Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Thea’s point of view-

The sky was covered with grey clouds looming over almost everywhere making the surroundings and my mood, both dull. There was another lurking worry in my mind which I was ignoring, at the moment. One of the detectives called me up yesterday, informing me about Michael’s escape from the hospital, which I already knew about because of the notification news on my phone. He had asked me to try and not to travel alone. Even my sisters called me up insisting on coming over and staying with me but I reassured them that Lucy and Tobias are here to look after me.

The detectives also reassured me that they were trying their best to get him back. I looked back at my laptop, noticing that Professor Kiernan was late. Weird! He is never late. I look up at the door, feeling a little tense as the door opens but it wasn’t him. He is a much older person as he informs us that Professor Kiernan won’t be coming today and tomorrow for personal reasons but will be resuming classes from Wednesday.

That made me somewhat relieved as he began the lecture for us and said that will be taking a pop quiz tomorrow. Then after the lecture he took my email so that I can forward today’s notes and revision questions. After all the lectures were done, I decided to wait for Tobias and Lucy in the cafe. Today, the guy who is very friendly and always gives me something for free wasn’t present either. After ordering a pastry and green tea I sat down with my book to study for tomorrow’s quiz. I really want to do well in every upcoming semester and need to prove my Mom wrong. But more than proving her wrong, I want to do well for myself so that I can be independent soon enough and after my graduation I wanna get my MSc in Clinical Psychology and then open my own practice.

She is the only person who hasn’t called or text to check on me even once. Even Professor Kiernan personally emailed me to stay safe. After half an hour I got a text from Tobias that his classes were over for today and he was waiting for me just at the gate. Both of us decided to watch a new horror movie that had been released yesterday but we couldn’t watch it. Unfortunately, Lucy would not be joining us because she had lots of homework to complete.

Thanks to the scary ghosts I was distracted and had lots of fun. We decided to go bowling at the mall. We even played a few games at the arcade and it was so much fun. We clicked pictures and posted it on social media. After taking our packed dinner we took a cab and went home. Tobias decided to have dinner with us before going home.

As I sit down for my late night study session, I am reminded that Kiernan won’t be coming tomorrow as well, because of personal reasons. I hope he is not sick or something. My day today felt surprisingly hollow. I was trying to find him during the lunch period and even while sitting at the cafe, somehow I wanted him to show up. Is this just a simple crush or am I falling for him more and more?

I put my head down on the desk remembering his laugh and how his nose crunches whenever he laughs. The way he looked into my eyes…and the forehead kiss. The way he simply mentioned he is ready to love the parts of me that I don’t love about myself. Hot tears well up in my eyes as reality descends down upon me…I have started liking him.

Pulling myself away from the desk I lay down on my bed crying myself to sleep that night. The impossibility of this all and how much it’s gonna hurt me to keep my feelings to myself but I have to do it anyway. Thinking this, I doze off.

*****

Kiernan is being held hostage by Michael. And he is punching him brutally right in front of a tied up and helpless Thea.

“Say your last goodbye, dearest Thea.” He says, with a maniac laughter.

“Thea…please save me.”

****

The thunder crashes waking me up with a scream as I hear the rain falling down heavily. Lucy walks into my room and helps me calm down. She hands me a glass of water as I gulp it down in one go. After telling her about my dream, exhaustion takes over and Lucy gently helps me lay back down as she hums a soft, sweet lullaby as I drift off once again praying for no nightmares. I miss Kiernan already. I wish he was right next to me.

_______________________

Kiernan’s point of view-

Welcoming them with hugs and how are you? We settled down on the couch. We chatted the whole day exchanging old memories from childhood and college times. Mia was feeling a bit tired after dinner, so she retired to her room, leaving me and Lucian alone as we opened a bottle of red wine.

“So, do you still hate working in the snobbish university of yours?” Lucian asks, taking a sip of his wine.

“Not really. There are some diligent students in my class who changed my mind.” I explained taking a sip of my wine as well.

“Oh really? Some or just one?” He asks, in a teasing manner.

“Let me guess, Kevin said something.” I said and Lucian grins in response.

He keeps the glass on the table, “He might have mentioned a pretty looking student who you couldn’t stop bragging about saying she reminds you of yourself.”

I just roll my eyes in response as he gets up and clasps my shoulder before walking off to the guest room. Walking over to the window, I notice the heavy grey clouds blocking the stars and moonlight. Hopefully, Thea is asleep and safe in her room by now. I also decided to retire to my room and doze off, restlessly.

****

I was sitting in the backseat of the car with my older brother. We were both very young and our parents have decided to take us to a beach to celebrate my birthday because I have been very specific and demanding about it. So almost near midnight and the rain heavily pouring down upon us, my parents decided to go to the beach just to see a smile on my face. I asked them to hurry up and my dad did so but our car swerved in the wrong direction and bumped into another car at high speed, resulting in it falling upside down. I saw my parents' faces covered in blood.

****

I wake up breathing heavily as a few tears fall down my cheeks and I desperately wipe them off. That was how both of us lost our parents and it was only because I was such a spoiled and stubborn kid. I just sat there staring at the heavy rainfall not realising when sleep took over me. I wish Thea was here to help me calm down.