The Wretched Redemption

Chapter 5- A Confession

Isla's POV

I woke up late and I can feel my eyes are puffy. I groaned as I remembered how I bawled my eyes out after hearing Gavin's heart aches. Hearing a man open up about his life as he cried made my heart sad, really sad. I grabbed my blanket as I reminisce what happened yesterday. I hugged him and even patted his head. He walked me in front of my house yesterday as we stayed silent.

'What the hell were you thinking!?' I screamed inside my head. 'You even cried?' I continued as I throw my blanket off the side. I stood up and started to stretch.

I change into my workout outfit and begin my run. As I was circling the neighborhood. I saw the bench we sat at and I felt the sadness I felt yesterday. I walk past it and I remembered how he cried while I pat his back. My impression about him completely changed. I thought he was cold because he acted like a jerk but there was a reason behind it.

I then continued my run and I turned to street to where the convenience store was and I unexpectedly saw him going out of his house to I guess run too. I turned to the side to be out of his view but I heard him call my name.

"Isla?" his voice loud because of the silence in the early morning streets.

"Gavin morning!" I greeted him as I run closer to where he was standing.

"Good morning, you run?" He asks with a smile like nothing happened yesterday.

"Uhh, yeah everyday" I answered as I avoid his gaze. 'why am I the only one acting awkward?'

"Do you mind if we run together from now on? I run but not every day" He replied as he brushed him hair up. 'God he looks handsome' my thoughts as he smiled. He caught me staring and I avoided his gaze and started running ahead of him.

I looked back and he's smiling.

"If you don't run now, I might not agree?" I shouted at him teasing him a little

"Coming"

Gavin's POV

I woke up early than usual today so I decided to run. I smiled as I remembered what happened yesterday. I unconsciously touched my heart as it beats faster with just the thought of her. I feel like I can do anything, this must be the power you feel when you are in love. I can say it’s not that bad. I smiled like crazy as I walked out my room humming. The house is quiet like it always had been. It didn't felt home before but because of what Isla said yesterday, Its now bearable. I can't still call it home but I feel less lonely now.

As I looked in front of my house and I felt someone’s eyes in the corner of the convenience store. I saw a familiar brown hair. I took the chance to call her name, 'it might be her' my heart beats with anticipation.

"Isla?" I called out, I can hear my own heartbeat.

*Badump* *Badump*

She turned around and her bright and a little puffy eyes met mine.

"Good morning Gavin" She greeted with her smile. I can sense she's a little awkward. It must be because of what happened yesterday.

"Good morning, you run?" I smiled and ask as she run closer to where I'm standing.

"Uhh, yeah everyday" She replied as she avoids my gaze and she continued running

"Do you mind if we run together from now on? I run but not everyday" I ask hoping she would say yes, she run ahead of me so I got a little nervous as I anticipated her response.

She looked back smiling.

"If you don't run now, I might not agree?" She shouted at me, I feel she's teasing me.

"Coming" I replied grinning ear to ear

Isla’s POV

The cold wind of early winter brushes my face but I couldn’t feel the cold. My mind kept repeating of what I just agreed on. ‘Everyday run? Really’ my thoughts as I continued running and not looking back at him. I stop’s when he suddenly called my name.

“Isl-a” He shouts as I looked back his catching his breath, His once poker face change in front of me. His light grey eyes smiled at me brightly with no hesitation. ‘If I let him run with me every day his house might feel less stuffy’ My thoughts as I replied to him,

“You tired?” I smirked

“Pffttt! I won’t lie, yes ma’am” He replied and pulled out his handkerchief and came a closer to me, His taller than me so I looked up. The wind blew and I smelled his scent, is it perfume? Or is it his natural scent? It smells manly but refreshing. He lifts up his hand and tried to wipe my forehead. I took a step back.

“Gavin I can do it myself”

“Sorry it’s a habit. I do it to Reinaia” He steps back away from me

“That’s fine” I replied as I took out my own handkerchief and wiped my sweat. His eyes flashed a sudden sadness. ‘Why?’ my thoughts keep bugging me I felt guilty.

“Let’s get some early morning coffee?” He said suddenly, I look up and saw is expectant eyes, ‘haaaa’ I sighed inside my head

“Let’s go then” I replied as I started running again toward the convenience store which is open 24/7

“Good morning customers” The lady greeted us but he was only looking at Gavin.She looks pretty with her long black hair and slender figure.

‘Perks of being handsome huh’

“Hey Gav, I think she’s mesmerized by how handsome you are” I

whispered as I hold my laughter

“Morning” She greeted the lady back with his cold tone and poker face the once smiling face turned to shock.

“Why did you do that? He looks broken” I replied as I tilt my head to look at his face

“Pffffft! Why not?” He replied nonchalantly

“Well let’s just choose and get out of here, she might kill me with her piercing eyes” He looked back to the lady and she suddenly turned his gaze away. I didn’t saw what look he gave the lady this time but he looks scared for some reason. I ignored it and took out the biggest cup of coffee and filled it up with Americano blend as I took out some sugar. I look at Gavin and he did the same. We paid for our coffee and lady just kept looking down not meeting our gaze.

“Thanks, come again” She bids us good bye with a sad tone.

“Poor lady” I turned my head to Gavin as I tried to make him feel a little guilt

“Well” He replied smirking

We walked to a vacant bench to our neighborhood park. The sun is starting to shine its rays. I sat down and admired the trees with the ray of sunlight shining in to the leaves it looks shining. I smiled, another great morning.

Gavin’s POV

I took a step back as tried to wipe her sweat unconsciously. I even made up a lie that I do it to Reinaia. I felt a sudden sadness pierced my heart. I took one step closer and she took one step back. I thought we became closer but we are neither close or strangers. My mind kept repeating of what she said

‘Gavin I can do it myself’. She is an independent woman. It might take a while for my heart to reach her but it will be worth it.

“Good morning customers” The lady greeted us but he was only looking at me.

‘Perks of being handsome huh’

“Hey Gav, I think she’s mesmerized by how handsome you are” She whispered, I looked at the lady who is smiling brightly

“Morning” I greeted her back with my cold tone and poker face the once smiling face turned to shock. I hate people like her. Why expect a nice reply with her disgusting staring? They look at me liked a food to be devoured.

‘“Why did you do that? He looks broken” she replied as she tilted her head to look at me, her bangs swayed to the side and it blew my mind how delicate her face is.

“Pffffft! Why not?” I replied nonchalantly as hide my admiration

“Well let’s just choose and get out of here, she might kill me with her piercing eyes” She replied Iook at the lady and she is glaring at Isla, my blood boiled so I glared at her and I gave her a warning and she looked away.

“Thanks, come again” She bids us good bye with a sad tone.

“Poor lady” I looked at her and she’s making me feel guilty but I didn’t ‘How dare that that woman glare at Isla’ my thought

remembering her piercing eyes.

“Well” I replied smirking

We took a seat into our neighborhood park. I glance at her and she’s admiring the sun lit trees. It is beautiful but more admirable with her in the view. I notice she’s not wearing her glasses and I saw her long eyelashes flutter and I smile curved to her face.

“beautiful” my mouth suddenly spoke without a warning I look back at Isla expecting for her retort but she didn’t

“It is a beautiful morning” She replied without glancing as she continued to admire the view. I calmed down with her response my heart almost leaps out of my chest expecting her to take a step back from me.

“Thank you again for yesterday” I looked away

“Its fine, every person has own scars to heal and not every person has the will to open up. Some bottles it up and it will cause them to break even more. I felt relieve for being able to help you.” She replied calmly so I look at her smiling and it felt reassuring.

“But with you I felt the release without holding anything back” I replied as I smiled.

“Yeah you can share it with me every time you feel down! I’m all ears!” She chuckled lightly, the sun lit her bright smiling face so brightly in made her look more beautiful. Her brown wavy hair swayed with her ponytail and her eyes closed with her sweet laughter. ‘This must be the best morning for me so far, I thank the heavens for this moment’ my heart beat loud I looked away.

“Well our run is over, and we finished the coffee?” She said as she stood up and stretch up.

“See you again tomorrow? I’ll be here at the park” I replied

“See you!” She replied as she walks away.

I turned my back as soon as she walked away fearing she might see my flushed face. I run back home.

Isla’s POV

As I continued to admire the morning view Gavin suddenly spoke.

“beautiful” It’s my first time hearing a guy admire the view.

“It is a beautiful morning” I agreed without glancing at him.

“Thank you again for yesterday” he replied and I turned to look at him but he looked away, he must be shy. I smiled, ‘that’s cute.’

“Its fine, every person has own scars to heal and not every person has the will to open up. Some bottles it up and it will cause them to break even more. I felt relieve for being able to help you.” I replied calmly and I smiled to reassure him that it was fine. I felt relieve to have helped someone with their pain.

“But with you I felt the release without holding anything back” He smiled back, ‘wow he really could show emotions and open up easily now.’

“Yeah you can share it with me every time you feel down! I’m all ears!” I replied happily

“Well our run is over, and we finished the coffee?” shall we go I continued

“See you again tomorrow? I’ll be here at the park” and he flashed me his brightest smile I have ever seen on his face.

“See you!” I replied as I walked away,

Even how strong people seem to be sometime, we all have our own scars and battles to overcome. I went straight back home and I saw someone standing in front. As I got closer I realize it was Theo.

“Hey! Good morning!” He greeted me as he waved his hand.

“Hello! Good morning to you!” I replied as I got closer to where he is

“Coming back from your run? Your sweaty” He replied and covered his nose like I smell bad. I smack his shoulder

“Say’s the one who came so early” I retorted as I open the gate. This isn’t the first time that he came to my house, he already met my parents and my dad got acquainted with his parents when we were in high school. We were best of friend so they trust us.

As I was about to open the door my dad greeted us.

“ohooh! You’re here Theo my boy!” He shouted as they gave each other a high-five.

“Is it Theo??” My mom shouted at the kitchen

“My you look younger as the day passes by aunt!” And they entered the house not minding me

“Your silly boy!” My mom replied as she pats his shoulder.

“How about me?”

“Of course you too Uncle!” I look at my Dad and he look back at me smiling from ear to ear. All I could do was sigh and they look at me

“hey! Of you too, you look more preee..” Theo acted like his being force to compliment me so I smacked him in the head and my parents laugh at us.

“You silly kids, come on stop playing. Let’s eat!” My mom as she prepared the table.

We ate peacefully as they continued to tell and retell stories about me and Theo to us.

“Remember when you were in your schools Judo competition? How Isla didn’t hesitate to rub your ass on the floor?” My dad narrated as they continue laughing.

“I let her do that uncle, I made it easy for her” He replied as he tried to revive his broken ego.

“Easy my ass! Wanna bet!?” I replied to him

“Isla! Language!” My mom as she widened her eyes warning me.

“pfffft!!” Theo laughed as I got scolded. I rolled my eyes at him.

After we ate, I excused myself to go to the bathroom and take a bath. When I was done, I wore my oversized jacket and jogging pants. And I went to the living room and they are all watching the news in the television. Theo really can blend with old people. I shook my head as I tap Theo’s shoulder and pulled him out in our little garden at the back.

“So? What did you come here for?” I ask as I sat down on our bench

“Is there a reason for me not to? It’s been months since the last time I came”

“Is it? Well I didn’t notice.” I replied

“Ouch” He replied

“Just kidding” As I smack his shoulder

“ah! Something happened” I want to tell him about Gavin but

“What? What happened?” He replied checking me from head to toe

I chuckled with this reaction

“Nothing bad happened! It’s just the other day remember when you drop us in the library? Gavin suddenly came and gave me a canned coffee” I narrated I left out the rest after that because I don’t want to share private matter of other people. He didn’t say anything for a minute he just stared at me.

“What?” I ask

He scratches his head “Well for a guy to give attention to a woman, there’s only one explanation at that”

“Well he likes you” He continued.

“I had a hunch about that, I’m not naïve not to notice.” I replied as I look down on the ground

“If he asks will you give him a chance?” he came closer to me, I look up and met his eyes.

“I still don’t know, those relationships I want to build slowly and I don’t know what I feel about him.” I replied with all honesty. His eyes stared at me with all seriousness.

“How about me?” His question was so sudden I stood up and tried to leave but he caught my hand. He squeezes it gently as he looks at me with sadness. I don’t want to break this precious friendship we already have. I knew long before the he did have feelings for me but I never thought of him in that way. My heart broke just the thought of us being unable to mend things up if it won’t work out. I stay true to myself and I didn’t want to pretend and break his heart even more in the process. I want him to find a woman who will love all of him. I want him to find a woman who will share the same feelings he has for me.

“I love you Theo so much, but not in the way you want me too. You are so so precious to me I don’t want to lose you.” I replied as I pulled my hand away from him.

“I know, I know. I will never be that person.” He replied as he looks at me with brokenness that I don’t want him to be at. But there is no turning back. I only want the best for him. I love him as a friend.

“Look at me” I cupped his face, his eyes are full of tears and it landed in my fingers, “Your precious to love, your special to be with and my best friend. I love you so much. Please understand.” I wrapped him to a hug as he silently cried. This man is too soft but I want to spare his heart for a kind of love I can never give him.

After he calmed down we went inside where my parents are and that day we spent together with my parents. And now I’m here with him at the bus stop.

“Thank you” He said suddenly without looking at me

“Why?” I replied

“Because even if you won’t be able to accept my heart you loved me and gave me the opportunity to be part of your life as your best friend.” He turned and pulled me into a tight hug.

I patted his back as I console him. He let go and grabbed my had and squeeze it and when the bus finally came he patted my head and gave me a peck on my forehead. I didn’t retort, I know he was acting his feelings.

As the bus rode away I saw Gavin running away at a distance. I couldn’t call his name. He makes my heart and mind confused. I want to reorganize my feeling and to make sure about it. If I love someone I would love them with no intention of holding back anything. Because all my life I felt loved and I want to make sure that the person I love will feel the same way too.