❤️THE SPACE IN BETWEEN❤️
?Age is just a number?
✍️Written By Precious Pinky✍️
?Chapter Twenty-Four (24) ?
#NOT EDITED.
Theme: Clarification.
?Malby’s Pov?
I got out of the car, grinning ear to ear. The rain was still drizzling but still the weather felt warm. I guess it’s because the love of my life was just sitting miles away from me. In his car.
Xander waved goodnight to me, smiling as well. I waved him back then watched him drive out of the compound. I looked around to see the guards wrapping up to go and have a good night sleep. Tsk, I’m damn late. I should be back from school few hours ago but being with Xander made me lost track of time.
I smiled at the guards as they stared at me. They smiled back, bowing their heads in respect for me.
I turned around and walked into the house. I made my way to the elevator, pressing the main house bu-tton and waiting patiently for the ride to come to a stop.
It was quiet here and all I could hear was the sound of my heartbeat and the dings the elevator make as it rode upwards.
I wonder if mom and dad were at sleep but just hope they were. I don’t have the energy to make argument with mom. She’s already tormenting me emotionally, I don’t want her to do it physically.
The ride came to a stop, and the door slide open. I walked out of the elevator and made my way down the hallway to the living room. Sometimes I wonder why the house is this big.
The living room was quite dark and very, very quiet. Shit, what time is it?
I was thankful of being able to escape mom and dad. Now all I just need to do is go upstairs, have a hot shower, speak to Xander before sleeping.
But you know sometimes, your imagination does work quite how you viewed it.
“Malby.” I quickly turned around on hearing my mother’s voice. Shoot, just when I thought I was going to escape without being caught by anyone. Especially her.
“Mom,” I called out throu-ghgritted teeth. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“How can I, when my daughter isn’t home yet?” That was definitely a rhetorical question so I didn’t answer. “Was it Xander who dropped you off?” She now asked.
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t he come in. He should have slept over instead of going home by this time.”
That took me by surprise. I mean, was it my mom talking or it was someone else acting to be her.
“And why should he come in? Oh, you want to tell him to stay away from me in person, right?” I snapped.
She stood up to her feet and came closer to stand in front of me. “Xander is still welcomed into this home, Malby. He is still your best friend.”
“Wow. Yeah. He is still my best friend but if he is coming into this house then he is coming as not just my best friend but as my…” I paused. “Boyfriend.”
She didn’t say anything. She just stared at me as if I hadn’t said anything she’s totally against. I was practically getting scared now but I won’t let her know it.
“I am not against you both.” She finally let out, making me surprise for the third time just this night. “But I’m rather scared.” She breaths out.
My once bubbling anger melted away immediately and that emotions I was afraid to let her see started coming up.
“Scared of what?” I asked, confused.
“I’m afraid to see my baby girl get hurt,” She said. “I love you so much and the thought of watching you get heartbroken by your best friend is scaring the shit out of me.” She was crying now.
She cared.
That was the first thing that came into mind. Mom cared after all. She doesn’t hate me. She rather wants me to be happy. And that’s explains why she was doing all those things to me.
It wasn’t because she hate me. It was rather because she cared.
“Mom, I love you so much, but the thought of losing Xander is scaring me as well. I don’t want to be in the position where I have to choose between the two of you. I just want you both in my life.”
“You won’t have to choose between the both of us, Malby. You don’t have to. You are my daughter. My only child.” She sighed. “I wasn’t against you both because of the difference in age, but I was rather scared. What if you both break up. Xander will soon be graduating and will be going to college, what will happen then? You both can’t even manage a day without seeing each other.” She reached out for my hand and held it in between her palms. “Can you handle long distance relationship, Malby?”
I’ve never thought about this. I was so blinded by love that I didn’t think about the consequences.
I love Xander but can I handle long distance relationship. Will our relationship get any stronger if we are away from each other?
“I don’t know. But i guess we will just talk things out.” I said.
She smiled, nodding her head. “And this is one reason why I need to stop interfering in your life and business. It’s your life we are talking about here and what ever decision you make, Wrong or right, will always serve as a lesson for you.” She cu-pped my face and run her thumb over my cheek, that is when i noticed the we-tness. I’ve been crying. “But know this, I will always be there to guide your path when you need it. You are still my baby. My only baby. And you don’t have to feel the obligation to be a great daughter to me, you just have to be happy. For yourself.”
“Mom.” I cried out.
“Come here baby.” She engulfed me into a hug. I started sobbing, letting out the pain, happiness and feeling relieved.
“I’m sorry, mom. I’m sorry for saying those mean things to you. I didn’t mean them. I_”
“You were only just protecting your love and that’s fine by me.” She pulled out of the hug, still holding me by my shoulders. “I went to your school today. You su-ck when it comes to school activity.” I frowned. I’m sure she was going to scold me like she always do but instead she surprised me, again by laughing. “If law isn’t what suit you then I rest my case. Do whatever suit you especially one that you are really good at.” She winked.
“Uh…I guess I should study science Instead then.”
She rolled her eyes. “When you are awful at art subject, how can you cope in science?”
“Okay. How about account?”
“Just focus on your music, girl. You are so dumb, when I thought you will figure out what I’m saying and start screaming you just let me say it out myself.”
Wait. Recap.
“Just focus on your music, girl.”
“Just focus on your music, girl.”
“Just focus on your music, girl.”
I suddenly started screaming. Mom stared at me wide eyes. I know it was quite late for this but damn, I’m happy. Mom just gave me her blessings not just in dating Xander but also in going for my talent.
Aaaargh!
“It’s worth it then.” She mumbled, smiling. I quickly hug-ged her again. “Calm down girl.” She chuckles.
“Thank you mom. Thank you. i love you so much.”
“I love you more. Aha,” She pulled away again, breaking off the hug and my scream. “Just so you know, if Xander dares break my baby heart, I’m going to murder him.”
“I second the motion.” Dad said from the stairs as he approached us. I must have woken him up from his sleep.
“Dad.”
“I’m so happy to see you both happy. Come here,” Mom and I walked into his spread arms, he wrapped it around us. “I love you both so much.”
“We too.” Mom and I said in unison. Darla barked as she lic-ked my toe. I giggled.
I owe Tricky and Manuel for this. Ah, speaking of Manuel, I need to talk to him tomorrow.
??????????
It’s been a week now and I haven’t seen Manuel anywhere around school. And when I try calling him, his number wasn’t reachable. Bad news here is, I don’t even know where he lives.
The seniors have written their exams and it’s over now, while the Juniors, we are yet to finishing our exams. I will change department during next term. I’d told my friends and Xander about Mom’s changed of heart, they were all happy for the good news. Especially Xander.
We frequently went out on various dates. We spent most of our free time together. Xander helped me study for the exams. He has been really amazing.
Tricky? She doesn’t pick on me like she normally use to. Whenever we cross path in the school hallway, we just walk past each other without saying a word to one another. That surprises everyone.
I’m still very worried about Manuel. I even sent him text messages asking him of his whereabouts and why he hasn’t been to school even when we are writing exams. But he never replied to one of the text message.
I even tried apologizing to him throu-ghone of the text but yet, no reply.
I wonder if he’s okay.
“You are still worried about him.” It wasn’t a question but I still nodded my head ‘yes.’ Xander let out a de-ep sigh, wrapping his arms around my body. “Then let’s go find him.” He suggested.
“But how? I don’t even know his house.” I said.
“What is his father name?” He asked, surprising me in the process. Should we be worried about his father name or about Manuel’s whereabout? Xander saw the look of confusion on my face, he smiled before saying. “If his father is well known then I can figure out Manuel’s location.”
“How?”
“Hey, I want to study science for a reason.” He winked.
My mind suddenly wandered off to mom’s fear; *Xander will be graduating very soon and will go to college. what if the college he chooses is far from home. Can you handle long distance relationship, Malby?*
Can I? I can’t stay a day without seeing Xander. Even when we were just best friends, I was still very addicted to his presence. And now that he’s my boyfriend, can I?
I was getting scared now. Most relationship became useless due to the distance. Out of 100%, 95 percent of those who practiced long distance relationship didn’t work out. It takes love, trust and communication for a couple to practice long distance relationship…Does Xander and I have those features?
I started fiddling with my fingers, looking down at the tiled floor. Damn, I didn’t even know my room tiles were this beautiful until now.
“What is it?” Xander now asked, watching me closely. “You don’t know his father…I mean, his fake father’s name?” He questioned.
Yeah, I told Xander about Manuel’s misfortune. He felt really sorry for him. Xander might not like Manuel but he still do know when to feel sorry for someone.
“It’s not that.” I said. “Xander,” I called, finally looking up at him. He was staring right back at me, concern was evident in his pretty eyes. “What will happen to us?” I asked, bit hitting the nail on the wall.
He scrunched up his face, confused. “What do you mean?” He questioned.
I sighed. “What will happen to us when you graduate from high school?”
“Nothing. We will still be together. Forever. Right?”
“That’s not the point. I mean, you will go to college soon and there’s a probability of you going into a college that’s far away from home and…”
“Are you worried about long distance relationship?” He cuts me off.
“It has helped no couple.” I reasoned out.
Xander arms tightened around my wai-st. “Well, yeah. But not all couples. It favored some, you know that right?”
“Five percent.”
“Then let’s be among those five percent.” He smiled.
“Wait, are you choosing a college that’s far from home?”
He scratched the nape of his neck. “Maybe?” He shrugged. “I really want to go to Harvard.”
“But I can’t do without seeing you.” I pouted.
He chuckles, pressing a lingering ki-ss on my forehead. “There’s a reason why someone invented Skype.”
??????????
“Wow. You are a genius.”
“I know right?”
“Let’s go in then.” I said. Xander grabbed my hand. We both walked towards the door and dinged the bell. It rung for a while but no one answered. We pressed it again and this time around the door was pushed open, revealing a lady on a maid attire. She was a maid, no doubt.
“Hello.” She said, nicely.
“Hi. Um, we are looking for Manuel. Please is he in?”
Her facial expression suddenly changed to a sad one as she shook her head no. “He hasn’t been home for the past one week.”
“One week?”
“Yes. He only just returned home after school, collected few of his clothes and some drinks before leaving.”
*I intend to leave dad’s…Mr Smith house soon.*
Did he leave already? And why didn’t he tell me?
“Okay. Thanks.” Xander spoke up for me. I was speechless that I couldn’t get any damn word out.
He held my hand and dragged me along with him out of the lonely compound.
We hopped into the car, Xander started the car before driving off to the main road. I grabbed my phone and dialed Manuel’s number again. It rung for a while but no one answered.
I was very much worried compared to how I was earlier. I was scared. Terrified.
Xander placed his hand on my lap and sque-ezed it a little, rea-ssuring that everything would be okay.
And that’s the problem? Will everything really be okay?
“Wait! The cliff. Manuel should be at the cliff.” I said.
“He can’t be in a cliff for one week, Malby.”
“We never can tell unless we check it out.”
“Alright.”
I tried Manuel’s number over and over again. Surprisingly, it was answered.
“Hello. Manuel, where the fu-ck are you!?” I practically yelled. I felt so relieved but my hope shattered in million pieces when the person at the other line spoke.
“The owner of this phone is currently in the hospital.”
“Hospital?”
“Yes. He’s undergoing surgery as we speak.”
“What?”
??????????
“Calm down, Malby.” I didn’t answer. I just kept pacing back and forth. Manuel is still in the operating room fighting for his life and Xander is here asking to calm down. How the fu-ck do I calm down?
Some people had gone to the cliff for camp out when they saw Manuel, lying lifelessly on the cold ground.
They had quickly rushed him over to the hospital. If only I had gone to the cliff earlier maybe all this wouldn’t have happened.
Only God knows how long he has been lying down in that cold ground with no one to help him. If those people hadn’t gone over for a camp out last night, I wonder what would have happened to poor Manuel.
I blame myself for all this. Had i known I wouldn’t have said those mean words to him. I shouldn’t have asked him to stay away from me. He was a suicidal person and people like him are not suppose to hear words like that.
I caused this.
I..
“Stop blaming yourself, Malby.” Xander sharp voice cut throu-ghmy thoughts. “You aren’t the cause of all of this.”
“I should have stick by him to the very end, Xander.” I start to cry. I couldn’t hold it any more.
Xander wrapped his arms around me, hugging me. “It’s not your fault. In fact, it’s no one’s fault.” He said calmly. “Manuel will be fine. I’m sure of it.”
Just then the door to the operating room opened, revealing a man in a white coat.
“How is he?” I asked, as the man approached us.
“Are you his family?” He asked.
“Not really but we can be considered as one.”
“I’m sorry but we can only share the patient information to either is family or guardian.”
“Good thing I’m here.” A woman said, walking around towards us. She smiled at Xander and I as she finally got to us. “I was the one who brou-ght him here with my family. So I’m practically his guardian.” She said.
“Come with me to my office then.” The doctor said, walking away.
“I will be back. ” She said, walking away with the doctor.
I look over at the operating room. I hope everything is okay. I really hope.
*
*
*
#To Be Continued…