The Love We Lost Twice

Tabitha

Raised voices arguing jerked me awake. I tried to ignore it but the thud of someone falling pulled me fully out of my sleepiness.

The sound of crying grew louder as soon as I got out of my room. I didn’t need to go downstairs; my parents were at it again.

Why was I amazed? It was our house's morning ritual? My mother found out about his escapades and tried to confront him about them.

“That son of a b*tch.” I cursed silently.

My anger blazed out at my mom’s helplessness. I bowed my head in defeat, knowing fully well my mom won’t be happy if I intervene, and I definitely would get some beating together with her if I did at all.

I sighed in defeat, returning to my room, desperately trying to shut out the sound that refused to leave my head. I wept silently, covering my head with a pillow so as not to wake my sister, Alexa.

There was a promise I made to myself a very long time ago: I would rather die single or as a divorcee than date or marry a cheating partner.

I sniffed as my pillow was lifted from my head. Alexa gave a questioning look, but her face soon fell when realisation dawned on her; a similar knowledge of what’s going on passed between us.

“Let’s prepare for school.” She whispered. She was the strongest and most carefree one, trying to keep all emotions at bay.

“Okay,” I replied sadly with a nod, wiping my tears and trying to act like the older sister I was. I was an adult after all.

This is a ritual that goes on in our family of four; my joy knew no bounds after I got a scholarship to a prestigious school. I had desperately wanted to leave this shithole, but the thought of leaving Alexa alone was terrifying.

“What?” she asked, furrowing her brow.

“Nothing.” I replied with a forced smile.

“Your eyes were fixed on me.” She said playfully.

“You haven’t turned gay, have you?” She asked, laughing.

“It’s not funny. Stop being a rebel, and work harder.” I said, frustrated, as I headed for the door.

She jumped on me as I opened the door, hugging me from the back. “Don’t worry about me.” She whispered, leaving me at the doorstep.

I chuckled as she hopped downstairs pretending nothing had happened, but I couldn’t help but feel she was hurting the most. She was just a teenager.

I took a deep breath, calming my throbbing heart as I got down from the last stairs. There he was, shamelessly eating what she made without a sense of remorse. My muscles tensed as I clenched my palm into a fist with my eyes burning through his skull.

Mom smiled sadly at me when she noticed me. My heart clung. “Come and have breakfast so you won’t be late.” She said, dragging me to the table.

My spoon played around the plate as my eyes kept moving from one person to another. They were all acting as if nothing had happened. I love my mother, but I hate her life. She had to endure everything, and for what reason? Marriage. I would rather lose it all. I tried to fight back my tears as I finally scooped some rice into my mouth.

"I will leave first.” I said, leaving the table, leaving no room for any objections.

I took a deep breath as I stepped into the college gate. The luxurious view alone told me I don’t belong here, but a lot of discipline and hard work have brought me here, and I’m going to see it through.

“Gosh,” I muttered in fear as I swiped out of the way of a car that would have run me over.“Watch where you are going,” I shouted.

The lady who came out of the car, looking at me in disgust, without saying a word, turned and left.

“She should at least apologise,” I thought, taking in a deep breath as I continued walking. I needed to find my department to make a registration of the classes I was to take.

“Hey, hi,” I said to a bystander, and he gave me a complete look from head to toe.

“Can you show me to the management department?” I asked, and he pointed in a direction and told me to use the stairs.

I did, and I was hurrying up the stairs, skimming through my phone. I suddenly collided with a tall figure coming down the stairs. The impact caused me to lose my balance, and I began to tumble backwards. I shut my eyes tightly, expecting a painful fall, but a hand grabbed my arm, steadying me before I could fall.

And instead of me, something tumbled down the stairs, clattering until it came to a stop. I opened my eyes slightly and met his. I felt a jolt of electricity; the world seemed to pause. My breath caught in my throat as I took in his handsome features. He was tall and broad-shouldered; his features looked almost unreal: his dark hair, strong jaw, and intense blue eyes that seemed to pull me in…

A beep from my phone snapped me out of it. I took a step back to create a distance between us and smoothed down my rumpled skirt while he bent to retrieve what fell.

What was that?

I cleared my throat loudly after I found my voice. "I...I'm so sorry; I didn't see you there.

"No, no, it's my fault," he replied quickly. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, offering him a small, slightly flustered smile. "Yes, thanks to you." I paused, then added, "the..."

My eyes widened as I looked at what he picked up, a shattered phone, which was the latest iPhone 16; a year's salary at my part-time job can't buy that.

"I'm so sorry about the phone..."

He glanced down at the device in his hand. "Oh, right. It's fine, just a little scuffed." He slipped it into his pocket, his gaze meeting mine once more, and I looked away, clearing my throat awkwardly.

“Hold on.” He said, suddenly bending down.

“What are…” I trailed off seeing him tying my shoelace. I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

“This is so embarrassing,” I whispered, covering my face.

“You are good to go.” He said, standing up, smiling up at me.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry,” I said as quickly as I could, trying to walk away, embarrassed.

“Where are you going, if I may ask?” His voice came from behind, halting my steps.

“Management department.”

“Just take your right when you get up. See you around.” He said and smiled, giving me a small wave.

“Such a gentleman.” I thought and smiled as I turned back to take a peek at his retreating figure. I couldn't help but smile as I found the office. I don’t know why, but whatever happened with him somehow brightened my day.

“Good morning, Ma'am, I’m Terrance Tabitha,” I said to the department head as she bade me in.

“I guess you had a good morning. Have a seat.” She looked at me suspiciously, trying to think of something I have no idea of. I did the course registration, and she gave me a map of the school. She was about to dismiss me when her phone beeped.

“Mr Tris…” She coughed silently. “I would send someone; he would show you around if you are interested.” She said and smiled, a bit awkwardly. “There’s a lecture starting in ten minutes. I need you to be there. Welcome to Royals.”

“Thanks, ma'am.” I bowed slightly.I counted my steps down the stairs, ignoring whatever she tried to say before she changed it abruptly, and studying the map when I noticed a ring.

“This looks very expensive.” I thought about assessing the ring. I looked back to see if anyone was coming or had just left; he was the only one I met here, so I would just ask if it belonged to him. I thought as I stuffed it into my pocket, making my way into the lecture theatre.

I sat at the back to avoid stares and brought out a note and my phone to check the class information.

A message from Mom popped up on my screen, and I clicked on it. “I’m sorry for this morning.” I sighed as I dropped the phone on my desk when the professor came in.

Mom is having it really rough. I wish I could help her, but what I can think of is that the safest thing for her is divorce, and I doubt…

“Hey,” a voice called beside me, making me jolt out of my thoughts.

“Hey,” I replied as I looked up at the person.

It’s him.

“I didn’t catch your name the other time.” He said, whispering.

“Tabitha.”

“I’m Tristan.” He said.

I gave an obvious fake smile to tell him I wasn't interested as I focused on the lecture. After the lecture, I packed my things to leave, but he held my hand to stop me. I felt a shock as I looked at him.

“I could show you around.” He was smiling.

My father's smiley face suddenly came into my head. He was probably smiling when he first introduced himself to Mom.

“I have a map,” I said, shutting him down.

“Ohh…” He looked disappointed. “And if I insist?”

I looked up at him and regretted it immediately; my heart sort of fluttered, making me avert my gaze quickly.

“I have a map,” I repeated with a sigh.

“It might not be easy to find your way around, though.”

“And what are you? An escort?” I said, trying to sound disgusted.

“Maybe someone who cares.” He whispered, keeping his gaze on me.

Okay, now I'm disgusted for real.

I looked up at him. “I guess you were one of those… ‘School heartthrob’, try to grow up; this isn’t high school,” I said, laying my emphasis on ‘heartthrob’.

“Are you indirectly saying I'm handsome?” He said, pretending to look surprised.

I sighed when I realised the implication of what I said.

“Whatever you are trying to do, I'm not interested. Thank you. Now if you would please leave the way.” I said, trying to smile.

“You look pretty; try to smile more.” He said, taking a step back to make way for me.

I was so irritated that I bumped into him and made my way through when I suddenly remembered the ring. “Ohh.”I brought out the ring and turned back to him. “Is this yours?”

“I picked it up from the stairs.” I added quickly to avert any accusation of theft.

He wanted to say something, but seeing the ring, he looked shocked, and his gaze instinctively went to his fingers and his hands to his pocket before returning back to me.

“Thank you.” He said, trying to take it from me.

“I asked if it was yours,” I said and withdrew my hand.

“Yes.” He whispered.

His carefree self suddenly became distant as he took it from me and tried to smile.

“Thank you.” He said again, walking away with his hands in his pocket.

“What’s with him?” I thought as I looked at him as he left.

“Do you know him?” A voice came from behind, scaring the life out of me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before turning back.

The intruder's eyes were locked on him. “He keeps a low profile, but I think he is loaded; someone saw him walking casually into the Rector's office. Can you imagine?” She said, staring admiringly at him as he left.

Was it for his feature or assumed money? I thought as I shook my head.

“About that ring, I guess that's his way of keeping girls away from him. I'm surprised he approached someone like you.” She said, finally turning her gaze towards me.

I snorted, ignoring her as I left, but her words kept playing in my head even if I tried to convince myself it's none of my business.

Tabitha

A glass-shattering sound jerked me awake, bringing me out from my evening slumber.

Alexa cursed silently as we both ran out of the room to see our parents.

Dad had just broken a vase Mom brought home. He walked away furiously as soon as he saw us.

I watched him go as he slammed the house door. I let out a deep breath I had no idea I was holding.

"Mom, are you alright?" Alexa asked, her brow furrowed with concern as she gently placed a hand on Mom's arm. She looked up at me before trying to come out of her shocked state.

"Yes, I'm fine," Mom replied, her voice shaking slightly as she forced a weak smile. Tears shimmered in the corners of her eyes as she gently found herself a seat and sat down.

I stood there looking at the door he just walked out of and thinking about nothing in particular. Alexa hurried to retrieve a broom, swept up the shattered glass and came back t