Chapter 5
1396 Words
Thud!
A painful groan escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut.
For a few seconds, everything felt blurry.
Then she realized she wasn't on the ground.
Strong arms were wrapped securely around her waist.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and found herself staring directly into a pair of angry hazel eyes.
Ryan.
His jaw was clenched tightly, and the veins in his neck were visible from how furious he was.
Rihanna's breath hitched.
"Urm... I... I'm..." she stuttered, unable to form a proper sentence.
Ryan raised a brow.
"You gon' move?" he asked flatly.
Realizing she was still practically lying in his arms, Rihanna scrambled to her feet immediately.
"S-sorry."
She dusted her skirt nervously while Ryan stood up as well, brushing dirt off his clothes.
The moment he was fully upright, he turned to face her.
"What were you thinking?!" he thundered.
Rihanna flinched.
The anger in his voice startled her.
"Are you for real?" he continued.
His hands flew into the air in frustration.
"You just decided to jump off the rooftop like that? Do you even think before doing things?"
Rihanna lowered her head.
"Ryan, I—"
"No."
He cut her off instantly.
"If I hadn't been there at that moment, what would've happened, huh? You would've fallen straight down."
His chest rose and fell heavily.
"Seriously, Rihanna. What were you trying to prove?"
She remained silent.
There was nothing she could say.
Because honestly...
She didn't know.
Everything had become too much.
The constant insults.
The loneliness.
The exhaustion.
The feeling that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be enough.
Ryan stared at her for a few more seconds before running a hand through his hair in frustration.
Then he turned sharply.
"I'm done."
Without another word, he stormed away, muttering under his breath.
Rihanna watched him disappear down the staircase.
Once he was gone, she slowly walked back toward the water tank and sat down.
The cool breeze brushed against her skin.
She wrapped her arms around her knees.
Her life really was a mess.
No matter how hard she tried to keep going, something always seemed to drag her back down.
A small sigh escaped her lips.
For the first time all day, she allowed herself to cry.
Only a little.
Just enough to ease the ache in her chest.
---
The rest of the school day passed by quickly.
Soon, the final bell rang.
Students poured out of classrooms laughing, chatting, and making plans with their friends.
Some walked hand in hand.
Some discussed assignments.
Others talked excitedly about the weekend.
Rihanna simply walked alone.
Her mood remained gloomy as she made her way toward one of her part-time jobs.
She kept her eyes fixed on the road.
Lost in thought.
Lost in worry.
Lost in everything.
"Wait up!"
A familiar voice called from behind.
Rihanna paused.
Footsteps hurried toward her.
"Rihanna!"
A hand gently grabbed her arm.
She turned around.
Ryan.
He looked slightly out of breath.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ryan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Urm... I'm sorry."
Rihanna blinked.
"What?"
He sighed.
"I was too harsh back there."
His gaze dropped briefly.
"I was just overwhelmed."
She looked away.
The memory of his angry expression still lingered.
Ryan shifted uncomfortably.
"May I really know why you were trying to..." he trailed off.
His voice became softer.
"You know..."
Rihanna remained silent.
The words stuck in her throat.
How could she explain years of pain in a few sentences?
Ryan didn't push further.
Instead, he walked beside her quietly.
After a few moments, he finally spoke.
"I know things can get hard."
His voice was gentle.
"But you've got to take things easy, okay?"
Rihanna stared at the ground.
"Be careful."
She nodded slowly.
"I will."
A small smile appeared on Ryan's face.
"Good."
Then he gestured ahead.
"Shall we?"
For the first time that day, Rihanna felt the tiniest bit lighter.
The two of them continued walking side by side.
Neither spoke much.
Yet somehow, the silence felt comforting.
By the time they reached the building where she worked, the tension between them had disappeared.
Rihanna stopped near the entrance.
"Thank you," she muttered softly.
Ryan smiled.
"Anytime."
She turned and entered the building.
Ryan remained there for a few seconds, watching her disappear inside before finally heading home.
---
Work was exhausting as usual.
Customers came and went.
Orders piled up.
Tasks seemed endless.
Yet Rihanna pushed through.
She always did.
As evening slowly turned into night, however, a familiar fear settled inside her chest.
The closer it got to closing time...
The more anxious she became.
Home.
She hated thinking about it.
She never knew what awaited her there.
Some days were bearable.
Others were nightmares.
Finally, her shift ended.
She packed her belongings and prepared to leave.
"Rihanna! Wait up!"
She turned around.
Joe was jogging toward her.
A smile rested on his face.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Joe frowned slightly.
"What's with the gloomy face?"
"Nothing."
"Uh-uh."
He shook his head.
"I won't accept that answer."
Rihanna forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
Joe folded his arms.
"You're a terrible liar."
That was all it took.
The walls she had spent all day building around herself finally cracked.
"I... I don't know anymore."
Her voice trembled.
Joe's expression softened.
"I don't know what I did wrong."
Tears began filling her eyes.
"I don't know who I offended."
Her voice broke completely.
"I don't know what's happening to me."
The tears finally spilled.
Joe immediately pulled her into a comforting side hug.
"It's okay."
Rihanna cried quietly.
For once, someone was listening.
Someone actually cared.
After she calmed down, Joe asked gently,
"What happened today?"
She told him everything.
The rooftop.
Monica.
School.
Her home life.
Everything.
Joe listened patiently.
When she finished, he sighed.
"You're stronger than you think."
Rihanna managed a weak smile.
Joe had always been there.
Whenever she needed help.
Whenever she felt alone.
Whenever life became unbearable.
He had even helped her get the job she currently worked at.
Years ago, they had worked together at a coffee shop before Joe found a better opportunity.
When Rihanna needed work again, he had immediately recommended her.
And he never stopped checking up on her.
His friendship was one of the few good things in her life.
After talking for a while, Joe walked her home.
The entire journey, he kept reassuring her.
By the time they arrived, Rihanna felt slightly calmer.
Slightly.
Not completely.
Because standing before the front door was enough to make her stomach twist.
Joe gave her an encouraging smile.
"You'll be okay."
Rihanna nodded.
"I hope so."
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.
Her trembling hand gripped the doorknob.
Then she pushed the door open.
Immediately, her heart began pounding.
The familiar faces she dreaded seeing were right there.
Her mother.
Monica.
Waiting.
A shaky breath escaped her lips.
She silently prayed for strength.
Then she stepped inside.
Closing the door behind her.
Her hands clasped together nervously.
Her head lowered.
Expecting the worst.
"Good evening, Mummy."
Monica snorted.
Her mother laughed mockingly.
"And who's that supposed to be?" Monica sneered.
Rihanna remained silent.
Her mother leaned back.
"So, I suppose you still don't know where you belong, eh?"
The words struck like knives.
But Rihanna stayed quiet.
"Do you still have to make things worse?" her mother continued.
"After all, I've been generous enough to let you stay here."
Rihanna's fingers tightened.
"You have a roof over your head, food to eat, and yet you're still asking for more."
She scoffed.
"Aren't you being a little greedy?"
Rihanna bit her lip.
Her mother waved a hand dismissively.
"But I'll let it slide."
She paused.
"It's a new year."
Her gaze hardened.
"Don't let it happen again."
Rihanna nodded.
"Words?" her mother demanded.
"Yes, Ma."
"Good."
Her mother pointed toward the kitchen.
"Go and do the dishes."
"Yes, Ma."
Without wasting another second, Rihanna hurried to her room.
She changed into more comfortable clothes.
Then she went straight to the kitchen.
As she washed the mountain of dishes waiting for her, warm water splashing against her hands, a small thought crossed her mind.
At least tonight was better than she expected.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
Heaven had decided to be a little kinder to her.
- Writer
