CHAPTER EIGTHTEEN: “SAYING GOODBYE”
She did not mean to leave without saying goodbye. She wanted to see him one last time before they left this sanctuary because she was not sure what lay beyond the four walls of the hospital. Were they friends? She still needed answers on the blind date situation. She was heading to his room to let him know that she had been discharged and would be leaving but when she got to his door, he had company. An elderly couple was by his side and it appeared to be his mom and dad. She did not feel comfortable walking into the room, her presence might make things awkward. And so she just left.
“Hey you.”
“Hey Amber” Azania replied when she got into the car. Amber had taken the day off from work to pick her up from the hospital.
“What’s up with you? You don’t exactly look happy to see me” Amber said as she pulled out of the parking lot and headed into the direction on Azania’s apartment.
“I just have a lot of my mind, don’t take it personal” she replied and leaned her head against the headrest. All she wanted right now was her bed, some comfort food and Netflix.
“Could DeAndre be one of those things that are on your mind?” Amber enquired.
“Not at all.”
“Come on Azania, even I could see the chemistry between the two of you. What’s the deal between you two?”
“There’s nothing going on.”
“Girl don’t play me like that.”
“For real, there’s nothing going on between me and DeAndre. We went out on a blind date, I didn’t think I would hear from him after the date but I did and we hanged out once. He turned out to be interested in buying the property that belonged to my grandfather. My dad asked me to handle it and since I didn’t want to sell it, I decided to lease it to him and his business partner. He’s also the one that intervened in whatever evil plans that man had on that faithful day.”
“Ok but why isn’t there anything going on between the two of you? Was the date a disaster?”
“Not at all. It exceeded my expectations. Everything was just perfect until…”
“Until what?”
“Until we kissed…” she whispered.
“You kissed?!” Amber exclaimed turning in her seat to face her.
“Amber watch the road!”
“Sorry. You kissed?! And you claim that there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”
“Because it’s true. Before the whole incident occurred we had not been on speaking terms for months.”
“Why not?”
“Because he kept on taking liberties.”
“What liberties?” Amber asked with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. He just kept kissing me and I was too weak to resist him ninety-nine percent of the time.”
“I have seen the guy, I don’t blame you” Amber joked.
“It’s not funny. You know how weak I am, I tend to fall in love quickly.
“Well maybe he was falling for you as well.”
“I know that’s not true.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I asked him what his intentions were and he couldn’t even answer me.”
“Oh…”
“Yeah and I didn’t want to be a booty call, friends with benefits, in a flirtationship or a situationship.”
“Ok…so where to from here?”
“I just want us to be friends. He honestly is a cool guy, I enjoy his company and these past few days in the hospital made me realize that. Plus he didn’t try anything, so I’m sure that whatever phase he was going through is dead and gone.”
“Friends? You want to be that man’s friend? Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, he saved me. I can’t just keep ignoring him like I did in the past.”
“How do you see this thing playing out?”
“Like any other friendship.”
“According to my understanding that man repeatedly came on to you and you think that he is going to settle to just be your friend?”
“Yes. We have been doing fine these past few days. That man doesn’t want me like that anymore.”
Amber looked at her like she was delusional but all she said was “ok.” They had finally reached their destination: her apartment.
“I’m going to take a quick shower and get comfortable. I smell like the hospital” Azania said smelling herself.
“Yes you do that and do something about that hair because it kinda looks dry” Amber said with a smile.
“You know what…forget you!” she said mugging her.
“I’m just messing with you” Amber laughed. “What do you wanna eat?”
“Pizza. I haven’t had that in a while.”
“Ok it will be here by the time you are done.”
Azania walked into her bathroom and stripped out of the sweatpants and sweater that she was wearing. She stood in front of the mirror and appraised herself. She didn’t feel like much at the moment. She had a deep purple bruise that covered her entire left side, from her shoulder-blade down to her hip . That was where she sustained most of her injuries. The bruises on her face did not look that bad, they were slowly but surely healing. Tears escaped from her eyes, she could have been raped or murdered. That man just had did not have pure intentions with her on that day. She was just happy that she never got to find out what they were. Not wanting to dwell on it anymore, she stepped into the shower and let the water wash more than her hair and body, she allowed the water to cleanse her soul.
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He had gone to her room to bid his farewell and he found it empty. There was not a trace that she had been there, even the dozens of flowers were gone.
“Excuse me nurse” he stopped the nurse that had just passed the room. “I am looking for Azania Parker.”
“Azania Parker has been discharged a few hours ago. Her friend came to pick her up earlier this morning.”
“Thank you” he replied. So she just left, without even saying goodbye. He was crushed. He walked back to the reception area where Anthwan was waiting for him. His parents had visited him earlier this morning but he had to send them home. They were exhausted and he was not in a critical condition, so they had nothing to worry about. As soon as they saw the doctor and the doctor gave them his assurance that everything was ok, he sent them packing to get some much needed rest. He would see them at his home later on.
“That was quick” Anthwan said when DeAndre finally caught his attention. He was busy flirting with some nurse that looked almost twice his age.
“Yeah, she’s gone.”
“What do you mean she’s gone?”
“She was discharged earlier this morning and she just left. I didn’t even get a measly goodbye.”
“Damn…”
“You can say that again. That woman hates me. I thought that after this we would just put the past behind us and move on.”
“Move on to what exactly?”
“To being friends?”
Anthwan just shook his head and got into the car. DeAndre followed suit.
“What?” DeAndre asked. They were heading to his house. It was late in the afternoon.
“You honestly think that you and Azania can be friends?”
“Why not?”
“Because just a few months ago you were the one confessing that you were ‘in-like’ with her and you could barely keep your hands to yourself. Now all of a sudden you see yourself being her friend?”
“It’s water under the bridge, I am over that.”
“Really?” Anthwan asked in disbelief. “So why were you so upset a few minutes ago when you discovered that she had left without saying goodbye?”
“Because I hated the tension that was between us. We are business partners and I wanted us to at least be cordial with each other. After what we went through, I had hoped that we were in a good place but I was wrong. She clearly still hates my guts.”
Before Anthwan could respond, his phone rang.
“Hello” he answered. His phone was connected to the Bluetooth system of his car.
“Hi Anthwan, it’s Azania.” Her voice echoed through the speakers.
That was the last thing that he expected. Why was she calling his best friend? Was there something going on between them? He should stop being paranoid. Maybe it had to do with business.
“Hey Azania, how are you?”
“I’m ok thanks and how are you?”
“Well I’m not the one that just got out of the hospital” Anthwan replied. “I’m just as handsome as the last time you saw me.”
DeAndre heard her laugh on the other end of the line. Why was she laughing at Anthwan’s corny lines?
“Ouch!” she groaned.
“Azania what’s wrong?” Anthwan panicked.
“Nothing is wrong, it just hurts when I laugh. Nothing to worry yourself about.”
DeAndre’s heart was beating at the speed of lightning when he heard her groan out in pain. He slowly released the breath that he was holding.
“Ok I will behave and not be my charming self. What can I help you with?”
“I need a favor…”
“What favor could you possibly need from me?”
“I was wondering…”
“Come on Azania, what do you need?”
“Never mind, I can hear that you are driving. I will call you back later.”
“You can talk. I’m not driving with my phone in my hand, you are connected to my car’s Bluetooth system.”
DeAndre was frantically waving his hands to let Anthwan know that his presence must not be made known to Azania.
“So spit it out” Anthwan continued.
“Ok…I was wondering if you could please text me DeAndre’s number?”
Now she had his full attention, it was not that she did not have his attention before but he was sulking in the corner while she was talking to Anthwan. She could not pick up the phone to call him but she could call his friend? That’s shady.
“Don’t you already have his number?” Anthwan asked.
“No I deleted it.”
“Why?”
“It’s a long story” Azania replied. “So will you please text it to me?”
“Ok but you have to tell me something first.”
“What?”
“Why did you leave without saying goodbye?”
DeAndre tried to act like he was not phased but he would also like to know why she just left like that. It bothered him and Anthwan being his friend knew that it did. He was just not sure that he would be okay with the answer that she was going to give.
“It was not intentional.”
“What did you mean it was not intentional?”
“I was on my way to DeAndre’s room to say goodbye to you guys but when I got there, he had company.”
“He had company, so what?”
“It seemed like it was his parents. I did not want to make things awkward.”
“Awkward how?”
That question was just about to leave his lips but luckily Anthwan asked it before he could blow his cover.
“I am a strange woman, his parents do not know me. My presence there might have not been welcomed. Now are you going to give me the number or not?”
So she just didn’t leave. What she said made sense but she had nothing to worry about. His parents were good peoples. Well his mom might have jumped to her own conclusions but still, they would not have made her feel unwelcomed.
“I will text you the number as soon as I get home.”
“Thanks Anthwan.”
“You owe me.”
“I know I do. Bye.”
“Bye.”
After making sure that he had hung up, Anthwan turned to DeAndre. “See she didn’t just leave. No you can put your mind at ease.”
DeAndre did not bother to respond. Anthwan left him to his own thoughts and turned on the radio to some old school Hip Hop, Da Brat featuring Notorious B.I.G’s Da B Side started playing. He felt his body relax into the chair and he closed his eyes. He now knew her reasons for leaving without saying goodbye.
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It’s not edited, grammar is not on fleek.
Thank you for still rocking with me day ones to one thousand, I appreciate you guys. \(^^,)/
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I finally have been able to track down DeAndre (Travis Cure) and Anthwan (JJ James) and I have been drooling ever since. These guys are sooo fine! (/**,\)
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