Chapter 39:
Nightmare

“Starting from today, you and I are strangers, who don't know each other. Forgive me." The girl ran away, leaving the young man who was just silent, trying to restrain himself, so that he would not be selfish to survive. He had to go, at least to catch up with the girl. Finally, the man's selfishness was overpowered by the voice in his mind. The man ran fast, until his hand managed to hold the girl's crying arm. She was really crying, her body trembling.

"Taylor, listen. Forgive me. It's— it's all my fault, but I never imagined it would be like this. I never realized that your feelings were that deep for me. Forgive me, please."

The girl — Taylor — is silent, sobbing. Harry didn't know what to do. He's confused. He wanted to keep her from staying, but what good reason would he have to endure? Besides, is it not enough with all the games Harry and Jacob have been playing?

"Tay, listen. I know what I did was wrong and honestly, I didn't like you back then, but now. . . now I've realize something. The moment when you started spending more time with Jacob and when you no longer bother me, when you stopped sending me your love letters. . ." Harry closed his eyes and held his breath before continuing, “. . . I regret those, and I miss the love letters. . . I missed you. I was stupid for refusing your presence. Now, I want you to always be by my side. I— I think I'm starting to have feelings for you." Harry says at length, silencing Taylor. "I know, I'm just an asshole. But really, Tay. Give me a chance. One more chance, and I promise I will love you sincerely and genuinely. No more pretending, no more fooling around, because I want to have you." Harry tries to stare into her entrancing sapphire eyes, even though Taylor tries to dodge it desperately.

Taylor closed her eyes and sternly said, "I'm not giving anyone second chances."

Harry widened his eyes. “Tay, I really fell in love with you. I love you. I love you so much. Tell me if you still love me. Please." Taylor opens her eyes slowly and one thing Harry knows is, there is no more light in her usual bright blue eyes.

A pitiful small smile appeared on her lips. "Now you realize? Love does not always come at the beginning. There are times that love comes at the end and at that time, you can only look down, regretting all that you have done to avoid it. When he completely avoids you, only then do you understand what is the meaning of love and loss. Regret will always come at the end." Harry was stunned by what the girl said.

Before Harry had time to say anything, Taylor had jerked her hand away from his grip and walked away from Harry. Leaving the young man alone on the lonely campus basketball court.

━━

Harry slowly sipped the wine in his wine glass at Mila's birthday party, who was Jacob's lover. This year, Mila threw a massive party at a nightclub and invited all the students. This is where Harry is now. Sitting at the bar, not in the slightest interest to join those who were dancing wildly on the dance floor.

While wandering his gaze, Harry suddenly caught a figure that had made him go frantic for the past few days. The man seemed to be smiling broadly - like an idiot - while Taylor was trying to get away from the man who was about to take advantage of the her condition.

Without thinking twice, Harry walked over and immediately wrapped his sturdy arms around Taylor's  hips.

"She's mine."

Only two words, but successfully made the man immediately turn around and walk away. Harry leads Taylor out of the club. Along the way, all the girl did was say cute and innocent things. Harry could guess that just one sip of some red wine, this girl must be already very drunk. Taylor nearly fell as they walked through the exit door, if Harry didn't immediately grab Taylor's arm and put it around his neck. Taylor brought her face close to Harry's neck. Before long, the girl smiled like an idiot.

"You smell like Harry."

She made a comment and for some reason, Harry chuckled at it. Harry struggled to open his car door, to let the girl in. It's not safe if she would stay in the club any longer. Especially with her appearance now. . . Harry could only stare at her in admiration.

Harry managed to get to the driver's seat and start the engine. The radio was turned on and the girl started singing the lyrics incoherently before chuckling with amusement. Harry looked at Taylor from head to toe. She looks different nowadays. She was wearing a very skimpy maroon, sleeveless dress. She also wore make-up, which was light but she never applied makeup back then, especially her crimson redf lipstick which made Harry swallow thickly before pursing his lips.

Harry closed his eyes before removing the jacket he was wearing. Harry puts the jacket around Taylor's shoulders, before pulling on her seat belt for her safety.

"I thought we were both drinking at the same time.
At least I'm still sober enough to be aware around my surroundings, unlike you." Harry sarcastically chuckled, making Taylor, who was initially staring out of the window, turn her head. Taylor squints her eyes. Harry reached something at the back seat, picking up a bottle of mineral water in the passenger seat and handed it to Taylor.

"Drink up."

"Is that Diet Coke?"

Again, Harry chuckled. "Yes."

The girl smiled happily before gulping down the drink which is just ordinary mineral water. Surprisingly, the girl did not say anything about taste. Instead, she acted even more childish.

“Aye, aye, Captain! Let's go find treasure!"

Harry was sure he wouldn't be able to stop laughing if he didn't control himself. "Next time, you have to limit your curiosity about something or you'll endanger yourself, Taylor."

Harry advised, although he did not know whether the girl heard him or not.

"Taylor?" Harry raised an eyebrow when the girl suddenly frowned.

The girl shook her head. "You used to call me Babe, Harry."

Harry was taken aback. He reminded himself that the girl was drunk.

"Captain, let's go!"

Taylor's call again made Harry have to hold back his laughter. Harry started to really press the gas pedal to advance the car.

"I love you, Haz."

Harry glanced briefly to find the girl smiling at him, it was obvious that she was out of her right state of mind.

"I love you more, Babe."

What happened next was, Taylor hugged Harry's arm tightly, pulling him closer while he was driving and at that time Harry began to have difficulty driving his car, making it slightly swerve on the road.

"Tay, let me go, I'm dri― FUCK!"

Harry turned the steering wheel quickly as the car he was driving crashed right into a truck.

The next thing that happened involved ear shattering screams, a big fire, thick smoke, and a lot of blood.

Harry quickly wakes from his nightmare and finds Gemma, Anne, Robin, and Des standing around him, looking at him anxiously. Harry reclined from his lying position to a sitting position.

"Harry, my goodness, are you all right?" Anne asked worriedly.

Harry was unable to say anything, the young man immediately hugged Anne and his tears escaped uncontrollably.

Des approached, stroking Harry's back gently. “You had a bad dream? Tell me what happened. You screamed really loud earlier."

Harry released his embrace and wiped his tears.

"I. . . I— I put her in a coma, Mum.  I. . . drove the car, I was the reason, it was my fault. I—"

He was unable to explain anything further, instead all Harry did was tightly hug Anne again.

••

We're so close! So close to the end and so close to the big revelation!