Chapter 22: chapter 22

Elora's POV-----------------I remember everything now.And I wish I didn't. I know I've been desperate to get my memories back knowing they wouldn't be good but if I knew I would have to face such a heinous reality, I would have been better off without my memories. At least, I wouldn't be feeling like this right now. I'm awake but I can't move. My tears are leaking out from the corner of my eyes. It feels like someone is squeezing my heart. It hurts so much. I can't feel my stomach. My baby. It's gone.I squeeze my eyes shut as the memories keep unfolding like a turbulent tapestry, each thread intertwining with shades of darkness and fragments of joy, reminding me of the days I first met Rodas to the last days we fought before I lost my memories. It was three years ago, I met Rodas three years ago. I always noticed a man sitting outside my piano practice room. At first, I thought, he was just any other person who came to enjoy the cool wind and the music but he kept coming every Sunday, he would stay for at least two hours and go back silently like the way he came.Before I even knew it, it became my habit to check for him as soon as I come for the practice. He would always be there with his straight cold face. He looked lonely, detached from the world around him and  I felt this strange sensation whenever I looked toward him. I wondered if he was waiting for someone and being unlucky.Strangely, I felt attracted to that cold and scary appearance. I envied the supposed person he has been waiting for.A lot of times, I thought about approaching him but my lack of courage held me back every time. I regretted a lot for not talking to him when he abruptly stopped coming after three months. I found myself glancing back at that empty bench that was once occupied by him.  He was a stranger that left me with so many unexplainable feelings. I thought it only happens in movies and books. Love at first sight that is.Then one rainy night, destiny brought him in front of me again.I was waiting for a bus, gripping my umbrella handle tightly struggling to keep it steady due to the strong wind. A few metres away, I saw him getting out of the car wearing a black expensive suit. He looked extremely different since I'd only seen him in casual clothes. His hair was neatly pushed back, exposing his rough features. One person held the umbrella for him.I was so captivated by his presence that I lost my grip on the umbrella and it flew away, exposing me to the pouring rain.He headed towards a building, taking large steps and I ran to him. I thought it was my last chance to talk to him."Mister!!" My voice came out embarrassingly timid but he heard me and turned around. His eyes widened as if he was shocked to see me. I didn't blame him. I was soaked from head to toe and probably I looked like a homeless kid. "Why did you stop coming there?" I asked. "Stop coming where?" His voice was so deep, the colour of black. "Outside the piano practice room... You stopped coming so abruptly!" His eyes narrowed and then in a low voice, he lied, "You've got the wrong person" He turned around to leave. I didn't know why he was lying. I recognised him pretty well. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm really glad you always went there," I said, making him stop in his track. He slowly turned around again and looked at me with surprised green eyes. "You made my boring practice somehow fun," I chuckled. It didn't make any sense. He must have thought I was crazy but I didn't stop there. "I loved watching you through the window. I looked forward for you every Sunday. So, when you abruptly stopped coming, I don't why but I didn't feel right. Since I met you today... I thought I would tell you. We might never meet-"Thud.The side of my face made contact with his chest and seconds later, I feel his arms wrapped around me. I couldn't process what was happening. He pulled me into his arms all of a sudden. My mind was filled with questions and even more when he whispered something to me, "What should I do now?"I cried. The feelings were overwhelming and hard for me to handle. He felt so warm and inviting.Maybe I was dreaming. I even had that thought. But he was there. He was real. Embracing me. He cradled my face in his palm. His green gaze was peering at me so lovingly as if I was the most precious to him. The rain soaked both of us. The other man who was holding an umbrella for him walked inside the building leaving the two of us alone under the dancing rain.He had rough features and scars but not at one moment had I felt scared of him, if anything then it was the realization of much I missed him and how much I had unknowingly fallen in love with him. "You will regret approaching me," he whispered, leaning his forehead against mine. I chuckled, letting the rain wipe away my tears."Why? Are you a criminal?" "Would you change your mind if I say yes?" "Are you?" I asked again. "I do dirty things... That's why I've been holding myself from approaching you. I've been there only for you..."I moved back my head and stared at him, bemused. Is he saying he was there every Sunday for me... For three months? Not once have I seen him looking towards me. How well he hid it. I was flustered."So, it's not too late to go back and you can forget about this moment. You can forget we ever met" I wondered how he could say those heart-wrenching words with such a straight face.