Skyler

We went back home. It was lunchtime and after that we had lunch. If you are wondering who is Noah. Noah is my roommate and my best friend.

We met a year ago when I bumped into him in the library. Noah liked me and he was a sweet and caring person so when he confessed his feelings for me. I decided to give it a try. He knew everything because I told him.

Scarlet was his friend and we met when we started dating. We became friends as we had the same interests. I started working hard and Bryon helped me setting up my business.

And in a year I was able to set up my own company. Scarlet lost her job and I needed an assistant so I offered her the job. Noah and I broke up because I realized I was not ready to move on. Since then we are the best of friends. We live in the same place and he always has my back.

Noah went up to his room to get changed while I went into my room. I take a look at my closet to find something to wear when I found something, Shane's hoodie. I take it in my hand. I still remember everything that happened.

I take it in my hand and I felt him near me. As shattered as I was I still missed him for I had never loved anyone as I loved him. Hell, I didn't know what love was until I met him. For weeks after I separated I used to wear this hoodie and cry to sleep.

"Get ready, Skyler. I know how long you take to get ready." I heard Noah yelling from outside the room.
"It takes time to look good, Noah."
I kept the hoodie back and quickly scan my closet to find an outfit for today after I picked on my outfit.

I took a quick shower and got changed. I was sitting at the dressing table. I take a look at the mirror. I opened the drawer to take out my earrings when I found a letter. I shouldn't have opened it. I should have torn it apart and erased every memory I have of his but I didn't and I opened the letter.

The letter he wrote me the night before the wedding. I feel tears dwell in my eyes as I read the letter. Why Shane Why? Why did you do this to me?

Everything was so perfect. We were getting married and I dreamt of my future with you. What changed all of a sudden? Where did I go wrong? You proved that Good things don't last. You broke everything and my ability to trust and love anyone.

After reading the letter I keep it down and take the ring in my hand which was kept in the same drawer. I still kept it.

I don't wear it for obvious reasons but I kept it. A few months ago when I lost it, I turned everything upside down trying to find it. I didn't know why.

My feelings for Shane were too strong to let go so easily. I guess it wasn't the same for him...

This time, last year I was ready waiting to go down the aisle and everything changed. Apart from me didn't want to believe all of this but then the truth is always bitter.

Flashback

I was wearing an oxygen mask as I breathed heavily. I saw Shane sitting right in front holding my hand. I slowly realize I was in an ambulance being taken to the hospital as I heard the sirens.

"You have to stay strong, Skyler."
Shane was telling all types of things he thought could calm me down. The pain I was feeling was worse than I ever had. I tried staying strong for him but I was scared about what was to happen.

They take me down the ambulance and I was glided across the hall and I saw Shane running with us as he held my hand tight. "You have to let me in."

"Sir, you have to step aside and let us do our work." The doctor argued with Shane but it was no use for he wasn't in a mood to agree with them. "Shane..." He pushed the doctor from his way as he lowered his head to hear me. "I will be fine. Stay here and wait for me."

He kissed my hand as he tears up and lets me go. As I enter the operation theatre, I was put in deep sleep...

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"I want to meet Shane before the operation." I had not seen him since I was shifted to the ward. The doctors gave me some sedatives and the pain in my chest was a little relieved. There was no choice but surgery to take place with no surety if I would survive or not. If the operation is successful I can live a healthy life without any worries and if it fails, we all know what's next.

"He is on his way here." Mom said and my eyes were on the door waiting for him. Then I saw him enter the room. "I am here."

His hair was messy and his eyes puffy bloodshot red. His face was pale. He had taken off his suit but his white shirt was stained with my blood. I knew something was wrong looking at him. I sensed it.

"We will leave you two alone," Dad said and with that Mom and Dad left us alone in the room. Shane comes closer as he sits on my bed
"Shane..."

I held his hand and his eyes soften looking at me. I coughed as I tried to speak. He didn't say anything but he couldn't look at me.
"Shane, I don't know if I survive this but I just wanted to say I Love you and I wanted to wish you a Happy birthday in advance."

I said and I bit my lip to control my tears. Shane was taken back by what I said as he looks at me. He holds my hand in between his and looks straight into my eyes.

"Stop talking about it. Nothing will happen to you. Promise me you will fight for us. You won't give up. You will be here with me and we will celebrate my birthday together. I hope you have prepared a gift for me." He tried laughing to cheer me up. I could see the tears in his eyes and I didn't know what to say. He had a smile on his face. I could feel his voice cracking and I could feel that he was hiding something.

Behind that smile, I could see something was breaking him. I didn't want to ask but now I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"What's happening Shane?"

He puts his arms around me and hugged me. He rests his head on the crook of my neck as he broke down into tears and it was that moment I couldn't hold my tears in anymore. We cried in each other arms for eternity but tears didn't seem to stop.

This may be the last time I am hugging him. I cried more and he mumbles."It's nothing."

I pulled back wiping his tears with my hand. He was hurting too and I knew I had to make my way out for him. I won't lose hope.
"It's fine. You said yourself there is nothing I can't fight. After I am back we need to get a new dress and a suit. We have to get married after I recover but..."

"Yeah. What but? Of course, there is a but..." I was stifling on my words but I had to complete it. For any time the doctors could be here to take me.

"There is a chance I won't make it."
Shane puts up a finger in my lips. We all know that it is the truth and we can't run away from the truth by denying it.

"Stop. Will you? You are going to make it." He said crying. I had never seen him cry this much since I have known him."Shane, We don't have much time to speak. Listen to me." He nods not being able to talk due to crying.

"If I don't make it. I want you to be happy and find someone else."
I don't want him sulking when I die. I want him to be happy. I want him to have his own family, a lovely healthy wife who would love him, and a little Shane calling him dad.

"I can't possibly do that, Sky. Stop talking." He raised his tone. This is too hard.

"Please, Shane. It will break me more to see you heartbroken if I leave. I want you to be happy. I won't be able to bear it."

"Sky, I will always love you. No matter what. Whatever be it. I will always love you." He mumbles as he pulls me in a hug again and we can't seem to stop crying. I feel him and take a whiff of his smell. I pull back and held his face looking into his eyes. Why does life have to be so hard?

I hold his hand as he is looking down. Tears streamed down both our eyes. Today was suppose to our wedding day and now we are here in the hospital unsure of what is going to happen next.

It may be the last time I was talking to him, touching him and it may be the last time I am seeing him. Tears just can't stop flowing down our eyes. I gently wipe away his tears. "Shane..."

"Everything will be alright."
He smiles and I kissed him. I hope everything goes fine and I come back to him. I hope. We pulled back. He rests his forehead on mine and was still caressing my cheek. I closed my eyes as we sat like that for a few moments and no one said anything and then the door opened.

"We have to go." We look at the nurses who came in to take me. It was time. He says"Sky, I love you. I will always be with you even when I AM NOT WITH YOU."

"You won't leave me. I know. I will be back and this will be my gift for you." I know no one can say what's going to happen next but still...

Then I was laid on the stretcher and was being taken away from him. The grip of his hand loosens and I smiled at him and I was taken away.

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I was sleeping and my body was at rest. I didn't have the energy to move and open my eyes but I somehow felt I made it. My heart was beating fast as I laid on the hospital bed. I felt something and then I feel his soft lips on my forehead.

He holds my hand and said something but I couldn't hear it for he was crying. His muffled cries made it difficult to hear what he was saying. Then the realization hit me, was I dead?

I cannot be dead. I can feel him. This cannot be it. It can be true for no one knows what happens after death but something in my heart said no it wasn't. I could feel my heart beating and that was a sign I am alive. I wanted to wake up and wipe the tears from his eyes but I was too weak.

He kissed my forehead and I feel him go away from me. This time it felt real. As if we're away from me. It can't be possible. He loves me. He cannot go away from me. Right?

One week later

A week later I was discharged. Shane didn't come to visit it was his birthday the next day. He didn't receive my calls or respond to my texts. I was a little disappointed about it but Bryon said he has left town for an important meeting and I completely understand.

It was because of me he missed work and now that I am all fine. I guess I can wait for him to complete his work and he can no longer have to look after me.

After a few weeks, everything will get back to normal. Shane and I can go back to work as boss and assistant. We can go out without any worry and then get married.
I was so happy that I made it. I was going to jump in his arms and smother him with kisses when I see him.

Bryon drove me back in his car. He said Shane might be home by now. Bryon took me to our house and I called out for him but no one answered. "Shane. I am back. Shane..."

I look at Bryon who was disappointed."I am sorry Skyler. I lied to you. Read this letter you will understand everything after reading it."

I still had no idea what he was talking about. I was clueless. I take the letter with a smile not knowing that reading that letter would break my entire world.

I carefully open the piece of paper and read it. "This has to be a joke. Come out, Shane. You can't prank me. I know you cannot do this. I know you are doing this because I prank you a lot and not listen to you but you have to do better than this."

I run over to the kitchen to find him hiding somewhere then I went upstairs but he was nowhere.

"I am sorry, Skyler but it is what it is." Looking at Bryon, I knew that it wasn't a joke. It wasn't some sick prank Shane was pulling. Shane left for real this time.

I couldn't believe it. I read the letter over and over again. Maybe he meant something else but it clearly said 'Maybe I loved you but I don't anymore. Asking you to marry me was a mistake. I am sorry, Forgive me if you can.'
I was trembling and my heartbeat was increasing.

This was worse. I start crying as reality sunk in. I fell on my knees and I felt a pair of hands holding me. It was Bryon."Careful, Skyler..."

"Why do people leave? First my parents, then Nana, Olivia, and now Shane. This is the reason why I don't like to get attached to people. It's just a matter of time after which they leave." I looked at Bryon who had an unapologetic look on his face. I was breaking down and I couldn't do anything about it.
"I don't know what to say. I am here for you." He says but nothing could soothe me now.

"Can you leave me alone, Bryon?"
I whisper and he stood up.

"I understand. Take care." I was in a state of complete shock. I could feel a huge weight put on my back and it was weighing me down. As much as it clearly states, I want him to look into my face and say it in front of me.

I was still thinking of this as a misunderstanding. He has to say it on my face and not just leave after writing a letter. I realized Shane had already packed up his stuff and left and I exactly knew who would know where he is. I rush towards the door and luckily, he was still there.

"I will talk to you later, Lily."
He hangs up the call and faces me.
"Where is he?"

"He is at..." But before he completes the sentence I interrupt him. He does know where he is.
"Take me to him."

There was this gut feeling which said this isn't going to end well but I hoped I am proved wrong. Bryon drove me to where Shane was. On the way no one said anything. I was gazing out of the window but I could see him looking at me in between. He stopped the car in front of a mansion. He already bought a house.

"Can you wait here till I return?"
I ask him for I don't think I can find a taxi to go back from here. He nods."Sure..." I get down from the car and walk to the door. I confidently came all the way here but now I couldn't find the courage to face him. He opens the door and comes out closing the door behind him. We look at each other for a while.

I look at him and he was a mess. He had dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were red and puffy which showed he was crying. Stubble grew on his face which showed he hadn't shaved and his hair disheveled.

"Sky..." He said in a low voice. It was soothing to my ears. I was missing him so much when I was in the hospital. I forgot the purpose I was here but I had to talk to him.

I show him the letter and start yelling. Letting out all my feelings... "Don't Sky me. What's this? I promised I will talk to you before acting upon it. What am I supposed to understand from this? You can't push me away with a letter. Say it now if you mean this."

I crush the paper in my hands. I didn't want to cry in front of him but I couldn't keep it in and to see him like this wasn't helping at all.
"Skyler, I..."

The door opens and I see Emily come out. She had a devilish grin on her face. I couldn't stop. My last straw of hope was crushed too after I saw her kiss Shane. At first, I didn't know how to react.

Shane was looking at me for a reaction and I looked at him shockingly. Did he move on from me that fast?"Hello Skyler, How are you?" My eyes still on him and then shifting my gaze to Emily.
"I am doing more than fine. I was just leaving."

I was about to leave because I couldn't hold my tears and there was no way I was crying in front of this bitch. I can't believe this. We were about to get married. Before the surgery, he was devastated and now when I am all fine and recovered he ran into her arms.

"Come in for a cup of coffee. You didn't get a chance to come to our wedding. What can I say? Shane wanted to get married to me as soon as possible." Everything was shattering down. The walls I was trying to build up to stop myself from crying were breaking down.

He is married to Emily. I can't imagine this. Anger took over my sadness. It has only been a week since our wedding got canceled and he got married even before I came back from the hospital. I forcefully brought a smile on my face."Best wishes for your life ahead. You both look great together."

"Emily..." He glares at her and she understands."See you soon, Skyler."

She goes inside leaving us alone. Doesn't matter because I got my answers. I don't wish to talk to him anymore. He whispers and I could feel his voice breaking but I had enough."Sky..."

"You don't have to say anything. Everything was so perfect. It was so good to be true. It was my fault to have believed you. It was my fault to have fallen for your charms. How can I forget? You are the king of playing games and you don't lose. You won Shane. You successfully broke my heart. You proved Forever don't last. It just a matter of time. A week ago I said I love you but now I hate you, Shane..."

(What is going to happen next? What changed? Read the next chapter to find out. See you next.)

...Thank you for reading...