Chapter 20: First Signs
2007 Words
We undoubtedly heard Arthur shouting from the living room. We didn’t know how long we had been in my room but probably long enough because Arthur was there shouting and seeking for us. We were about to share the bliss of our love for each other again when Arthur started looking for us.
“Damn! Babe, remind me to throw him off the cliff later.” Marvin said as he annoyingly pulled himself away from me.
"Hey, don't be so mean." I said as I pulled my blanket to cover my naked body.
"It's going to hurt so bad." he added and carefully looked at me pained.
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw his bulging manliness in front of me. He gave me a warning look but I didn’t stop from laughing hysterically.
“You’re a tease, babe. But I still love you.” he justly said and jerked me towards him.
“Please, put your clothes on.” he pleaded as I started laughing once more.
He looked so charming when he was pleading like that. I forced myself to stop laughing when I saw he was really pained.
“I’m sorry, babe. I just couldn’t help it. Okay, I will put on my clothes now.” I said.
I slowly started gathering my clothes again. I was almost dressed when I noticed he was not moving. He just sat there on the bed observing me get dressed. He was gently shaking his head and smiling naughtily at me.
“Enjoying the view?” I asked flirtingly.
“More than just enjoying it. I'm loving every second of it, and I can watch you all day getting dressed.” he satisfactorily answered, which made me chuckle.
"What are you doing? Get dressed." I told him.
"You're a tease, babe. Next time you do that, I will not let you get close to those clothes of yours." he gently warned. I looked at him and laughed.
"What did I do? I did nothing."
"Playing innocent, babe? You're so cute. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Can I stay here with you? Overnight?" I beamed with his idea. I would love that.
"Of course. We can grab some dinner in town." I said excitedly.
"Watch the last full show." he added smiling with the plan we were making.
"Then come home." I ended gayly.
"Then make love." he said as he continued our plan.
He gently pulled me towards him. He made me sit on his lap and kissed me on my lips.
"And make love," he landed another kiss.
"And make more love." he lovingly said as he kissed me again.
We both laughed at the plan we were making. It's going to be a long night for us. Long and hot night that was according to his plan. We were both excited by the idea that we would be spending the night together, we almost forgot about Arthur again.
"Hey, lovebirds. I am still here. Just want to let you know." Arthur shouted again from the living room.
We looked at each other and laughed. We straightened up ourselves and went out of my room. However, all our considerable excitement was left in the air together with our ambitious plan. Arthur was still tipsy and couldn't even walk a straight line. He was seated on the couch with his eyes closed as if sleeping. I worriedly looked at Marvin and smiled.
"It's fine. Better bring him home or he might end up somewhere else."
"But babe," he protested gently.
"There will be other times. I promise." I smiled reassuringly.
He heaved an audible sigh and generously assisted Arthur to stand.
"Wake up, bro. Let's go." he said as he nudged Arthur to move.
"Oh yeah. Will go home now." Arthur answered as he stood up.
They were already on the door when Arthur remembered to say goodbye to me. He pulled away from Marvin and approached me.
"Thank you, Jann. Very nice meeting you." he said as he hugged me.
I was surprised with his gesture. I wasn't ready and wasn't expecting it. We almost fell on the floor. Marvin was fast enough to pull him away from me before that happened.
"Damn it, Arthur! Don't you ever touch her again, or I will kill you." Marvin said angrily which made Arthur laugh loudly.
"Hahaha. See, Jann? See what I told you? He's very possessive, he's going to kill me." Arthur laughed more hysterically as he went out the door.
I chuckled with what I was witnessing between them. Yes, I knew that Marvin was possessive, but I never imagined witnessing this kind of scenario. Marvin blushed with what Arthur said but smiled anyway.
"Are you okay?" he held me on both my shoulders.
"I'm fine, babe. It was nothing." I answered smiling at him.
He gave a sigh when Arthur peeked through the door again.
“Hey Jann, think about what I mentioned earlier.” Arthur said as he gave me a wink.
“Which one? You said a lot.” I answered with a question.
“I know you know what I mean, Jann. Bye. See you when I see you.” he replied smiling.
"Sorry about that, babe. I will see you soon. Don't make me miss you so much." he said which made me smile.
"I love you." I replied.
"I love you more." he said and landed a kiss before he stepped out of the door.
"Marvin, babe." I called him back.
"Yes?"
"I want you to know I am just here. You can tell me whatever is bothering you. We are in this together and you are not alone. You have me. I will wait until you're ready to tell me what is bothering you."
"I know, babe. I know." he smiled and walked away.
I watched them until they were no longer in sight and went back inside the house. I gently closed the door behind me and went back to my room. I laid down on my bed, closed my eyes and imagined his arms around me. So much for a plan. I missed him already. I really wished he stayed that night. For some reason, I felt like he needed me to comfort him more than what he was saying.
"Don't ever doubt that I love you, and I fought for you."
He said those words to me earlier. Why would he ask me to do that? What was he going through? I wished and prayed it has nothing to do with our relationship. I wished and prayed too that somehow, I managed to lighten up his load. I was still curious but like what I told him, I would wait. I would patiently wait until he was ready to tell me. I just hoped it wouldn’t take long.
*****
Marvin's POV
How am I to tell her? How am I to end a blissful relationship with her? I can't break her heart because it's going to break my heart more. I love her so much but I am being pulled in so many confusing directions. How am I supposed to tell her when she looks at me with so much love? I can't. I simply can't.
“You okay, bro?” asked my friend, Arthur.
My daydreaming stopped when he asked me. We were on our way home after dropping by Jann’s house. He was a lot sober now comparing it to earlier.
“I’m okay, bro.” I replied.
“Did you tell her?” he asked while examining my possible reaction.
I didn’t know what to tell him. What am I supposed to tell him? The plan was to tell her everything today. I had a drink, in my hope that it can make me brave enough to tell her. But it didn't work. We ended up making love, and I never regret it. My love for her is much more than what was going on in my head. I simply can't.
“Bro, you are just making it more painful for both of you if you intentionally keep this longer. You have to let her know. She seems like a nice girl. I’m sure she will understand.” he explained.
“I can’t, bro. Damn, I love her so much.” I answered thoughtfully.
“Big problem. One way or another, bro, she will know the truth. Better wish that it comes from you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Better that she learns the truth from you. I’m just saying, bro. I know you love her, and I can see that she loves you too, but she also deserves the truth.”
Arthur was right. I needed to tell Jann what was happening. As he said, maybe she will understand it. But how am I supposed to tell her? I just hope she won’t hate me for it. I won’t be able to properly handle it when she hates me. I can’t lose her. I love her so much. I needed a new plan and new approach.
*****
Days moved faster as the cheer dance competition was near approaching. Our practice hour doubled as our cheerleaders demanded we perform our best in every practice. It was exhausting. I usually went home late in the evening and skipped my dinner. I wanted to sleep more comfortably and rest than to eat.
I woke up with a terrible headache one dewy morning. It was so excruciating I felt like throwing up. I got up and instantly rushed to the washroom. Good thing I was able to reach the washroom before it came out. I was sweating so bad as I was throwing up whatever I ate the night before. What did I consume anyway? I washed up when I felt better and went to carefully prepare for school.
"You look terrible!" exclaimed Amanda when she saw me at the school canteen.
"I'm having a terrible migraine. I threw up this morning." I explained as I held my head because the pain was starting again.
"Eww, too many details. We are having lunch." complained Maya.
"Amanda started it." I replied promptly.
"Excuse me, I just said, you look terrible." defended Amanda and we all laughed.
"But girl, you really look terrible. What have you been up to?" Maya worriedly asked.
"Cheer dance practice is exhausting me so much these few days. I barely have any good sleep and good food I guess."
"Yah, we see that. You better take some vitamins. Looks like you lose some weight too. You should demand some day off from your practice." says Amanda.
"Wish I could do that. Don't worry guys. I will be fine." I said reassuring them.
Before they could say more, I felt my tummy was turning over. I needed throwing up.
"Guys I need to go to the washroom." I told them and hurriedly left for the washroom.
I heard them say something but I wasn't able to understand it. I needed to be in the washroom as soon as possible. I threw up again and was suffering that terrible migraine. I hated every second of it. I was sweating so bad and breathing heavily after I threw up. I took some pain reliever that I bought earlier. It somehow made me feel better, and I went about my usual school schedule.
That evening, I had this strong urge to speak with Marvin. For some reason, I hated him for not trying to contact me the previous days. Was he avoiding me? I wanted so much to hear his voice. Probably, it will make me feel better. I was still having some headache but not similar to the one earlier. I dialled his number and waited for an answer.
"Hello?" replied a woman on the other line.
"H-hello?" I stuttered when I heard the woman's voice over the phone.
"Can I help you?" she asked politely.
"Who are you? Why do you have my boyfriend's phone?" I asked.
Silence. I was getting impatient and annoyed because she didn't answer my question.
"You're the girlfriend? Jann?" she asked sarcastically.
"Yes, it's me. Who are you and how do you know my name?"
"Marvin doesn't want to talk to you and stop calling him or this number." she said and hung up.
Deadtone was ringing on my ear. I was surprised at what happened. I wasn't ready for that. More on that, I never expected that. Questions started clouding my brain. Who was she? Where was Marvin and why was she the one who answered the phone? Is she the reason why he hasn't contacted me for a long time? More questions were running on my head. No, it couldn't be real. It was not happening. It can't be real.
- Writer
