Chapter 44
(Kat's POV)
I walked inside my house, following dad who hadn't said a word to me the whole car ride back.
I wasn't quite sure why he was upset with me. Maybe it was because I wasn't happy about the fact that he took Zayn away from me once again. But for whatever reason, he still made me angry.
Cora had her hand on my back as she carefully guided me into the house. My crutches were making it impossible to walk without almost tripping.
Once I made it inside, Cora said, "do you want to go upstairs?"
I nodded and she began to help me.
"Wait," Dad ordered.
I didn't bother turning to face him like Cora did. Instead I just stood still, staring at the floor in front of me.
"What had gotten into you at the hospital?" He asked.
I shrugged, "I don't know what you're talking about."
I felt him walk over until he stood directly in front of me. "You embarrassed me in front of everyone."
"You mean Jack and Carlee?"
"That's not the point," he said. "And look at me when I'm talking to you!" He shouted.
I didn't look up and he didn't appreciate that.
"Do you not hear me?" His voice rang in my head.
Before I knew it, a cold hand came in contact with my cheek. I felt a sharp sting on my face. I didn't even bother to show emotion as he slapped me.
"Mark!" Cora said, surprised at his actions.
For some reason, I didn't show any emotion. I wasn't surprised because I know that when he's upset he takes his anger out on me, and I've experienced worse than just a slap. Such as multiples of beatings and other things. When dad's temper gets out of hand, he takes it out on the thing he cares about most; me.
"Listen to me Kat," his voice became stern, "you will not see that boy no matter what happens. Do I make myself clear?"
I didn't say anything, I mean why would I? I was going to see Zayn no matter what happened. Just because he had something against him doesn't mean that I had to agree.
I felt him grab my wounded arm harshly, causing extra pain to the cut that was not completely recovered. "I said, do I make myself clear?"
I had no other choice but to nod my head, but I didn't mean it. He let go of my arm roughly and stormed into his room, flustered with anger.
I didn't let that scene stop me for even a moment. I turned to start walking upstairs, not caring how physically hurt I was. Cora helped me up the steps but when I had reached my room, I asked her to leave.
I locked my room door and sat down on my bed. I threw my crutches to the side angrily as hot tears began to sting my eye. If dad had a problem with anger, I had a major problem with frustration.
Tears began pouring from my eyes, my whole body gave out. I felt my heart rate slowing down, my body trembling and becoming numb with pain.
Just when I thought I had experienced enough pain for one day, there was always more.
I sobbed and sobbed. So much pain had entered me that there was only one possible remedy for my happiness.
Just as I thought this, I heard a silent creak coming from the my room. I looked up to see the window flung open a dark figure climbing in through it extra carefully. Through my tears, I made out Zayn's face. He closed the window before rushing over to me.
Without a word, he embraced me immediately. I didn't hesitate as my arms made their way around him, pulling him closer. I embraced his familiar scent as I felt him doing the same.
My remedy had arrived.
"Don't cry darling," he whispered in my hair, "I'm here now."
"Zayn," I sobbed quietly into his chest. "I'm so sorry."
"You haven't done anything baby."
"Dad hurt you," I replied.
He pulled apart, grabbing both of my hands and looking me in the eyes. "It's not your fault he doesn't approve of me. Besides, you don't think I was going to let him stop me, do you?"
A smile crept on my face. He smiled back, but I knew he wasn't fully engaged. Neither was I.
"Are you hurt babe?" He asked me.
I nodded.
"Where?" He began slowly examining me.
Oh, he was talking about physical pain. I had many of those, but plenty of other ones that weren't so visible. But I told him, "I feel really weak."
He didn't waste a moment as he picked me up and laid me down on my bed. He put a pillow under my foot to keep my leg elevated. He put a blanket over me while making sure I was comfortable.
The way he cared about me made me so happy. Even though I had experienced a lot today, having him by my side at the end of the day was a huge help.
He crawled on over to my side, laying besides me on the bed. I carefully turned to face him, moving close so that me head was buried in his chest.
For a moment we just lay there. His arm wrapped tightly and protectively around me, my head against his chest to the point to where I could hear his heartbeat, our breaths the only thing making any noise.
It was silent until he said, "I wish it was me who got hit instead of you."
I sucked in a breath. Did he really mean that?
"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you got hit," I whispered to him.
"How do you think I feel?"
I stayed silent. None of this was his fault, but I could only imagine how guilty he felt.
"Kat, I thought you were going to..." he didn't finish, but we both know what he was going to say. I felt him exhale a breath, as if he were relieved.
Suddenly, I felt his chest moving at an unsteady rate. I looked up at him to see him rubbing his eyes. "Are you crying?" I was surprised.
"Just when I thought I had no tears left," he let out a fake chuckle.
He was crying? For me? Not only now, but before also. I couldn't help the couple of tears that rolled down my cheek at that moment. I reached up and wiped away his tears with my fingers.
"I'm sorry," he croaked, "I just love you so much."
Usually, I would be so happy when he told me that. But today, I wasn't.
He shouldn't have loved me. He gets so much pain because of me. Honestly, he didn't deserve it. He deserved someone who he could have without going through so much trouble just to see her.
The truth is that I didn't deserve him. He was too good for someone like me.
"Stop." I said.
"What?"
"Please," I croaked, "don't love me. I can't bear to see you got through this much for me."
"What?" He repeated once more. "It doesn't matter how hurt I'm getting, you're worth it."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
I sighed, "Zayn, what if one day, dad finds out again. He'll send you to jail for no reason. Or he'll hurt you. I can't risk that."
"I don't care," was his response. "I love you."
"Please Zayn."
"I love you, I love you, I love you." He repeated. "Even if your dad walks through that door right now, I'll still love you."
I looked up at him, ready to tell him to stop, but instead I just looked at him. Bruises on his face, his face soft, his eyes watering. I couldn't help myself as I leaned up and pressed my lips to his.
His lips, which were trembling, had now began to sail with mine. He pushed me closer to him, being extra careful. I embraced the kiss, for it could be our last, as I felt him doing the same.
"I love you," I finally said to him. I couldn't help myself, I hated it that I loved him, but my emotions didn't ask me before they went crazy.
He pulled me in close to him, my head resting against his chest. "Please don't ever doubt my love for you Kat, I would do anything for you. I never thought I would fall so hard for someone, but it happened, and it can't undo. And I wouldn't want it any other way. I love you a lot Kat, you make me so happy."
I smiled. The first real genuine smile that I had the whole day. He didn't realize how much he made me happy just by saying that. So much happened today but even after everything, he stuck by me.
I felt an immediate ping of a feeling that doesn't occur frequently. Suddenly I realized that we; Zayn and I, could do this.
Zayn and I could prove dad wrong.
----------
It would mean a lot for you to leave feedback, vote, and follow me. Remember, it takes hours for me to write, and seconds for you to vote. :) ily.
Follow me on Twitter! @mindofballoons