Chapter 7: Parting Ways

"Kevin! Come downstairs, son!" Mom called for me. I walked downstairs, my anxiety increasing at every step. Once I reached downstairs, my sister caught my hand and walked with me towards them. "Don't worry, Kevi. She won't bite you..." Eva whispered. "You see what happens to you once they'll not be around..." I whispered back mischievously. "Yeah...we'll see..." Saying so, she left hold of my hand and ran forward. "Hey, everyone! How are all of you?" I asked with my hands in my pockets.

"Woah! Kevin has become a heartthrob, huh? You look devilishly handsome, son!" Mrs. Watson exclaimed. I rubbed my neck, chuckling. "Nah, I'm still the same Kevin Ronald Sanders." I said. Mom and dad laughed. "He's a simpleton. He's not good with compliments." All of them started chuckling including me. "But yes, Anna's right, son. How's life otherwise, boy?" Mr. Watson asked after pulling away from a hug. "All good. What about you guys? Comfortable flight?"

"Not exactly. I'm suffering from jetlag. That via thingy was irritating! Coming all the way from Paris to New York is a pain!" He said, tiredly. I patted his shoulder. "What you need is rest. Jonathan, help me carry their luggage, will you?" I requested. He came towards me and held one suitcase while I carried the other. "Careful, hon!" Mrs. Watson warned. I smiled and moved on. Thank God Abigail did not open her mouth! What would I say to her? It would be awkward to talk to her after four fucking years! We used to hardly talk before...

"Abigail and you did not talk?! I can't believe it! Is she still mad at you?" Jon whispered when we almost reached upstairs. "Not you too, Jon! I don't know, okay? I just don't want to talk to her!" I hissed in agitation. He huffed and the jingling of keys could be heard before he opened the door. "Mr. and Mrs. Watson will be resting here and as for Abigail, she'll be resting in the room opposite yours." He teased.

I punched his shoulder. "Who said she's going to sleep there?"

"Your parents. Things are surely going to be fun! Especially between two exes who were madly in love with each other 4 years back staying in opposite rooms! The tension's going to be immense! I hope I don't suffocate." He exclaimed while ruffling my hair. I stuck my tongue out at him. "We were NOT madly in love with each other! We were together, yes, and we loved each other. But we were not crazy for each other!" I confessed, softly, while sitting on the carpet. Jon followed suit.

"She was crazily in love with you though, boss! You must admit." He said. I sighed. "Yeah, I guess she was." "And what makes you think differently now?" He asked, curiously. "Don't know. I'm not really attracted towards her now." I confessed.

"Someone else on your mind?" He asked, sounding genuinely interested. "Umm...you can think what you like." Saying so, I got up grinning and carried Abigail's luggage to her room. "I'm going to find out." Jon said with finality and walked back downstairs.

Just before I was going to come out of the room, a girl hugged me tight and I was taken aback. I stumbled backwards and caught hold of the desk tight. The familiar scent of roses filled my nostrils. "Abigail?" I asked, even though I knew it was her. "Yeah, Kev! It's me! Gosh! I thought you had forgotten me!" She took me by surprise when she gave me a quick kiss. The kiss was quick but I regretted it.

"Oops! I guess I missed you too much!" She sang while clinging onto my neck. She soon started messing with my hair. "Hey, hey, hey! Woah! Stop preying on me like that! It's uncomfortable!" I said while pushing her away. She whined like a small kid. I rubbed the bridge of my nose in frustration. I knew something like this was bound to happen...

She started sniffing softly. Seriously?! Oh God! And now the immature Abigail would start to take over. "I came here all the way from Paris, okay!" *Sniff* "I had made plenty of friends there and guys were dying to be mine!" *Sniff* "Y-yet, I rejected them. I rejected them all! And do you know why? Because I'm freaking still in love with you, Kevin! I still love you!" She yelled. I stood still not knowing what exactly I was supposed to do. "I do not know why I still love you even after we broke up, but if I still love you, there has to be a reason! From the very beginning, right since our families grew closer, so did our bond! I hope you remember that!" She snapped.

"I'd, Abigail. I haven't forgotten." I whispered.

"Good. Because I'm not done yet! We loved each other! We really did! I remember how after school we used to run to the park and the two of us used to swing and talk like it was our last. You made me feel like I was the only reason why you existed! You made me laugh, smile and made me feel so special! No other guy has made me feel like that ever, Kevin! We had visited so many places and I loved those kisses we shared! You were my best friend and I was so happy when the both of us were seeing each other as more than best friends! Then, after all the years of happiness, right after two years of 'us', you came to me one night and said you wanted to break up! I still don't know why you did that stupid thing! You walked out of my life and took a big piece of me with you! I cried. Every single fucking minute I cried. It was unbearable! I tried moving on, but of course, I couldn't! If I was walking on the street and saw a happy couple walk by, my mind would immediately think about you! It might have been easy for you but it was damn hard for me! It was so weird that even after our break up, you behaved like my best friend and acted like 'us' did not even happen! And now, when I was so excited to see you after a year, you didn't even talk to me until now. How mean can you be, Kevi?!" She yelled and burst out crying.

I sighed. This girl just wanted her side of the story clear, right? She had forgotten all that I had said. Anyway, I walked towards her and let her cry on my shoulder.

"I...I think I need to sleep. I'm too tired..." She sighed.

"Yeah...that's what you need. Good night! See you tomorrow!" I wished and kissed her forehead. After stepping out of her room, I felt the house wallowing in utter darkness. Everybody had gone to sleep. I was making my way towards my room when I heard a knock on the main door. Apprehension overtook me and I slowly walked downstairs and turned the door knob.

The cold wind blew onto my face and I stood there, prepared for the worst.

"Hey, Kevin!" I heard a familiar voice whisper.

"Caroline?" I uttered in shock. She hugged me and I froze before hugging her back. I felt so warm when she embraced me. It felt like she was comforting me. Her hugs and closeness were way different from the rest of the girls. I wondered why she was here and at this hour! Not that I was complaining but it was not safe for her to stay here for long. The night was quite lonely.

She pulled away from the embrace and caught hold of my hands. "Carol? What're you doing here?" I asked while tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

She brought my hand closer to her cheek and said, "Please don't think I'm some creep. My friend gave me your address because I really felt the need to see you before I leave. Kevin, I've come to say good bye. I'm going to London in two hours. To live with my dad. We'll be staying there for quite some time. I had told you that I wanted to meet up and I genuinely wanted to but given the circumstances, I can't...I don't..." I shushed her and held her close. Kissing her hair, I couldn't believe what she was saying. She was leaving?! We had just met and the universe already wanted to tear us apart?? She was such a unique and different girl who I was becoming crazy for. Who indirectly gave me a chance and uplifted hope even when I wasn't looking or asking for it. Who made my heart beat a trillion times per second.

Something had told me that she wouldn't be a girl like the others. Someone who wouldn't ditch me and would always stick up for me. Who would love me no matter what. She didn't seem affected over the fact that I was blind. In fact, her words warmed me and she seemed so caring and loving. And now, after us getting to know each other for one night, the world was separating us?? This was not fair!! I wouldn't have minded if it were some other girl but Carol?? She was too precious to lose!! If I weren't disabled, I would've gone any length to get her back. But what could I do now?? There was nothing I could possibly do.

"I'm going to miss you..." Her voice sounded muffled as she cried on my shoulders, in my arms. A tear escaped my eye and before I knew it, I was silently crying. I rubbed her back slowly to soothe her. She gently pulled away and lifted my chin. I caressed her cheek. We were the only two people in this dark, silent night and I felt like being with her till she left. The thought of her leaving hurt.

"Caroline, there's so much I need to tell you but time's not being fair! There's so much to explain and I really want to spend so much time with you but--" I was interrupted when she kissed my cheek tenderly.

"Words don't need to be spoken when actions speak a thousand words, Kevin." She whispered. Without wasting a minute, with all my sobbing and adrenaline rush, I dipped my head and brushed my lips against hers.

She pulled me closer and tangled her fingers in my hair while I caught her waist. I kissed her softly and slowly, savouring her taste which I knew would always be lingering on my tongue. She kissed me back and I deepened the kiss. We kissed for only God knows how long! The two of us were breathless, yes, but our desire to kiss each other didn't end. We kissed. Then took a break. Then kissed again. It went on like this with neither her nor me wanting to ever stop. We could kiss all night! Our lips moved in sync like we were meant to be. I didn't want to let go of her. I just didn't.

While we were kissing, she pulled apart. "I-I like you so much, Carol. I seriously wish you didn't have to go." I whispered.

"I've liked you since so many years. From the very beginning, my eyes were set on you and I'm so happy that the two of us feel the same for each other! There's so much I need to tell you too but I've to g-go!" She cried.

"Shh...we'll figure out a way. I promise. It's going to be hard. Not hearing from you directly. It's going to be fucking hard actually! You going away is driving me crazy! Try staying in touch! Come back soon!" Saying so, the two of us hugged each other tight.

"B-bye, Kevin! I'll miss you! Take care!" She kissed me again, ruffled my hair and walked out of my arms. The cold wind blew onto myself and left me lonely like how I was all these 17 years...

"Make me proud, Michael Jordan!" She exclaimed, trying to giggle. I grimaced and waved at her until I could hear her no more.

10 minutes passed.

50 minutes passed.

A lot of time passed yet there was no movement from my side. I stood still, looking straight. Tears escaped my eyes. I felt so broken. I hadn't felt like this ever! A girl, not an ordinary one, walked into my life, gave me hope, helped me out indirectly, cared for me and then all of a sudden...left. Did Kevin Ronald Sanders's life always have to be this fucked up?! I felt vulnerable because it wasn't everyday I opened up to someone and felt so cared for.

I considered myself theluckiest man in the universe to like someone like Caroline Stewart and for herto like me back but who would be called lucky to see that very same person walkaway from their life as easily as they came??