Wrong Direction

Love is never supposed to hurt. Love is supposed to heal, to be your haven from misery, to make living fucking worthwhile.

-Arsen: A Broken Lovestory-

Andy just finished typing her homework on her laptop when she looked at the calendar placed on her study table, again. She smiled bitterly when she realized that today is just two days away from the marked date on her calendar, the day that will make her already broken heart break into million pieces more.

The door of her bedroom opened then her cousin slash roommate named Alex entered with a mischievous grin on her face.

“Good day, Andrea. Let’s go to school now, buddy.” Alex said with too much energy but Andy just answered her with a flat tone ‘Okay’.

“Hey. What’s with that emotionless tone? Is it about ‘him’ again?” Alex asked with a frown but Andy only responded with a deep sigh. “You don’t have to explain, I know you enough already.”

“Why? Why can’t I move on, Alex?” Andy asked still lost in her thoughts.

Alex rolled her eyes then walked closer to Andy who is still sitting on her chair. “You can if you will just open your eyes, Andy. There’s a lot of pretty boys out there that can heal your broken heart if you will stop pushing them away. So now, stand up because we really have to go. I don’t want to be late in my class.”

Andy sighed then finally fixed her things inside her school bag while Alex exit her bedroom.

Andy wished that she can finally meet someone that can make her forget about her first and supposedly ‘true love’.

‘I love you, Andy. I want to make a big family with you. You and me with our children, we will be the most happiest family ever.’

Andy smiled bitterly when her stupid mind reminded her about that stupid promise once more. Her school class finally ended and she’s busy fixing things inside her locker now when she heard two girls standing a few steps away from her talking about the people she doesn’t want to hear the most.

“So is it really true that Jared will marry the youngest daughter of one of the most popular business tycoon in our country? That classmate of ours is so lucky.”

“Yeah. He’s so lucky that he has good looks to make that rich kid marry him or else, his family company will be dead in bankruptcy.”

Andy bit her lower lip trying hard to ignore those two. They know nothing about Jared. They have no right to talk that way about Jared even though some of what they said is ‘half-truth’.

Andy hurriedly closed her locker then exit that area with her fast heavy steps. She doesn’t want to hear whatever those two will talk about.

It’s too much already for her that the world is telling to her face that Jared will never be hers again. Jared already belongs to someone else and that someone else will never be her.

“Thanks for coming. I hope you and your cousin enjoy the party, Alex.” Yumi greeted Alex then smiled to Andy.

Andy smiled bitterly because Yumi who happens to be Alex’s friend and Jared’s fiancée greeted them on their table, with Jared silently watching them, of course.

“We will enjoy this party even more if you will join us, Yumi but....” Alex said then gave Jared a short glare. She then looked back at Yumi then teased her. “But I know you have to greet other visitors too, mistress.”

Alex and Yumi both laughed. Those two are having a nice friendly chat that they didn’t noticed how uncomfortable Andy is while sitting on her chair. There’s nothing wrong in Andy’s chair though. She’s just uncomfortable because Jared keeps on watching her.

Alex and Andy are currently at the engagement party of Jared and her fiancée Yumi. Andy just witnessed the love of her life been engaged to someone else and not her.

“Excuse me. I’ll just go to the washroom.” Andy said then walked out of the pavilion without looking back. She’s afraid to see Jared watching her, again.

Andy hurriedly walked into one corner then cried her heart out. This night is so painful for her but she has no other choice but to attend this party because Yumi kindly invited Alex. Honestly, Alex doesn’t want Andy to go with her but Andy treats her cousin like a baby so she wants to keep an eye on her. But mostly, Andy wants to see Jared, she wants to see him tonight even though doing that will kill her inside.

Andy clearly knows now that what she had and shared with Jared will only remain in the past. Her love story with Jared will never had a happy ending.

“I’m so sorry, Andy.”

Andy widen her eyes when she heard that sweet voice. She stopped herself from looking back because seeing his handsome face will only make her heart more painful.

“I don’t want to hurt you but I have no other choice but to marry Yumi. Her father is the only one who can save my family from our debts and... he won’t help us if I won’t marry her youngest daughter. I’m so sorry if this happened to us, Andy.” Jared said with tears rolling down his eyes. He really loves Andy, he really did and he will always will even though the world is against it. “I am still in love with you, Andy. I will always love you.”

Andy chuckled bitterly still back facing Jared. “If you really love me, you won’t hurt me like this, Jared. You didn’t fight for our love so stop fooling me with your lies.”

“I am not lying, Andy. I really want to run away with you but... my parents, I can’t hurt them.” Jared said feeling more guilty.

“You can’t hurt them that’s why you choose to hurt me instead!” Andy cried then finally faced Jared with tears flooding her eyes. “I understand your choice. I am proud for what you did as a son but... I hate you for giving up on us. You’re a coward, Jared.”

Jared slowly walked closer to Andy who keeps on walking backwards, keeping their distance. “Yes, I am a coward and a fool for breaking your heart but... I have no other choice, Andy. I’m so sorry.”

Andy shook her head then smiled bitterly. “It’s okay. All I need is time, more time to accept all of this. I have to go now. Enjoy your engagement party, Mr. Jared Montero.”

Andy started walking away and was about to enter the elevator when Jared hold her hand and made her turn around. Andy wants to break free and push Jared away from her but the sweet taste of their lips connecting over and over again is making her weak. Jared smiled between their kisses, he pushed the elevator button and guided Andy inside with their lips still connected.

The elevator door was about to close when a hand stopped it making both Andy and Jared surprised. Andy sighed in relief when they saw a handsome stranger entered inside. It will be so awkward if Alex or worst, Yumi, will be the one who caught them kissing.

“You better go back on your engagement party now, Jared. Get out of here now.” Andy said while staring on the floor.

Jared sighed heavily but nodded. “Okay. Just always remember that my heart will always belong to you, Andy.”

Jared realized that the stranger guy is still pressing the button keeping it from closing making him frown. The stranger guy looked at Jared with his poker face then gestured him to get out. Jared glared at him before walking out. He was about to look back at Andy but the door is finally closing that all he can see is a glimpse of a sad looking Andy, but Jared didn’t fail to notice the stranger guy glaring back at him.

The elevator ride of Andy with a handsome stranger feels so slow and cold. Maybe because Andy feels so down and her mind is not functioning well right now.

Andy closed her eyes tightly and her weak knees made her sat down on the cold floor. It seems like she forgot that she’s with a stranger because she started bursting into tears. She just cover her mouth with her hand to somehow hide her pathetic cries.

Andy hates herself for being so weak, so stupid and so pathetic. She should have not let Jared kissed her a while ago. She started hating everything.

Jared, who keeps on making her heart more confuse.

His father who only cares about saving his business.

The elevator who seems so slow for her.

And even the handsome stranger who’s sharing this elevator ride with her.

The handsome stranger slowly walked closer then offered a white handkerchief to Andy who looked up in surprise. He smiled sweetly to her. “Tears comfort the heart but you can’t keep on crying. I’m sure smile will suit your pretty face more and not those tears.”

Andy can’t help but smile because of the handsome stranger’s sweet words. “Thank you, mister...”

Andy didn’t finished her words because she lost consciousness. Good thing the stranger is fast enough to catch her in his arms.

Andy woke up in a familiar ceiling. She blinked her eyes repeatedly when she remembered what happened on the elevator before she lost consciousness. She sat up in panic when she remembered that she’s with a stranger that time.

How did she end up in her own bed?

Andy scanned the whole room she’s currently at with her wide eyes. She can’t be mistaken, this is her own bedroom on the apartment unit she shared with Alex. Speaking of the devil- Andy means ‘angel’- Alex entered her room looking shock when she saw Andy.

“Thank God you’re awake now, Andrea.” Alex said in relief. She was so worried when she found out that her cousin collapsed last night. “Are you hungry? I’m gonna call a food delivery now because I don’t want to cook.”

“You mean you can’t cook.” Andy said with a small smile forming on her lips when Alex glared at her. “But seriously, how did you find me? The last thing I remembered is I lost consciousness during my elevator ride with a stranger.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “You are lucky that the stranger you’re talking about is Yumi’s friend who just came back from the States. He called Yumi for help after you shamelessly sleep on his arms.”

Andy blushed then glared at Alex. But she smiled thinking how that stranger became her angel in disguise during that night.

Alex groaned. “I’m hungry now. You better wash your face and come out. ASAP.”

Alex went out of her room leaving Andy relieved but getting more curious.

Who is that stranger? Will she ever meet him again?