Chapter 78
There was a knock on the door which disturbed me from my sleep.
“Yes who’s there?” I asked as I lazily got up, walking towards the door.
“It’s me” I heard Aiden’s voice from the other end. After what happened between us…… What almost happened between us the other day. I didn’t hear from him or even set my eyes on him. It still feels awkward to me anf I don’t know how to face him.
“Hey” I said as soon as I unlocked the door and pulled it open to reveal Aiden who was only putting on a plain black t-shirt and matching grey pants. As simple as he dress, he always manage to look breathtaking each time.
“Hi” He smiled awkwardly at me. Phew! At least I’m not the only one feeling the awkward tension.
“Will you let me come in?” He asked, his voice filled with humor.
“Oh yeah, sorry” I laughed awkwardly at my stupidity and stepped aside for him to get in. Once he was inside the room, I closed the door shut and made my way to where he was now standing.
“So” We both said in unison.
“You go first” We said at the same time.
“Sorry” We laughed at the same time and then he gave me signal to speak.
“So what are you doing here?” I stared at him cautiously as I inspected him while awaiting his response.
“I was thinking…… If we could… Uhm…. Maybe go out” He said nervously, avoiding eye contact with me.
Aiden was never the shy type, I guess it’s what happened between us the other day that’s making the atmosphere so awkward and tensed.
“Go out? To where?” I asked and he smiled softly before giving me a response “Somewhere you’ll love” The reason for is smile is something I cannot comprehend.
“How sure are you that I’ll love it?” I rolled my eyes as I stifled a laugh.
“I’m one hundred percent sure” He smiled cheekily.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“O…. kay?” I said unsurely.
“Come on, get dressed” He said excitedly. He seemed to have gotten over the tense atmosphere already.
“No” I said bluntly.
“What? why?” He raised his eyebrows.
“How will I get dressed with you standing here in front of me?” I imittated the same expression he had on his face.
“Oh” He laughed “My bad”He kept laughing.
“So….?” I rolled my eyes.
“Right, I’ll be waiting downstairs in the living room” He said with a smile.
“Okay…. Go on” I scowled playfully at him.
“Yeah” He said and turned to leave without another word.
Once he had left the room, I went into my closet to find the right outfit which happened to be a blue crop top and black biker short. I bonded my hair in a neat bun and applied a little bit of mascara and lipgloss before grabbing my purse and making my way out of the room.
“Took you long enough” Aiden said as I approached him.
“Sorry” I apologized despite myself.
“Don’t be, I was only pulling your leg” He let out a playful laughter.
I knew he waa joking but I just felt the need to apologize even though.
“Your mum left few minutes ago, she said it’s urgent” He informed me with a smile evident on his face.
“Oh okay” I simply said to him as I stood there staring at everywhere but him.
“C’mon, let’s go” He ordered and I grabbed my house key from the desk before following him out of the house.
“No, no way, I’m not getting into that thing” I growled.
“You still have your fear of bikes I see” He chuckled.
“Yes and I’m never going anywhere with you in that thing” I threatened.
“C’mon babe, it’s no big deal. You can hold on to me tightly and I’ll never let go” Why do I feel that this statement of his applies more to something else than to our current situation?
“Easy for you to say” I laughed nervously.
“Come on, I promise, just hold on tight and trust me please” He stared into my eyes, awaiting my response.
“Promise?” I asked for reassurance.
“I cross my heart. Have I ever let you down?” He raised an eyebrow.
Come to think of it, he never did anything to hurt or disappoint me during our past relationship. Though we had our small and big fights occasionally that even led to us not talking to each other but that’s normal. He had never done anything to make me feel unloved or unappreciated except when I ‘thought’ he cheated one. Which he never did of course.
“Earth to Olivia” He snapped his finger at me, bringing me back from my subconscious thoughts.
“Oh…. Yeah” I simply responded even though I had no idea what he was even talking about all this while.
“You don’t seem to be listening are you?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah… uhm… I am….”
“It’s fine, you were probably overthinking as usual” I laughed at the fact that he knows me so well. “So I was saying, should we rather take public transport? If that will make you feel better” He suggested.
“No, I think I’m cool with the bike” I responded immediately.
“You sure?” He asked with his eyebrows raised.
“Hundred percent” I smiled wearily.
“Okay, let’s go then” He said and climbed the bike. He inserted his key into the keyhole and the machine sprang to life.
“Are you gonna stand there all day?” I hadn’t realized that I was still glued on my spot, wondering how I’ll be riding on that thing, knowing fully well that Aiden went to a fake driving school that ever taught him about speed limits.
“Yeah, give me a sec” I took a deep breath.
“If you’re not comfortable riding with me then I suggest we take public transport” He stared at me cautiously while observing my reaction.
“Of course I’m happy, I’m just…… Anxious?” If that’s rhe word that could describe how I am currently feeling.
“You looked nervous” He rolled his eyes.
“No, me? Nervous? No way” I laughed nervously. I could feel heat creep up my cheeks.
“Hop in then” He simply said. I know he could see through me we enough to read my mind but I’m glad he chose not to further question me.
“Yeah” I said and moved closer to the bike with shaky legs. I hopped into the vehicle and he offered me a black helmet which I wore immediately before encircling my hands around his waist tightly.
As he started the vehicle, I immediately shut my eyes tightly. I don’t wanna see houses moving so fast.
“Remove your hand” Aiden said.
“What, are you crazy?” I frowned, holding him tighter than before.
“Remove your hand Liv, your squeezing my ribs” He said again.
“No way Aiden, I see you have a death wish for me but that’s not gonna happen” I said to him and tightened my hold around his waist even more.
“Are we gonna sit here forever, we’ve arrived” He said calmly.
“Arrived?” My eyes immediately flung open. We have arrived.
“That’s what I was trying to tell you”He said.
“Oh sorry, I thought we were still driving” I said sincerely. My mind has been racing all this while that I didn’t even know when he stopped the machine.
“Can you please let go of me now?” He asked again and that’s when I realized that I was still holding him tightly. I immediately let go and got off the bike gently along with him.
“Wow” I said as I stared at the empty old park.
“It’s been long” He smiled at me.
“Yes it has, oh my God Aiden” I chuckled and hit him playfully. He brought me to the same place we had our first kiss, the same lakeside park we had countless memories of countless make out sessions. The same place I’d come and cry my eyes out whenever something happened between us. This very place held deep memories. Both sweet and bitter.
“I knew you’d like it” He smiled cheekily.
“Like it?, I love it!” I squealed.
“Then let’s get to the best part” He winked playfully and took my hand into his as we strode down the path towards the lake.
It was still ever beautiful even after two years. Children never came to this park, it was strictly for couples and adults. Young adults precisely.
“Hi James” Aiden and I greeted at the same time.
“Wow, Liv? Is that really you?” The old man said as he took a closer look at me.
“Yes it’s me” I chuckled.
“Oh boy, seems God finally answered Junior’s prayers” He chuckled, making Aiden flush. He always calls Aiden Junior, just like Nana.
“He use to come out here everyday all alone. He’d sit down all alone by the lake and write letters which he’ll end up throwing away and littering the grass for me”