Epilogue Part 1 - Stinging Heart

One week earlier...
 

      It has been almost four months since both Lucas and Clover have been together and words could not explain how deep they both have fallen for each other and how their relationship had developed. It's the 22nd, the couple decided to head over to a nearby mall where Clover lives for dinner.

" Sweetie.. what do you have in mind? I mean.. since we're heading to the mall, what would you like to eat? Don't tell me you wanna munch on your Taiwanese fried chicken again? " Clover asked, leaning over to Lucas shoulder and then kissing him on the cheek. Lucas paused in thought then grinned at her as he changed his gear and drove up the ramp and into the malls parking lot. 

" Well.. you know how much I love that Taiwanese fried chicken.. " He paused for a moment once more " Right..? " He finished, sticking his tongue out, giggling.

" Alright, alright.. anything for you dear... " Clover sighed then unfastened her seat belt. Staring at her boyfriend's innocent face; and that grin just can't make her say no to anything. All she can do is agree and walk out of the car, crossing over heading toward the door and to the escalator.

" What? I can't have something I love, honey? " He questioned her, once again with that grin. She stared at him then sighed. 

" Hahahah..!! You're so cute when you're angry like this! " He teased then grabbed Clover, cuddling her.

        Walking pass several shops, Clover pointed out toward a few tops that she found interesting and worth looking at while waiting for Lucas to comment. He nodded and raised a brow. " Checkmate!! " She thought to herself excitedly, smiling and getting excited with her clueless boyfriend in her arms while walking to the shop.

" What's with that smile? " He stared at her waiting for an answer only to receive a smile and an extremely ridiculous grin as an answer. He shrugged then walked ahead of her.

" HEY! Slow down!! " She called, chasing after him only to be beaten to the shop and then ignored over food. Laughing at the silly actions done, she treated him to his chicken and then walked around looking at more shops while bickering and commenting on fashion and the strangers passing by. 

        Yet another typical day she thought to herself then took a quick glance at Lucas who had his eyes on the new Manchester United jerseys. " Three constant hours of walking only to enter that shop? " Letting a slight sigh, she hastened her pace and entered the shop. 

" I was thinking.. if we made these jerseys as our couple T-Shirts.. would you mind it one bit? " 

Staring at those big eyes, how could she have said no to that? She smiled " Of course! " Agreeing without a single doubt in her decision. She loved him too much to disagree to something as new as getting a pair of jerseys from a football league that her boyfriend worships. It would be much more special since it's for a guy and a girl and for a special reason. How romantic. Smiling to herself and pondering at the thought of walking into a bar or cafe wearing those jerseys and accompanying him to watch a match would be an unforgettable experience and pretty much a first for her. She couldn't wait. 


" Cool!! " His eyes gleamed in excitement, and it really looked as though there were hearts floating above his head over the fact that his girlfriend had unexpectedly agreed to owning a jersey and taking it as a Couple Item. " When I save up, i'll get us these okay, honey? " Taking her hand and then bringing her to Toys 'R' Us.


" Yeah... hehe.. alright dear! What're we doing in here again? " Without an answer, she got dragged to a plushie section. " Oh my God!! " She squeaked in excitement. If it's not clothes or shoes, it would definitely be cute stuffed animals with very soft material. What else could a girl not spazz over?


" You wanted to check the price of this weird red cat right? " Lucas asked, grabbing a huge red cat and checking the price. $98.90. Talk about expensive for something locally made. Taking a quick stretch, he reached over and took out a soft colourful hammer. Clover nodded and then stared at him. He playfully smacked her with it and ran off, only to be chased by his girlfriend before taking an immediate stop when his brown eyes caught a glimpse of a whole two shelves filled with different graded Gundam models. " Holy SH--!! " The kid in him finally came out while he reached out from box to box, inspecting each model. Clover laughed at the sight while looking around before getting glued to an episode of Gundam 00.


        They spent about an hour looking at the models and then another half an hour at other merchandises before exiting the shop and then taking a slow walk around before having dinner at Burger King. Staring at the menu, Clover ordered a Mushroom Swiss Double only to be bonked on the head by Lucas who wanted the same thing. " Do we always have to order the same thing all the time? " He scoffed playfully then paid the cashier.


" Well, that's why we're a couple no? " Clover teased before heading to their table. Lucas rolled his eyed nodding.


" Yeah.. yeah.. " He grumbled while grabbing the straws as he sat down and started eating.

        After dinner, Lucas dashed to the ATM machine to withdraw money, excited that he'll be able to go out and about and drink with his friends. Clover waited, sitting on the wooden bench outsite Burger King and dozed into her thoughts about their relationship and life. She's sacrificed so much for him and given him so much without expecting any in return, even when the following day was a really special day which she already knew, he had forgotten due to his excitement and urge to hang with friends and get drunk. Sighing at the thought of having the following day spent alone, she turned to her left and smiled as he returned with a cheerful smile. Returning the smile, she got up and held his hands throwing that sad thought behind her and forcing a smile.


        As long as he is happy, she will do anything to keep that smile on his face even if she may disagree on it. " Well, i'll be hanging with Kent so i'll send you home now alright? " He kissed her forehead then paid the parking ticket fees, whistling. 


" Yeah.. sure dear.. "


        He never noticed her facial expression and tone all the way until they reached her home. Parking his car and entering her house only to get lazy and stopping at the porch, he asked her to pack his laptop. Nodding, Clover silently packed them and then handed the bag over and gave him a goodbye hug as he drove off. " ... The things I do for him.. sometimes I wonder if he realizes that I am completely a different girl.. not perfect, nothing special bout my face or figure but my love is genuine.. " She paused only to realize a tear forming. Quickly wiping it and then locking the doors, she plopped herself on the leather couch and went into deep thoughts. " .. Maybe he's just making this outing as an excuse cuz he wants to surprise me with something tomorrow.. " She muttered to herself trying to cheer up before dozing off.


        Waking up an hour later, she dragged herself up the stairs and lazily threw herself in the shower to freshen up then sat infront of the computer to Facebook and work. Minutes went by and no phone call. She kept staring at the clock, and finally, five hours later, within her little dozes, at three in the morning came that special ringtone set especially for him. She picked up only to hear a drunk voice over the other line. Sighing, she told him to rest and that she'll see him the next day then ended the call. " .... oh well.. " She muttered then got depressed at the thought that her first initial surprise was left in his cellphone which she prepared for three days which he had literally smashed against the wall earlier during the day due to his irresponsible father not banking in his cash in time. Getting frustrated after an extra three hours surfing and doing some research regarding the economy, she pushed herself to sleep and finally dozed off cuddling his white jacket which she borrowed just to catch his scent to put her to sleep. 


        Waking up the next day at 3pm, Clover lazily gave out a loud yawn and reached out for her cellphone hoping to get at least a missed call from Lucas. Nothing. She called him instead and he greeted her wide awake only to find out that he was out with his friends at a mall. She just smiled and told him to have fun then jumped into the shower to freshen up. At 5pm, she got so restless and panicked due to not having a gift for him that she called her best friend Celine to accompany her to the mall and for a hang out. She agreed! Having half an hour to get ready, she then met up with Celine and hung at the mall for two hours and shopping for the tops that Lucas liked the day before and then getting him a short sleeved gray-striped body fitting top as a gift, the duo then drove back home happily after buying gifts for their boyfriends. It finally hit 7pm and still, no phone call. It has been four hours. Pacing the floor and getting saddened at the thought that he had forgotten their Fourth month together and that there wasn't going to be a surprise, she just sighed and sat on the couch for hours waiting for his call and doing nothing but stare at her phone continuously hoping for his name to appear on the Incoming Call list. Nothing.


He had forgotten.. she was positive.


        Moments later, her phone rang and they were music to her ears! Could it be him? She thought, crossing her fingers. Looking at the Incoming Call, the number wasn't registered but she picked up anyway. It was one of her band members, Michelle. " Wha..? Michelle? Why are you calling? What's up? " She questioned.


" Heya! Errr... Lucas called me and he has forgotten your number.. and wants you to call him back... ahahah.. " Michelle gave out a nervous grin after delivering the message knowing that Clover was a little irritated with the results. Saying a few words of comfort, she then hung up hoping that Clover wouldn't get so pissed.


        Clover dialed his number and he picked up saying he had arrived. " 10pm... is there anything we can do at this particular hour...??? " She grumbled then sighed while opening the gate for Lucas only to see his silly grin then walking in without a hug and then throwing himself onto the couch with his laptop on the table. He was still drunk. Locking the door, she walked over and held him tightly, hoping for something. Nothing. Her heart ached so badly but she held it so well that it seemed as though she was in a very cheerful mood. " Hey sweetie.. how was your day..? " She smiled leaning on his lap.


" Nothing much... I slept... late.. at 7am.. then Mark woke me up at 10am and dragged me out for breakfast.. I came back then got dragged out again by Mark and his wife for lunch and had to do groceries for them... and I chilled at Carrefour with Anna and finally.. finished everything at 7pm then went out for dinner with Mark and his wife once again at the Street Markets and well.. here I am now... haha.. " He briefly explained his day while turning on his laptop to play Football Manager 2008.


        She stared at him, just a little bit of hope in her that he was only pretending or was too tired but had a little surprise for her. An hour passed and it was 11.30pm and she was sure he had forgotten. Letting out yet another sigh, she ran upstairs and brought down a bag with his present in it then hid it behind her and leaned on his back then playfully tossed the shirt on him. No response. He was just too focused on his game. " ....... " Disappointed, she put it down on his right and continued watching him game when he turned around.


" Oh hey.. what's this? " He blinked, trying to be surprised.


" It's a shirt... since you've forgotten what day it is today... but yea... here.. this is for you dear... " She said handing him the shirt.


" ..... it has two front pockets... i don't really like shirts like these.. and isn't it too body fitting...? " He questioned her gift.


" It's fine, looks pretty nice on you anyway.... you look good in anything dear.. " Again, she said a sentence to compliment him but to cheer herself up. A little disappointed, she just held him to rid the hurtful words she just heard and kissed him on the cheek. " Well.. happy fourth month sweetie... i love you.. " She whispered in his ear then kissed him on the lips.


" .. I love you too... " He said, holding onto her and returning the kiss. " ... thanks for the uhh.. shirt you gave me.. funny.. I gave you a top last month and today, you give me one eh..? " Laughing, he put the shirt aside then continued his game.


" Well... I prepared a gift for you in your cellphone but you kinda destroyed it.. so.. i just had to get you something else... and you forgot our Special Day.. so it's nothing big.. but yea.. your welcome dear... " She muttered forcing a smile then leaning on his shoulder,  watching him continue.


Is this the right thing to do? Why do I feel such terrible heartache? ... So many questions were running through her mind before she shed a few tears without realizing. Wiping them off and covering her face, she then lay on his lap and stared at the ceiling thinking about their relationship, many unanswered thoughts and feelings...


What could it be..? 


It really hurts to love someone.. doesn't it?



To Be Continued......