A Heart Divided

Nora’s POV 

I spent that day at Liam’s place, taking my time to explain to him my journey from childhood to adulthood. I also made sure to switch off my phone so as to prevent my father's men from tracking me to Liam's abode.

“You really passed through all this? You saw your mother die right in front of you? That must have been so hard on you” Liam, who was lying on the bed with my head rested on his chest whispered, his voice laced with sorrow and disbelief.  

“Yes, It .... really was. It was really hard on me that most of the times, I wanted to cry and make my sadness known, but I never had the chance to. My father saw tears, love and fear as weaknesses and I wasn't allowed to neither feel nor express any of those".

"Living with my father as a child was ....... really terrifying that I had wished I died alongside my mother that night. I went to bed each night, praying that I shouldn't live to see the next day but God never listened to my prayers. Maybe because ..... I have so much blood on my hands" my voice shook and my hands trembled at the thought of what I had gone through in my father's hands.

I was just a child ...... was supposed to live like one- eating Ice-cream, Chocolate, going on family trips and all, but I lived bearing the weight of my father's devilish desires and cruelty. I didn't know I was all teary until silent sobs escaped my lips and I sniffed back my tears.

"Babe" Liam called out, as he gently lifted my head off his chest, giving him the avenue to sit straight on the bed. I sat facing him, sadness, regret and hatred for my father hitched in my eyes.

I was only allowed to show my emotions in Liam's presence so, I took a good use of that opportunity to do so. I expressed all my frustration, anger and anguish through tears, allowing them to flow for what felt like an eternity.

"Babe, it's okay. Stop crying" Liam consoled for what felt like the umpteenth time but his words only got me crying the more.

He pulled me closer to him, resting my head on his chest as he lovingly and calmly patted the back of my head.

"I understand how you feel, I know it's hurt but crying wouldn't solve the matter at hand, babe. We need to figure out the next line of action to take".

"Do you want to be free from your father? Do you desperately want to be away from him and live your life as you want?" Liam's determined voice asked, with hands gripping my shoulders tightly, as he made me lock my eyes with his.

There was this spark in his eyes - it was something different, something terrifying, something I hadn't seen before. He looked like a domestic animal who had suddenly gone wild and couldn't wait to leave the cage it was in. He looked determined - someone who was ready to do anything to get me out of the mess I was in.

"Do you have to ask that? You know I desperately want to do so. That's what I have ever wan ........" I replied but before I could finish my statement, Liam's shocking utterance interrupted me, leaving my jaw ajar.

"Then, run away with me" he said. For a moment, I froze. That wasn't the first time Liam had proposed us moving to another state but the way he said it that time around was different.

Before, he would have said: "Nora, why don't we relocate? Move to another state" but then that he knew how complicated my life was, he said: "Run away with me".

All I could see in his eyes were seriousness and his desperate desire for me to say yes to his proposal. I also wanted to say yes but I was scared - scared that everything might not go as planned.

"I ... I don't know" my trembled voice said, as I gently yanked his hands off my shoulders and walked away from the bed, my body limped on the wall with my face buried in my hands.

"Why, Nora? What do you mean you don't know? I thought you said you want to run away from all this? So, why the hesitation now?" Liam's confused voice asked, walking towards me.

"I am not hesitating, Liam. I am just scared - scared that I might lose you. You sincerely do not know who my father is. He is one cunning and ruthless Mafia lord - one who didn't hesitate to kill his wife because of a simple mistake she made, talk more of someone like you, whom he would see as a distraction for me"

"What if everything doesn't go as planned? What if he gets a wind of our plan and gets to know of your existence? My father wouldn't hesitate to let his blade pass through your neck. Liam, I have lost my mom who meant everything to me already, I can't afford to lose you too" I sobbed, letting my fear known.

Liam kept mute for some seconds, as if he was trying to reason with me before he proceeded to speak.

"Nora, I understand your fear but we can't just sit doing nothing. You can't continue to live your life miserably, you need to fight for your freedom and I am promising to fight along with you".

"See, the best way to eliminate your fear is by facing it. I know you are afraid but I want to assure you that everything would go well, if we plan accordingly. Your father wouldn't have an idea if you continue pretending to be the good girl you have always been. Babe, just trust me and follow my lead. Do you understand?" he asked, as held my hands in his, caressing them.

His words and touch were everything. They served two purposes - consoled me and gave me the confidence I needed. I didn't know what Liam had up his sleeves, how he was planning on eloping with me, but I found myself trusting him - believing in him that everything would fall through.

"I trust you" I finally said, letting go of my fear.

"That's my baby girl" he pressed his lips on my forehead and afterwards, dried my wet cheeks with his tiny fingers.

"Now come here, I have a gift for you" he said pulling me to the bed and had me sat on the edge. Afterwards, he hurried to the small cabinet in his room and opened the last drawer, pulling out two matching half-shaped heart necklaces.

"See what I got us!!" he beamed excitedly as he found his way back to the bed, sitting opposite me.

"I found them at the store last week and I couldn't resist how gorgeous they are. This is for you and this is mine" he said, handing mine over to me.

"You see how it is designed? Without yours, the heart wouldn't be complete and vice-versa. Do you love it?" he asked excitedly, smiling at me but I reciprocated his smile with an emotionless look.

"Don't you like it?" Liam asked confused, his smile slowly fading away. Disappointment was written all over his face.

"No, I do. I like it" I replied forcing a smile on my face, with fear lurking around me.

"Oh, I am glad you like it. Do you mind if I help hang it on your neck?" he questioned.

"Sure" I said, handing over the necklace to him. Tossing my hair to a side, he gently wore the necklace on my neck before taking me to the mirror to check out how nice it looked.

"Look at how preetily it's sitting on your neck. It so much befits you and do you know there's something engraved on its back?" he asked standing beside me, his breath gently brushing against my skin.

"Really?" I asked, amused.

"Check it out" he winked.

I slowly turned the pendant and at the back, the promise "Whenever you are, I will always come to find you" was engraved on it.

"That's my promise to you, Nora and I will make sure I keep to that promise. I love you and will always do, Nora" Liam whispered to me with sincerity in his eyes.

I couldn't help but smile at how perfect he was to say the right words as each situation demanded. He was an angel in disguise - one whom I believed was sent by my mum.

"I love you too" I reciprocated as I turned to face him. Before I could say another word, his lips met with mine, kissing me passionately.

That day, we kissed our fears and sorrows away, momentarily forgetting about the trials life had in store for us.

But deep down in me, I knew I wasn't meant to be happy. And if I was, it wouldn't be with my father still in the picture.