PRESENT
I stood as still as a broken clock with eyes wider than that of an owl. I'm pretty sure I looked as if constipated. Both men were looking at me as if a bomb was ticking and was waiting for explosion.
" WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?! "
"Holy shit Liam, she sweared. You know what that means right? ", I heard Theo whisper yell at Liam.
"Look -"
" No! You look here mister! I can't and will not get married to a man like you in two weeks! Two effing weeks! I mean, what about my bucket list?! ", my eyes widened in realisation.
My bucket list!
My sweet baby bucket list.
"What bucket list? ",he asked with a frown.
" Are you even serious right now? Unlike you, normal people have bucket list, you robot! I have mine. And I wished to finish it before I get married, while-while I stay single.
What about Breaking Benjamin?? ", my eyes propelled out as I sat on the sofa, " how the heck am I gonna go to their concerts now, all, all married! "
" Married people go to their concerts too. " ,he reasoned out.
" Yes they do, but I just wanted to go while I was single, I wanted to have that insane energy of teenagers and head bang and -"
"You are acting like a kid. "
" Shut up you dumbduck! Don't bad mouth my Breaking Benjamin. "
" Finally she's back. Phew!", Theo wiped an imaginary bead of sweat.
" Dumbduck? ", Liam said looking amused.
"Well, you are dumb, for not knowing I don't really swear much. Oh wait, WHAT ABOUT BRENT RIVERA?!!
How will I now confess my undying love for him? "
" He's younger than you and he'd probably just reject you anyway " , Liam said with a smirk.
" There are people who like getting into relationships with older women. ", I said.
" Oh really? Like who? "
" Umm... umm, lik-like Nick Jonas! " , I sighed in relief as I could at least come up with some name.
" Nick who? "
" Are you kidding me? Nick Jonas? The Jonas Brothers? ", I stared in disbelief.
" Oh my god Liam, you don't know Nick Jonas? ", Theo said.
" Who is this Nick Jonas and how do you know him? What's his relationship with you Ashley? ", Liam asked trying hard to mask his anger.
"He's my neighbour and we're fuck buddies. ",I finished with a smile.
"He's your what?! ", he seethed through teeth.
" Oops Liam, are you 'Jealous ' of Nick Jonas? " , Theo piped.
I sat down on the sofa again laughing at him and giving Theo a high five.
" I don't care who this guy is and what he was to you. We're getting married in two weeks and that's final. "
I glared at him, "I'm not getting married. I have a huge bucket list which will take five more years to complete. So, keep wishing. " ,I mused.
" The invitation cards are sent. People are already gossiping through out in social media. So you keep wishing, sweetheart. "
I turned to Theo to ask for help but he just smiled sheepishly. I scowled and tried relaxing on the sofa, but - oh no. Shit, not now!
My throat began closing up and my hands felt all clammy. Panic attack.
My meds were not even here and I'm sure I'd collapse if I got up. My breathing began becoming ragged and I had a difficult time breathing.
" Are you okay? Shit. " , Liam said holding me in his arms, while Theo looked frantically for water.
"Where are the meds, Ashley? " , Liam looked scared.
"B-ba-aag " ,I somehow managed to say.
Leaving at once Liam went out as Theo came in with a glass of water. Wetting his hands he tried wiping the sweats off my face. Cool water made contact with my face and somehow I felt tiny bit better.
Liam came in and handed me the meds. I looked for the anxiety pills and popped them in and closed my eyes.
After good ten minutes, I was feeling better. My eyes could see their faces clearly. Liam was still holding me in his arms like I was a hurt puppy.
Theo stood up, " I should probably give you guys some alone time. I'll be by the reception desk. Take care, Ash. "
I gave a small nod and looked directly into Liam's eyes, " Please postpone the wedding , Liam. "
It felt like his eyes softened for a bit. But he quickly masked it, " No Ashley. The decision has been made. Convince your mind and heart. ", with that he left and my head hit the hard leather of the sofa. A pearl shaped tear ran down my cheeks and I sat up.
Wiping away the stray tear, I somehow managed to pull myself up.
" Take the day off. ", he said.
" No thanks. ", I said quite angrily.
" I didn't ask you Ashley. I ordered you. "
" Oh yeah? Now you're gonna go around and order me, Liam? What has gotten into you, huh? Why are you behaving like this? ", I yelled.
"I think you very well know why. Stop acting all innocent Ashley. Now get the hell out of my office! ", he seethed.
I was taken aback by his words. A familiar sting was felt at my heart. Afraid that it'll break me more, I went away quickly and quietly. Deciding that it was the best to take the day off, I took my bag from my office and went to the elevator. I didn't tell anyone that I was leaving except Dorothy. I didn't feel like anybody else should know. Everyone was giving me smiles and I knew why. They all knew. They knew about the marriage.
Shaking my head slightly I went to my car. Once inside, I broke down completely. I clutched the bag and crushed it, as if thinking that'll stop the pain, the pain I was feeling right now. I shook as I cried my heart out.
After sometime, I wiped my tears and started the engine which purred in response.
Somehow dialing a number with my left hand , I pressed the phone between my shoulder and head as I drove.
" Hey babe", came the voice.
"Are you home? "
" Yes why? "
" I just - just really need someone to talk right now. Is it okay if I come? "
" Ashley, don't be so formal with me. Of course you're welcome here. "
" Okay. I'll be there soon. "
*******
I pulled up in front of her driveway. Unlike most, her house was small and cute. It had a homely feeling to it.
I rang the bell and it opened immediately as if she knew I had come.
" Hey Mira! "
She engulfed me in a hug, " Hey my cute little munch-"
" Not that name please. " , I muffled in her sweater.
"Okay, okay. ", she gave a laugh as we sat on the sofa.
" So? What's up? And don't tell ceiling. "
" I'm getting married Mira. "
" Ashley, you do realise that you're already engaged, don't you? "
" It's not that Mira, ", I closed my eyes with my hands, " it's in two weeks. "
"Oh well, no ki- wait, what?! Two what? "
I gave her a look which said 'I know right now please save me'.
" You've got to be kidding me! "
" I wish I was indeed. "
" Oh my god, how will I ever be able to do all the necessities? From make up, to hairdo, to the gowns, to the pl-"
" Miranda! Is that what you're worried about?! How you're going to do make up and hairdo and shit? I'm getting married here, life time commitment ", I whined the last bit.
"Oh babe, don't you worry. I've got you under my wings. With my special magic of make up and hairdo, you'll look like a prin-"
" Miranda, enough already!" ,I shouted.
She began laughing hysterically and I was worried that she'd fall off the sofa laughing.
" I'm - I'm so-so s-sor-sorry " ,she said in between laughs.
"Really? This is how you treat your best friend when she's miserable? "
" I'm not gonna lie, but I kinda knew about it. "
" What?! You-you knew? ", I was shocked.
"Yeah. I heard Theo talking on the phone yesterday about it. "
" Wait I thought that you and Theo didn't get along. "
" Well, he was in the cafe last day and, well, I just heard him then. "
" Why didn't you tell me then?! "
" Cause you haven't talked with me ever since you came back from your trip. "
I sighed. Yeah it was kind of true. After the trip, I became so busy, I barely could make out time for Miranda.
" I'm sorry, Mira. "
"You don't have you say sorry, silly. Come here. "
We hugged again and a small yawn escaped my mouth.
" Stay here for the night. It's been long since we've had a sleepover. And you seem tired as well."
I nodded whilst closing my eyes and felt sleep take over my thinking capacities. Two brown orbs looked deep into my soul and I felt at peace.