Chapter Nine

Traven's POV

I wrapped my arm around Ellen's waist, held the back of her head, tight, with the help of the hand of my other arm, and forced a hard kiss on her lips. 

I could tell that she was completely shocked, but melted into the sensation. 

I didn't want to break the kiss at that moment. It felt so good. 

I shut my eyes for a while, and, opened it. My eyes met with Rana's, across the road. It was really shocking. What was she doing there?

Her eyes expressed a painful astonishment. I could feel my heart sink to my feet.

None of my girlfriends, ever caught me cheating. Why Rana?!

Tears rolled down her cheeks and her eyes became, instantly red. She shook her head, sobbing. Her entire body was vibrating.

I didn't realise that I hadn't broken the kiss until she turned, and ran away with a very great speed.

I immediately broke the kiss, breathing heavily. 

"What's wrong?" Ellen shot me a confused look.

"I'll be back. I'm sorry. I'll call you later. Bye." I gasped.

"Max?" She arched her eyebrow, heaved a sigh. "Okay." She said slowly. I knew she was discombobulated. 

I routed to the direction, Rana went through. I hoped nothing went wrong. I didn't want her to have an accident, or, do anything, because of me. I didn't want our relationship to end, either.

I looked around, but, there was no sign of Rana. I stopped running, to catch my breath. 

I didn't know her home address but I could track her. I placed my hand on my forehead, placed the other on my hip, panting.

She was nowhere to be found.

I looked at my left and noticed someone, about Rana's size, running, and wearing the same cloth she was wearing. It was definitely her. I ran towards her, faster than I could ever imagine.

Fortunately, I reached where she was, and forcefully clutched her wrist, which caused her to gasp.

Luckily, it was Rana. I heaved a sigh, gave her a weak smile.

She furrowed her brows in pain. She was infuriated. Her eyes were tears-filled, it made my heart hurt.

"Leave me alone!" She hollered at me.

"Rana. I... I... I can... I can..." I stuttered.

"You can what?" She said in anguish.

"I can explain." I heaved a sigh.

"Explain what?" She sobbed, wiped tears from her cheeks, repeatedly.

"I didn't do anything." I said.

"Oh! So, my eyes are deceiving me now." She laughed, sarcastically. "I might be in love but I am not stupid, Traven." She sniffed.

"Rana I-" 

"Enough." She interrupted. "I don't want to hear anymore lies. How could you?" She scrunched her face in gruesome.

"I'm sorry. I didn't kiss her." I unexpectedly yelled. I sighed, placed my hands on her shoulders. "She kissed me." 

"What difference does it make? You still cheated. 

"Rana. It wasn't intentional. Please, believe me. I really love you with my whole life." I assured.

"Those peeking doubts were actually true." She gave me a weak smile then muttered slowly, "I shouldn't have trusted you." She moved backwards slowly, then turned, and started running.

I didn't bother to stop her. I knew what she said was true but I couldn't let her go. 

I watched her leave in pain, disquietude.

*** 

Rana's POV

I wasn't able to forget it. I couldn't believe it.

I had locked myself up in my cabin for the past two weeks. 

Ellen looked for me, and forcefully brought me home. 

I was too ashamed to show my ugly self to the world. The ugliness of being blinded by love.

I heard a knock on my bedroom door.

"Please don't come in." I blew my nose unto a tissue, threw the tissue into the trash can with a pile of used tissues in it.

"Open it, or, I'll break in." Ellen hollered from the other side of the door.

I howled in distress. I felt weak.

There was a plunk of the door on the wall. I knew she was going to break it open.

"Go away." I clutched a pillow to my chest.

"Traven is here." She stated abruptly.

My eyes grew wider, I jumped off the bed, and ran downstairs. Ellen followed after me.

"Where's Traven?" I frowned when I got to the living room to see nobody. 

"You need to move on or talk to someone about this." Ellen held my shoulders to make me sit on the couch. "Now, what happened with Traven?" She uninterestedly rolled her eyes.

I sniffed. "Traven cheated on me."

"I know." She nodded. "How?" She asked, less uninterested.

"I caught him kissing a woman or lady. I couldn't see her face." I sobbed.

"Are you sure? There could be another side to the story." She heaved a sigh. "Did you talk to him about it?" 

"Yes. He said she kissed him. What difference does it make Ellen?" I howled.

"It's possible. Just listen to what he has to say. Two parts of a story, matters." She smiled.

***

My phone buzzed in my pant pocket.

I noticed the caller's ID, and it was Traven.

I reluctantly answered it.

"Hello Rana. I'm so glad you answered it." He said.

"Why? I guess that's what you say to all the other girls." I rolled my eyes.

"Rana please." He sighed. "I know you're hurt and you're failing to concede the truth."

"I don't believe it. You could have avoided the kiss but you swept into the flavor, right?" I smiled hysterically. "I Ber she was a good kisser, better than me."

"Please trust me. You don't want to agree because you've been having doubts about this relationship." 

"How do you expect me to believe you?" I yelled. "Don't ever call me again. It's over, Traven." Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I cut the call, threw my phone to the bed.

I threw myself to lie prone on my bed. I couldn't believe that I broke up with Traven. It's over? 

I blew my nose into a tissue, threw it into the overfull trash can. 

"Why did you do it?" Ellen said lowly, which caused me to flinch.

I rolled to look at her. She rested on the door frame, her arms, folded across her chest.

She shook her head. "You'll rue your decision. I bet it." She walked into the room to sit on my dressing chair.

"I can't take it." I sobbed.

She heaved a sigh. "You're being too dramatic. Listen to what he has to say. Please." 

She walked to the door. "When he calls next, listen to him. I know he truly loves you. He would have stopped calling you if he didn't." She said, and left the room.

"You have a voice message." A woman's voice said, from my phone, my phone operator. 

I picked my phone up. It was from Traven, and I knew it.

I listened to it, "Rana. I know you're apoplectic right now, and you don't want to see me, that's why you erroneously broke up with me. I'm not leaving you. You're my life and the secret of my happiness. I love you. I can't leave you." 

I sniffed, "You are my joy. You just have to believe me. You can't run away from me. I know you love me as much as I do. Please call me. Please." The voice message ended.

I broke into tears. "I love you too, Traven." 

I went to my phonebook, and searched Traven's phone number.

I reluctantly called him, and immediately, regretted it. 

I tried to end the call, but, he answered it.

"Rana. I'm so glad you called." He said, and, I could sense him beam gloriously.

I resisted the urge to say 'I love you too'. I held my breath in pain.

"Rana? Are you there?" He asked.

"Traven." I managed to say.

"I'm sorry love." 

"Don't talk to me." I forced a breathe. "You're a liar. Why? Why did you do that to me?" I couldn't imagine that it wasn't true. I saw it with my eyes. Seeing is believing, right?

He sighed. "I'm coming over." 

"What? No way!" I said, louder than expected. "You don't even know where I live."

"I'm not a child. I tracked your home. I'm coming over." He cut the call, before I could say anything else.

If he came over, Ellen could change and beat him or do something crazy. I didn't want to see him.