Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 19.1

"Yeah, it's pointless trying to convince them to just address the issue directly than to use distractions."

I was drying my hair after taking a shower while talking to Silas on the phone. It's Sunday afternoon and I chose to stay here instead of sulking in his condo. We just finish eating lunch while watching a movie when he was called in the shooting location again. He's busy as hell and their director's making it difficult for them to take at least a day-off. It's making me sad how even calling me was becoming hard for him. The shooting location is in a remote province which made cellular signal extremely poor. But he calls whenever it's possible so I’m being understanding and letting him off the hook.

"How's the song writing with Nathan?"

It's been almost a week since Sir Hades informed us about the collaboration. It was actually hard for me because they're demanding us to submit an output within a week. I mean we're really trying but you can't just force a song out of someone. Maybe it’s possible, but don’t you dare expect a very nicely composed song. That’s just overestimating your artists. And that’s not a compliment at all.

"We can't even think of a concept yet, I’m nearing the point where I’ll just bang my head in a wall so I can squeeze an idea out of my brain,” I answered while looking for something to eat in the kitchen.

"How about him?"

"If I'm stressed, Nathan's overly distracted. I can’t even talk to him, like really talk because his mind is obviously always in somewhere else.  I tried talking to him but he's just so aloof," I ranted and ranted because I’m really frustrated already. I'm not expecting him to magically write a song but at least communicate! He’s not even talking to me! he and Raqi are really meant to be. They’re both out of focus these past few weeks.

"Don't overwork yourself, I'm sure the idea will come soon."

After minutes of talking, he eventually ended the call because their break's over. I finish cooking my ramen and so, I started eating. I was about to open the refrigerator for some kimchi when I heard the front door opened.

"Raqi?"

I walk towards her to kiss her cheek. I thought she’s a little hot, so I put my hand over her forehead to check if she’s okay. "You're burning!"

I led her to the bedrooms and with no energy at all, she walked behind me. I took her coat and shoes before making her lie on the bed before walking towards the bathroom to get the thermometer in the first aid kit.

"39 degrees? What the f**k Raqi!"

I immediately took my phone out to dial the company's doctor when she grabbed my hand. I looked at her and I noticed how thin she became. She lost a lot of weight! She's also very pale and the dark circles around her eyes are very visible.

"I'll just call the doctor," I tried to grab my hand, but she refused and tightened her grip.

I was startled when I saw drops of tears fall down her reddish cheeks. She was sobbing too hard that it made her breathing ragged. I helped her to sit on the bed then hugged her tight. What kind of a friend am I? I have no idea what her problem is. I have no idea of what she’s feeling right now. But the way she’s crying, it must have hurt so much. f**k! I was too engrossed with my own life that I forgot to check on my dear friend. You suck, Erina.

"N-Nathan," she tried speaking but her sobs overpower her. "Nathan and I broke up," she finally said which made me shocked.

I never pry on their relationship, but I knew they were happy. I saw how Raqi's eyes sparkle whenever she talks about him. Why did they break up? Instead of asking her to share the story behind what happened, I just caress her back hoping to calm her down.

"Everything will be okay," I repeatedly told her until I felt how her breathing evened which means that she's already asleep. I lay her down the bed and covered her with her comforter.

Instead of calling the doctor, I called the girls instead. They didn’t hesitate to go back home even if its Sunday and they are supposed to be with their respective families. While waiting for them, I cooked chicken soup for Raqi. I just finished wiping her body with a towel soaked in warm water hoping to lower her body temperature. I prepared the soup and the medicines before deciding to finally wake her up.

"Raqi......hey," I caressed her hair while waking her up. She immediately woke up with her puffy eyes and dry lips. My poor Raqi…. I help her sat up because she’s too weak to do it herself.

She was already taking the medicines I prepared when Kesha, Leina and Sassy opened the door. They immediately climb in the bed and hug Raqi tightly.  Raqi was surprised to see them here and I just smiled at her when she looked at me with question in her eyes. Of course, they'll be here. What are friends for right?

"Where does Nathan live so I can inform our hitman where his next target is?”

Kesha jokingly said. We laughed loud while Raqi just smiled.  Now I know why Nathan's acting weird. The two of them are facing problems.

"What do you want me to cut? His head or his OTHER head?”

I tried making the atmosphere lighter too. Despite our efforts to lighten the mood, Raqi continued to be mum, so Sassy decided to finally ask the question. "What happened?"

We thought she wouldn’t answer but we were all startled when she started crying again. It felt weird how Raqi is crying. I’m not used to seeing her weak, helpless and hurting.

"He broke up with me......."

"What?" the four of us chorused. Kesha suddenly stood up and was about to walked out the door fuming with anger when Raqi spoke again.

"But I can't blame him, I would break up with me too," she said trying to stop her tears but failing miserably.

"Mary Raquelle, the sea is wide as hell. You don’t need a man like him because thousands of other fishes will race just to be with you. You can even have a variety of them,” Sassy exclaimed.

We nod our head in agreement. She's right. Raqi is beautiful, she's kind and driven. Any man would be lucky to have her.

"We’ve already done it......"

What she said next made Leina grabbed her in the shoulders. We were shock and failed to react immediately. "Did he force you?" Raqi was shocked too because she can’t seem to find her voice to answer Leina’s question. "Raqi, answer me! Did he r**e you?"

Raqi removed Leina’s hand from her shoulders while shaking her head. "No, what happened was consensual."

Leina exhaled a very deep breath like she was suppressing to breathe earlier. I looked weirdly at her, but she avoided my gaze. I let Raqi calm herself down first before talking to her again. I let her know how a piece of flesh does not define her and she is worth more than just her hymen. We really tried making her feel better, but I think what she really needs right now is silence and time, so we let her rest and we tried doing our own things to ease boredom.

The next few days became incredibly awkward between Nathan and I. If before, he was the only one not communicating while I’m trying, now we both don’t talk at each other at all. He hurt my friend! I know it's childish, but I'll definitely take Raqi's side no matter what.

The only good thing about what happened is that we finally came up with a concept and the song’s almost finish already. I really wanted this project to end as soon as possible so I did my best to squeeze my brain. That’s how much awkward it is between me and Nathan.

'If the world was ending

You'd come over right?

The sky'd be falling while I hold you tight

No, there wouldn't be a reason why

We would even have to say goodbye

If the world was ending.....'

After finishing the demo of the song, I said my goodbyes to the producers. The girls and I have a scheduled celebration today because finally, the comeback is going to happen. The doctor already gave me a go signal so I can now dance. We'd be too busy soon so were planning to be really wasted tonight and have fun.

"Raqi, cheer up already. Erina here will just find you a new boy toy,” Kesha tried to joke around.

I handed Raqi a bottle of beer which thankfully, she accepted. She's still gloomy these past few days but at least she interacts with us. She'll be back soon. And I hope the news of our comeback is enough to make her happy and cheerful again.

"Did you tell Silas about the good news?”

Sassy whispered in my ear. We were careful not to let Raqi hear our conversations about my love life. She's still hurting and it's insensitive to talk about other people's relationship in front of her. 

"Not yet. I can’t even contact him these past few days,” I answered in whisper too.

This is the reason why I'm not a hundred percent happy despite all the good news flying around. Before, I can get by not talking to him for a whole day. But sometimes, I just want to really talk to him and tell him about my day. To tell him about the things that have happened here. To tell him how extremely guilty I am because I failed to take care of Raqi or how hard it is to hate Nathan when I consider him a dear friend too. I just wanted to tell him everything, every complicated and trivial thing that's happening in my life. But he's not here and I can't even talk to him on the phone.

Is this the price of dating an incredibly famous and busy actor? Well, even if I rant all my life, I can confidently say that I'm willing to pay for all the price as long as he's with me.

"What the f**k Sassy! You’re eating too much. Why don’t you drink so you won’t get fat,” Leina tried teasing Sassy who’s eating the fried pork like it’s her last meal already.

Sassy frowned and suddenly stops eating. I laughed at her face because it’s obvious that she still wants to eat but she’s restraining herself.

"Don't listen to her, eat all you want."

I handed her a plate filled with food. She smiled at me but refused to take my offer. “Where are we celebrating your birthday?”