Our JS prom was held at a luxurious resort. Kath helped me get ready, and I wore a simple violet gown. I knew this night was special because I would be dancing with Keivan later.
"Wow, you look fabulous and gorgeous," Ella, one of our classmates, said to me. I just gave her a small smile.
Kath was busy chatting with her other friends and acquaintances, while I kept searching for Keivan. I wanted to see him because I hadn't seen him since I arrived at the venue. I knew he looked dashing tonight. I mean, he's handsome, but I knew he was extra handsome tonight.
"Excuse me," I said, trying to make my way through the crowded venue. Where could he be?
I couldn't spot him anywhere, so I just kept myself busy eating. I was so engrossed in eating that I nearly choked, so I quickly drank water and coughed. I could hear people whispering about my gluttony, but I didn't care. I just wanted to eat.
An hour passed, and the dancing started, but I still couldn't find Keivan. Feeling disheartened, I just sat and watched the others dance.
A few people asked me to dance, but I declined. I didn't want to dance with anyone except Keivan. Where was he? Didn't he say he wanted to dance with me tonight? Why couldn't I see him? I lowered my head, feeling sadness creep in.
I only looked up when I heard the MC speak on stage.
And then I saw Angela. She looked stunning tonight, much prettier than me, and maybe that's why Keivan chose her over me.
"Okay, I'd like to get your attention. Angela, the campus muse, is here with me. She would like to announce something," the MC said, handing the microphone to Angela.
All eyes were on her, and the dancing stopped for a moment.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak in front of you all. I just want to let everyone know that I'm proud to be in a relationship with Keivan," she said, and murmurs erupted in the crowd. Her words felt like they pierced my heart, making my throat dry. I wanted to cry.
"I'd like to give a message to the man I love the most. I'm sorry for my mistakes, but I'm proud to have you in my life. So there's no reason for me to hide our relationship anymore. I love you, my man, Keivan," Angela said, nearly crying tears of joy.
And I was nearly crying in pain, especially when I saw Keivan walk out from backstage and hug Angela. At that moment, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. They flowed freely. All this time, he had been backstage. Why did he make me hope? Why does he keep hurting me? It hurts so much.
I couldn't bear to stay any longer, so I ran out of the venue, hearing the applause and cheers for Angela and Keivan's announcement. They were all happy for them, but I couldn't be. This pain was too much. It felt like the same heartache I felt when Keivan broke up with me before. He always breaks my heart into pieces, and it hurts so much.
I ran and ran, and when I got tired, I sat at a waiting shed far from the venue. I was furious at myself. I was hurting because I couldn't move on. I couldn't forget him because I still loved him, and now, I was paying the price. He was happy while I was left hanging, fooled by his false hopes. It hurts so much. I couldn't stop crying as I sat in the waiting shed, shivering from the cold since it was night.
Suddenly, thunder roared, and heavy rain started to pour. It was freezing, and I hugged myself tightly as I continued to cry. I couldn't help it. Love really is a curse.
"Laine!" A familiar voice called my name, so I looked up.
And there he was, a man I didn't expect to see at this moment—none other than Alzid. He was soaked from the rain, panting as if he had run all the way here. I was stunned. What was he doing here?
"Laine... I'm glad I found you," he said, breathing heavily. It looked like he had really run to get here. Seeing him at that moment made me feel like I had someone to lean on.
I was overwhelmed with so much pain that I suddenly hugged him and cried, sobbing uncontrollably, wailing like a cow being slaughtered. I didn't care if he was soaking wet; I hugged him tightly anyway. He seemed startled by my sudden embrace, and he stood still for a moment, but then he hugged me back, patting my head as if to comfort me.