Emma’s POV
“ How did that happen? Why didn’t you inform me? “ Noah asks, completely shaken by the shocking piece of information.
“ I did Noah. But you were way too busy with your lifestyle and with that wretched fiancé of yours. I tried reaching out to you but Sophia told us clear-cut that you wanted nothing to do with us and whether we live or die it is none of your concern. Then tell me, how was I supposed to reach out to you after hearing that? “ The woman laments.
“ I..she didn’t tell me about this mom or else I would have come. “ Noah tries to explain but at this point whatever he says wouldn’t matter. It’s too late now.
“ Does it matter now Noah? Everything has been done, your father is buried six feet under the ground. You didn’t visit him when he was alive, the least you can do is visit him when he is dead. “ She whispers, wiping a lone tear. The emotions bubbling up.
“ Mom… “ Noah speaks, trying to touch his mother for some sort of comfort. But she backs away, flinching in the process.
“ Go. “ She orders, looking away not wanting to embrace Noah.
Noah nods gloomily before he heads off to the cemetery.
A heavy silence stretches between us before I decide to break it.
“You’re his mother. “ I point out, bringing up the denial earlier.
“ He was my husband. “ She states, with an icy tone.
“ Your all he has. You can’t reject him like that. He needs you. “ I argue, not wanting to back off.
“ I needed him too and he wasn’t there. It’s too late now, you can’ mend broken ties that easily. “ She says, before closing the door on me.
“ Listen to me. He isn’t alright. He neglected his own parents for a person like Sophia and that is wrong but what you are doing to him isn’t right either. He broke up with that girl, the first person he wanted me to meet was you after we got together. That shows his love for you. He’s your son, don’t do this to him. “ I shout, banging at the door frantically.
This isn’t good! He has way too many problems on his head, he shouldn’t have to deal with this now!
“ I do not care about him, whether he lives or dies is none of my concern. He’s dead to me! “ The woman shouts, behind the door. Still not ready to face me.
Just then, Noah arrives, hearing those awful words.
“ You know what? You are a lousy parent who could never understand their child. You don’t deserve him. Have fun losing him and spending the rest of your miserable life all alone. “ I scream, getting furious by the women’s lack of emotions for his own son.
“ Let’s go. “ Noah replies, his voice a low murmur.
Pain and sorrow are evident on his face.
He dejectedly walks towards his car. We sit in, and the car soon drives away from his parent’s house.
“ Are you okay? “ I whisper.
“ No. I…my dad is dead Emma and I just came to know that now. My mom doesn’t want to accept me. All I am left with is enormous guilt. I wish I could have been a better son. “ He expresses his feelings to me, opening up to me.
“ Noah none of that was your fault. The only thing wrong you did was to trust Sophia and you’re still paying a price for that. What’s done is done, you can’t change the past? “ I state.
“ But I can’t forget it either…I couldn’t even say my last words to him, Emma. “ He whispers, finally breaking down.
His shallow sobs fill the car with a steady noise of weeping.
“ Hey, park the car. You can’t drive. “ I state because the car was going sideways as he couldn’t concentrate on the road due to the sudden burst of emotions.
He stops the car and I get out to soothe him. I hug him warmly and try to assure him.
“ I might have all the money in the world but I feel so fucking lonely and life seems pointless to me now. “ He states, still mourning.
“ What do you mean by that? You’ll always have me with you Noah and no matter what happens I will always love you. “ I state with surety, my words more than just random phrases of assurance.
“ I mean it. Don’t be sad over someone who didn’t think twice before breaking your heart. She doesn’t deserve your tears. “
I take a tissue and wipe his tears. After he feels a little better we start driving back.
We reach his mansion soon. There I take Tim with me so I can head back to my house.
“ Em, I don’t want to leave. Aunt Hilda made chicken nuggets for me. “ He says pouting, pointing towards the maid.
“ Why don’t you stay for dinner? “ Noah, asks politely. Just coming out of the shower, wiping his wet hair with a towel, looking awfully cute.
“ Sure. “ I reply.
Noah takes me to his huge and extravagant dining table. There are multiple chairs. I look around to see that room is quite spacious, decorated with the finest of decorations. A vast chandelier hangs on the top, changing its lights every more and then.
It must feel quite lonely, to dine here all alone. Even now, there are only three of us.
The maids start putting the food. First, they serve us appetizers and I see a variety of dishes of different cultures.
There is spicy coleslaw, grilled sweet corn salsa, tortilla chips, jalapeno poppers, and shrimp dumplings.
Tim impatiently stares at the dining table for his chicken nuggets, soon they arrive.
For the main course, the maids serve lasagna, spaghetti, Korean beef stew, and bibimbap, and a chicken Sajji.
Half of those names, I didn’t even know but Noah informed me of them. He is used to eating such fancy cuisines. I wonder how he ate the simple meals I made without a sound.
Me and Tim, both hopefully wait for the desserts. Since the food was so good, so the dessert will be too but Noah breaks my heart by telling me there is no dessert.
“ Whyyy? “ Tim and I both whine at that.
“ I usually avoid sugar if I knew you were such big fans I would have ordered them to make it. “ Noah says in a defensive tone.
Tim then gets a snicker bar out from his pocket.
“ What’s that? “ Noah asks curiously.
“ A chocolate. “ Tim answers breaking it in two.
He gives one part of it to me and eats the other.
“ I’ve rarely had those. “ He comments.
“ Can I see yours? “ He asks, I give the piece to him.
He first smells it and then eats it. Right in front of my very own two eyes.
“ Why’d you do that?? “ I scream.
“ What? Stop whining Emma. You’re not a child. “ He says absentmindedly.
“ Are you really rich? The first time, you stole Tim’s cupcake and this time it’s my chocolate!” I joke.
“ No, I’m actually poor, just pretending to be rich. The company, the mansion, my cars, and my wealth all appeared one day and I suddenly became rich. “ He jokes half-heartedly.
“ Maybe if I was poor, I wouldn’t have these many problems. I wouldn’t have met Sophia and then things would have been fine. “ He whispers to himself but I hear it.
“ Every state has its own sorrows, Noah. Life isn’t fair. It’s easy for some while difficult for others. You can complain and whine but that wouldn’t change a thing. What you have are the present and the future. And this present will decide your future, whether you’ll be in a state of you’re bliss tomorrow or absolute grief. So make the most out of this present because that’s all we have. “ I explain, not knowing where this philosophy actually came from.
But it’s wrong for him to think that if he were poor he wouldn’t have any problems. Just like it’s wrong for me to think if I were rich I wouldn’t have issues.
Everyone’s got issues, the aptitude of those issues differ though and that’s what’s unfair. But everyone has got them. No matter what state they are in, or what skin they are in.
Someone so pretty can look in the mirror and cry for being pretty while someone deemed ugly can look in the mirror and weep for being ugly. That’s not being ungrateful, that’s just life fucking us all, but in different ways.
“ It’s getting late. “ I state, breaking the thick silence.
“ It is. You should stay here. “ He says.
“ No, it’s alright. “ I say.
“ Emma I really Need you to stay with me for the night. “ He whispers, holding my hand gently.
Realizing that he fears loneliness, I agree.
I spend the night with Noah in his bedroom. He doesn’t do anything, but hold me tight throughout the night, scared to be lonely.
-Do we need somebody
Just to feel like we’re alright?
Song: Scared to be lonely by Dua Lipa and Martin Garrix.