You thought it was over? Not yet. There are still exciting things to come. We never really heard back from Becka, did we? What of Jared's new role, is it a cause for concern? I'd like to visit India some day. Always Writing, T. C. SARAH
I’d slept over at Aly’s place because it was just easier to pack when she knew what you’d need. I’d grown tired of protesting every time they sprung up things like that on me and gotten used to being spent on.I used to feel guilty about it but my therapist said it was okay, so far I didn’t take it for granted or expected it from them. Another way I’d eased myself about it was making a promise to myself, that I would work so hard and also treat them just as special as they’d treated me with my hard earned money.“I thought Jared and Aarav were meeting us here.” I looked around the tarmac to find it empty.“They’re here. We’re just late.” I looked at the time and smacked my forehead.“This is your fault you know.” I scowled at Aly. The men behind us were carrying three boxes for Aly and one for me.“Like who needs three boxes for a vacation? And it’s your home you’re going to.” She glared at me for blaming her.“It’s not my fault you decided to pack so little and you’ve got some of you
“Hello?” I called out again and I heard a sound this time. “Becka?” The line went dead. “I think it’s Becka.” Jared looked at me, his gaze a little far off. I tried to call the number back but Jared shakes his head. “Give her time.” I wanted so badly to call but I understood why Jared had said so. She’d call back again if she wanted to. “Can I ask you something?” I put my phone in my pocket and listened to Jared was going to say. “Don’t take this the wrong way but, how about you come work or intern at my company.” “What?” Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think such words would leave Jared’s lips. “Why?” “Honestly? You’re smarter than a bunch of people there and I’d like to spend that money on someone actually worth it.” I was speechless. “You don’t have to give me an answer now.” “Yeah. I’ll think about it.” I would definitely think about it. I’d just escaped one hell with hidden relationships, I didn’t know if I wanted to enter another one with workplace romance. I kne
I glanced at both of them, feeling small under their piercing gazes. While Aly had taken her father’s eye colour, a gooey brown that reminded me of chocolate, her mum had steely blue eyes. It was almost like she was looking into your soul. “Do you mind if I…?” I gestured to the floor where both of them sat. Her mum smiled at me and shook her head. “Come in darling.” I sat on the floor, directly beside Aly and waited to see if they were going to say anything. “I’m sorry you had to see that. We are not usually like this” I blew out a breath of relief. It would have been weird for me to start the conversation. Aly had her eyes closed but the tears didn’t stop falling silently. “It’s okay to fight. It’s healthy to disagree.” “But not like this.” Her mum countered and she was right. I was about to say something when we all heard a soft knock on the door. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. ‘Had the guys come back so quickly?’ I thought to myself but it was her dad who walked throu
“You sure we have the right address?”“I should be asking you since you’re the one who got it.” I looked at my phone and then the street. It was just one road and a lot of trees for 20 minutes.“Pretty sure I got it right. Except Jared is wrong and they’ve both been kidnapped.” I teased.“That’s not funny.” She glowered at me. “I don’t think the address is wrong though, given who Aarav is, and the familiarity of this place.”“Where is this place?” The trees somewhat cleared up in front of us as we approached a black gate and my jaw fell off.“That’s Aarav’s house? What the fuck!” It was humongous. Such a kind of house shouldn’t be used for one person or even a family.I was pretty sure it could house half of USA residents.“Don’t be silly. That’s Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential suite.” That didn’t sound better.“Like the fucking president of India?” “You’re going to drool over yourself.”“H...how?” I placed my hands over my head. Who were these people? I should’ve known when
"Auntie." I snapped my head to the back wondering who had suddenly appeared. While I would've liked to stay in the president's residence a little longer, we had to return because we had a wedding to plan.Aly's mum had decided to cook for us and we were all in the kitchen. Against Aly's preference, her mum had told some of her friends that her daughter would be getting married in less than a month and the house was stockpiling with guests and gifts.This person was also another guest."Ria!" Her mum gushed over her and I looked to Aly to see if she recognized the lady but there was a scowl on her face. I had to hide my laughter so as not to seem rude. She seemed old enough to be in our friend group and quite stunning too."Aly, come say hi." She called her over and I watched to see what would happen. Aly wasn't the kind to hide her feelings but her mother was here."You remember her, don't you?" Aly nodded her head."Yeah. I do, unfortunately." Aly hadn't meant to say that last par
Jared peeled her hands off him and she shrugged."I almost fell and he broke my fall." I didn't need the explanation. I just needed her hands off him."Right. I think I can hear your name downstairs. You're needed in the kitchen." I said, without taking my eyes off Jared.He seemed to have a semi-amused look in his eyes and it was somewhat grating on my nerves."I don't hear it." She said with that seemingly innocent voice of hers."I think I heard it too." She looked up at Jared and I almost growled."You shouldn't keep Auntie waiting." He added with a charming smile. She blushed hard enough to make a tomato jealous.The moment she left both of us, I wagged a finger at Jared."That doesn't mean you're out of the woods yet." I was referring to the fact that he'd helped me out with the lie."Where is Aarav by the way?" He approached me wrapping his arms around my waist. Of course I fought and lost, quite woefully for a lack of actually trying."He's speaking with Aly's dad." "Hmm."
The dinner went well. Even Ria was silent all through. “Are you okay?” Aly’s mum asked and she nodded, not even bothering to smile like usual. Her eyes shot at us and Aly shrugged. Her mum was quite perceptive so I wasn’t surprised when she assumed Aly had something to do with it. Aarav’s family was so nice but I was more concerned about the platter in front of us. There was so much to eat from, food I’d never seen before and didn’t know how they would taste. “What is it?” Jared whispered in my ear. “I don’t know what to eat.” He chuckled and kissed my temple. “Here.” He picked up a few pieces of food here and there and my plate was stacked by the end. I hadn’t eaten all day. Nobody had. “Thank you.” I smiled at him appreciatively. Aly was on the other end of the table seated beside Aarav. “I hear you’re expanding towards India.” Aarav’s dad was talking to Jared. Our conversation had slowly moved from wedding plans to business talks. “Yes sir. We’ve done our market research an
I stood, watching him and trying to figure out what he wanted. Why he was here. I heard my name being called in a distance and knew all hell was about to break loose. “I’m here.” I yelled back. “Thank God. I thought you’d run of…” Aly’s eyes widened in shock as she saw his face. “Mohan?” He smiled like he was the groom on his wedding day. She quickly recovered from her shock and narrowed her eyes at him. “How did you get in here?” “The gate?” He said, his hands pointing backwards and his brows furrowing. Did he not understand that he wasn’t wanted here? “I mean how are you inside the house? Who let you in?” “Oh, your dad.” He waved her off like it was of little importance. “Dad!!!” She yelled as she walked away from the room. He turned back to me, his lips down-turned in a frown. “Am I missing something?” I glared at him. “She doesn’t want you here.” “Ou! Feisty, just how I like my women.” I was rendered speechless. Who did he think he was? I might’ve found him incredibly
Jared and Leah did become friends again but their interests lay somewhere else. They realised they were made for bigger things and they would do that outside the cave they once existed as lovers and even if something were to happen between them, it would take more time than expected for it to happen. Aly, Aarav, Jared, Jack and Leah remained friends but things would change over time. Work, family, life and ambition would force that circle to expand to others too. You may imagine that Leah and Jared ended up together or not. You are the author of that story, a work of fiction is a work of fiction. Author’s Note (I hope this doesn’t come off as offensive): I’ve seen some comments about therapy seeming like a bad thing. Therapy is not weakness, it is an admittance that you need help you may not be able to provide yourself. Mental health issues are not a joke and deserve audience. Some of us have been through traumatic experiences, loss of loved ones, accidents, bullying, harassmen
THIRD PERSON'S POVLeah looked different. There was something about her, like a light that surrounded her and her eyes looked burdenless. Maybe it was the Norway air, but she seemed ... better. Both she and Jared did."Mr Deric?" The secretary had her head cocked to the side, wondering why her guest was awe-struck, standing in the doorway."Sorry." Jared shook his head and walked in. Leah had a smile on her face as she watched him walk in. She recognised that air of confidence that usually surrounded him and couldn't stop watching him.Her attention was called by the men that surrounded her, as she spoke, she seemed to put everyone in a trance. Jared didn't hear a word she said, only observing how comfortable and right at home she felt."I have called this meeting here today because of a different kind of alliance about to be brokered between Norway and the US. Miss Leah Thomas has come as a financial representative of the BridgeStone Foundation, a company spearheaded by the governmen
Jared’s POVLetting Leah go was one of the hardest things I had ever had to do but I did it for her and myself. I was wrong to assume she’d come running back to my arms because I saved her. I smiled wryly to myself.I hadn’t seen her in quite a long while and our paths never crossed again. Aly was beyond pissed that she tried to leave without telling her but she quickly forgave her when she saw her condition. They talked all the time too and that was why I knew what she was up to most of the time.“Do you regret it?” I looked at the lady before me, she was seated behind her desk, peering down at me with curiosity. “What?” I’d zoned out for a minute and didn’t hear her.“Do you regret it? Letting her go.” I inhaled sharply. I’d been coming here for months. When Aarav asked me why I thought I needed a therapist, my reply was ‘who doesn’t?’“Not really. It was her decision but I got to understand much later. It would have been selfish of me to ask her to stay when she needed to go.” I f
I waited for him to clear his bed and offer me a seat before I sat. I shook my head internally. How did it get to this? I asked myself.‘You did it.’ I exhaled loudly and watched him perch himself on his work chair. He turned to me and rose his brows as if to say ‘what did you want to talk about?’ I cleared my throat and rubbed my clammy hands against my gown. I’d resorted to wearing gowns due to the fact that it was less constricting than most and easier to pull off, I just had to undo the zip and let the dress fall to my legs.“Yeah… uhm…” He continued looking at me and I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I found interest in the bedsheet. It was a fine looking colour, regal and plush looking. It felt so soft to touch, almost like you’d sink into it and be enveloped in a word of threads and fabrics.“Leah?” I hitched a breath when I heard his voice. No matter how many years I’d known him, no matter how many times he called me, I’d always feel the fluttering in my stomach whenever my name l
“I injured my spleen, not my legs. I can walk for myself.” I smacked Jack’s hands away from me. “It’s so you don’t try to run away again.” I rolled my eyes at him even though I felt a stabbing pain in my chest.“Pretty sure I can’t move past this house without falling over.” I’d been recuperating for the past week and Jack was coming over once in a while to check on me. Let’s just say he is more overbearing than most, and I thought Jared was worse.Speaking of Jared, he’d been avoiding me. The only reason I was sure he was even around the house was the fact that food and my pills were always made available. The pills I took made me drowsy for most of the day, so I spent most of it sleeping.“Have you seen Jared today?” I asked Jack as I swallowed my pills and washed them down with water.“Nope.” Jack said and turned the T.V on. If I was being honest, I feared speaking to him. No doubt, my accident had changed the dynamics of our relationship and I wasn’t sure if it had become worse o
Most of the time, situations arise, things happen and we are inclined to judge of the situation. It is easier that way because, sometimes, it makes us feel better about ourselves.When the tides turn and we become recipients of judgment, we understand the situation better. It takes a human to realise his mistake, but it takes a humble human to admit it. How many times have we judged a situation wrongly and admitted our error?We’re all guilty of hurting someone, friend, foe, lover… not intentionally but we seek forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t just feeling sorry, it’s also a way of cleansing our souls, freeing ourselves from the guilt.Jared never told Leah that he forgave her and she couldn’t forgive herself, she couldn't free herself from the guilt.***JARED’S POV “What’s going on?” I asked the doctor who’d just come out of the operating room Leah had been moved to. 14 hours was the longest time I’d had to wait for a report from a doctor and the expression on his face wasn’t looking
I ran my fingers through my hair, walking to and fro like a sojourner who had lost his compass, I’d probably lost mine. The ambulance had arrived shortly after but the Leah was already… I shook my head. ‘No, she can’t be.’ I couldn’t focus on any other thing than the fact that there were many doctors running with Leah’s gurney, one was on top of her, doing chest compressions. The sweat beaded on the doctor’s face told me they’d been doing it since she was in the ambulance.I was slowly losing my mind and Aarav wasn’t here. He was busy trying to sort everything out while I went with Leah. I didn’t want to leave her side, if only I could have followed her into the OR.“She has lost too much blood, especially with the damage to her spleen and hypothermia already seeped in…” I didn’t want to know all the negatives, I didn’t want to know what was wrong.“Can someone tell me, is she going to be okay?” I yelled at the people who had brought Leah in, who seemed to be conversing with a doctor
JARED’S POV“What are you going to do?” I flipped the documents that Leah had sent. I hadn’t had the chance to look at it because I didn’t want to, not initially. Anything involving her work place kind of pissed me off but when I finally did, I could stop the fear that ran through my bones that Leah could be in danger because of it and I needed to act fast.I looked up at Aarav whose facial expression mirrored mine. He too was very conflicted and while he trusted Leah, it would be a big move to change banks, disastrous if it was the wrong move. We had been using Marque and Co. for so long and the previous leadership had proved capable of handling our assets.This new guy, this Ryan Fisher, from the moment I first saw him, I knew something wasn’t right with him. What Leah had sent hadn’t pointed to him as the culprit but with just enough evidence to let us know that something shady was going on and we needed to act fast or we’d lose more than just money.“We should involve the cops.” I
I felt a kick to my head and I groaned, my head feeling like it was split open. I blinked my eyes to get accustomed to the light before trying to sit up, something I found difficult and almost impossible to do.I tried to move my body and realised I was bound hand and feet. This slowly entered my consciousness and my drug-induced haze cleared up, I was face to face with a horrid looking mask and I scrambled backwards, bumping into something that felt horribly cold to my skin, metal.The person in front of me moved back, giving me room to at least breathe.“What the hell is going on?” I looked around to see not one, like I had imagined, but four people, armed with guns. My heart started to beat faster than normal at gauging my situation and my throat felt dry. It was dark outside and I realised I must’ve been asleep for hours.I was going to miss my flight, if I even made it out alive in the first place. No one replied me and I couldn’t even make out anything with the ridiculous outfit