Memory Lane

“Let’s give this a try,” she said sweetly.

Eddie Michaels lifted his head. He couldn’t believe his ears. He blinked his eyes couple of times, as if trying to make sure he was not dreaming. Is she really proposing to him? He couldn’t help himself from smiling. He was trying to act cool, appearing unaffected, but he was unable to do that. The muscles on his cheek was pulling his lips up, forming a shameful smile of triumph. She just smiled sweetly seeing him trying his best to stay cool when it was clear he was anything but cool. He was so adorable. She just stared at him. He was smiling again.

“Are you serious?” he asked, trying to keep his feet on the ground.

“Of course, my dear. You’ve been so good to me. You can always make me laugh and always trying to make me happy, but most of all you’ve always been there for me whenever I needed you… I’d be a fool not to accept you,” the beauty in front of him explained. Eddie’s smile grew, mostly because he was happy, but he was also touched that she actually said those words, which made all of his sacrifices worth the pain, energy and sweat. Eddie just stared at her. “But I don’t want you to do this because you feel guilty,” he replied simply.

“So you don’t want me then?” she said, playfully sulking.

“Okay, okay, you win,” he said quickly. They stared into each other’s eyes, finding a certain comfort in them. They certainly enjoyed each other’s company. Eddie couldn’t believe his luck. He is finally with her. Eddie Michaels is finally with Natalie Daniels.

Eddie was sick. He was very, very sick. His body was weak; he could barely even stand still, let alone walk. He hadn’t got any real rest for a while. He couldn’t sleep well at nights, but somehow, Eddie managed to hide it well. He didn’t want anyone to know he was sick, especially Natalie. He knew that she was also sick. She was suffering from the normal influenza. Granted, Eddie was feeling worse than her, but then again, Natalie’s health is more important than his very own.

Since Rebekah was not at campus, as she’s at home for family reasons; so the role of protector for Natalie fell solely on his already heavy shoulders. Eddie knew that he was the only one that could really be there for Natalie. Rebekah was like a mother figure to Natalie, someone she always depended on. Rebekah was always being there for her, listening to her, being her company and always treated her like what she was- a princess. Now that she’s gone, Natalie only had Eddie, and he is determined to make her happy.

Eddie’s day had been very hectic. He had been running errands for lecturers and their class. He was the class president, after all. He was very tired, very sick, and he wanted to collapse, but he was more worried about Natalie. After buying Natalie her dinner, a hot noodle soup, he walked back to his room. He was exhausted. He collapsed on the edge of his bed as soon as he arrived in his room. He was too tired to climb on his bed. And then, there was some good news. Rebekah called. She’s returning that same night.

Eddie felt like the huge weight on his shoulders was about to be lifted. He had been taking care for Natalie the past three days. Not that he was complaining, but he just felt that he would do better if he weren’t sick. He was so tired; he needed a good, long rest. He decided to go back home and rest, now that Rebekah’s back, she could take care of Natalie for him, and probably do a better job than him. He took a deep breath. “I really have to rest, or I’ll just die!” thought a very jaded Eddie.

“Natalie dearest, tonight Rebekah will return, I’m sure you’ll be happy, right? You probably won’t need me anymore. I have to get my rest now. I need to go and get my long, overdue rest. So, take care and good bye,” Eddie sent Natalie the message before he left, hoping Natalie would want to meet him first, or at least give him a proper goodbye, but to the weary young man’s dismay, the woman he sacrificed everything for never saw all of it and didn’t even have the courtesy to reply his message.

Eddie’s heart was burning. Both he and Natalie were walking to their next class together. Ordinarily, he would be delighted walking next to Natalie, carrying her books for her, which was something that he always insisted on doing, but this time, not so much. He was furious. Natalie was next to him, talking on the phone, with another man. What makes it worse is that she’s laughing and giggling happily, seemingly oblivious to Eddie’s presence.

Eddie didn’t know how to react or what to say. Deep inside, his heart was screaming for him to do something. “Do something you idiot! Your girl is talking to another guy while you’re looking like an idiot carrying her books! You=Idiot, Natalie=Happy With Another Guy, I repeat: You=Idiot! Natalie=Another Guy. Another Fucking Guy! Wake up!” screamed his fiery and blazing heart on fire, but Eddie could never be mad at Natalie, that’s just the way this relationship works, so Eddie just kept mum.

Eddie was sitting in his bathroom, alone and weak. It was nightfall; his bathroom was dark, except for the orange light from the setting sun shining through the windows of the bathroom. Blood was trickling down his redden forehead. He could only see crimson. He was feeling really tired and sleepy and a little loopy. Eddie was really weak, he couldn’t even sit up, and he was out of energy, out of blood. He blinked his eyes repeatedly to make sure the blood didn’t get in his eyes. His blood couldn’t stop oozing all over his now-gruesome face.

Through the thick red blood on his face, a single shining tear dropped down his eye. Natalie had slammed the phone on him again, and this time he knew it wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t be mad at her. He wouldn’t even if he could. He was absorbed with a feeling with fury and rage, but he didn’t know how to let it all go. He wanted to hurt anyone, anything. He just wanted to let his anger go, and it was unfortunate that the only body to hurt was his, so he just battered himself.

Eddie’s brown eyes could only see the blood that is still flowing. His vision started to blur before he passed out.

“Natalie…” said Eddie with slight tremble in his voice. He couldn’t believe he was going to say these words.

“Eddie?” replied Natalie sweetly with a slight rise of her eyebrow.

“I need to tell you this, err… I want you to know this, I, I, I…” stuttered the young man. Natalie just gave a light chuckle seeing how hard and seemingly terrified Eddie was. She held his hand to comfort him. Eddie grinned and knew that suddenly it had become so much easier.

“Natalie, I love you!” Eddie exclaimed sweetly.

“Err, thank you?” she replied awkwardly as she let the hold on his hand go. Eddie smiled weakly after hearing Natalie’s reply. He hadn’t envisioned this response from Natalie when he imagine saying this to her in his head. “Oh, okay…” he replied simply, full of sorrow.

“Listen Ed, I care about you a lot. You may not be good-looking or attractive, but I really like that you’re nice, but I doubt I’ll ever love anyone, including you.” Natalie explained, as Eddie faked a smile.

“I’m sorry Eddie. I have to let you go. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me anymore. Sorry,” Natalie said, sobbing.

“Natalie, NO! I LOVE YOU! I don’t want to let you go…” pleaded a distraught and devastated Eddie.

CLICK

Natalie hung up. Eddie couldn’t believe what had happened. He tried calling her back, but she already turned off her phone. With that, Natalie was out of his life; the love of his life was gone…

Eddie suddenly found himself back in front of the beauty of Alexis. Eddie had spaced out. Alexis realized that and thought that was adorable. Kind of weird, but adorable.

“Eddie,” she said gently.
“Uh, yeah?” he said, snapping out.
“Aren’t you going to answer your phone?” she asked tenderly, referring to his still ringing phone.

Eddie gave a light laugh as he pulled his black phone out of his pocket. He was surprised to see the name that appeared on his caller ID.