Death

From Lucas’ perspective

I find myself in the solitude of my office, surrounded by nothing but the echoes of my thoughts. My mind is a swirling vortex of thoughts. Suddenly, Fatima materialized before me, her countenance devoid of any emotion, her face an empty canvas.

“Is there something amiss?” she inquires, her brows furrowing with concern.

She is the woman who holds my heart, but our once vibrant love has become a mysterious enigma.

I gently reached out and caressed her soft, rosy cheeks. “I can’t help but feel a surge of joy as I see your familiar face standing beside me once more.” I softly exhaled my words, barely audible.

“I adore you with such intensity that the mere thought of losing you again sends shivers down my spine. . .” I whispered under my breath, desperately yearning for the gentle caress of her touch. I gently grasp her delicate hand, bringing it to my lips and planting a tender kiss upon her soft skin.

A peal of soft, melodic laughter escaped her lips. “You will never lose sight of me again, Lucas and I have undeniable evidence to support that claim. Lilith was finally banished from our lives, never to trouble us again.” My eyebrow shot up in surprise as she casually dropped the name Lilith.

I never want to hear that name again.

The weight of guilt settles heavily upon my conscience, casting a shadow of unease over my every thought and action.

There’s an unsettling sensation that washes over me as if I’m caught in the clutches of a forbidden desire to lay eyes upon her once more.

I yearn to escape the overwhelming sensation.

I couldn’t help but let out a mischievous snicker, my lips curling into a sly grin. “I refuse to let the sound of that deceitful name, Fatima, pollute my ears. The pain she inflicted upon you ignited a fiery hatred within me. I want to erase her from my life completely - no sight, no sound, nothing.”

“You are the sole one I wanted.” I passionately elucidated every detail. She lets out a heavy sigh, her hand reaching up to gently brush away a stray strand of hair from her face.

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about, my dear Lucas. She has vanished from your sight. Her lifeless body has been discovered. She tragically took her own life after you heartlessly left her behind.” I arched my eyebrow in surprise. Her words hit me like a sudden gust of wind, leaving me unable to catch my breath.

I can sense the rhythmic thump of my heart pulsating within me.

“What?” I inquired, my body rising from the chair in one fluid motion.

As her face transformed, a storm of emotions played across her features. At that moment, I felt the weight of the air around me, and I instinctively drew in a deep breath, bracing myself for what was to come.

“Lily is dead?” I wanted to confirm it.

A mischievous grin spread across Fatima’s face. “Absolutely. I’m curious to know what you said about that person that caused her so much pain. She’s excessively influenced. She has harbored feelings for you ever since we entered into a relationship, or perhaps even from the days of our youth.” I feel a sudden surge of anxiety, my throat tightening as I gulp audibly.

It’s a familiar sensation, one that never fails to make my heart race.

“I feel a sense of relief knowing that she’s no longer alive. She made a desperate attempt on your life. No longer shall we be plagued by the bothersome presence of others.” I gently leaned in, my voice barely audible as I wrapped my arms around her in a tender embrace.

Her embrace enveloped me, pulling me into a world of warmth and comfort. As I surrendered to the moment, I gently shut my eyes, savoring the tender connection between us.

I still think about Lilith.

I’m seething with anger over her. Her presence lingers in my mind, refusing to fade away. Every time I catch a glimpse of Fatima, it’s as if I’m transported back to the haunting memory of Lilith. The weight of guilt settles heavily upon me, suffocating my conscience. The mere sight of them fills me with a deep sense of disgust towards myself. Burning with resentment, I despised her for inflicting pain upon the woman who held my heart captive. But now, my emotions are a tangled mess, leaving me lost in a bewildering haze of uncertainty.

We unleash our hugs, setting them free into the world. “Enough is enough,” she muttered through gritted teeth, her frustration palpable. “It’s high time people put an end to their relentless threats against that wretched Lily.”

“She’s dead anyway,” she added.

“Would you like a glimpse of her?” Fatima inquires. My eyebrow shot up in surprise as her unexpected question hung in the air.

“Why on earth would I subject myself to the presence of that woman, Fatima, who nearly tore our relationship apart?” I asked, but deep down, I was torn because there was a burning desire within me to lay eyes on Lilith once more, to feel her presence and reach out to her.

But I was convinced that she was the epitome of perfection, the most extraordinary Fatima, during the time we spent together.

Fatima touched my chin. “I know you’re traumatized. I wonder what you did to her when I’m not with you.” she wonders and I chuckle as I peek at her lips.

“She leaves me completely indifferent. I yearn to caress her, just as I’ve longed to do with you, but I resist the temptation, for I can sense the electric desire coursing through my veins. You didn’t bring your A-game — in fact, it wasn’t you.” I must confess, I deceived her. Every word that escaped my lips was a distorted reflection of the truth.

I reached out and gently brushed my fingers against Lilith’s skin, just as I had longed to do with Fatima. My love for Fatima grew even stronger when Lilith was by my side. But no matter what, my heart yearns for Fatima, she’s the one who completes me.

Fatima’s face lights up with an infectious smile.

She wanted to speak but I said, “I don’t want to talk about her, Fatima. I only want you and me. We’re expecting our child, and I don’t want you to get stressed.” I delicately tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, causing a radiant smile to grace her lips. In a bold move, she seized my necktie, pulled me closer, and showered me with passionate kisses.

I shut my eyes tightly, surrendering to the moment as our lips met in a passionate embrace.