The Truth Lies In The Heart

“You’ve been too single for a long time. If you don’t date someone, I will never meet my goddaughter,” Phoebe complained, her hands held tightly onto Maya’s wrist. “ I am not interested, let me go!” Maya groaned while struggling to free her wrist. Maya is 25 years old and has never fallen in love with anyone. She believes that love doesn’t exist, it is more like a temporary happiness that leads to permanent wounds in the heart, afraid she will get hurt after pouring all her love. “That’s it, you are coming with me with no excuses,” Phoebe dragged her towards the car and pushed her inside. Sometimes Phoebe thinks her best friend is a lesbian, who has no interest in men, but later she found out that Maya doesn’t like women either. Phoebe went to the extent of secretly taking her blood when she was asleep for a medical checkup, and it turns out she was medically okay. Introducing Maya to her male friends was the only option left, if she isn’t attracted to men, maybe her male friends can be an exception. Phoebe drove straight to the lounge, stealing a glance at Maya, then sighed with a pity look. “Go in… I am coming, let me take a call, I will join you in a minute.” Phoebe said, her hands gesturing to her to leave the car. Maya looked at her, with suspicious eyes. “What has gotten into you? I am not the only one single, you’re also single….. Why not fix a blind date for yourself?” “Louis and I just broke up last week. At least I have fallen in love but you don’t know what it means to be in love...” Phoebe made sure to drag that last sentence for her to understand. She started dating Louis three years ago after college, he was always absent when she needed him the most, last week was their three years anniversary. His phone was switched off then, she decided to secretly visit him only to catch him sleeping with Sandra, her co-worker. “Love.. does..not..exist..” Maya replied slowly. She was tired of all this, she doesn’t wanna love anyone. Afraid of falling in love with the wrong person. Phoebe sighed, clearly giving up. “Okay, fine…. After today no more, I will let you die single and also perish the idea of carrying my god daughter.” “Deal?” Maya smiled, for the first time since Phoebe started disturbing her to love someone. “Deal!” Maya walked out of the car confidently, towards the lounge, her shoulder relaxed with no sign of nervousness. ……. “Why did she gather everyone? I have some girls waiting for me at the bar!” Chris whined, his drink raised above his mouth. “She will be here soon, just give her some minutes you know how ladies can be.” The other guy joked. The group of men laughed at his joke, except one of them, his eyes fixed to his watch while tapping his shoe unto the ground impatiently. “You must be Phoebe’s friends.” Maya smiled as she looked at the group of men in suits. “Phoebe will join us in a minute. Meanwhile, let me introduce myself. I am Phoebe’s female best friend Maya.” She uttered, confidently. She was sure no one would ever grab her attention. She has convinced herself for so long that men are monkeys and heart breakers. “ Maya? You mean Maya Jason?” A deep voice asked, startling everyone. Maya turned to the voice, her eyes filled with confusion. “Yes.” David smiled, his lips reaching his eyes and asked. “You don’t remember me?” “Ohh, you must be Phoebe’s business partner.” Maya replied, unsure. “No, that’s me.” Chris interrupted, pointing towards himself. “Ohh okay…” she said, sounding unsure.The confidence she had, when she entered, faded immediately. Everyone looked at her confused, then she faked a phone call and walked outside the lounge. The atmosphere was getting awkward which she couldn't stand. “Where is this girl?” Her inner voice screamed. “Hello..” The deep voice behind her said. “See… I don’t know who you are” Maya said, her fingers going through her hair. David raised an eyebrow and smirked. “David Smith? Was once your neighbor!” Maya tried scanning her memory about any…[David. “ I don’t know you..!” “Okay… remember, David that loves going to church right?” Maya took a step back and looked at him from head to toe. She observed him well, Physically he is tall and imposing with broad shoulders and strong jawline, he has blue piercing eyes that seem sizing around him with a cold demeanor. “Ohh. that... David?” Maya said, pointing at him with her fingers, her face dumbfounded. “Well, you look all grown up and stunning.” “You are.. not what I imagined you to be.” David said, taking a deep breath. “Okay.. Well, it is nice meeting you. I need to go…” Maya said, not wanting a deeper conversation about her past. “Not so fast!” He smirked, blocking her way. “You’re coming with me.” He said, grabbing her hand towards his car. David has loved her from afar since her childhood , always present in church just to sit next to her, till he relocated to the US with his family. Maya's childhood dream was to marry an Italian man so any man trying to shoot his shot would definitely be in vain. After her teenage years, that’s when she finally concluded that love doesn’t exist because her Italian man didn’t come again. She probably didn’t notice the admirers. “Wait!!” “I came with Phoebe! I can’t leave her.” She said, hoping he would let her go. Meeting her gaze. “Not a chance!”