Starting Over

Six

Angst. 

Original chapter published in Short Stories.

*****

The tension in the air became palpable, suffocating them the moment Tahani entered the room, realizing what transpired between them. Her tone was in pure disbelief, and she was demanding an answer right at that moment – for the sake of her sanity. Her question was followed by silence then, long enough that the absence of sound aside from the shaky tension she held in her chest was ringing in their ears.

She watched as Sean casted his gaze down, squeezing her best friend's hands still in his grasp and gently rubbing her knuckles with his thumbs, probably contemplating on what to do. Tahani knew she interrupted in a very crucial moment, but he had to go, because she didn't want her best friend do anything again out of her emotions.

Sean looked up to meet Kaycee's dull eyes, and they exchanged unspoken words through their gazes before he stood up, giving her a sad smile and a gentle brush on her cheek. He sighed as he picked up his discarded shirt on the floor and faced Tahani.

"Tahani, if we could talk –"

"I'm not talking to you," Tahani said coldly, cutting him in midsentence and not even sparing him a glance. Her jaw tightened with suppressed emotions she could almost feel her muscle tick. "You can leave, Sean."

He could only let out a defeated sigh as he nodded once dejectedly. He turned again to Kaycee who remained in her position, eyes empty as ever. His chest tightened as he watched her for a moment, desperate to make all these right. Kneeling right in front of her again, he gently lifted her face to meet her eyes.

"I'll check up on you. I'll call you, I'll send someone for you just to know how you are, anything," he breathed. "Please don't turn me away again.

"I'm here, Kayc. I'm not leaving anymore. I am fighting for you. For us. If you...if you want me to," he whispered, as he caressed the skin under her eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."

Her eyes never met his, but he couldn't mistake the color that passed by her irises, which was now glossing with withheld emotions. He wanted to take her in his arms, wanted to let her know that he won't let her go again, if she allows him to. But he held back. With a breath he stood up, gave Tahani a solemn nod before exiting the room.

The air had tangibly shifted as Tahani was now left with her best friend alone. For a moment, there was a long pregnant pause between them, probably waiting for the other to break the ice. Sighing, the petite woman moved over in front of Kaycee, leaning against the window sill, folding her arms across her chest. Even then, she didn't say anything; this only served as Kaycee's wake-up call from her stupor and the woman turned to grab the sweater clumsily thrown on the floor and pulling it over her body.

"How long has this been going on?" Tahani finally asked, her voice quiet, as she watched Kaycee move around her room picking discarded clothes and putting it on, but not bothering to answer her.

But something tells Tahani that she exactly know when all this started, feeling the suspicion swirl in her gut. She bit the inside of her cheek, thinking, and stopping from saying anything stupid at the moment. She silently processed her thoughts, choosing her words carefully. She was overwhelmed right now, and she was aware that she would tip over if she wasn't careful.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she finally asked, stating the obvious that she somehow knew.

Kaycee's back was on her, and Tahani watched as she visibly stiffen for a second before facing her but not meeting her eyes. "What for? I know what you're going to say," she shrugged.