18TH NOVEMBER.
THUNDERVILLE CITY:
RIVERA'S HOUSE.

Aphrodite sat in front of the mirror. Her pale, sleep-deprived reflection stared back at her. She sighed, knowing that her makeup will mask her shame, guilt and hurt. She brushed a comb through her washed hair. Its bristles got tangled in her hair. She forced the comb down her hair but it only pained her scalp even more.

Nora was walking past her room when she heard Aphrodite groan. She peeped in the room to find her struggling. She frowned. "Sweetie, hold on." Lex's mother sprinted inside. She took the comb from her hand and put it away. Aphrodite remained quiet and let Nora deal with it. Nora gently entangled the hair knots with her fingers. She took the hair brush in her hand and brushed it on her hair, no tangles anymore. "Delicate matters need to be handled with care."

The way she said it almost felt like it meant something more.

"Thank you, Mrs. Rivera." She smiled that didn't reach her eyes. "You look beautiful. Red is your colour," Aphrodite said as she awed Nora's red gown.

"Oh, sweet beans, Call me Nora." Nora smiled back "I'm sorry we haven't gotten a chance to meet you and Lex's other friends. I've been so busy with the preparation. Time flies like anything." Aphrodite opened her mouth but Nora began, "Can I do your hair and makeup? I am not a stylist but it's been a while since I've done Sofie's hair. I wanna feel like a mother of a daughter for a while and forget that my oldest is getting married."

Aphrodite couldn't say no. It felt more personal now. "Sure. I'd love that." And she meant it.

Nora smiled and began with her hair. Aphrodite watched Nora move her hands gracefully as if she knew what she was doing. A tear ran down her cheek as a memory of someone popped in her mind.

"So, Aphrodite..." Nora spoke, oblivious to her tears. "I know you're a thief." She chuckled. "You've stolen my son's heart." Nora looked at Aphrodite through the mirror. Aphrodite blankly stared back.

"I, um...we...are friends."

Friends. It stung her--especially after the way Lex said it yesterday.

Every word he spoke, every flicker of rage and sorrow in his eyes, every crack in his voice was tattooed in her mind. The words echoed back in her mind all night. She couldn't sleep. She even got up late at night and waited outside Lex's room, debating whether to knock and apologise or not. Eventually she chickened out and went for a walk instead. She thought she had done the right thing but Lex wasn't wrong either. Aphrodite had been selfish with him. She kept pushing him away yet took a step closer.

"Oh., c'mon. I'm not blind." By now, Nora had commenced applying foundation on her face. "I know when my kids are in love. Have you ever noticed the way he stares at you? In a room full of the people that he knows and loves, he still searches for you."

I want you, Aphrodite Rose because I fucking like you.

"Anyway, I shouldn't interfere with your love lives. Tell me about yourself. Did you know your mother and I were in highschool and college together. Orion Academy is really one of the best academies in the world." Nora curled her eyelashes.

"What?" Aphrodite muttered in disbelief. Too bad she couldn't give her wide eyes right now. "My mom went to Orion Academy? She never told me."

"Aw, that's weird. Your dad went too."

"You know my father? You know Peter?" It was distracting that she was given some unbelievable revelations while Nora was doing her makeup. She couldn't react the way she wanted to.

"Uh, no. I meant your step-father. Your biological father was not a college guy. Honestly, Peter Baker was--I'm sorry. I shouldn't say wild things about him. It's just that Peter had a bad reputation and he bullied many people."

Aphrodite let out a dry laugh. "Trust me, you know more about him than I ever did."

But now, she had a name. Peter Baker. She could find him.

"And we are done!" Nora stepped away and let Aphrodite see her own reflection. Her smoky dark blue eyes brought out her own baby blue ones. Her hair was up-done wrapped in a bun with a fake flower band around it. Nora instructed her to wear the dress and come downstairs as soon as possible since the guests had started to arrive in the backyard. Nora left in a rush when a maid called her saying that Sofia needed her help.

Aphrodite slid into her midnight blue dress. The single straps held on to her shoulders perfectly and the long dress with one slit clung well to her body. She stepped into her high heels and hooked her long earrings in her ear before walking down to the backyard. The guests had started to fill up. Yumi walked and stood beside her. She offered a smile and together they walked towards Karan and West.

"Guys, we have a problem," Karan said as soon as Aphrodite and Yumi approached them. He buried his hands in the pockets of his suit as tiny beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. "Remember Baz--"

West interjected. "We will never forget who Baz is. You never stop talking about him."

Karan rolled his eyes and continued, "So turns out, his family knows Lex's and he is invited too."

"Oh, my goodness, Karan. That's great! Will you finally introduce us officially?" Aphrodite smiled at him.

"Nahi. No. No way. It's not great at all. I haven't told him that I am not out to my family yet. What if he asks me for a dance? And I say yes and somehow my parents find out?" Karan's eyes fell on someone distant and he quickly hid behind West. "Shit, he is here. Hey, Bhagwaan. Bacha lena," he whispered to himself.

Aphrodite hooked her arm around Karan's and dragged him in Baz's direction. "What the fuck are you doing? You're supposed to help me!" Karan whisper-yelled as they made their way to Baz.

"I am!" She said and smiled once they reached near Baz.

"Hey, Karan!' Baz's emerald green eyes twinkled. "I didn't know you were invited."

"I am friends with the bride's brother," Karan said while unhooking his arms from Aphrodite. Aphrodite nudged him. Karan sighed. "Baz, meet Aphrodite. And Aphrodite, Baz." Baz extended his hand. Aphrodite smiled and accepted it.

"Hey. I am Baltazar. Baz for short. Karan talks a lot about you--especially about you and Le--" Karan coughed and Baz fumbled, "You know, just normal day to day stuff."

Aphrodite mentally imagined herself punching Karan.

"I'll leave you two alone. See you around." Aphrodite turned around and immediately stumbled upon someone. Despite wearing heels, she looked up to find Lex's eyes staring back at her. She parted her lips, her mind quickly sending a reflex to apologise about everything but Lex raised his hand, making her stop. Without any sign of acknowledgement or familiarity, he walked past her. She turned around to find him walking towards a girl wearing a pink tight dress. She embraced him and smiled flirtatiously.

Aphrodite's heart sank.

The groom arrived and the guests started to make their way to their seats. West saved Aphrodite a seat beside him while their other friends were scattered all around the area due to the vast number of guests. Karan sat on the other row beside Baz. Yumi sat in a row in front of Aphrodite and West. Lex sat on the first row along with the same girl she had seen him previously with.

The bridesmaids came in with a basket full of daisies. They threw them around as they carved the path for the bride. The crowd turned around to find Sofia wearing a long white wedding gown. Her arm was hooked around Mr. Rivera's--his face happy and sad at the same time. He escorted her towards the groom at the altar. Aphrodite's eyes fell on the front most seat again. Lex and that girl's shoulders brushed and it felt like a knife was twisted in her gut

"What's going on with the two of you?" West murmured. "Either he is staring at you with a distant look or you are. What is up?"

"We had a bad fight." Aphrodite was about to drop it but then she decided to not hear the bride and groom's vows and turned to West. He glanced back at her. "You once told me that if you ever find someone you click with, you should keep them. Did you mean it?"

"I did. I do."

Aphrodite lowered her eyes. "Why?"

"It's funny you ask me that. That answer is pretty obvious," West said, his eyes softened. "Because you won't find them again. When you cut ties with someone you feel comfortable and happy with, a piece of you gets torn too. And there will always be an unstitched hole. Others will come up and stitch on top of it with a fabric of their own but it won't be the same ever again."

"Hm." She turned back to the altar.

I want you, Aphrodite Rose because I fucking like you.

header image by Shardayy Photography

translation of Hindi terminologies:

Nahi: No

Hey, Bhagwaan. Bacha lena: Oh, dear God. Save me/ Help me.
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ps. I can't wait for y'all to read the next two chapter hehe

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