"I am sorry." I was shocked when I heard those words. It's been like five or odd years now. He is sorry for what? "I was scared and confused after that night. I was horrified when the scenes of that night flashed in my mind back-to-back. The first week, I locked myself, and even I was mortified to see myself in the mirror. More than anything, facing you scared the hell out of me. I didn't want to discuss and conclude things."
I was digesting word by word. I knew this was something we both didn't foresee or, at least, expect. All of a sudden, that night, an incident hit like a volcano, and everything was disrupted. "Memories started haunting." By saying that, he stood and started walking towards me. We were facing each other. "I didn't know what to do. I was feeling dread to face you, as stubborn as you are. I knew you wanted answers, and I didn't want to face reality. I knew how hard you tried to reach me just to talk. Your face was a reflection of that night incident, and I wanted to forget it at any cost, including you."
I felt a pang in my heart. He not only chose to escape but also to forget me like I never existed. What about our years of friendship? "It was not easy; nothing was. My dad, background, and career—everything forced me to take such a drastic step. I needed it." I bet. No words were coming out, and my mind started gushing with memories that I had buried. "It was my first, and I intend to close it like it never happened in my life. I wanted to erase that incident completely from my mind."
I felt this was too much, and I wanted him to stop this explanation. I don't want to hear any of this. I was feeling suffocated. "I started dating and indulged myself more in my studies. Probably because of that, I was partly successful in leaving behind everything, including memories. At least I thought so. I deceived myself by believing that I suppressed everything that was erupting, like lava. I strongly believed everything was just a drunken mistake until I returned. Your face was enough for the eruption of my thoughts, which I had concealed."
The gap was closed between us, and tears started flowing from our eyes. I wanted him to stop whatever he was sprouting, but my throat felt dry. "I used all my willpower to stay strong and stick to my ground. Everything was normal like it used to be. Like I had planned and as my father wanted. Again, your constant approaches were a threat, and I did my best to avoid you. I was successful, and I made you give up. I should have been happy when you left in the name of transfer. Only both of us knew the exact reason why you left, as you never planned on leaving your parents. I did enjoy your absence for a few days. I relaxed myself when everything stopped. No more questions, no more digging, and no one-on-one discussion. Finally, you gave me what I had been carving for. I found my solace in your disappearance."
Lucas placed his head on my chest, inhaling deeply. "After a few days, I started feeling so many things. Your absence pushed me into distress. The things I had buried started to find their meaning. I got to know how you felt about my disappearance. How much you had struggled alone. I got to know about your therapy, and I unleashed everything. Here, I am at your mercy. Please don't push me as I did to you. I beg you."
Tears were flowing leisurely. My five years of pain vanished just like that because of his confession, or because of him, which I am not able to point out. Relief washed over me.
After the incident, we went through the same emotions but dealt differently. The one-to-one discussion or running whatever the case, at last, we are bounced back.
He was inhaling me deeply and I got to know he was sniffing my scent. "I had missed this. Your scent dived me crazy and made me go wild on that night." I not at all except this blunt confession. I pushed him a little.
"I am not going to give in that easily. You showed me hell for more than five years." In return, I got a chuckle. "I don't want you to give in. I am going to win over you. I want my 'bottom' back."
What the hell? In no time, my anger reached the break-even point. Was that supposed to be a pick-up point? "F*** off." By pushing him harshly, I was making my way toward my room. He was tailing me by laughing his heart out. "Hey." He held my hand and pushed me toward him. We were too close. "If you are in my life, I don't mind being versatile for you anything." That sounds like a pick-up point.
The next thing I knew, our lips were locked.
THE END.