Deeply in love

Chapter 4- Decisions

Serra

She couldn't comprehend what was happening. The world she witnessed now was unique from the world she saw before. It felt magical and it was like living in a fantasy book only it wasn't. Every detail of her surrounding was crystal clear. Her eyesight had improved a thousand times better and it felt unfamiliar but something inside her told, this was natural.

Vivid imaginations showed up in which she was dressed up as a completely different person. Very different. She was dressed in a white silk blouse and a long cream skirt. The material of the dress, its patterns, her hairstyle and even her manicure was beyond what she could acknowledge.

"Serra!"

She turned around to see Eric standing before her. She looked at his hand on her shoulders and then looked up at him.

He was more handsome than when she had last seen him. Handsome was an understatement. But he also looked a little different. His hair colour was almost a brown, grey and red mix. It was astonishing because she could remember, it looked just brown before this. His face was flawless except for the blackheads pushing out from the side of his nose, but then again it was evident that only she could see it. Maybe this was a problem with her eyes and not a gift as she first presumed.

"Can you hear me?" Eric looked nervous.

"Yes, yes." She replied.

"I have been calling you for a long time. Are you sure everything is alright?"

"Yes, why did you come?"

He handed me my bag. "You put it inside the bike when we stopped for coffee. But it's good that I came. Why are you sitting here?"

She couldn't speak.

"Serra?"

She sat there unable to explain anything, could she tell him the only person who could help her in this city was in the Maldives and she had no way of reaching out to him. Or that she was losing her mind and will probably have to make an appointment with a psychiatrist as she's seeing impossible things? She looked at Eric who appeared annoyed by her silence.

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Eric

I went back to where I had dropped her only to give her the bag, that's how I convinced myself. But deep inside I knew it was just an excuse. An excuse to look at her again. I've never felt this excitement with any woman and I wasn't humble enough to fake that it didn't feel good.

She sat there silently on the sidewalk, her face showing varied emotions. She looked sad, a moment later she looked shocked and confused. I couldn't tell what exactly happened but I understood she didn't have a place in the house she came to. I didn't quite understand why that made me happy.

"Serra?" She didn't respond. "Can you look at me?" I continued.

"Serra?"

No response yet. Just an empty look on her face. She was oblivious of my presence. Was she okay? Did someone hurt her?

"Hello, serra? Are you okay?" What happened to her? Should I check with the house?

"Serra?"

Finally, she looked up. Her gaze fixed on my face. She was looking at me with amazement and astonishment or was it embarrassment? He couldn't make it out. Her violet eyes were dwelling across my face and this was making me uncomfortable.

"Can you hear me?" I asked. Was she okay? Was she hurt?

"Yes, yes." She replied aimlessly.

"I have been calling you for a long time. Are you sure everything is alright?"

"Yes, why did you come?" She asked. Was that her answer? It wasn't very polite.

I handed her the bag. My eyes inspected her for traces of any potential harm. Not that she would have got hurt but I didn't trust this neighbourhood much. That's why I had been reluctant to leave her here.

"You put it inside the bike when we stopped for coffee. But it's good I came. Why are you sitting here?" No response. God, this girl was too proud.

"Serra?"

She sat there, plainly avoiding me. Did I do anything wrong? I only wished to help. Is that a crime? Why does she have to act this way?

"The person I came to is not here. He's on a vacation." She replied eventually.

He? I was curious if it was her boyfriend.

"Was this person someone important?"

"Does it matter?" She looked disturbed.

"Yeah okay, Do you know anybody else here?"

She shook her head. I had guessed it. No wonder she looked so lost.

"I can arrange accommodation if that's okay with you."

"Okay. If it's not a trouble for you, that would be a great help." She admitted.

Once again, she got my bike, which gave me a weird feeling and then we rode off. We looked for hours but couldn't find good accommodation or she didn't like it. She was scared and wanted a private place, she told me she didn't mind if it didn't have many facilities but it should be a decent place suitable for a girl. I liked her even more. This wasn't love, I knew it. It was admiration.

"I know what we'll do," I said.

"What?"

"It's 10:45, almost 11 pm. We won't be able to find a proper place. You can stay at my place. We'll find something convenient soon."

"But it's not proper and I don't want to be a headache to you."

"What?" The girls I knew would be more than ready if I offered them this but then again she was different.

"To stay at your place."

"It's not proper to stay in the streets." I implied.

She was silent. I wanted to know what she was thinking. What I told was reasonable. She should understand that.

"Okay," she concluded. "Until I find a place."

"Yes. Then get on." I smiled.

Today was surprisingly the only day I wanted to go home. This was exciting. We reached home and successfully made it to my room without being noticed. I offered her my room.

"Where will you sleep?" She asked.

"Next room," I replied.

"Lock the door. It wouldn't be nice if someone sees you before I inform them. I'll explain everything to my parents in the morning."

She nodded and then closed the door.

The next morning I got up very early for two reasons. Reason number 1, I wanted to go down before Mrs Regina or somebody else comes up with my coffee. Reason number two, I couldn't sleep well.

I knocked on my room and Serra opened the door. She was about to take a wash. I told her to get ready and stay in the room till I come.

This was going to be hard but I have to tell them.

"Good morning" my mom greeted me. She was surprised. It was obvious, never in my life have I got up this early.

"You're early," she said.

"Yes."

"I missed you, Eric. Please don't go away without telling me."

Then it dawned on me. "I thought you had a heart attack," I remembered. She was supposed to be in the hospital. They told me she was okay but had to stay in the hospital for a few days. I had been so engaged with Serra's issue, I had failed to notice this. Mom looked quite well.

She looked down, unable to meet my gaze. Yes. So this was all a drama. A drama to bring me back.

"But Bella? She never lies to me." I asked angrily.

"We knew that, that's why we told her the same thing we told you. She thinks it's true."

"Why?" This made me angry. If not for Serra, I would have stormed out of this place.

"I'm sorry Eric. We were very afraid to lose you. We didn't have a choice. We didn't want to deceive you that's why I didn't continue this."

"Hello, Eric." I turned to look at my dad. Mr Audrey was smiling. He looked happy as his plans to bring me back have succeeded.

I remained silent. This was my usual. I never explain anything. My feelings never mattered to them. They can play and deceive it however they liked. This was their usual.

"We have a surprise for you. Someone's here to see you."

Bella. She has arrived. And the little ones. Something bright to look forward to.

"Bella," I told.

"No. Not her. Bella's flight was delayed, she'll be here by tomorrow. Your fiancee is here." He smiled.

Oh, that Benjamin girl - from states. She's not my fiancee. He still insists, even if I did not want to. This is my life. He didn't have the right to decide. First, they lie to bring me back and then this. I fumed.

"If your mom didn't tell me, I wouldn't know." Mr Audrey continued.

"Know what?" I wondered.

"That you were in love. That's why we decided for your good and the Hampshires."

What the * hampshires* are they talking about. I thought.

"Come here, dear." He called looking behind the sofa. And from behind the curtains emerged a familiar face. Amy. She smiled at him cheerfully.

" I spoke to Mr Roberts." He said. "You'll marry Amy tomorrow."