part 2 Included)(Under Edit)

Chapter 42 - The New Normal

Every detail of the previous night started to flash through her mind. Her hands started to sweat as she dialed his number. But, to her dismay, there wasn't any response from the either side. She did not stop, she tried to call him several times, but every time, the ringing sound would end with a voice mail note. Her breathing accelerated, as she kept her eyes on the empty screen. She guided herself to collapse on the corner of the bed, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground.

Where is he? Why did he leave, without even acknowledging? Is he in some form of trouble? Or....did he intentionally leave before I wake up? Did....did I hurt him? No, no, no. What I did last night, wasn't right. I shouldn't have pushed him.

She dig her face in her palm.

Maybe, he regrets spending the night. What did I do?

After, meditating for a brief moment, she grabbed her phone and dialed another number. She stood up and started pacing restlessly, as the dial-er tone started to hit her ears. After a few rings, a hoarse voice responded.

Madeline(shuttering): Hey, um Jereff!

Jereff(concerned voice): Madeline, what's up? Is everything all right, down there?

Madeline(stammering, yet trying to stay as stable as she could): Ye...yeah! I am fine. Do...do you know where....I mean is Re.... um....sorry. How's...how's Rex?...shit no...I mean Ja...

Jereff(in a calm tone): You mean Jackson?

Madeline squeezed shut her eyes as her cheeks turned red.

Jereff: No, honey. I don't know, where he is. He did not come home.

The redness in her cheeks vanished as she downcasted her eyes with a subtle frown.

Madeline(in a gloomy voice): He did not come home? Is...um...is this normal?

Jereff(assuring tone): Yes it is completely okay. He must be stuck in some business.

Madeline(in a inquiring tone): Are you sure he is fine?

Jereff(chuckles): If anything goes wrong with him, I am the first person to sense that.

Madeline(disbelief): Wow! Are you guys telepathic or something?

Jereff laughs.

Jereff: No, we are not. Let just say, we have our ways, to be in touch with each other.

Madeline(gloomy): So, he is fine.

Jereff: Okay, something is bothering you. I can sense that. What's wrong?

Madeline(clearing her throat): Nothing you should be worried about. But, if he see him, please tell him to check his phone.

Jereff(confidently): Yup, roger that!

Madeline forces a chuckle: Thank you so much. Have a nice day.

Jereff: You too.

She placed the phone back on the bed table , climbed up the bed and curled herself up, on his side. A tear streamed down her eyes as she failed to waiver off the fact that maybe he genuinely left, and she was the reason.

A few hours later;

Madeline(smiling on the phone): Thank you so much. I owe you.....yup, bye.

Phew! Atleast, they did accept me, after I went AWOL. Stories do work.

She decided to go back to her old job. After a few requests, they finally accepted her. She needed this, to keep herself distracted from the whole devil in the form of "I am alone." She needed to find a tough floor to stand on, until she finally finds some better things to do. Maybe, get a degree like a normal girl.

The rest of the day, went on in a blur. She tried calling him occasionally, but she did not get to hear the familiar voice from the other side.

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The next day, she woke up early, pulled out her old uniform and the memories of her first day with Jackson came rushing into her mind. She kept her gaze fixed on the white t-shirt, for a brief moment, as she ran her hands delicately through the white fabric, unable to contain her smile and tears forming up in her eyes. She shook her head in an attempt to keep her mind out of those thoughts. She dresses up in her old white t-shirt and blue jeans, clutches her bag and stood near her broken mirror, and tries to get at least a glimpse of her reflection through the broken mirror. She lets out a low groan when she failed to figure out anything, after several attempts. She closes her eyes and takes few breaths, before she walks out of the house, locking the door, behind her.

The work that was once a cover, is now a new normal for her.