🌟'In your day-to-day life, uncertainties are like smoke. Your job is to figure out whether the problem is burnt toast, a house fire, or just a false alarm, and respond accordingly'🌟

★★★★★

Aidan didn't show up the next day or the next, and the classes went by without seeing him. I stood there by the cafe window after my shift in hope to hear something, anything, but there was no sign of him so far.

It was finally the day and as I promised Em, we were ready to enjoy the concert tonight.

The city streets buzzed with anticipation as Saturday evening rolled in. With the day's responsibilities behind me, I completed my shift around 8 p.m. Eager to join her as planned earlier in the week, I hurriedly made my way to the venue.

Luckily, I got money to pay for the cab this time.

As I arrived at the concert grounds, I was taken aback by the carefree crowd. The atmosphere was electric, alive with the energy of countless excited voices and the pulsating beats of music drifting through the air. Though the sheer magnitude of people was overwhelming, I reminded myself of the promise I had made to her – to embrace the night and enjoy the experience together.

Having heard their name before, 'Coldplay,' I knew this was going to be an extraordinary experience.

Navigating through the sea of bodies, my eyes scanned the area, searching for a familiar face. Suddenly, amidst the chaos, I caught a glimpse of her, radiant as ever, standing near the entrance. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

I made my way to her, weaving through the crowd I finally reached her side, the noise around me seemed to fade away.

"Hey," I said, trying to be heard over the booming music. "I made it!"

She smile widened, and she leaned in closer to be heard. "I knew you would. Nothing could keep you away from this, right?"

I nodded, feeling a rush of adrenaline course through my veins. "Absolutely. We've been looking forward to this night all week, haven't we?"

She nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "It's going to be amazing. The crowd might be overwhelming, but we'll make the best of it. Just you and me, lost in the music."

As I interlaced my fingers with her's, we made our way, not too far from the stage.

As the music enveloped us, we surrendered to the intoxicating atmosphere, reveling in the pure joy of the concert. Laughter and excitement filled the air, blending seamlessly with the melodies. After some time, we decided to quench our thirst and make a quick trip to the refreshment counter.

Standing side by side near the counter, she placed an order for an alcoholic beverage, while I opted for a refreshing soft drink. She did pester me about having some alcohol with her but I refused.

We clinked our glasses together, savoring the moment and the anticipation. As time passed, the music and lively ambiance began to affect her, the alcohol gradually taking its hold. Her inhibitions loosened, and she swayed her hips to the rhythm, becoming one with the melodies.

She was attracting a lot of attention with her moves but she didn't pay heed. I wish I had confidence like her.

"Em, I going to use the restroom, okay?" with a smile, I said and assured her that I would meet her at the same spot.

She nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of exhilaration. She was fully immersed in the experience, basking in the energy of the screaming crowd.

As I left her side, I couldn't help but admire her uninhibited joy, her carefree spirit igniting the surrounding space.

I entered the restroom, expecting a quick stop before reuniting with her. However, as luck would have it, there was a long queue of people waiting their turn. Surprisingly, that didn't bother me much, as I took the opportunity to look around and observe my surroundings.

Scanning outside the restroom, my eyes caught a figure in the distance. For a split second, it seemed like Aidan, but I couldn't be sure because he had his back turned towards me. There was something about his familiar jacket and stance that made me question whether it was truly him.

Just as I was trying to process the sight, a group of men appeared out of nowhere and forcibly dragged the figure towards the far corner away from the crowd.

Was it Aidan? It was hard to tell, but the resemblance was uncanny.

My heart raced as I debated whether to intervene or seek help. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Should I follow them and find out what was going on?

Doubt battled within me, with my mind racing, I made a quick decision. Trusting my instincts, I decided to cautiously approach the corner where the figure had been taken. Whether it was Aidan or not, I couldn't just stand idly by.

I took slow and cautious steps towards the group, the noise of the bustling concert faded into the background. The only sound that echoed was the pounding of my heart.

I quickly found cover behind a nearby tree, desperate to remain unnoticed while keeping an ear on the unfolding scene. Their voices carried through the air, revealing fragments of a chilling conversation.

"You can't mess with us, kid," one of the men sneered, his tone laced with menace. "You know what happens when you don't fulfil your task."

As doubts cleared from my mind, I peered through the branches, my heart sinking as I confirmed the figure was indeed Aidan. His expression portrayed annoyance, yet he remained rooted in place, a silent participant in the escalating confrontation.

"I gave you the bag, and I was expecting it to be delivered yesterday. Where is it?" demanded another man, his bulking frame intimidating. The tension in the air grew thick.

Aidan's voice trembled as he responded, "I... I will do it tomorrow." There was a distinct unease in his tone, a hint of fear creeping in.

"Huh, a task is a task. You didn't complete it. You very well know what happens next, right?" The words dripped with venom as the man snapped, his frustration boiling over. Without warning, he launched a punch, catching Aidan off guard. The impact sent Aidan stumbling backward, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.

Laughter erupted from the assailants, their sadistic amusement filling the air. I felt a surge of anguish and helplessness, a scream caught in my throat. Frozen in place, I could do nothing but watch, as I stood there like a statue.

As the men continued their merciless assault on him, every fiber of my being screamed for me to intervene. It was as if time slowed down, the urgency and desperation building within me.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I stepped forward, determination burning in my eyes. "Stop. Or I will call the police," I declared firmly, brandishing my phone screen to show them that help was just a call away. I knew it might be a risky move, but I had to try something, anything, to scare them off and protect Aidan.

"And you think that will scare us?" one of them sneered, amusement dancing in his eyes. Their confidence remained unshaken by my threat.

"She's the bitch we saw outside the college campus," someone called out, and it dawned on me that I had encountered these individuals before. Fear mingled with a resolute determination within me. I had to act, to defend not only Aidan but also myself from their clutches.

I pushed my way through the men, disregarding their jeers and threats. My focus was solely on reaching Aidan's side, to assess his condition. He stirred, his consciousness flickering, but he couldn't open his eyes fully. It was evident that they had done him great harm.

"Go away" Aidan mumbled but chose ignore him. I decided to deal with him later.

"You've got guts, girl," one of them laughed, his voice dripping with a mix of admiration and contempt.

"What do you want from him? How could you beat him like that?" I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer. My voice trembled, on the verge of tears. It didn't matter why they were after Aidan; no one deserved to be subjected to such brutality.

The leader sneered, his expression twisted with malice. "Let's make this more interesting. He owes us money, and if he doesn't pay up, we'll come find him. And this time, we'll come find you, girl. You'll share the same fate."

My heart pounded, a mixture of fear and determination coursing through my veins. I couldn't let them intimidate me. Aidan needed help, and I couldn't turn my back on him now. Gathering my resolve, I locked eyes with the him, refusing to back down.

"I won't let that happen," I declared, my voice shaking but resolute.

The tension hung heavy in the air as a standoff ensued, a battle of wills between us. I knew the risks, but I couldn't abandon Aidan to his tormentors. No matter the outcome, I was ready to help him reach home safely. Tonight.

His sinister smile sent chills down my spine. It was a smile that held no sincerity, only a twisted satisfaction in the power he held over us. "We'll see about that," he sneered, his voice dripping with a mix of arrogance and menace. "You have one week to sort this out, or else we'll hunt you down."

As their figures receded into the distance, my heart raced with a mix of relief and anxiety. They had granted us a temporary reprieve, but the weight of their words hung over me like a dark cloud. I had bought ourselves some time, but the looming threat still lingered.

Gently, I knelt down beside Aidan, assessing his injuries with concern. He was bruised and battered, a testament to the violence he had endured. As I reached out to offer my support, he pushed me away, frustration lacing his grunt.

Now he is growing his balls again, I see.

"Why did you involve yourself in my mess? Why?" His words dripped with irritation and resentment, directed at me for reasons I couldn't quite comprehend.

Taken aback by his reaction, my annoyance bubbled to the surface. How dare he act so defiantly, placing the blame on me after what he had just been through? The urge to retaliate, to deliver a blow that mirrored the pain he had endured, surged within me.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger, and mustered a calm tone. "Can we please just leave this place?" I requested. I wanted to put the events behind us, to walk away from the chaos and danger that had consumed our evening.

He needed support, even if he struggled to express it.

Taking a step back, I offered Aidan some space, allowing him to gather his composure.

Each step felt heavy as we began to walk, the weight of the encounter pressing upon us. We walked in silence, the echoes of the assault still ringing in my ears.

As the realization dawned on me, a sinking feeling washed over me. How could I have forgotten about Em? I had made a promise to meet her after using the restroom, and now I had left her waiting.

"Aidan, could you please wait for me here? I need to quickly inform my friend that I have to leave," I pleaded, desperately hoping he would understand.

"Why? You go your way, and I'll go mine. I don't need you to babysit me. Go and enjoy what you came for," Aidan retorted, his words laced with frustration. His dismissive attitude started to grate on my nerves, pushing me to the brink of my patience.

"You know what?" I snapped back, my voice tinged with irritation. "I made a mistake coming to help you. I'm stupid and a big-time dumb girl. I'll leave you here with your messed-up ass and go enjoy the concert." With those words, I turned on my heel, storming off in the direction I had left Em.

I must be hearing things when heard my name being called out but I didn't turn around. If he wants me to leave him alone. I will do exactly the same.

Who did he think he was, treating me like this? I was only trying to help him, just as I would have done for anyone else. The frustration bubbled within me, fueling my determination to find Em and salvage what was left of the night.

Returning to the spot where I had left her, I searched anxiously, but she was nowhere to be found. Great, I huffed in exasperation. My heart sank further as I glanced at my phone and saw multiple missed calls and messages from her.

I quickly opened all her messages, the guilt building with every word I read.

Em: Hey, where are you?

Em: Call me ASAP. I'm worried.

Em: Did you already leave?

Em: I see this cute guy approaching me. I might take off for the night. Let me know your whereabouts.

Em: I guess you're already hooking up somewhere since you're not picking up your phone. Way to go, girl. I'll meet you back in the room. Or tomorrow morning. 😉

The last message hit me like a punch to the gut. Em had misunderstood the situation, thinking I had abandoned her to hookup with someone.

I quickly dialled her number, hoping to explain everything, but it went straight to voicemail.

Feeling defeated and overwhelmed, I reluctantly made the decision to book a cab. As if the universe had conspired against me, my phone chose that moment to die, leaving me without any means of communication or navigation.

With a heavy heart, I trudged towards the exit, seeking assistance from the guard stationed nearby. I mustered up the courage to ask him about the nearest bus stop. His response hit me like a punch to the gut.

"You may not get a bus at this hour. Try asking your friends to drop you off," he advised, his tone sympathetic but tinged with the reality of the situation.

Those words felt like a final blow, shattering any hopes I had of a convenient way to my room.

Tears welled up in my eyes, cascading down my cheeks as I made my way towards the desolate bus stop, clutching onto a glimmer of hope that a bus would miraculously appear.

As I stood there, my heart heavy with disappointment, I offered up a silent prayer to the universe, desperately pleading for a bus to arrive and take me away from this nightmarish situation.

Feeling vulnerable and lost, a group of drunken teenagers passed by, their comments made me even more uncomfortable.

Their inappropriate invitations to join them for the night only added to my growing sense of unease.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a motorcycle approaching. A surge of unexpected hope rushed through me, and for some unknown reason, I silently prayed for it to be...

Aidan.

★★★★★

Don't forget to vote and leave your beautiful comments.