Check the previous episode here
Of course, I knew that they will approach me. So I thought ahead - instead of the awkward confrontation in front of everyone else, I decided to go in and have a smoke.
I was a smoker even before, but I didn't want them to judge me.
But this time was different - I want to stay true to myself.
I noticed that Nash was fast approaching me. I pretended I didn't know as I continue to puff until all of a sudden, Nash snatched the cigarette from my hand.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Maybe she doesn't like smoking since she is a doctor. But I don' care...
"And what do you think you're doing too? You have no right to stop me from what I want to do. We're just friends."
She was humiliated. She turned her face and started sobbing. I know it was just all an act. So I didn't mind her; I lit another stick.
"I've missed you, Carl! Why are you acting this way? What did I do?"
In my head, I was cursing her like, "Really, b*tch, you didn't know?"
But yes, the soft-hearted guy gave in. Again.
"Okay. Sorry. I will stop now.", as I pull her closer to me. And then she hugged me.
"I missed you so much, Carl."
"Hey. Won't John get jealous if he sees us?"
She let go of me and then Aish came.
"Girl, what do you think you're doing with my friend?", Aish was mad.
Nash held my arm and said, "We're friends, alright?"
"Nah, girl, he's my friend.", Aish held my other arm. I didn't want to disapprove of her after what she did to me in the past.
"I'm sorry, Carl. My dad didn't want me to see you anymore. He thought that it might not be nice seeing me with another guy especially that I was with Blake back then. He liked Blake so much.
But then I realized that it's only you that I want.
Please forgive me."
She pushed Nash away and hugged me. But I didn't return the favor; the pain in my heart was still fresh in my memory.
"I wish it was just as easy as changing clothes, but it's not. I'm tired of getting hurt because of you - please let me go now."
She let me go as she says, "But, Carl..."
"Enough of all this drama! How did you know each other, anyway?"
I learned that they are cousins, a very close one.
They grew up together but got separated when Nash started to study. Her family moved to our place and lived here.
"Nash was with me after you left and broke my heart. But then again, she also broke it. Nothing comes good when I'm around you."
"But, Carl, I'm free now - unlike Nash! I left Blake for you."
"Alright, Nash. John might be looking for you now."
Nash with her puppy face said, "But Carl. I just arrived here and we haven't been together for a while."
Aish smirked.
"Both of you may go home now. I went home to rest and to spend time with my family. I've got no time for this drama."
Both of them didn't have a choice and left. I went back to the gathering and I continued the drinking session with my friends.
I got drunk. I slept for about 4 hours and woke up early morning to go to shore - one of the things I missed the most about home.
I saw my friends doing some fishing so I joined them.
Later on, we shared to eat the fish we caught, paired with our favorite locally brewed alcoholic drink called tuba.
The sea was so calm; the breeze was so peaceful. The sea was so inviting.
"This is the best!", I exclaimed as I enjoy myself by the shore.
I then saw Aish, Nash with John walking towards the shore.
"Carl!", both Nash and Aish shouted my name while they waved their hand as they see me from afar.
I waved back, but I felt awkward seeing John after the incident.
They all came to join me to drink and swim. One of my friends gave another gallon of tuba but John didn't like the smell of it.
It has a strong smell but it tastes good as it is pure and organic - it's made from coconut. Yes, it's cheap kind but for us, it will always be our favorite.
Nash and Aish loved the tuba and got drunk. Aish clung to me, probably because she was already drunk.
I can see Nash was looking at us, but she just can't go near me since John was there. I noticed John was also looking at Nash while she was looking at us.
"Here comes trouble again.", I talk to myself.
"You know what?", Aish suddenly asked with a drunk voice as she continued talking, "Nash told us that John died in the car crash. But in fact, John was not there when it happened. I want you all to know what actually happened."
"What do you mean he's not with me, Aish?", Nash curiously asked.
"I have no intention to tell you before. But I know that you love John so much and that I love you too, you know that, so I will say it - I can't let him fool you again."
I can see from the face of John that he's being troubled.
"It was Carl who was with you during the accident. You saw John with another girl. You were so mad and got drunk. I didn't know why Carl was with you then, I don't care about him back then.
We, your family, told you that John died during the crash so you won't look for him anymore."
I was shocked and speechless. I couldn't believe what Aish has said because I don't remember anything.
"What do you mean Aish, why I don't remember that?"
John stood up, pulled Nash, and said, "This is insane! Let's go home, babe!"
"Wait, John...", Nash pulled away from John.
She felt dizzy and exclaimed, "Ouch!", as she held her head.
"See what you all doing to her?!", John was pissed off.
We brought Nash to the nearest hospital while Aish called Nash's father.
As I enter the hospital, I remembered something. It felt like I have been here before.
As I was walking towards the exit, I saw Nash's father smiling at me.
"How have you been, Carl?"
"I'm alright, sir, thank you! But I wanted to leave. There's something strange here."
"It's totally normal, Carl. You have been hospitalized here before you can't remember that.", he tried to explain to me.
"What do you mean sir?"
"I can't explain it well. Maybe it's best if you ask Aish - she knows everything. All I know was the doctors injected something in your brain so they can restore it."
unsplash
I was stunned - I couldn't believe what I just learned. Aish looked at me feeling sorry, "I didn't know about it either."
Nash's father told John to leave and never come back.
I was sitting right beside Nash while I kept thinking.
Suddenly Nash tapped my shoulder, "I'm really sorry.", as she cried.
"Please don't cry, Nash, it's not your fault."
"No, Carl - it's my fault. I dragged you into this mess and what's worst is that I broke your heart too many times", Nash explained everything.
"What happened was that John and I were in a fight. I know you loved me ever since... you were always there for me, especially whenever John was hurting me. This was this one time when I went to a bar and got myself drunk. You always tell me that I shouldn't drink because I was driving.
I didn't listen - I wanted to get drunk to forget what I saw. John was with someone else and told me that he will leave me.
After drinking, I drove and you were with me. We crashed into another vehicle. You covered me from everything. I was still conscious when I saw that you were hit. When I woke up, I can't remember a single thing."
"When I saw you again for the first time in the beer garden, all I can remember was that you were once a dear friend to me.", she continued.
I still can't believe everything that I just heard. I asked Nash, "Am I going to die?"
"No, of course not; I'll make sure it won't happen."
"What did your father meant about my brain?"
"I have no idea about that yet, but after this, we will examine it."
I tried and forced myself thinking about everything when suddenly, blood dripped from my nose and I felt dizzy... I lost consciousness and fell on the floor.
to be continued.....
thank you for reading
