Storieo

Tag: Drama

  • Beloved or not?

    Beloved or not?

    This story is about a retired woman who lives with her son and daughter. Her husband left her when her kids were young. Her life is not easy. Each day, there is one thing or another that disrupts her peace.

    Her daughter is older than her son. The daughter graduated from college and is in search of a job. Unfortunately, luck is never on her side. On the other hand, her son has yet to start college.

    The woman was forced to take an early retirement as her company was not working out. The only financial aid in the family was the pension she was getting. The money was enough for the household’s needs but not for her children’s.

    There was always a dispute between her children over who had taken more money from her. The son was working hard to meet his needs, but the daughter was not. The daughter did not like to work at all.

    Her relationship with her daughter is closer than that with her son. There was always an argument within one or two days over anything between her and her son. Her maid used to listen to everything very closely and knew everything that went around in that house.

    The son would mostly end up spending money on household things, but the daughter only spent money on herself. The mother was aware of this fact, but she still gave more money to her daughter than her son just because she was the older of the two.

    The son developed a feeling of loneliness and underconfidence. He started to believe that no matter how much he worked, he could not earn enough for himself. His life started to deteriorate as a result.

    Despite not doing much work, the daughter was very happy, as she had a lot of money to spend and her mother always supported her no matter what. The son started hating his sister because of this fact.

    The son would argue with her once or twice in a while for the money to spend, and this resulted in their already weak relationship worsening. Her son started to maintain his distance from her and her daughter.

    Some months later, her son left for college, for which he had to take a loan. The daughter went to work for a private firm, which didn’t pay her well enough. The mother was left all alone with herself and her maid.

    One day, a phone call was made to the son and the daughter that stated that the police had recovered the dead body of their murdered mother from their home. This left both siblings shocked, and they returned home.

    Days later, after the funeral, the post-mortem report came, which confirmed that the mother was murdered. The police took the siblings and the maid into custody. They were questioned about everything, from her pension to her relationships with everyone.

    After all the sessions, the police strongly suspected the son to be the killer. But there was no evidence to find him guilty. The least suspected was the daughter, as she maintained a good relationship with her mother.

    The maid was asked for more brief sessions as she was the one who visited the house more often than the son and daughter in the time of tragedy.

    Even after going through all these sessions, the police found it hard to catch the killer. To solve this case, the police checked and started to analyze all three suspects individually. There was no CCTV installed in or near their house.

    Starting with the maid, they found that the maid was present in other houses for household chores at the time of tragedy. The son was not attending his classes, and the daughter was on medical leave from her job. The police called the siblings for another session.

    The son stated that he had bunked the classes that day. The daughter, on the other hand, said she had a stomach ache that day, so she took a medical leave. The police confirmed that the siblings did not come home that day.

    The maid was now the prime suspect for the police. The police called the house owner of the house where the maid was working at the time of the murder. After going through the session, the police could not find any evidence that proved that the maid was the killer.

    After so many sessions and call-ups, the police took out the call details of the siblings. There was one number that was dialed more than the other numbers in the son’s call logs. There was a similar number in the call logs for the daughter. Both numbers were different.

    The police called the son first, as he was the prime suspect from the beginning. The son stated that the number was his girlfriend’s. He talked to her a lot and was hoping to marry her. The police let go of the son upon knowing this.

    Just as the son was leaving, a man came to the police station to talk to the police. That man identified himself as the milkman at the neighbor’s house. The milkman told the police that when he was leaving the neighbor’s house, he saw a man with his face covered go to his mother’s house. That came from a taxi.

    The police searched the area for the taxi, and they found it. The taxi driver stated that he picked up that man from the railway station. The man was not covering his face at that time. With the help of the railway station’s CCTV footage, the police were able to identify that man.

    That man was identified as the boyfriend of the daughter. The daughter was summoned to the police station for a brief session right away. The daughter stated that she was struggling with money as her boyfriend was not earning well either.

    The daughter accepted that she sent him to kill her mother so that she could later take the whole pension for herself and her boyfriend. She even stated that she considered never marrying him, as then she would not get the full pension for herself.

    The son was shocked to learn that his sister was behind all this.

    Greed can sometimes become so cruel that it makes you do things you will never recover from. Even though the daughter had a strong relationship with her mother and got more money than her brother from her mother, it was never enough for her.

    This tragic story teaches us that being materialistic can never be healthy. The more money we have, the more we crave it. Never let these things control you so that you become someone you never want to be.

  • The Unwanted Observer

    The Unwanted Observer

    The cold wind would whisper through my room, as I’d sit on my desk in the after-hours, to study for my final exams. Maybe it was then, maybe it started before, perhaps it was always there. It was a habit for me to study for my exams throughout the night, where everything was silent, while the nocturnal beauty swept throughout. Whilst studying I would always feel someone staring, silently observing, their gaze piercing my back. It felt like someone was breathing heavily as if struggling to draw out every single breath. I would turn back immediately, only to find the narrow, dark hallway beyond my room. I would not pay it much attention and would continue with whatever I was doing. However, as time went on, I started hearing something like footsteps, no, not footsteps, but someone, dragging their feet along the hallway, coming towards my room…  closer, nearer, and right in front of the doorframe, it would stop. Chills.

    One day I found my little brother, changing the light-colored, net curtains that adorned his room’s door, with a thick, deep-colored one.

    Amused, I asked him, “Why the thick, dark curtains? Weren’t you always fond of light, net ones as they brought about an air of carefreeness to you?”

    My brother hesitated. He said, as he gulped, “I don’t want to see whatever roams around at night”.

    Hearing him sent shivers down my spine.

    “So, you experienced it too… ” I said.

    “Yes, and it keeps sighing heavily right in front of my door.”

    Just then a sudden, loud, shattering noise was heard from the hallway. ”Clank!”

    “Did the chandelier fall?” My brother mumbled.

    We ran outside the room. Nothing was there. The chandelier was intact, and so was everything, yet the eeriness of the hallway was palpable. We went to our father right away. At first, we were reluctant, “What if he doesn’t believe us?” We mustered up our courage and we all sat down. As we told our story to him, his expression grew more grim and more dense. Finally, he said, “Yes I experienced it too.”

    “How? What happened?” We asked with dread yet relief.

    Father said, “I would smoke a cigarette in the washroom, I could feel someone walking in the hallway. They would keep dragging their feet. They would take deep breaths riddled with agony. Coming towards the door, and stopping right in front of it. Feeling as if the presence is staring right through the door at me. When I’d open the door, all I could see was the uncanniness of the hallway.”

    Just as he spoke, a very subtle yet intoxicating scent started spreading. Suddenly in the upper lofts of the hallway, loud and random thuds started coming. It was as if a bird or a rat was stuck inside and was going berserk. The sounds were horrifying, to say the least. Deeply unsettled, we went up to the loft. The moment we opened the shutter, everything became dead silent; only to discover that everything was in place.

    Since then, right around 11:15 pm, this occurrence started to take place routinely.

    After a lot of discussion, we dug deep into the history of the house. Ultimately, It was found that the previous to the previous owner had taken his own life in that hallway by hanging himself from that chandelier. He also had a foot defect that made him drag his leg to walk.

    We were stunned. With the dots connecting one by one, from the heavy breathing to the feeling of a person dragging their feet; we organized a solemn Pooja and cleansed the whole house.

    The feelings and occurrences stopped after that. Everything had finally returned to normal. Over time, we all grew and led our lives peacefully.

    Today I am married and have a small child. We visited the house after years. Nostalgia and the bittersweet feelings of childhood flooded through. At night, after a hearty dinner, I turned off the light and sat down in my room.

    “ Thud, thud, thud… ”

    “ Puchki, come here and sleep now my little angel”  I called out to my four-year-old.

    As I turned my back, I saw him…

  • Running Out of Reasons – Epilogue 2.

    Running Out of Reasons – Epilogue 2.

    *Rachel’s Point of View*

    16th July, 2018.

    “Malcolm!” I winced in pain as I continued hitting his arm, “Malcolm! OH No!” I almost scratched him with my nails.

    “Ow! What the heck! Why are you abusing me at 4am!” he was finally awake.

    “Malcolm! Baby!” I held him arm tighter.

    “Where?” he looked around the room, “I told you not to watch horror movies while you’re pregnant! There’s no baby here!” he chuckled.

    “You dummy,” I shut my eyes, “I’m having a labour pain,” I said.

    “What!” he almost jumped, “oh my god, wasn’t the date due on 4 days later?”

    “It happens,” I was sweating now, “please, please take me to the doctor,”

    “Yes, yeah, okay. Just a minute,” he got up and wore his t-shirt and changed into jeans, “you’re gonna go in this?” he asked looking at my night dress.

    “Just take me to the hospital!” I winced.

    He struggled but settled me in his car as we drove to the hospital.

    “Just breathe!” he put his hand on my lap.

    “I want to punch someone,” I said.

    “Take a deep breath in and out,” he insisted.

    “Malcolm,” I sighed, “faster, please,”

    He chuckled,

    “Gosh,” I snapped, “I’m having a terrible pain and you’re being cheeky and cringe!”

    “Sorry, sorry,” he grinned, “Just concentrate on your breathing, do it like they do in the movies and be there with you  and make you feel alright and wipe your face and hold your hands, that’s so romantic!” he cheered.

    “Malcolm, babe, I love you but please just shut up right now, please,” I said.

    We arrived at the hospital and I was almost done with the pain. The nurse attended me because it was sure an emergency.

    “Breathe!” Michael yelled as he kept running and held my hand while I was laid down on a stretcher.

    “I love you! You’re going to be fine!” he yelled, “take care of her, don’t hurt her!” he said to the nurse.

    “We’ve seen how the mother is more nervous than the father, but this isn’t the case here,” one of them commented.

    I just shut my eyes close and felt Malcolm’s lips on my forehead, “I love you,” I said as they rushed me in the room leaving Malcolm behind.

    ***

    “Its a girl,” the nurse handed the baby to Malcolm as he just stared in wonder.

    “She’s…She’s beautiful,” he mumbled.

    “Her eyes are just like yours,” I smiled weakly.

    “Right?” he looked at me and sat next to me, “She’s as beautiful as you,”

    I smiled to him as the nurse interrupted us, “What do you want to name her?”

    “Christine,” I said and Michael smiled at me. He knew why I named her Christine and I was happy to know how he did not have a problem with him.

    “Christine Luke Clifford,” he said as he kissed my forehead.

    The nurse returned the smile and left as Michael continued looking at Christine, “I feel like I’m going to break her, she’s so delicate and soft,” he said and turned his head up to me, “can you believe that we finally have a baby?”

    “Its unreal,” I smiled back, almost falling asleep, “She’s so beautiful,”

    “I agree, you should sleep now. It was one hell of a night for you,” he said and handed the baby to the nurse who came in to check on me.

    “Goodnight, Malcolm,” I said sleepily.

    “Rachel.” he grinned at me, “its Luke’s birthday today!”

    I was awestruck. Malcolm was so…perfect. He knew how much I’m always going to love Luke and he supported it, he had nothing against it nor did he seem to mind it a bit. He knew how he’d never be the same as Luke because he was Malcolm, and I did love him. I smiled up at Luke and looked at Malcolm, “I love you,” I said.

    He smiled and kissed my cheek, “I love you too, Rachel.”

  • Running Out of Reasons – Epilogue 1.

    Running Out of Reasons – Epilogue 1.

    *Rachel’s point of view*

     

    “God saw you getting tired

    A cure was not to be,

    So He put His arms around you, and whispered, “Come To Me.”

    With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you fade away.

    Although we loved you dearly,we could not make you stay.

    Many times we thought of you, many times we’ve cried,

    If love alone could save you, you never would have died.

    A golden heart stopped beating,your tender hands at rest,

    God took you home to prove to us He only takes the best.

    You never said “I’m leaving”

    You never said “I’m leaving,”

    you never said goodbye,

    you were gone before I knew it,

    and only god knew why.

    A million times I needed you,

    A million times I cried,

    if love alone could save you,

    you never would have died.

    In life I loved you dearly,

    in death I love you still,

    in my heart you hold a place,

    that no one could ever fill.

    It broke my heart to lose you,

    but you didn’t go alone,

    for a part of me went with you,

    the day god took you home.”

    I read as my eyes filled up, the poem I had written for Luke a week after the funeral. I missed him, a lot. I was almost dead inside, myself. Our story was not like the ones you see in movies, not the ones you wished to want. It was definately not the ones that would make you smile, but our story was beautiful. It wasn’t the way I wanted it to be or Luke wanted it to be, but it was still beautiful. Luke left but he developed a whole new me when he did. I was not happy or sad. I did not have any regrets or complains. I did not cry myself to sleep. I was just numb. I did not care what time it was, or what day it was. It had been a month but I was alsmost lifeless. I had no aim, nothing.

    Today was 5sos’ last and final performance, they did not wish to continue after Luke and they did not want to replace him. The fans respected their decision. They had changed too, no matter how much they tried smiling, just for the sake of fans, they weren’t the same old boys I knew. It was fair enough. I wasn’t the same old Rachel, as well. Luke meant something special to all of us and he had taken away a part of us when he left.

    “Rachel?” Caleb’s voice got me back to reality. I was sitting backstage, grabbing my stuff. I was leaving today, I did not want to continue this job since everything only reminded me of Luke.

    “Yeah, I’m done,” I said as I turned back to him.

    “We’re performing our last concert,” he said.

    “Goodluck,” I simply replied and started to leave.

    “Rachel!” He called out and stared at me blankly, “aren’ you coming with us?” he asked.

    “Its pointless,” I sighed.

    “Really?!” He snapped, “Luke gave his life for you,”

    “Caleb!” Malcolm entered the room and walked upto him, “don’t you start that again,”

    “Why?” Caleb pushed Malcolm in frustration, “My best friend gave up his life for her and she’s here acting numb and dead! That’s not why he gave up his life!”

    “Caleb, she will cope up! Can you stop being such an arrogant person?” Malcolm was so mad at Caleb, I could feel the tension radiating off both of them.

    “You always think I’m wrong! But I’m just asking her to make it worth and live! Live for Gods sake! Nobody knows how to live, that’s the funny part. But you still have to. Luke’s life wasn’t worthless and he gave it away for you. You’re not going to sit here and waste it away,” he said, almost cracking up. He put his hands on my shoulders, “I know its tough and I know I’m being an asshole, but all I want to say is please don’t let it all go to waste. Luke really loved you and he wanted you to do well in life, it was his last wish for you to continue living, so please, just respect that,” he said and walked out.

    He was right. I shouldn’t be wasting my life away, I was going to try and live just like Luke wanted me to, even if it was tough and even if it was too hard for me to even breathe right now.

    Malcolm walked towards me and embraced me in a hug, I hated human touch eversince Luke passed away but I needed this hug more than ever so I gave in and hugged him back, “its going to be okay, Rachel, its going to be okay,” he rubbed my back.

    I just hoped he’s right and how it would all be okay.

  • Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 15.

    Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 15.

    I didn’t know how to face my family. It had been awhile since I spoke to them. My relations with my mom weren’t the best, and I always chose to avoid her. But me and dad got along well. Luke had transferred the money right away and my brother was in ICU, I had no idea how to expect this meeting to be like…I had no clue how to react by seeing my family after two years, that too with Luke. I tried telling myself that I was okay, and Luke was going to be there with me. I tried to not overthink but there was something about this day that was wrong. My inner self wasn’t sure about today and I was scared that we picked the wrong day to meet my family. Something in me was panicking when I did not even know what was wrong.

    “Luke?” I called out as we walked out of the apartment with our bags, going to the airport.

    “Yeah?” He held my hand and we walked out on the street.

    “I’m panicking for no reason..” I trailed off.

    “Babe, it’s going to be okay. Don’t stress so much, your family will be glad to see you,” he kissed my cheek.

    I did not know what to say. I wasn’t exactly sure if it was my family that was bothering me this minute. It was something else. I often get instincts when something isn’t going right, but maybe I’m just too orthodox, maybe I’m just stressing and being way too clingy about this entire thing. Maybe I’m just so deluded that I think everything is wrong right now. Maybe its just the anxiety of meeting my family after two years that’s taking over me. I toook a deep breath and finally smiled to Luke and pecked his lips. He made me feel at ease, and as cringe as it may sound, he made me feel like everything is okay when its clearly not. Trust me, before I had met Luke, it was different. I thought all of this was really bullshit. Its not like I did hook ups, honestly, the only person I ever had been around with no feelings was Michael. Its not like I had too many boyfriends, I had only dates one guy seriously in my life. Now, it’s two. Because Luke was different. I was so wrong about him. I had so many reasons as though why he’s an asshole and why he’s no good for me, but honestly, he’s too good for me.

    “Rachel?” His voice brought me back to reality,

    “Yeah, Luke?” I turned to him.

    “I forgot my bottle, stay here and I’ll grab it and be back?” he said.

    “Sure,” I smiled as he walked away.

    I stood there aimlessly, I was just thinking about where the boys were, weren’t they gonna be with us till the airport? Maybe they just woke up late. I literally did not have the time to go and see them. I really wanted to see Michael before I left because we were close and he had guided me through the relationship whenever I had my doubts. I started walking aimlessly on the street, it was quite silent today, I pulled in my headphones and played King For A Day by Pierce The Veil as I walked towards the bus stop and peeped around everything. I was totally tuned out of reality and only just concentration on Vic. The song ended as Back Seat Seranade by All Time Low started playing. I couldn’t even describe how much I love All Time Low and this song was my favorite. I did not want to know what my life would be like without the existence of this song. As I was just only listening to Alex Gaskarth in the middle of the street, going back to the spot where Luke had asked me to wait, I felt a massive weight on my body as I was thrown away on the other side of the road. I hurt my head and it was a total black out, my headphones were lying somewhere and my whole body froze as I lift my head up to the opposite side of the street. I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating or this was just a big nightmare, though I wish it was. Luke was laying there, bleeding as he just got hit by a car. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t say a word. As much as I tried to lift my body up, I was just there, on the ground. Wincing in pain. I don’t know what hurt more, the fact that I couldn’t go up there and help Luke, or the fact that Luke saved me and got hit by a car. I heard the boys and Liz yell and scream as they ran toward Luke, I tried to force myself to get up as I almost gave in all my strength to stand up. I took little steps but just my luck, I fell down again. Malcolm saw me struggling as he ran toward me and held me in his arms. He kept yelling to Caleb, “CALL THE AMBULANCE! CALL 911! NOW!” But Caleb wouldn’t budge. He just stood there, seeing Luke, his eyes filling up.

    “Malcolm, his breathing is slow!” Ashton gasped.

    Liz just sat there aimlessly, not being able to believe what had happened. Malcolm put me down on next to Luke as I sat up and buried my head in his chest and began crying.

    “YOU GUYS SHOULD CALL THE AMBULANCE, GIVE ME YOUR PHONE ASHTON!” Malcolm was panicking, as he grabbed Ashton’s phone rudely and called the ambulance.

    “Luke?” I cried, “Luke, please, please keep breathing,” I sobbed as I could feel his breathing get slow.

    “Luke, please!” I cried harder, “talk to me! Luke talk to me!” I started hitting him. I did not know what I was doing, I could feel him get away from me and I did not want to lose another important person from my life.

    “Luke, man, the ambulance will be here in no time, just talk to us,” Malcolm sat down next to me.

    “Malcolm, he won’t talk! Why won’t he talk!” I screamed, “Why didn’t you let me die? Nobody even needs me! I’m so stupid, Luke, why!”

    “Rachell..” Luke managed to say, “I- I lo-ve you,” he said, having trouble breathing.

    “I love you, Luke, I love you, keep talking to me, okay?” I said as I ran my hand around his face.

    “Listen, listen to me,” he held me hand as he winced in pain, “you – you are amazing,” he took heavy breaths, “and – and I want you to move on if I’m no more -”

    “NO! NO! The ambulance will be here! Shut up! We’re gonna get married, remember?” I cried.

    “Malcolm,” Luke called out, struggling, “take – take care of – of her,” that’s all I heard from Luke as he took a final breath and I knew, I knew he was gone.

    “NO!” Malcolm was crying too, “Luke, man! Wake up, Luke, the ambulance is here, Luke, don’t leave me. I need somebody to beat me up in video games, please! Luke, stop playing around!” he yelled.

    “He’s gone,” Caleb said, “he’s gone!” he screamed, “Why couldn’t you see and cross?” he yelled at me.

    “Liz!” Ashton ran over to Liz who passed out as soon as Caleb said Luke was gone, “hey! you!” he called out at the nurse and took Liz in the ambulance as the other people came over to pick Luke’s body.

    “Caleb, calm yourself,” Malcolm put his hands on Caleb’s shoulder.

    “Calm myself? He was my best friend! He’s no more because he saved her! Doesn’t she know how to cross?!” he yelled.

    “Caleb, now is not the time, get yourself together. Its not her fault,” Malcolm said sternly.

    “Not her fault?” Caleb cried, “he was my best friend! My best friend!”

    “I know, I know,” Michael’s voice cracked as Caleb hugged him, crying on his shoulder, “he was our best friend,”

    “He’s gone. He was just having a banter with us a second ago, and now he’s gone, he’s gone!” Caleb sobbed.

    I ran into the apartment as I heard Malcolm call for my name, I knew he’d come after me so I locked the door and ran into mine and Luke’s room and opened my wardrobe, I threw every piece of clothing I ever had just to find the paper I was looking for. I finally got hold of the paper and I read it all over again.

    Reasons to not be with Luke Hemmings:

    1) Playful relations with Michael.

    2) Luke is arrogant

    3) Luke is known as a bad boy, and has a flop image.

    4) Luke’s ego is bigger than mine.

    5) Luke doesn’t give me importance.

    6) Luke makes me feel bad.

    7) Luke has a bad temper.

    8) Luke was obsessed with me.

    9) Luke was a jerk.

    10) Luke was immature.

    11) Luke did not understand the way I live my life.

    12) Luke was too famous for my own good.

    13) Luke’s fans was crazy.

    14) Luke was too in love with me.

    15) Luke has commitment problems.

    16) I did not know Luke enough.

    17) Luke was stupid.

    18) Luke would probably leave me without an explanation.

    I could not believe the last reason I wrote. After writing absolute dumb reasons, it was the last reason that turned out to be true. Luke, why did you leave me? You’re never coming back. Luke, I’m sorry, I kept saying. I’m sorry I did not value you in our relationship. Just come back… Once.

    I tore that paper into pieces and threw it away, crying insanely as I heard his voice echo in my ear “Even after having a hundred reasons why you shouldn’t be in love with me, I’ll give you one why you should be which will make you forget every damn reason you ever had,”

  • Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 14.

    Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 14.

    *Rachel’s Point of View*

    Obviously I did not get an advance. Obviously I couldn’t help my dad. This sucked. Everything around me was falling apart and it would be of great help if my ego would ease up with me, but that wasn’t the case. My ego was held high up, so high that I couldn’t even reach it now. It annoyed me so much, I wish I could just tell someone about my problem but it wasn’t all that easy for me. Not just my ego, I was the last person to talk about myself and draw attention to myself. I hardly ever spoke about my problems, unless I was talking to my best friend, and my best friend wasn’t here with me right now so I did not have anyone to talk to.

    Luke entered the room after about 5 minutes and sat down next to me, “how was your day?” he asked.

    “Fine,” I replied, “yours?”

    “It was fine, you okay?” He questioned.

    “All good,” I tried to smile.

    “What’s bothering you, Rachel?” he asked me in a serious tone.

    “Nothing!” I faked a huge grin my face.

    “Oh, stop it. I know there’s something bothering you, you can share it with me, you know?”

    “I know, I know. Its nothing big, don’t worry,” I said.

    “Really? Then why were you crying in the bathroom?” he raised his eyebrow.

    “When?!” I gasped.

    “In the morning, I know you were, don’t try to tell me otherwise,”

    “Its nothing like that, Luke, I missed my family, that’s all,” I insisted.

    “Rachel, seriously? I heard you crying, can you quit lying?” he was annoyed.

    “I’m not lying! It’s seriously nothing,”

    “You know what? Just forget that huge ego of yours. Is it so bad to discuss your problems with your boyfriend?”

    “Stop getting mad at me! Don’t talk to me like that!” I snapped.

    “Yeah? How about I don’t talk to you at all?” He laughed sarcastically.

    “Even better!”

    “Why don’t you trust me!” He yelled.

    “Its not like I don’t trust you, Luke,” I replied calmly, “I’m having trouble, okay?” I finally said.

    “Share it with me,”

    “My brother is dying and I don’t have enough money to help him,” I said quickly as I shut my eyes, I could feel the tears forming in my eyes.

    “I’ll help you,” He said as he came closer to me.

    “No!” I almost cried, “No! You can’t!”

    “Why? Rachel, don’t be so stubborn, its about your family right now,”

    “Luke, its a high amount, I can’t take your help. The management isn’t giving me an advance, I don’t know what to do!” I sobbed.

    “Rachel,” he held me and I rested my head in his chest, “Look, babe, relax. I’m here, okay? Take my help. You can pay back, even if you don’t have to. But, right now, take my help, please?”

    “I love you,” I said, “I will pay you back, I promise.”

    “Okay, now calm down, please?”

    “I’m scared,” I cried.

    “Don’t be, you want to meet your brother?” he cupped my face.

    “Yes,” I nodded, “I want to. I want to, so bad,”

    “Okay,” he kissed my cheek, “we’ll go together, okay?”

    “But the management..” I said in a small voice.

    “My mom will handle it,” he assured.

    “Thank you so much, Luke” I hugged him tighter.

    “You’re such an idiot,” he said into the hug, “you’ve been going through so much since morning and you didn’t tell me,”

    “I didn’t want to bother you, honestly,” I sniffed.

    “Your silence bothers me much more than the real problem, Rachel,” he said in low voice.

    Damn, Luke Hemmings I’m in love with you. Madly.

    The only reason why I wish I wasn’t dating you is because… you’re too good for me.

  • Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 13

    Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 13

    *Rachel’s Point of View*

    I woke up being cuddled next to Luke, his  warm body next to mine, giving me a million feelings as I recalled memories of last night. We had finally taken our relationship to the last level of giving each other ourselves completely. I always thought it was cringe of people to think this way about someone but Luke Hemmings had got that out of me, since he’s the person I truly adore and love.

    I ran my fingers around his face memorizing all the features again and smiling to myself. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing as I reached out to answer it.

    “Hey, dad!” I cheerfully greeted as I answered it.

    “Rachel, I need your help,” he replied in a very serious tone.

    “What happened? Is everything okay?” I asked in a worried tone.

    “Your brother met with an accident and he can go to coma because of blood loss, we don’t have enough money for his operation, can you please help me?” he explained in a shaky voice.

    “What?! How the heck did that happen?” I asked in disbelief, “Dad, how much do you need? I have to pay for my studies too,” I trailed off.

    “He was driving ruthlessly!” he yelled on the other side of the phone, “how much do you have right now?”

    “I have a few savings and this month’s salary, I practically used all of it,” I reply hating myself for making such unreasonable expenses this year.

    “I don’t think that’s enough, Rachel, please do something! Please,” the pain in his voice startled me, I felt like crying because I was so helpless at that moment, “I’m begging you, please,”

    “Dad..” I almost tear up, “Please start the operation or whatever is needed, I’ll do.something,” I assured as I disconnected the call. I felt so stupid and irrational for making a promise that I knew I wasn’t capable of fulfilling, but I didn’t know what to do at that time.

    I felt Luke fidgeting and I tried to smile, I wasn’t going to let him know, I couldn’t let my problems be a burden to him.

    “Morning,” he grinned at me.

    “Good morning,” I replied back.

    “I don’t feel like getting out of bed,” he mumbled.

    “Well, I will have to, management meeting,” I answered.

    “I’m gonna miss you….why can’t you be on a break too?” he pouted.

    “Stop being such a baby and let me go,” I simply said.

    “Without giving me a kiss?” he frowned.

    “You haven’t even brushed your teeth, go away,” I chuckled.

    “Okay okay, get ready. I’ll wait for you down,” he smiled and pecked my nose.

    I finally stepped out of bed, feeling really really guilty and bad, I can’t believe my dad asked me for help once in his entire life and I could not even do that for him. It sucked to know you’re such a failure. I got in the shower with all sorts of thoughts, how was I so helpless? Why did I use that money on getting this house with Luke, why couldn’t I just save? Me and Luke moved in together because I couldn’t buy a house on my own, or stay on rent. Well, I could stay on rent but Luke wasn’t okay with me sharing a house with someone, protective boyfriends I tell you. So we made a deal of getting our own flat. It wasn’t anything too huge because my contribution was really less, which made me feel like a loser again. And on the other side, I didn’t even think getting a huge apartment would make sense because we weren’t going to be in England forever. It was only for breaks. The boys were in Europe now, continuing their European tour. They had a break for two weeks before getting started. Michael, Ashton and Calum lived together in the apartment below us. I did not really want to live with 4 guys, and Luke understood that so we got another apartment for just ourselves. Luke mostly spent his time there, or may I say “down”. It was cute to see their bonding. It was especially cute to see this side of Luke. Maybe he was right, he did give me a reason which made me forget all my hatred towards him. That reason was his unknown side, his tender touch, his warm hugs and his affectionate kisses. I shook my head and laughed softly how I always ended up thinking about Luke, no matter what I was doing.

    I got out of shower and changed into a white shirt on black jeans, and simply combed my hair, I did some smoky eye makeup because eye makeup was my favorite thing and I would never step out of my house without applying something on my eyelids. Its just how it went.

    I went downstairs and entered the house without even bothering to knock because the door was open and that was just an open invitation itself, I saw Luke sitting on the dining table and I walked up to him and sat down next to him, I quickly took a glass of milk and some bread with cheese showing signs of how hungry I was. I heard Luke chuckle next to me, I turned to him, “what?” I asked my face stuffed with food.

    “You’re adorable,” he simply said and kissed my forehead.

    “Have you brushed your teeth yet?” I asked him as I gulped the bread in and grabbed my glass of milk.

    “Yup,” he smirked getting my drift, “Drink faster,” he hurried.

    I did the same and wiped my face with the cloth, “okay,” I stood up and walked towards his chair and sat on his lap, “can you drop me to the office?” I asked him.

    “Sure,” he furrowed his eyebrows and walked toward me. I just hugged him. He hugged me back, I wanted more of that hug. I was having a bad time and all I wanted was Luke. I hugged him for what felt like years. I broke the hug after several minutes and said, “we’ll be late, lets go?” I ask.

    “Sure,” he got up and grabbed the keys of his car.

    The entire car ride was silent, I was just sitting and hoping how they could give me some money in advance, or my entire salary right now and not next month. I anyhow had to convince them about it, I was the one who could save my brother. I had asked dad to admit him already and start the operation and now I had just today’s evening to arrange some amount of money.

    “Rachel,” Luke’s voice got me back to reality, “we reached?” he spoke.

    “Uh, yes, thanks,” I manage to choke out.

    “What’s wrong?” he asked.

    “Nothing,” I kissed his cheek and got out of the car in a swift moment so that he wouldn’t ask me any more questions. But for a fact I knew that he was aware something was wrong with me, and I did not want to tell him what it was, I couldn’t just take another favor from him, my ego was too big for that.

  • Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 12.

    Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 12.

    *Rachel’s Point of View*

    I did not really speak to Luke at all after the day he said I don’t know myself. I felt anticipated about our future, our relationship. I know our relationship had a lot in store for us, but I wasn’t sure about how I would take in all of that. The list of why I shouldn’t date Luke was just getting more and more reasons, I really wished I’d stop doing that but I knew for a fact that I was acting too out of control for anything. I made Luke go insane and frustrated for about almost everything. It really sucked for me but that was how I am during relationships. Lost, scared, unsure. I never knew I was like that, but what I am, I am.

    “You okay?” Malcolm knocked at my desk pulling me out of my thoughts.

    “Fine,” I replied, “why?” I asked him.

    “You and Luke…” he trailed off, “offer me to have a seat,” he mocked.

    “Take a hint, I’m preparing next weeks schedule, go away,” I mocked him back.

    “Whatever,” he mumbled taking a seat next to me, “So you and Luke, what the fuck is up with you guys?”

    “I don’t know, Mal, its just,” I sighed, “I’m scared.” I admitted.

    “Why?”

    “Because…I don’t know, I don’t know a thing about him,” I said, annoyed.

    “You’re saying this because you met our friends, right?” He asked.

    “Yeah, like… you guys know so much about each other, and just.” I replied.

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, we’ve forgotten so much about each other, it doesn’t even matter, but people will never forget how you made them feel and you make Luke feel so much better, so much happier, can you not see that?”

    “I can, he makes me feel really wonderful too, but relationships don’t always last like that,”

    “Well, Rachel, you’re wrong. I know I’m not the genius and I don’t know shit about relationships, but its all about feelings, man. Its all about you feel more than what you know. Who the hell cares if he likes Pizza over Pasta, what matters is, he is willing to eat Pasta when he’s with you because you make him feel good, you make these little things don’t matter to him.”

    “You’re right, but he’s 17. I’m 19. By the time he turns 18, I’ll be 20. It will suck so much, he’ll be a teen when I’m 20, do you know how many problems we’re gonna have?”

    “That doesn’t matter, you know you love him, right? Of course you do! And stop looking for reasons how you shouldn’t hurt him, that only ends up hurting him more, dammit.” He snapped.

    “Why are you here?” I asked him.

    “To make a dumb person like you realize that my best friend is madly in love with you and so are you, so go kiss him and be with him!” He replied, agitated.

    “Its easy to say,” I replied, calmly this time, “the fans hate the fact that we’re together,”

    “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks, Rachel. The fans won’t like anyone, let it be you or the goddess – Katy Perry. They’re gonna be mean and rude and hateful towards all of them,” he replied, just as calm.

    The thing with Michael was, he would get worked up when the person he is talking to get worked up, he’s in this entire process of imitation, which wasn’t generally annoying, but sort of cute.

    “I love him, I love everything about him, I’m just scared,” I admitted.

    “Don’t be, he won’t eat you,” he chuckled as he thought about the dirty side of his statement, “look, Rachel, Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light, and I don’t know where the fuck I’m getting all of this, but this Luke, he doesn’t open up. Please don’t run away, he’s opened up quite a lot with you, trust me, he likes you. He loves you. He’s been terribly sick without you, you make him happy. And happy Luke is very rare, I don’t want him to lose this, positive light in his life. All you need to know is he loves you and you love him, nothing else matters.”He assured me.

    “You’re the best, Malcolm,” I smiled.

    “Or so I’ve been told,” he shrugged, “that was literally so hard, I actually memorized all of that,” he chuckled.

    “You’re so lame,” I laughed.

    ***

    “Luke?” I called out as I entered their bus.

    “He’s in his bunk,” Caleb told me, “you guys are fighting?” he asked.

    “No, we aren’t,” I smiled.

    I went up to his bunk and pulled the curtain out, he was laying there, aimlessly srtaring at practically the empty space above him, he flinched and looked at me and gave me a sad smile, “do we have to go somewhere?” he asked.

    “No,” I said simply, as I climbed into his bunk and layed next to him, “I wanted to see you,” I smiled.

    “Oh,” he turned over facing me, “hi.” he whispered.

    “Hey,” I replied, “I was thinking about us,”

    “Me too,” he coaxed.

    “Yeah? What were you thinking?” I asked.

    “That we’re two crazy people playing with fire,”

    “That’s right,” I chuckled and hugged him, then rested my head on his chest, “but we’re also two crazy people in love,” I looked up and he smiled at me, that beautiful smile which would make me forget everything and just make me feel alright, as cringe as it sounds, I was in love.

    Because, I loved Luke and I was sure, this time.

    ——————————————–

  • Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 11.

    Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 11.

    *Rachel’s Point of View*

    I was getting ready for the party one of the boys’ friend had held, it was more of a reunite party of all of their friends. Luke wanted me to join them which was kind of awkward for me because I did not even know any of them and it would be really weird to tag along but since he insisted, I agreed. I didn’t wear something too short to get a bad reputation in front of them neither did I wear something too long because they’d think I’m boring and crazy, not like their opinion mattered to me, but it mattered to Luke and Luke was important to me.

    As I was walking towards the boys I heard someone call my name, “Rachel?”

    I turned around to see Lisa standing there, yikes, “yeah?” I tried to over smile at her this time remembering her comment about it earlier.

    “So… you’re dating Luke?” She raised her eyebrow at me.

    “Yeah,”

    “You know, he’s bad news,” she replied. I knew what she was doing. She was just a typical ex girlfriend who could never see her ex boyfriend happy with anyone else, she the type of girls I hate with everything I have in me.

    “Well, I’m no less than a bad news myself, so we will manage it,” I told her.

    “Well,” she shrugged, “just advising,”

    “Thanks,” I replied, “can I ask you something?”

    “Why me and Luke broke up?” she smiled.

    “Yeah, I mean if you don’t mind,”

    “Of course I don’t. I’m kind of over it,” she started, “you know me and Luke were together for almost a year, and later I started realizing how I don’t know anything about him, how it was only me giving in our relationship, exposing myself to him when he did nothing,” she finished.

    “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said sincerely.

    “Its fine,” she smiled again, “see you at the party,” she said and walked away.

    I knew it shouldn’t bother me because Luke had changed and I knew a lot of stuff about him, but after talking to Lisa, it just felt…different. It could be how I’m the only one giving myself to him while he’s being all reserved, I shouldn’t have asked Lisa about it, I wondered. But Luke had said Lisa fucked him up but Lisa’s story is way too different, I should just stop thinking.

    It wouldn’t get me anywhere. I reached their bus and knocked, hoping they were already ready because I didn’t really want to wait. I needed alcohol to get over my thoughts. Luke opened the door and flashed me a smile, they were all ready, thank god, he got down and kissed me, “ready?” he asked as he pulled away.

    “Yeah,” I smiled at him trying to hide all my insecurities.

    “I hope you like my friends,” he kissed my cheek.

    I bit on my lower lip, already nervous, “I hope they like me,” I replied.

    “They will, you’re like perfect,” he held my hand and interwined our fingers, “lets go,” he smiled as we walked with the rest of the boys.

    ***

    “And there was this time when Luke mistakenly slipped in the pool when he was supposed to push Michael!” Chloe snickered as everyone laughed.

    We were sitting with all of Luke’s friends, Luke was sitting beside me, his arms around my waist, his friends were cool but I learned how they were all so protective about him and the way they were judging me was really disgusting.

    “That’s really stupid,” I laughed at Luke too as I turned to his embarrassed red face and kissed him, “you seemed like the cutest kid,” I said as I kissed his nose.

    “Yeah he was,” Chloe interrupted us, “and me and Luke have been best friends since forever. I know everything about him, from his first kiss to his first relationship to his prom suit to the first time he cried, everything,” she said proudly.

    I just nodded, she then asked, “what do you know about him?”

    My breath stopped for a minute, what did I know about Luke? I only knew things about him because they were related to my job. Did I know anything about him other than that? And even if I did know things, I surely forgot them because of my anxiety. Before I could answer, Luke interrupted us, “She knows that she loves me,”

    “Yeah…” I trailed off.

    “You guys are so cringe,” Jackson, one of Luke’s friend, of course, replied.

    “Lets dance?” Calum got up, bless him because I really didn’t want to sit here anymore.

    We all agreed and got up, Luke dragged me with him and got me to the center of the club, he giggled and started dancing with me, something about this did not feel right, especially because I was feeling so many things, I was confused about me and Luke, I couldn’t even think straight.

    “Are you okay?” he whispered in my ear.

    “Yeah, I’m fine, just tired,” I lied.

    “You want to go back?” he looked at me with concern, “fuck, are you okay?” he asked me seeing how.stressed I look.

    “Can we go back, please?” I begged him.

    “Yes,” he nodded, “lets go, I’ll carry you if you want,”

    “No, its alright,”

    We both dragged ourselves out of the loud music, Luke informed the boys that I wasn’t feeling well and so we were leaving, they were too busy having fun so we did not really wait for their response, we walked up to the parking and Luke sat in the car and I followed his actions.

    “Are you fine now?” He asked me as he started the car.

    “Better…” I trailed off.

    After that nobody spoke, we were both quiet. He concentrated on the road while I just kept over thinking, how true was it? I did not know him as much as others did. How could I say that I love him? Was I even good enough for him? I had never cared to ask him about himself, I hardly knew anything about his past, it sucked that people who weren’t this close to him, girls who aren’t his goddamn girlfriend knew him more than me.

    We arrived at our place and he parked the car, we got inside the bus and I grabbed one of his sweatshirt to change into because my clothes were in the management’s tour bus.

    “You’ve been awfully quiet this whole time,” he finally said.

    “Sorry,” I simply replied.

    “I mean, what’s up? I’m worried,” he said.

    “Its nothing,” I replied.

    “Rachel,” he sighed and pulled me closer to him, “please tell me,”

    “I don’t know!” I snapped at him, “I don’t know anything! Everyone else knows you better than me!”

    “They don’t know me like you do,” he replied calmly.

    “Yeah,” I mocked him, “like what? I don’t know anything. I’m just… How can we be together when everyone around me knows you better!”

    “Because I love you, not them” he said as he fixed a strand of my hair behind my ear.

    “Luke…” I sighed and looked away, “this is not how it works, everyone there, everything there just made me realize how little I know you,”

    “Rachel, cmon,” he sighed too, “We will get to know each other, we already do know things about each other, its not like we’re totally unaware,” he tries to make me understand.

    I was too caught up in the moment, I pushed him away, “I don’t know,” I replied.

    “You know what I told Chole at the party right? That you know you love me,” he paused, “do you?”

    I stood there, not moving or looking at him, I froze. I didn’t know what to say or how to react.

    “Well,” he let out a small laugh, “that says a lot,” he was hurt, anyone would be, “You can’t even look me in the eye and tell me you love me, its not me who you don’t know Rachel, its yourself,”

    I was taken aback, it was like I fell in depths of a never ending valley, he said it so simply as if it wasn’t a big deal, but it changed my entire perspective, I knew myself. I knew myself very well, it was him I didn’t know. It was pretty clear.

    “Its too late, lets sleep,” he finally said and walked to the gaming room, leaving me with my thoughts all alone once again.

  • Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 10

    Running Out of Reasons – Chapter 10

    *Rachel’s Point of View*

    The entire unit was in the arena, backstage of course. I was managing my so called punk rock band who were absolutely late all the time. I was a bit nervous today because I knew Lisa would be here and the fact that Luke was being so secretive about it was anticipating me more than anything.

    “5 seconds of summer!” I called out angrily this time, “You have to be performing in about 6 minutes!”

    Malcolm came out rushing, “Luke has got candy stuck in his hair!”

    “What?” I yelped, “You guys are going to be so late!”

    “But just help us!”

    “Where’s your stylist?” I asked, irritated.

    “She’s trying! Nothing is happening!”

    We both ran in, and I saw Luke sitting there frowning about how candy from his hair wouldn’t come out.

    “How did you do this?” I yelled.

    “Caleb and me were having a candy fight!” He explained.

    “Ugh,” I replied, agitated.

    “You’re in a bad mood, today…” Luke trailed off.

    “Really? I thought we were having a cute session earlier,” I frowned.

    “Whatever,” he muttered.

    It was unbelievable how he was reacting knowing that I’m on my job right now and I had to yell at them when it was needed.

    “Wear a goddamn snapback and go and perform! I don’t want to get fired!” I yelled really loud.

    “Fine! Stop yelling!” He got up in a second and rudely put on a snapback and the boys joined him to go to the stage.

    “Don’t mind him, he’ll be fine,” Malcolm assured me as all of them left.

    “Dating a guy you have to supervise can be pretty tough, yeah?” Lexie spoke, she was rearranging the changing room.

    “Pretty much, he’s so…ugh! One minute he’ll be so cute and nice and the other minute he starts yelling at me,” I frowned.

    “It’ll be fine, it seems like you’re the first serious relationship, he’ll get better.”

    That made me feel a bit better knowing how he had never felt about anyone like he thinks and feels about me. However me and Luke were, the thing that mattered was, we were together, Right?

    ——————————–

    “I love you, too!” Malcolm replied, as I clicked a picture of them.

    “Thank you for coming!” Caleb greeted her and then she left.

    It was really adorable to know how much they loved their fans really made me happy. Even after the thing a few fans tried on me, I chose to just get over it because I did not want Luke to feel like he was asked to choose between the two.

    “Oh my god!” A girl cheered as she walked in, “you guys were so good!”

    Caleb hugged her, “I’ve missed you so much!

    “Me too, Caleb. The fact that mine and Luke’s break up got between our friendship,” She sighed making the situation awkward.

    “Uh, yeah, anyway, how are you Lee?” Caleb smiled.

    So she was Lisa, and I could say her and Caleb had a close friendship. She seemed fine, I wonder what happened between her and Luke.

    They kept talking and I just stood there observing everything. Luke felt really awkward too and I assumed Malcolm didn’t like her because he was least interested.

    “And, Luke,” she took a deep breath, “whats up? How’s life?”

    “Just fine..” he shrugged, “by the way, Lisa, meet my girlfriend Rachel” he introduced me to her and I waved at her.

    “Hey!” She stared at me from head to toe and raised her eyebrow at me, “nice hair,”

    “Thanks” I replied.

    “Does she not smile?” She looked at me and then Luke and smiled sarcastically.

    “Depends on who I’m talking to,” I mocked her.

    I could say, I did not like her and I wasn’t even sorry for that.