Second Chance At Love

Chapter4

Chapter 4: Facing My Darkness

Jennifer's POV

I walk slowly towards Daniel. I can smell the strong scent from his perfume. After 6 years, I can still recognize him even in the midst of millions of people.

The more I walk closer to him, the more I feel my heart leap into my throat, pounding heavily.

His neatly black hair is now rough, although it was still the same. The only thing that changed in him was him becoming more fitted, his shoulder now broader. He looked more imposing, more solid but that was because he is now older. He is now a 27 years old man.

I continue walking towards him, dragging my feet on the rough stones. The wind embraced me, giving me goosebumps. Why do I feel that way? I don't know.

I finally reached where he was standing, what felt like eternity. I stood behind him, mute and breathing slowly. And when I was about to call his name, his deep voice vibrated through the silence.

“Jennifer,” he called my name slowly. “You shouldn't be here. What are you doing here?”

I froze immediately. My lips parted away from each other. Of course, he knew it was me. He had hated me all his life, so it isn't difficult to know every movement of mine.

I stepped away from behind him and stood beside him. “I should be asking you the same question.”

A glance towards his feet and there were litters of bottles on the floor but that's not what got me worried, it was the tissues. Has he been crying? All my life I have known Daniel to be strong and tough but I never knew one day I could see him this weak and in pain.

He sat so close to the edge of the hill, staring at the city below without even turning to look at me for once. I stared at the view before me. It was beautiful and breathtaking. No wonder it was their secret place to visit because it was so beautiful from up here.

“Do you know the most beautiful thing about two people falling in love together?” He murmurs, his voice not that clear. “It is the memory they share together. And lately, I'm beginning to forget her face, her smile and even her scent.”

I stood beside him nodding my head as if understanding exactly what's in his head. Actually, I understand what it is to lose someone you love dearly. But for each one of us, we all have different ways of expressing our pains. Six years ago, I closed my own chapter, never to open it again until today.

“I just want to remember her. I just want to remember her memories in peace…” he continues.

“Daniel…” I couldn't deny the pain in his voice neither could I deny how hurt I am right now. I could see in his eyes, how much he had missed her.

I dropped to my knees beside him, hesitating between comforting or ignoring him but the tears from his eyes moved me. I didn't know when I placed my hand on his shoulder offering whatever comfort I could provide for him.

I look into his eyes, and all I can see is the deep shallow of pain in there. He was totally different today, unlike the man I saw 6 years ago standing by the altar and putting a ring on the finger of his wife. Today, that man is all alone, remembering the anniversary of his wife, Lilian.

Today is Lilian's death anniversary.

She passed away five years ago when trying to give birth to her child. She couldn't do it herself. She had to have a C-section operation which led to loss of a lot of blood and eventually, she lost her life.

“Why? Why does she have to die? How does she want me to survive alone in this world? How does she want our child, Maria, to survive in this world?” He murmurs again, his voice low and hoarse. “I miss her so much.”

There's nothing much I can do right now than to offer sympathy and comfort to him. He kept asking those questions that neither I nor he had an answer to.

6 years ago I was hurt and pained that he was marrying someone else and not to me. Till date, I am still in pain but right now Daniel needs sympathy and comfort.

And without thinking twice, involuntarily my hand flew around his shoulder and I didn't know when I drew him closer to me, putting his head on my chest. I had no time to question my decision, whether it was right or not.

My heart was pounding fast. I thought he might push me away or insult me but to my greatest surprise, neither did he do any of that. He rested completely on my chest and started sobbing.

“I can't take it anymore,” he sobbed. “Please make it stop, the pain is too much, Jennifer.”

“I wish I could, Daniel.”

There was silence between us but I knew he was crying…crying for the loss of his love, for what would never return to him again.

The finally broke the silence and say, “You still haven't tell me why you are here.” His shoulder shaked softly on my chest before lifting his head.

Right now, my guards are down. I didn't care about the hatred he had for me or the promise I've made to myself to never cross path with him. All I could see in front of me now, is a man who is grieving for the loss of the one person he love the most in this world.

My legs legs wobble and was left speechless on what to say to him.

“Everyone was worried about you especially your mom.” I lied, I don't want him to know that it was auntie Ava who sent me.

He look at me surprisingly and I could see the shock in his eyes. He let out a chuckle, as if mocking me. “And of all people in this world, she don't know who to send to find me?”

“Uhm” that's all i called say.

“I can't believe this.” A check his head.

“Neither do I.” I laughed. “It looks strange, right?”

There was silence again between us but i wasn't surprised. We don't talk much, there was nothing to discuss.

Daniel picked up the cigarette pack on the floor. He pull out one stick and lit it, and then drag in slowly.

“You still haven't quit,” i murmur, as the smoke from his mouth almost choked me. “Smokers are liable to die young.”

Daniel laugh, the smoke escaping from his nose. “I am dying already,” he said, and i can feel the pain in his voice.” “Is there any reason to continue living?” He looked at me with his tired eyes. It seems he hasn't been sleeping properly these days.

Since Lillian died, things have been difficult for him. He hasn't been himself ever since then. He was even taking for rehabilitation by his parents after he wrecked his car one day he was high.

“Alcohol couldn't ground me, so i have to take this,” He says, and then, take in another slow drag from the cigarette. “Maria just turned six, and her mother isn't here to watch her grow. We were supposed to grow older, watch our kids play around us. But today…today I am left to look after our kid all alone.”

“Everything will be alright,” I said to him.

“Nothing will ever be, Jennifer.” He replied and took the last drag of the cigarette before throwing it away.

I cleared my throat and was getting ready to stand up.

“Where are going?” He asked.

“I will text your mother and inform her that I have found you.” I replied back. “She has been worried, atleast now she will be at rest.”

“So you are leaving?”

I looked straight into his eyes. I don't know what to say. I wish I can stay longer with him but I have to go.

“Please stay with me, Jennifer. Make me forget the pain.” He pleaded.

I want to help him, I want to pamper him but wilk he do thesame for me when he eventually recovers?