"Nikka," Marcus said as he opened the door. He couldn't seem to do anything but stare at her.
'Is this real?' he doubted in his mind as he froze by the door.
Nikka stared back at him for a moment. Her eyes full of longing that he wanted to just grab and hug her, tell her how much he missed her. But he had to stop himself as she gave him a cold look almost immediately.
"Marcus," she said, rather coldly. "Long time no see. Aren't you going to let me in?"
"Y-yes of course," he stuttered. "Come in."
Walking inside his apartment, she set her purse on top of the black loveseat. Her eyes roamed around on every detail, classifying each item there is.
Black painted walls... abstract paintings... plain wooden floors... most of the furniture were changed...
Especially the couch.
She frowned and stared at him with detestful eyes.
"You made a few changes," she observed. "This is not how I remembered it."
"Yes," he replied, suddenly remembering the blue couch he had where they used to sit together watching their favorite horror movies. "I need to make a few changes."
'To forget', he almost added. 'So many memories', and he tried to stop himself from lingering on that thought.
"It looks plain and dark," she criticized. Then shrugging her shoulders and raising her eyebrow, she added, "But what do I care. It's your apartment. You can design it however you like."
He sighed.
Marcus could feel the irritation in her voice. She was still mad at him and he couldn't blame her. He left her heart so wounded, she probably would never forgive him at all.
He wasn't there when she needed him the most, leaving her all bruised up even more.
How he wished he tried to help her to get away from that situation.... but she didn't let him. She took him out of her life completely and he hated himself somehow for not even trying.. for believing she was fine without him....
But this time he would make sure he would be there no matter what.
He walked towards her and laced his fingers with hers. The simple gesture made her flinched. He could tell he still had an impact on her.
Nikka lifted her eyes from their hands and met his gaze. Marcus brought their intertwined hands towards his lips, not letting his eyes off her.
He needed to let her know how he felt. How he missed her so much that his whole body ached for her.
"I missed you," he whispered, his eyes full of emotions.
He could see her eyes questioning, longing for answers, and he wanted them to go away....
To make him feel secure again just like she used to be three years ago before that incident.
So, he cupped her face in his hands, his eyes filling every detail of her face, and settled on her small lips. Oh how he missed kissing those small red lips!
His head slowly bent towards her as she closed her eyes and parted her lips. But as his lips were about to touch hers, he felt a hand on his cheek.
"How dare you?!" she raged. "You think you can just go back into my life after vanishing for three years! THREE DAMN YEARS, MARCUS! And you thought I would just fall in your arms just like all of your other escapades! And then what, drop me like a hot potato after you used me?! Not again. Not this time, buddy! No more."
Nikka strode quickly and took her purse from the loveseat. She walked away from him, desperate to leave. Marcus, on the other hand, was tied to the ground, shocked by the sudden change of emotion between them. He held the cheek her hand left a mark on.
'What just happened, he thought, suddenly confused. He was a fool to believe this was going to be easy.
He saw her go towards the door. So he ran towards it, blocking the door, and stopped her from opening it.
"Please, just listen to me first, Nikka," he begged. "I need you to stay for awhile. I will explain everything."
"Let me out, Marcus! I don't want to hear whatever you want to say. I am not some kid you can fool again. So let me out!" she yelled, her eyes full of anger.
"Please, Nikka. Just hear me out."
"I don't care. It's a mistake coming here. You're doing it again. Not anymore! I'm done with you," and she tried to shove him away from the door but he grabbed her hand and she saw the fear in her eyes in that little gesture. He didn't mean to frighten her but he needed to stop her from going. He loosened his grip, but before he could even speak, her face changed and she stepped on his foot.
"Ouch!" he yelled as he released her arm. He bent over from the pain. "God, Nikka!"
Nikka opened the door, walking away from him and started going to the elevator.
Marcus soon followed her.
"Geez! Is there anyway we can talk as adults? You're acting like a kid."
She turned to him and spat out, "If you acted like a civilized person, I could have stayed and listened to you. But no, you chose to relive that memory! So, I'm done."
"I'm sorry, Nikka. I didn't mean to violate you in anyway. It's just... I missed you," he said, sincerely.
This time, Nikka walked up to him, her eyebrows furrowed, and said, "Miss me? Really? Where were you when I needed you, Marcus?!" Her voice cracked. "Three years... and now you tell me you missed me?! I cannot relive those moments again and get hurt. I have endured so much pain... so much pain... because of you. And I don't want to do it again.." then she started to walk away from him when he just grabbed and embraced her.
Nikka tried to resist but Marcus held her much tighter that she finally collapsed in his arms. All the tears that have been welled up inside her came out and she wept. She hugged him back.
She missed this....
She missed him so much but the pain was too much for her to bear at that time that she needed to get away from him. She shunned him away for so long, thinking it would be better. Thinking it was the best for her... to forget everything they had... every memory. But instead it just made it worse... and now, how she wished all the pain she had endured would just melt like ice..
And just make beautiful memories with him once again...
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I am truly sorry, Nikka. If only I could erase those bad memories to ease that pain you went through, I will."
He released her for a moment. Tears trickled down her cheeks and he wiped it with his fingers.
He cupped her face.
"I promise I will make it up to you. Let's start over again, okay," Marcus whispered and looked into her eyes.
Nikka nodded and said, "Okay.."
And he hugged her once again.