Stranger
1212 Words
MILIANI
This was my only way out.
I stepped back after knocking, my arms folding instinctively across my chest. The weather was cold and that was the only thing I could cover myself with. I could only imagine how Clarissa would react. I could already picture her face—those wide brown eyes widening and her mouth parting in disbelief.
I placed the knock for the second time and just like I expected. She had the shocked expression on her face.
“Miliani!” she sized me from head to toe and then at my luggage.
“My marriage...... It is over.” My voice broke as I stood right in front of her. “Can you please... let me in? I have nowhere to go.”
“Over where? You just celebrated your wedding anniversary and...”
“It is over. He called it quit and served me divorce papers this morning.”
I was still reeling from the thoughts and I myself found it difficult to believe. Maybe we weren’t perfect but somehow, I believed we could never fall apart.
“What did you do?” She suddenly probed and I shut my eyes tight as I halted. “What did you to make him leave you?”
I felt my throat tighten and my chest ached as though air had been stolen from me. I turned to meet her narrowed eyes, scrutinizing me as though I was a criminal on trial. Of course. Everyone believed Lennon is the perfect guy and I, the trouble maker.
“Can I at least come in? I... I don’t know where else to go.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she shifted on her feet, glancing over her shoulder before stepping back just enough for me to squeeze inside.
“Alright. Come in,” she said, though the words felt heavy, as if they came with some unspoken burden.
As I walked in, I felt the tension in the air like I wasn’t just a guest, but an uninvited one. She led me to the couch before handing me a blanket. “You can settle here for now,” she said, her eyes avoiding mine.
“Thanks.” I whispered.
Her arms crossed as though she wasn’t entirely sure about her decision. There was a deep silence between us before she sat right by my side and held my hands.
“What happened? What did you do?” She probed again and I shut my eyes tight as I tried to avoid the sting of her words. “Does Lennon know you are here? I would like for you to stay but you know I have a business with him and....”
“You are going to choose a business alliance over me? You want me to leave your house?” My voice broke.
“No.” She held my hands. My heart was breaking and the last thing I wanted was horrible words from her. “No. I am sorry if I sounded like that. if I chose business over you, I wouldn’t have allowed you in here in the first place... but I cannot do that.” She assured and a sigh escaped my lips.
“Everything was fine. He didn’t come home on our wedding anniversary as he claimed business came up only for him to return today and.... what I got next was a divorce letter.” I shook my head. “You know..... I never imagined we would be apart even though I think he is cheating on me.” I turned to look at her.
She turned slowly to face me, her wide eyes searching my face as though she hadn’t heard me right.
“I mean.... I saw the subtle signs but I never believed it. I forced myself to believe that he was perfect so when I saw several messages he got from a certain ‘Shirley’, I never believed it.”
“Shirley? Who is that? Do you know who she is?” She questioned and I shook my head before taking a sip of the tea she served me. Now, I had to get my life in order but where do I start from?
I couldn’t go back to my mother and father. Goodness, they insisted I stay with Lennon and never return to them no matter what happens.
**
It had been days since I moved in with Clarissa and secretly, I wished Lennon would call me to ask me to return but it’s been what now? Six days?
“I hate to be the one to break it to you.” Clarissa spoke as I stood by the window, lost in thoughts. “I know what is going on in your mind and I understand but.... I don’t think Lennon is coming back for you.
I visited him at the office today and.... he brought in a woman.”
My heart skipped a beat and my ears stretched. Another woman? Perhaps, Shirley? Where did I go wrong?
“You cannot just sit in here and do nothing. You have to get your life together and move on.”
Her words weakened me to the bones. It felt like my whole life was falling apart. Was this really true? Was our union really over?
“I will be going to the club later this evening to have fun. If you want, then you can come with me. the earlier you get your s**t together, the earlier you leave my....”
“House?” I completed and arched my brows. “I understand.”
“I do not mean it like that.” She held my hands. “I just want you to move on quickly and have your life put together.”
Time passed by really quickly and as much as I didn’t want to go, staying inside would only make me think about Lennon and he didn’t deserve a space in my mind.
I sat quietly in the dim corner of the bar, my fingers tracing the rim of my untouched glass of wine. Clarrisa was in the center of the room, dancing wildly, laughing, and taking long sips of her drink without a care in the world.
The sharp tang of alcohol lingered in the air. I tried to focus on the rhythm of the music, but every inhale made my stomach burn. The pungent scent was thick and it seized my breath. I swallowed hard, pressing a hand to my mouth as a wave of nausea washed through me.
I stood abruptly, drawing a few curious glances. Ignoring them, I continued to walk away. My only thought was to find the restroom or anywhere away from there.
Clutching my stomach, i stumbled towards what I hoped was the right direction, my pace quickening as the nausea became unbearable. Just then, I collided with something—or rather, someone.
My breath caught in her throat as I staggered back, looking up to apologize. But the words died on my lips the moment my gaze met his.
He stood frozen, his eyes widening. His dark gaze searched mine, almost as though he was trying to confirm if it was really me standing before him. Who is this man?
- Writer
