A glimpse of sorrow

Chapter Three.

The weekend came so fast with me seeing less of Pete and less of Mr. Stranger. Pete did a good job of avoiding me the few times I saw him in school. He never called me, when I called, it went straight to voicemail which he never responded to.

I pretended to be okay about it at first but deep down, I was starting to get worried. I knew he was eventually leaving me for good this time. We've had a few brawls in the past but none has ever left such an indelible mark on me.

The experience I had this past week was one I would never forget in a hurry. The trauma alone... Oh God!

"I have to call him," I said out loud and before I could allow my head to process the thought, I was already dialing his number.

"Please pick up Pete" I was pacing up and down my small room while my heart keep thumping loud, threatening to fall off my chest.

First, second, and third ring and there was no response. My feelings were clouded with intensified thoughts of losing him.

Catherine pushed open the door suddenly and stumbled in disrupting my thoughts in the process.

"There you are, all locked up since morning." Her facial expression changed when she saw the look on my face.

"What's up, Ora? You don't look good" she asked while making her way to my bed

"Nothing much Cath, I'm just worried" I responded.

"Is it Pete? Did he do anything else to you? She asked with genuine concern plastered all over her face.

"He hasn't called nor replied to my messages and I'm starting to get worried that I might lose him," I replied everywhere but at Catherine's face.

"Come on Aurora, there's no big deal in that. If he doesn't see your worth then screw him. Trust me girl you deserve better." She said with a brief flicker of the eyelid.

"I don't expect you to understand how I feel Catherine. You have all the guys on campus wrapped around your finger and you can easily get anyone you want." Catherine's eyes widened but I didn't want her to cut me off so I just ignored them and continued.

"Listen, Catherine, I'm not like you in any way. I can barely get a guy to glimpse at me but you do that effortlessly. Guys on campus are not even attracted to me but who can blame them... I mean take a look at me" I stood up suddenly from bed and started pacing around the room.

"I'm fat, horrible at dressing, super clumsy, annoyingly irritating, who on earth would want to associate with me talk more of asking me out on a freaking date" I screamed the last part out.

"Oh come on Aurora, don't say it like that..." I didn't want her to finish before I cut her off again

"No Catherine, I don't expect you to understand but Pete has been the only guy by my side all through these years. He saw something that the other guys didn't and I just can't afford to lose him. The first tear dropped and I tilted my head quickly so that Catherine won't see it.

"Listen Aurora. I understand your fears and trust me, they are valid. But then, you can't afford to push yourself around someone who does not want you anymore."

"Who said he doesn't want me anymore" I screamed while stamping my foot on the floor repeatedly. Catherine came over to stand beside me, held my shoulders, d turned me so I was facing her.

"Aurora, you can't deny it. Pete doesn't want you anymore. You need to force yourself to admit this." I was crying out loud now. Catherine pulled me into a warm embrace that I needed.

I cried pathetically for a while with my head still thrown over Catherine's shoulders. We pulled apart for a while and managed to wipe my tears slowly.

"It hurts Catherine."

"I know Aurora but I have just one remedy for that" she giggled with excitement.

"What's that?" I asked, hoping she would not say what I thought she would.

"Shopping. She said dancing around the whole place suddenly acting like a baby who had just been promised a box of cookies.

" No way Catherine. My shift starts in three hours. I can't risk it." I replied

"Yes way Aurora, we'll be done before your shift"

"No, we won't Cathy. There's no guarantee that I'll make it back in time as long as shopping with you is involved." I replied knowing full well the risks involved.

"Come on Aurora, don't be such a killjoy."

"I'm not a killjoy. I just have so many clothes that I don't even know where to wear them to."

"Uhmm if by clothes, you mean those military combat wears then yes, you sure do have lots of clothes. She said with a dry sarcastic laugh.

"Okay, you win Catherine. I said after a deep sigh

"Yaayyyy. Let's go then. She said with a smile and left. I grabbed my purse and followed suit.

I got to know on my way to the boutique that there was a party tomorrow night and all the big boys and girls were showing up. Catherine was ecstatic and convinced that I was going to get

"Pete's replacement."

Shopping with Catherine turned out to be the therapy I needed to heal from my fears. In no distant time, I was all smiles and all my worries were washed away.

I picked four dresses in total under Catherine's strict supervision, some very classy heels, and a beautiful purse. If Catherine was being honest, then there was no way my Mr. Right could elude me this night.

"Fuck Pete anyways," I said out loud. Catherine and I giggled. Thoughts of Pete have been completely thrown out of my head and the only thing in it was a mental picture of my next man.

We paid at the counter and when we turned to leave, I saw him. Leaning on the door frame at the entrance of the building and looking deeply at me.

"I'll wait for you outside Aurora," Catherine said faintly and walked out without even throwing him as much as a glance.

I walked slowly towards him. My heart thumped loudly and threatened to jump out of my chest. The butterflies all over my belly. My eyes fixed on him.

"Hi Aurora," He said with a voice filled with emotions. I wanted to reply badly but the words didn't come. I kept staring deeply at him. He looked sober.

"I'm sorry" he added and my eyes watered instantly. Just then, I decided to throw caution out of the wind and ran into his warm embrace. We hugged so tight and I released all my pent-up anger, emotions, and unspoken words into the hug.

"I've missed you" I blurted out and he smiled.

"I know" he responded and I shook my head. Typical Pete.

"So what are you doing here?" He asked and I shrugged my shoulders

"Just shopping. I got a few cool clothes though" I replied with a smile.

"Great, see you at the party tonight?" He asked

I suddenly felt cheated after the quick discovery that I was the only one who didn't know about the party tonight.

"Okay," I replied.

By Pete was back so there was no need for me to bother about finding another.

He was enough for me. More than enough.... or so I thought.