Chapter 22 - I trust them just as they trust me (A)
As I was walking through the school grounds I can’t help feeling something is not right; I could hear buzzing in my brain, almost like a warning. After many days I am walking alone to school without Jason by my side; now I feel I should’ve waited for Emily when she asked me to. Feeling stupid about my fears I continued walking to the building until I found Cheryl standing at the entrance of the corridor with a bunch of papers.
I thought of ignoring her but seeing me she sneered “Finally!! The bitch herself”
Before I could walk away from her she caught my wrist and smiled evilly “Huh! Cut your act babe. Everyone here knows what you are”
I looked confused at what she was trying to say when she left my hand and thrust a paper from her bunch on my palm and I gasped looking at my twelve year old self photo.
As I read what Emily told about me, tears streamed down my cheeks and I felt the familiar tug in my chest that I experienced years before. Why should this happen again?
“Whoa Anna dear! I didn’t know you had it in you” she chuckled darkly as I turned around to see few people whispering while few gave judgmental looks.
“So the innocent Anna Haven isn’t what everyone thin—” I ran away sobbing, not wanting to hear any more of what she says or what other people have to say about me.
I didn’t stop running until I reached the library and sprinted up to the darkest corner sitting on a chair behind the desk.
Oh My God. The whole school knows now, what should I do? Why everything has to turn upside down just when I am happy being with Jason.
I can’t leave this town, now that I realized I love Jason and cannot stay away from him. Why is my life so messed up?
I was biting my nails still deep in thought when I heard my Iphone ring and quickly rejected Gabe’s call before shutting it down.
I can’t talk to him now; he must have read it too. Did he believe what was written? How am I going to explain everything to my friends? Will they believe me or will they behave just like everyone else? More tears spilled from my eyes at the thought of losing them.
I love them all, Emily, Gabe and even Elle, Blaise, Kyle and Hunter. I never had so much fun in any of my schools and I don’t want to lose them.
Resting my head on the desk I closed my eyes trying to sleep, tired of crying and wanting to forget the mayhem. I don’t know when I fell into a deep slumber until I felt someone shake my shoulders calling my name. I opened my eyes slowly and shocked to see the one person I least expected to find me.
“Anna…” Blake mumbled with a pity look on his face. Seeing him like that reminded me of all the events happened earlier today, all that I wanted to forget.
“H-Hey” I croaked.
“What are you doing here? All your friends are worried about you, especially Jason”
When I was silent he continued “Look Anna, you can’t hide in here forever. If it helps you, I want to say I don’t believe all the crap that’s written about you. You can’t let few people ruin your life and I think it’s time for you to go out and face it”
“I need some time” I mumbled between sobs. When did I start crying again? God!!
He nodded and left me as I laid my head down trying to sleep again until I heard Jason call me. It felt good being in his arms and better when Gabe told my friends trust me. Hearing those words from him gave me strength to go back and face everyone since now I have friends who stood by me without even asking an explanation.
“I am so sorry Anns; I couldn’t do anything about Cheryl. I didn’t know she would talk with that bitch” Jason said as we made our way out of the library.
“How can you do anything about it? It was me who pissed her off last week at the party. She wanted revenge and now she had one” I mumbled quietly.
He nodded just as he added “What are you going to tell our friends?”
I looked at Gabe and replied “The truth. I don’t want to run away anymore and I don’t want to hide anything from my friends” My friends, who became more like a family to me these past few months.
Jason stopped walking and looked at me in shock “Are you sure?”
I nodded and we continued walking downstairs to the cafeteria.
I am not ready to tell them about me but I know it’s the right thing to do. Like before, I don’t have a reason to keep those things to myself; I trust them just as they trust me.
All eyes turned to me when we entered the cafeteria. Jason whispered beside me to ignore them as we walked towards our table where our group had already assembled.
Emily and Elle threw their arms around me just as I reached the table. It felt really good to know they were worried about me, like I am someone special to them. However, I was surprised when Blaise, Kyle and Hunter (Oh My God!!! Hunter) walked to me and tackled me into a group hug not letting me go until Jason cleared his throat.
“Thanks guys” I said with moist eyes sitting beside Jason.
I looked at Jason and said “I don’t think I can tell them without breaking down. Can you please do it for me?” This would be the last time I’d shed tears thinking about my past, I’ve cried too much already.
Giving me a slight nod he turned to them and started explaining all that happened five years ago. It took little less than fifteen minutes to say everything and each of them listened intently all the while not once giving me any kind of judgmental looks.
When everything was said and done all of them looked at me in awe and pride which kind of surprised me since they didn’t pity me for which I am very thankful.
“I don’t know what to ---” Elle started.
“You need not say anything” Jason voiced my thoughts and continued “I know she’s been through a lot but the only thing we can do now is to forget about it so that she can finally move on. So guys, let’s forget this conversation ever happened”
“We are proud of you Anna, you were brave” Emily mumbled looking at me in awe.
“So--- no more of this topic. Deal? ” Gabe said.
Everyone said ‘deal’ and continued eating before Cheryl came to our table with a fake smile “So, how was it? Spending time in the prison?”
“Must have been better than seeing you” Kyle snickered.
She glared at him before turning to me “Looks like you charmed every guy here. But who is your boyfriend among them? Is it Jason or you have slept with too many to loose count”
“Shut up Cheryl” Hunter shouted shocking all of us including her.
She was numb in shock for few seconds before recovering “Wow. I have to say this, you are a real charmer. Poor Emily who believed you just like they did and look what happened to her; you ended up killing her own dad. Was it fun getting out of the case proven not guilty after killing an innocent man?”
I can’t take it anymore; I know Jason is fuming beside me but it is me who has to stop her, not him. And so, I did. “If being tried to be raped by your best friend’s dad when you were just twelve means fun to you, then yes I had fun” I replied boldly.
I don’t know where the confidence came from, may be from the amazing people sitting around me. But it is high time I stood for myself, just like Blake said; like everyone else said.
She looked dumbstruck and left the table without a word just as Jason patted my shoulder “I am so proud of you Anns”
After school ended, Jason asked me to come home with him to which I agreed instantly since I didn’t want to stay alone, not today when so much happened. Gabe accompanied us to his house where the three of us watched movies and ate so many pancakes that Jason made May cook for me.
At 9 PM when Gabe said he’d leave, I walked up to him and hugged him tight before whispering thank you for all that he’d done for me.
“Anything for the girl who’s secretly in love with me” he said giving me a wink pointing to Jason.
Huh? Oh! We’ve been friends for enough time to know what he meant. And now it means he wants me to play a game of teasing Jason.
“Hey--- stay away from my girlfriend” Jason scoffed.
“What? Ask her if she’s not” He said nonchalantly.
“Of course I am” I replied with a shrug like it’s nothing.
“Whoa. I think I’m turning straight” he said with a mischievous smile.
“WHAT?” Jason yelled looking panicked.
Did he really believe that? Oh My God, I want to laugh and it was so hard trying to keep a straight face.
“Really!!” I yelled with a dreamy smile.
“WHAAATTT??” he looked even more panicked now. Before we could continue teasing him, Gabe and I couldn’t take anymore and burst into laughter.
Jason looked confused for a while before he understood and ended up laughing with us.
Once Gabe left, he closed the door and pulled me into his arms kissing me senseless. By the time he pulled off I was panting hard trying to breathe just as he whispered “That’s for teasing me with Gabe”
“But I wasn’t teasing you, I really meant it” I mumbled with an innocent look.
“Are you teasing me again?” he smirked.
“N-No” I quickly said lowering my head trying to hide my blush.
He chuckled and pulled me onto his bed before saying “I want to discuss something Anns. It’s been in my mind since a while and I don’t know how to start”
Lifting his chin up with my fore finger I softly said “What’s bothering you Jace?”
“I – I think you need a closure from everything and I need answers as well” he confessed.
“About what?” I asked feeling confused.
“About everything happened in your life. Did you ever wonder why your dad became like that all of a sudden or why your mom didn’t want to have you as her daughter anymore? You said your life was perfect, your parents loved you. But why did it stop, all of a sudden”
“I don’t get you Jace” I said frowning.
“I think something’s missing that you don’t know yourself. I think we need to go back to your hometown to dig into the truth”
“What?” I screeched in horror.
“Don’t you want to know about it? Don’t tell me you never had doubts”
How can I say that? I must have thought about those questions a million times already but never had answers. As much as I am scared to go back, Jason’s right; I need closure from everything.
“When will we go?” I asked confidently to which he replied “This weekend”
“Fine. But I am not sure if they stay at the same place”
“What’s your dad’s name?”
“Daniel Haven” I said and continued giving details about him. He said he’ll take his dad’s help and find out where they stay now.
“Can we go to my aunt’s place too? It is just an hour away” I asked looking at him hopefully.
He agreed to meet her before kissing me again.
***************
It’s two in the morning by the time we reached a motel that’s few kilometers away from my town. We decided to stay for the night as both of us are tired with the almost ten hour long journey. Dragging our bags with the little energy left I slumped down on the bed while Jason opened his bag to change.
I didn’t realize I was staring at him until I heard him say “It’s all yours babe; one day”
“I was seeing your chain” I replied with a smile that managed to wipe his smirk off.
It was true. As much as I love seeing his bare torso I was engrossed in the chain that I gifted him for Christmas.
“You are wearing it” I stated with a slight smile not taking my eyes off him.
“Yeah?” He replied looking confused.
“Why?” I mumbled.
“Because my girlfriend said it’s lucky for her and tomorrow is an important day in her life” He said with a lopsided smile.
“You know till date I don’t know who gifted that chain to me”
“You told me that when you gave me but how is it possible? When did you get that chain?” he asked looking more confused now.
“I got it on my tenth birthday. It was in an envelope that’s addressed to me with no ‘From’ address. I think someone might have left it by our door without actually posting it”
“How can that be?”
I shrugged “I don’t know. I remember asking my mom but she didn’t say anything. I liked it so much that I didn’t bother finding who sent it and kept it with me anyway”
“You think someone you knew sent it?” He said walking towards me before sitting on the bed.
“Maybe. But if I knew him/her then why wouldn’t they want me to know?”
He shrugged before lying on the mattress beside me switching off the lights. Though I am very tired I couldn’t sleep in anticipation of what’s going to happen tomorrow.
How am I going to face them after almost 5 years? What happened in the time when I was absent in their life. Did they miss me or did they just continue their lives like nothing happened.
I remember the last days I spent here with Aunt Kayla; the most terrible days of my life when I swore that I would never return back but here I am just few miles away from the place I once called home. ‘Home’ - now that word only reminds me of Pihan and not the place I spent my childhood. Home reminds me of Emily and Lily – the people I’ve grown close to these past few months and my friends who’s been my strength these past few days.
As much as I am scared to face them, I need closure from everything; like Jason said. I don’t know when I slept barely remembering Jason pulling me into his embrace at some time in the night.
The next day when I woke up it was almost afternoon and I was surprised seeing Jason ready wearing a grey t-shirt and khaki jeans looking like he’s going to a battle.
“You look like shit” He commented looking at me.
“Gee.. Thanks” I replied sarcastically. What an amazing boyfriend I have.
He chuckled “I didn’t say you were ugly, I just said you look terrible”
“Yeah, whatever” I shrugged off getting up lazily as I dragged myself to the bathroom to get ready.
By the time I came out Jason ordered breakfast to the room while I sat beside him not feeling like eating with the butterflies in my stomach. It somehow reminded me of my first day at school.
“You have to eat something Anns. I didn’t order for you to stare at it” he said in a serious tone.
I glared at him as he added “You are tensed?”
I nodded with a frown and sensing the change in my mood he walked up to me and pulled me into a one arm hug placing my head against his chest.
“Everything is going to be alright baby. I am with you; you need not face it alone”
“I know, but ----”
“We will do it real quick and go to your aunt’s house where you can sleep peacefully unlike last night. Okay? ”
“You knew?” I asked looking into his eyes.
“Of course I knew, I could almost hear your thoughts. You slept only after I pulled you into my arms” he smirked wiggling his eyebrows playfully.
I smiled at his cocky reply but didn’t eat anything in spite of his continuous requests. However I promised to have something after we’re done meeting them.
In little less than an hour we reached a small house in the outskirts of the city, a place I never came when I lived here.
“Your dad lives here” Jason said in a serious tone once we got out of the car.
“What do you mean my dad? What about my mom?” I asked perplexed.
“I don’t know Anna. When I told my dad to find out where Daniel Haven lives he gave me this address and said he is living alone. He couldn’t find out anything more” he replied in an apologetic tone.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I asked casually.
“I am sorry; I didn’t want to see you upset. You were already scared about this, the whole week”
With every step we took towards the door, my heart thudded more loudly that I was almost sure Jason could hear it.
“Chill sweet heart… You look like you’re going to pass out anytime soon” he said with a concerned look.
Even in this tension I couldn’t help but smile at his new endearment.
“Sweet heart?” I asked remembering the time when we teased each other about it.
“Why, do you want me to call something else?” he teased using the same line seeing me smile.
“No, I like it.. That’s so sweet of you” I said pinching his cheeks.
“Don’t do that and don’t call me sweet” he said scrunching up his nose in disgust.
I don’t know when he knocked in our banter but the door was opened revealing my dad with a tired look on his face.
His curious expression instantly changed into recognition seeing me “Anna?”
I stared at him just as he looked at me with affection and---- regret?
“Can we come in sir?” Jason said looking at the both of us and our silent conversation.
When he invited us in, both of us sat on the couch while my dad sat in the chair opposite to us. He looked tired and almost 10 years older but he still had the warmth in his eyes that he had all those years ago when we were a happy family once; when he’d do anything for me. He looked like the dad I once had who spoilt me with surprise presents I secretly wanted and who cooked my favorite dishes whenever he was free. Seeing his old persona, I don’t know how to ask my questions anymore.
“We came here for answers Mr. Haven” Jason said directly going to the point.
My dad gasped at his boldness “What do you want to know young man and who are you?”
“I am Jason, her boyfriend” he said giving his hand which my dad took “I want to know why you did all that you did five years ago. Why you didn’t stand up for your daughter when she was innocent and what you told her mother that made her disown her own daughter”
My dad lowered his head in shame trying to hide the tears that filled his eyes “I am sorry Anna dear. I am so sorry”
“We didn’t come for your apology sir, we want answers” Jason snapped at him with a cold look in his eyes. Seeing me flinch, he moved closer to me wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
“Why did you do all of that? What happened that made you hate me father?” I asked with moist eyes knowingly calling him ‘father’ instead of ‘dad’.
Tears spilled down his cheeks as he replied, “I am not your father, Anna.”
---
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So, how's the twist?? I love drama and everything is planned since the begining. Next chap reveals everything about Anna and Jason's lives. And yes, the story is close to completion.
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- Janaki
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