Chapter 10
1006words
I heard him sigh heavily.
"Okay. I guess I'll have to understand."
"Thank you."
"It's alright. I have some document to get from TUOIFA. This night. I'll take the opportunity to see you."
"Um, no you can't."
"I'm not asking you. I'm just telling you."
Oh, that reply took my by surprise. He was straightforward.
"I'll be tired, Shane."
"You'll be fine. Catch you later." he hung up before I could reply.
Shane had that type of courage that intimidated me.
***
That night, I went to stroll on campus. I needed fresh air. I needed space. While I strolled about, I saw Shane come out of the school building at a distance. I quickly hid behind a tree. It was ridiculous, yes, but I just needed to be alone. I watched him get on his superb race bike and start it. I gulped. He put on his helmet.
"Wait! SHANE!" I came out of my hiding place, yelling. Why the hell did I do that?
'I guess I really need to talk after all.'
He didn't hear me.
"SHANE! SHANE!" I called again.
He stopped his bike, took off his helmet and looked around. I walked up to him from behind.
"Hi." I said slowly.
He turned to me, clearly surprised and then got off his bike.
"Hey. What are you doing out here alone? And at this time?" It was eleven PM. I was clearly alone and loitering on campus in the dark.
"I needed air."
He stared at me.
"I went looking for you but couldn't find you. Plus, I don't know your room number and your phone is off and so I couldn't get you."
I was silent and just stared sadly at him.
"Shayenne, you've got swollen eyes. What's wrong?"
Unable to control myself, I burst into tears. Shane was shocked.
"Hey, Shayenne what's wrong?" he grabbed me immediately. I was sobbing now. I needed to talk to someone. Not Keisha. I needed to talk to someone who didn't know my situation. I needed foreign comfort. I was depressed.
"Shayenne, please speak to me. What is it?" he hugged me. I felt better. A little bit.
"Shane?"
"Yes?"
"Please take me away from here."
"What?"
"Lets go anywhere from here. I'm tired. I've had enough. I need to talk." I felt furious all of a sudden.
"Okay." he replied before getting on his bike "Get on."
I didn't have to think twice. I got on the bike behind him.
"You good, honey?"
"Yeah..." I wiped my tears.
"Hold on to me."
Slowly, I leaned ahead and wrapped my arms around him till my cheek touched his back. Then, he started the bike and we drove off. I hadn't gotten the time to know Shane more but I felt I could talk to him.
**
We drove through the lighted city of New York. It was late and I was on a race bike with a hottie that wasn't my fiancé, but I didn't care one bit. I was almost drowsy because Shane's perfume seemed to be hypnotizing me. I felt us slow down till we stopped.
"We're here." his cool voice made me open my eyes. We'd parked at the side of a deserted street. On one side were trees and on the other side, I saw a beach right down from where we were standing. It had a great view. Shane secured his bike and then came to me.
"Let's go."
he held my hand and we carefully went down the little hill that led to the beach. There was silence everywhere apart from the waves of the water that were being moved a little by the breeze.
There was enough moonlight that night and it reflected in the water. I rubbed my arms beginning to feel cold, as I and Shane sat in the sand. Normal, I had on a light T-shirt and tiny shorts. I'd not planned to go out.
***
"You're feeling cold?" Shane asked me.
"Yeah."
I watched him take off his jacket and cover me with it. Now I was going to have that sweet perfume all over me.
"Thanks." I looked at him and realized that his grey eyes were glassy with a beautiful reflection from the moonlight. He was handsome. I normally didn't appreciate guys with piercings but this particular one on his brow made him even more attractive.
"No problem. Shayenne, please tell me what's wrong."
I felt my eyes prickle but I blinked away the tears.
"It's Josh."
"What did he do?"
I took in a deep breath and told him everything about Josh. From when I was living with him to when he broke our engagement the last week. Shane had been silent the whole time till I finished.
"So that's–" I cleared my throat, trying not to sob again, "That's why I've been like this."
"And your parents really approved your engagement to such a man?"
"I've always been under rules, Shane. It's by grace that I was allowed to come to New York."
I was so angry. I told him about Keisha always trying to help me socialize more. Shane clearly pitied me.
"Has he ever raised a hand against you?" he asked.
"No. When he wanted to, I'd end up being saved by a thing or two."
Shane stared at me and I saw his jaw clench. He was angry.
"I can't believe this. How's this possible? And you still love him?"
"Y– yes. I'm trying to destroy that love, Shane. I'm trying. I hate him, but love him."
"Why?"
"What do you want me to do? He's the only guy I've been allowed to know. The only guy I've ever dated. I was forced to love him."
Shane angrily stood up. He clearly hated what I was going through. I was always being pitied as usual.
"A young woman already destroyed. Just like that. This is madness."
I just kept on sobbing. He approached me and made me stand too.
