TWENTY EIGHT : MUSEUM & BEACH

"I'LL DROP YOU today wherever you want to go." Theodore stated, swallowing the pancakes he ordered. 

"No need for that. I can manage that myself and I don't wanna bother you." I replied, adjusting the cushions on the sofa. Trust me, being a cleanliness freak wasn't a boon in life, I'd rather state it as a con. And moreover, my mind cannot function properly if my working space is more messy than my head.

"You don't need to get your hopes too high. We just need to pretend. I'll drop you after we have crossed a few lanes past this hotel area so the people out here don't doubt this fake marriage." His gruff voice reached me, his gaze fixated on his mobile phone. Nonchalance and ignorance was evident in his voice.

"Great." I retorted dryly and entered my room, locking it behind me. Huffing loudly, I made my way towards my suitcase. 

For today I opted to wear a dark blue, quarter sleeved chiffon dress which reached my knees. The bodycon was tight at my bust but flowed past that. The weather was bask worthy and I decided to visit the museum and then the beach in the evening. 

I added all the things back into my brown little bag pack and did my makeup. I wore the same black boots from yesterday since I wasn't planning to meander in the museum in three inches heels and unfortunately I currently have only two pairs with me. 

I brushed my hair, parting it from the middle like always and exited my room. 

Theodore was now in a white shirt with a few upper buttons leisurely undid and auburn brown fitted jeans. I was seeing his legs for the first time in jeans. He looked like a person on the road asking for pennies. Basically I meant a beggar...

Yes, I'll think everything  bad about him because I freaking hate him.

"Are we ready to go?" I asked which made him lift his eyes to me. He took his time scrutinizing my appearance, raking his sinful gaze multiple times over my body. He smirked. 

On the contrary, I patted my feet continuously on the floor feigning nonchalance but my insides were clenching in anxiousness and nervousness and heart fluttering, skipping a beat or two. 

I shook my head irritatedly and marched out of the door with full attitude, not caring if I looked rude. At least, I can't be more rude than him.

The car ride was very uncomfortable and awkward, for me not him. He was enjoying my soar expression when the aged driver asked weird marriage questions. I kept my mouth shut and Theodore replied with a 'hmm' or 'yeah'.

Bloody dickhead. The cab stopped in front of the museum and gingerly I got out. 

"Bye, honey. Miss me. And I'll pick you up, just give me a call." Theodore acted to convince the bald driver as he smiled cheekily at our little nuptial behavior. 

"Sure," I fake smiled, shooting daggers with my eyes with grounded teeth. 

***

I strolled back to the entrance of the beach as I looked at the sun dusking behind the mountains while performing the grand finale of color transmission. The sky was ablaze with the array of setting sun and I didn't regret wearing a sundress. The wind was pushing me forward and my bare feet hurt as if I had walked over a pane of nails. 

It was around six thirty and the insight of the museum was worthwhile. Though I was forbidden to use the camera inside so it was just me capturing everything I could work my eyes, living the moment to the fullest. 

I sat down on the warm sand, a few feet beyond the shore and brought my knees to my chest. Looking at the sea I felt so sleepy. But I was supposed to wait till eight so that Theodore could pick me up. 

Yes, he made me wait! 

I gazed at the sea, thinking nothing. Honestly, my mind was as blank as a canvas paper before the paints were slithered on them to enact feelings. Unaware of whether it was my physical exhaustion or just being tired of thinking, I was just looking at the farthest end of the shore and breathing in the soothing smell of petrichor. 

However I convinced myself that I'd survive this, it felt harder every next day as it passed. Being under the same roof with the devil, who was corporealy stronger and politically could destroy my being was something that bothered me everytime I close my eyes. And above that his ordeal which changes faster than the dusk and dawn, had held me by my nerves. 

Breathing had become harder. I regret every moment spent with him and majorly regretted the feeling which had started brewing within me of loving him. But, as he was a human too, I couldn't trust him. And he proved it to me. And I cannot say how thankful I was of him in this matter. I had known very well that I could never let another person into my bubble but I sealed it at the right time. 

The dark blue had already consumed the orange and pink of the sky. I could witness grey clouds making their way too. It was certainly gonna rain. 

"Hey," a boyish voice said. The first thing I noticed about him was his golden curly hair. He looked like a vampire to me; light brown eyes, thin pointed nose, narrow lips and wide, friendly smile. I hated him at first sight. His blue transparent shirt was open and white skinny pants had brown stains of beach sand. 

"I am married." I stated sharply, turning my attention back to the water. The tides seemed to race, maybe they had bet that who'd win would get a cookie. 

"Is it forbidden in your marriage certificate that you can't make friends?" He smiled widely, a dimple graced his cheek. Maybe I don't hate him anymore. 

"Yeah… I don't mind being friends, I guess." I replied trying to fight the smile which was battling to appear. He did have a unique call for humor and charm man! 

"Ah ah… don't hide that smile behind your hair." He laughed, bumping his shoulder with mine out of a sudden so I almost tripped to the other side. I rolled my lips into my mouth but a breezy laugh managed to roll out. 

"So why is this beautiful married girl doing here alone?" He asked, munching on some chocolate bar which I denied to accept politely. 

"What are you doing here alone?" I countered back, tuning properly towards him, successful dodging his previous intruding query. And also, making a friend won't hurt I think. 

And here my theory of hating humans goes to drain… 

"I am not alone. You see there," He said pointing towards aan who was wearing identical clothes like him, just his shirt was pink. 

"Yes… " I nodded. 

"He's my boyfriend." He solemnly confessed. I arched a single eyebrow at him with amazement then nodded appreciatively at his honesty. 

"Yes I am totally and utterly, one hundred percent gay. I wasn't flirting with you, you just seemed… sad." He explained, his words not holding much sound but it stuck me deep. 

"Just here and there… nothing serious." I dismissed the topic. 

"You know what, I sometimes date a few lucky girls too." He winked naughtily earning an unlady-like snot from me. 

"Now, some people like chocolate and some like strawberry but some like butterscotch too."

"Sorry… I didn't get the significance at the receiving end." I chuckled hesitantly. 

"Pfft… like chocolate is opposite gender fucking each other, strawberry means same sex and butter scotch is taking everybody and anybody… " He explained, focusing his attention on me. 

I nodded slowly, digesting slowly, swallowing the thought. "Oh…So you are pansexual." 

"Yes." 

"I am Victor, by the way."

"Zoya," I blurted out. And for some very strange reason, the lies crossed the boundaries of my lips out of stimulus, very naturally. 

"Beautiful name. So where is your husband or were you just pretending to have one. I can understand if you were fantasizing about  Chris Hemsworth being your… you know?"

"Haha… not funny."

"But you laughed."

"So you don't feel hurt." I snorted and gave him a bitchy fake smile. 

He kept his hand on his heart bluffing ache with a cute pout. He looked up at the sky then, with yearly eyes. Drama queen.

"You are certainly cute…" I remarked. 

"Why thank you pretty lady." He performed the act of flattery and fawning. 

And just like that we talked as if we were best friends who got separated in a circus of jumping monkeys and creepy jokers. He was kinda easy to interact with. 

Introvert plus extrovert is the perfect equation for hilarious jokes and weird snorts between our deafening laughter and clenching stomachs. Eventually, as the clouds started blocking the sky, I shuddered. 

"I would have offered a jacket, only if I had one. Scoot over." And he dropped his arm over my shoulder, the next moment.

"Oh no - "

"Aurellia!" A voice boomed and my laugh subsided, leaving behind remnants and coughs. 

THEODORE. 

I cocked my head backside and there stood the fiery, hot, red, angry Theodore.

Shit! 

"I didn't know that you were so ready to fuck around with local men!" His sinful eyes glaring at me and would have certainly gulped me down alive too if it was possible. 

I saw that coming… 

"What are you saying!" I hissed, instantly springing up on my feet. 

In a flash, he grabbed my elbow, tugging me roughly towards him. My feet haphazardly stepping forward and my balance at the stake. The strangled wince was blurted from my lips and his venomous eyes seized it. 

Someone grabbed my other arm. I snapped my head towards my opposite direction. It was Victor. 

"Leave her, dude. And she's not a Barbie that you're snatching like a physco." Victor interjected. 

"You don't need to tell me what I should do or not! Now, leave her hand right this instant." Theodore pulled me towards him, forcefully. 

"No, I will say when you'd disrespect a woman. Grow up and don't force her. She'll be where she feels right." Victor pulled me towards him. 

Were they playing tug of war with me? 

"Listen here, I want you out of my sight now!" Theodore's fingers tightened along my arm, jerking me fully towards his side. Victor's hand fell to his side loosely. 

"No-"

"Get lost, motherfucker." He spat, dragging me away. 

His hand fisting around my muscles remorsefully and I felt warm tears prickling behind eye balls. I blinked then back…

Lightning strikes and then the clouds seemed to fumigate against the cruelty imposed on me. I shuddered at it and my feet missed steps to keep up with his long strides.

"Stop it!" I shouted in pain with spit clogging in my throat. 

"So that's why you wanted to manage yourself? So you can fuck around like a slut? Huh? Speak up! Are you dumb… hah!" His voice filled with so much poison that it soared my heart, crumbling it like rusted paper. 

"Shut up! Don't speak rubbish when you don't know anything." I blared, pulling my arm and rubbing my other hand over my hot-damp skin. It was going to be bruised badly. 

"What? Are you afraid?" He slammed me back into his chest, his teeth clenching. A warm drop of tear betrayed me and rolled down from the corner of my eyes. "I was just giving a reality check -" 

"Shut up! Shut up!" I yelled, my voice breaking as I stepped back with a trembling body and blocked my ears from his spiteful words. It felt like lightning was colliding with my heart leaving it naked. 

It began pouring incessantly, fat drops slapping against me as I squeezed my orbs tightly. 

"Stop it? No! Racers like you just pretend to be hard to get. You just want this," His callous, uncalled hands grabbed me painfully, crashing my body flush into his chest for the millionth time tonight but I didn't feel anything, no butterflies or electricity coursing through my veins, nothing. 

Tears mingling with raindrops, living behind no trail of their purity. It was a doubt if they were real tears or it was the rain. My nose felt clogged up and sealed. Someone was thumping shamefully inside my skull. I felt stray and shabby in my blue dress which was sticking to my body. 

"You want this!" His mouth dipped into my neck, attacking with hot mouth kisses. The monster in him unleashed as his grip on my waist tightened, sickendly. I was feeling like a  useless piece of leftover food, thrown out for dogs to feed upon. 

Hiccups were coming out of my mouth between mused cries of anguish and agony, I battled with my mental self to get my physical ones to react. But, in vain went the tries. I felt numb and the rain was bashfully hitting my ached face, unmercifully. 

"And this," He breathed out, grabbing a handful of hair and pulling at them roughly. I screeched out in pain but my sanity and being was overpowered by the thunderous acclaim of clouds, roaring and crying with me in pain. 

His mouth battled against my skin on the other side as my trembling fingers began, hopelessly pulling at his shirt. 

I felt his teeth dug into my skin and I yelled out of unbelievable pain shooting in that proximity. A bubble in my chest expanding with each passing second, threatening to leave me in lifeless fragments. Instinctively, my first tightened around his wet shirt and he groaned in dismal. This surged a hopeful electricity through my veins and I pulled up my leg and slammed into his crotch with the tethered strength left in me. But, when my leg was just a centimeter away, the clouds thundered and I sucked in air and plunged with double force. 

Even before a heartbeat could pass, he cried out loud bending down and my hand flew, seeking advantage of his unarmed state. 

The sound of the slap didn't reach me but the aftermath was witnessed by my eyes and throbbing palm. He fell to the ground holding his hand against his cheek. And my hand strung with so much intensity that I couldn't calculate it.

I turned around and ran. Bare footed, empty soul, quivering lips and heavy steps, stumbling and crippling. But my feet didn't stop even if they died a hundred deaths before. My body was shaking with hiccups but not a sound dared to proceed past my lips. I could feel the rocks piercing my skin open but my mind was numb as if I was under water. I wasn't brave so I didn't  look back with the fear of him being hot on my trails. The single thought made my knees buckle as I shattered on the pavement along with my senses. 

My knees claimed the road with fresh crimson blood and I fell back. My legs were spread in weird angles and my heart was jerking with pain at every breath I took.

"Ahhhhh… why? Why always me!" I croaked, sobbing loudly enough for the clouds. They roared back at me as if sharing my pain but who knows if they were taunting me. 

Despite the cold rainwater was conflicting and striking me, feeling me with shivers and coldness. But, I felt fire igniting within me. The hot and violent liquid inside my stomach withered, swishing it so painfully that I was rendered speechless with a dry throat. 

 I crouched down with my cheek resting on the ground between my parted corpse legs and screeched and mourned for my life. My fist coloring with the ground, divulging to tear it apart. My hair was all over my face and my hands were too weak to raise up so I did not sweat over it. 

A strangled howl came from my mouth and my neck felt worn out and barren. I felt so weak and dead… 

I wanted to die. 

***

I told you what hurts me the most
And you did it perfectly.

***

So this was undoubtedly the hardest chapter to write and I have been planning over it since a long time... A long long time...

So which has been your favorite scene or dialogue from this book till now...

Coz yet no romance or anything has happened and i know it's not gonna happen very soon too except for their rivalry...