Arsc lay in the alley, propped up to rest on the wall as the heavy storm fell around him. Rubbish was all around him. Small rodents scurried into the dustbins, their noises slightly echoing in the rain.
He was sobbing, shivering in the cold. Fresh bruises were visible on his face, torso, and arms. He sobbed furiously, his voice not being heard due to the rain. He couldn't help it. He couldn't stop crying. This cry wasn't just about pain, it was the cry you gave when your whole life had been a mess. A cry you give when you wish you weren't born because you're life is a living hell.
That was the tears Eric was shedding. He couldn't stop. He wished he could. But he couldn't. His new clothes were torn, with visible holes and tears. His dark, curly hair was streaked with dust and mud; his face was the same.
He wiped his bloody nose on his sleeve and sniffed, his face contorted in pain at just that single gesture. That was how bad it was, the pain he was experiencing. Not just from the external injuries, but it was also the emotional, mental, and psychological pain he was up against. And he was losing badly.
'Why' He thought. 'What did I do to experience this?'
Tears fell from his right swollen eye, the action making his eye sting even harder.
'My life has just been a dramatic play being executed in perfection.' His thoughts further continued. 'And I'm the main character in the play, the character with the bad luck, orchestrated to fall repeatedly and never get up at all.'
The rain fell with a blueness that showed no sign of stopping anytime soon. Whereas if the cloth were heavily soaked, the wet cloth would stick uncomfortably to his skin. He watched a rat dart past his outstretched hand into the rubbish bag opposite him with a testament
I think that he registered the smell. It was ifuly disgusting. He finally noticed that he was sitting among rubbish. The rain is bringing out the smell even more. He needs to leave this place. He couldn't stay there anymore.
testamentntntntntntre? Where could he go? He couldn't go back there after they had just kicked him out. It was then he remembered. He smiled. He knew where to go.
He picked himself up, dusted himself then froze, wondering why he was dusting himself when he was beyond dirty and filthy. He cursed and tried to arrange his clothes. He examined the holes in his clothes, then picked up the fluff in his hair.
Even after experimenting with cleaning his clothes and trying to present a good appearance, he still looked as if he had wrestled with the rubbish, lost, and nearly drowned in it.
He hoped it was at least somewhat presentable. He stepped out of the alley, the heavy wind attacking him in an instant. As he expected, not a soul in sight. Completely deserted, he could only see parked cars and bikes in the endless darkness. And judging by the way they were parked, the owners were not coming anytime soon.
That was good. No one could see him. No one would be able to see him. He began his walk to his destination. Neither fast nor slow. It was probably somewhere in the middle. He was in a hurry to be there before people saw him, but he didn't want to be seen as desperate, even though he knew he wouldn't be seen.
He moved silently in the rain, his feet not making a sound. He passed parked cars, small apartments where the windows were closed, and trees that whipped in the heavy wind.
And there it was. He had made it to his destination. The only place where he had come for help, for guidance, for comfort, for solitude, and not one single day had he ever been refused. Not one. That's what made this place special. But it was just not the place.
It was the person inside. The ray of light. The beacon of hope. The only person who had put a smile on his face without trying. The person who loved him for who he was. That was why he was here.
He took a deep breath, then he knocked on the door three times, making sure it was loud but only to be heard above the rain.
He watched as a light was suddenly switched on in a window. Then he heard footsteps descend and stop at the door. Then the door opened. And it was as if the light had been switched on in the darkness because that was all he could see.
She was beautiful, stunning, and gorgeous at the same time. She was of medium height, blonde, her hair curled in wavy patterns so effortlessly, like it was art. Her dreamy blue eyes are so clear you could gaze into them and find yourself lost. Her smile was so pure and bright, like there was no evil in the world, and she was a living witness to it.
All he could do was smile when he saw her. Even in his discomfort, he couldn't help it. He was always happy when he saw her. That was what she had done to him. And he loved it. Every single moment of it.
Her smile froze when she took in his appearance. Her eyes were examining every single body part of him, her mouth frowning in thought. His heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes finished their examination and settled back on his face. He watched her open her mouth.
"They kicked you out again, didn't they?"
His thoughts screamed a powerful sigh of relief. He didn't say a single word. He didn't need to. All he did was nod.
She understood immediately.
She stepped forward, not minding the rain. She stretched her hand and held his, pulling him forward.
"Come in."
And he did and he did it with no hesitation. He had done it before and he will keep on doing it.
"Thank you, Anna." He muttered, his voice dry and hoarse.
"Don't talk, babe. You need something to drink. I'll make a cup of hot tea."
She directed him to her room and placed him on her bed. She immediately left to go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Eric watched her leave, then turned to his surroundings.
Her room was immaculate as ever. Spotless, not a speck of dust in sight. Her room smelled fresh, like lavender rose and a touch of purple hibiscus mixed into it. He always loved sniffing it.
Four minutes later, Anna was back with the cup. She gave it to him and watched as he slurped it with ease. She sat beside him on the bed, watching as he drank the tea with hunger.
He finished it and placed the empty cup on a coffee table. He felt better, his throat was no longer parched and dry.
"Thank you, Anna." He muttered, his eyes focused on the rug.
"Relax, babe" Anna replied, her mouth in a small smile. "I got your back."
He nodded, his eyes still on the rug. He couldn't look her in the eye. He hated it. How weak he was, how weak he felt. He was supposed to be the strong boyfriend, one who would shield her. To protect her. He wanted her to see it in him. Or maybe she did? He just wasn't sure?
So he stayed quiet, looking at the purple rug on the floor, watching the white circles etched on it, imagining it rotating like a spinning wheel and blurring.
Anna was watching him, her eyes on his face, her face looking curious and thoughtful at the same time.
"What did they accuse you of this time?" Anna asked snapping him out of his trance. He turned to face her.
"Huh?"
"You heard me, Eric." Anna spoke, giggling at his dazed face."I'm saying what your family accused you of this time around?"
Eric's face went down, saddened that his girlfriend had already figured it out with no difficulty at all.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Anna grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently.
"Talk to me." She whispered. "Trust me. I'm always here for you."
Eric was silent, his face down, eyes moving rapidly, trying to think of a way to reject her, to refuse. He just didn't want to keep telling her of his problems, to keep burdening her with it. It never felt right to him.
But her soft pleas won the battle so he had to resign himself to his fate. He sighed, a long deep sigh.
"Stealing."
"Huh?"
"I was accused of stealing."
Anna was confused about this statement he had just heard. This was new. She had heard of the accusations of his bribing officials in the college with his family's money, raping several girls, ties with gangs and the famed mafia, and contacts with various hitmen. But this new one was strange. It felt mild.
"So what?" She teased. "Did they accuse you of stealing three dollars from your sister's wallet?"
Xavier just blinked. "No, they accused me of stealing ten million dollars from the family without permission. "
Anna froze, her face contorted in shock.
"Why would they do that?" She whispered. "That's not normal. They aren't normal. And your father believed that?"
Eric nodded. "He did. Did the usual punishment on me. I became his golfing practice."
Anna winced, making Eric chuckle. He was glad that she was sad for him. But his chuckle disappeared immediately, and he returned with a sad frown.
"I truly am sorry, Anna." He whispered, more to himself than Anna. "Sorry for being useless. You've been there for me even more than I deserved."
"Don't say that, Eric." Anna soothed. "You're not useless. You've never been useless. And it's my duty to be there for you. If I'm not, then what am I?"
"I know," Eric said, gritting his teeth. "But my family wants to ruin me. They never loved me. They always abused me. My siblings were never among them. It was only me. I was the only one who faced my father's wrath."
He chuckled bitterly. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm truly his son."
Anna didn't say a word. She was silent watching him without an expression on her face. She wanted to say what was truly on his mind but she didn't.
She held his hand, slowly rubbing it gently.
"Look." She spoke softly. "I'm always here for you. Always."
He nodded.
"Are you coming to the college party tomorrow?" She asked.
"I don't wanna."
"Please. You have to." She pleaded. "Do it for me. You know I need you there."
Eric sighed for a long time, staring at the window where rain was still pouring out of the window. "You know my brothers and sisters, with my cousins, are going to be there. I'll be the joke at the party."
"You won't. Not with me there."
There was silence for at least three minutes before Eric eventually nodded. Anna smiled sweetly before she pressed her lips to his and hugged him.
After five minutes of bliss and comfort in his opinion, she straightened up.
"Okay." She said. "Now you need to get into the shower, since you're gonna be staying here. Because you smell like pig dung and cow dung mixed together. "
Eric froze, then his face contorted into shame and he practically picked himself up and fled into the bathroom, closing the door.
Anna giggled, staring at the door where Eric had disappeared inside.
Suddenly, her phone ran from where it lay on the coffee table. An Ariane Grande song played out. Anna picked it up, staring at the number displayed on the phone.
Her smile faded as she saw the number. A deep frown replaced it.
She picked up the call and placed it to her ear, waiting for the person to speak.
"I hope you haven't fallen in love with him or all that bullshit." A deep voice was soon heard as the call was picked up.
Anna was silent for a minute before she answered. "No."
"Good." The voice continued. "The plan must be perfect. I want no setbacks. I've had enough already. Have you persuaded him to come to the party?"
"He's coming. He'll be there."
"Then he's in for a big surprise. And I hope you haven't told him the truth."
"No." Anna replied, staring at the bathroom door, hearing the familiar run of water. "His family hasn't told him, so I won't."
"Nice job, babe." The voice replied, laughing. "You deserve a reward. You'll get it once we're done with him. Good night, babe"
"Good night."
The phone call was disconnected. Anna placed it back on the coffee table just as Eric walked out of the bathroom, towel in hand.
"You were on a call?" He asked.
"Yeah. Just my mom."
Eric nodded, removing the towel and draping it over his shoulder. He had changed into spare clothes, ready for the night.
"I'll sleep on the couch." He said, making his way out of the room.
"No need," Anna said, patting the bed. "You can lie down with me."
Eric was shocked. She had never suggested this and he didn't either because he respected her boundaries.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Eric smiled before walking up to the bed and slipping in beside her as they lay together in the bed. There was silence in the room as they lay.
Eric hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her. She didn't say a word when he did that, so he left his hands there and settled into sleep, actually happy and satisfied since it's been a long while.
Soon, he was snoring softly in the night but if he was still awake, he would have noticed something. He would have noticed that his girlfriend wasn't trying to sleep at all. She was awake, staring at the ceiling.
"Sweet dreams, Eric." She whispered. "You'll need it tomorrow."