A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
Warning: MILD LANGUAGE
Chapter 3: Forget Me
Serph walked into the living room that morning. He had been thirsty and had gotten up to get a glass of water when he noticed that his best friend had come home. He blinked in surprise; he had been convinced that she would be spending the night with Heat and yet here she was. Forgetting at all that he was thirsty, he walked over to her, smiling. She must have been so exhausted that she fell asleep on the couch. He walked over to her and noticed that she had taken off the necklace that he had given her.
He raised an eyebrow. He then saw the new necklace that adorned her neck. It was a beautiful choker with a crucifix. He felt his heart constrict. That had hurt.
'I suppose that this is from Heat…'
He scowled; of course, why would she want to wear something so cheap such as the necklace that he gave her when Heat had given her a better and more expensive necklace?
He sighed; maybe this was a sign…
Who knows?
Perhaps this was a sign that was telling him that it was time to move on. It was time to leave a love that wouldn't bloom. She had clearly chosen her own path. He didn't want to believe it, but as time went by, the clearer the picture became to him. Perhaps they had reached that proverbial fork in the road. Maybe this was the place where they say farewell and wish each other luck in their newly-found path.
He gritted his teeth as he fought back the tears. He had always thought that they were meant to be. But as he stood there, he realized that sometimes, even if you hope for that special something, even if you do everything you could for that special something…that something wasn't meant to be yours.
Maybe Argilla was just one of those things.
Graduation was coming up in a fortnight. He took a deep breath as he scooped her up in his arms. She stirred lightly but didn't wake up. He wanted to cry but he held himself back. He made his way up the stairs and he carefully set her on her bed. He left her for a while and made for her drawers, pulling out a pair of pajamas and its according top. He set it on her bed beside her neatly. He then went over to her and removed her pins from her hair, setting her pink tresses free from their bonds.
He set the pins on the bedside table quietly. He then proceeded to take her high-heeled shoes from her, slowly and carefully undoing its straps. He raised an eyebrow; it was still a wonder for him how women could wear such things. They seemed so difficult to walk on. Oh well.
He then took the shoes and set them on her shoe rack. He then walked back to her and undid the buttons of her Chinese dress; then, he felt for the zipper at her back. He did his best to turn her on her side without waking her up.
He then pulled the garment upwards, exposing her to him. He just looked on sadly. She would never be his anyway. He then pulled it up her head and completely had it off. She shivered. Serph reached for her pajama top and put it on her, slipping her arms through the arm holes carefully and then buttoning it up carefully. Next, he slipped her pajamas on her. When he was done, he took her dress and hung it.
He walked back to his sleeping angel. He saw the necklace that she was wearing and again, his heart ached. He looked longingly at her. He sighed. He considered taking it off, but decided against it. It was her necklace; it was her jewelry. So he left it alone.
He tucked her in comfortably; pulling the blanket up to her chin. He sat on her bed and touched her face, "If you only knew…how much I love you…" he whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead, "Sweet dreams…dork." He chuckled. He walked out of her room but stopped just at the threshold. He forgave her; even if it had hurt that she took off his necklace, it didn't matter as long as she was happy. He closed the door slowly.
Argilla stirred at that moment, bringing her arm out of the blanket. Serph had not noticed. She clutched something tightly on her right hand. If only he saw; if only he knew, then, perhaps he wouldn't have felt so terrible.
There, on her wrist, hung his necklace. There, in her hand, she tightly clutched his cherry blossom pendant.
If only he knew.
xxxxx
They had already graduated. They couldn't believe it. It was the moment that they had dreamed of. Now that it had finally come to pass, they couldn't believe that it was all real; it seemed so surreal to them.
It was no surprise to Argilla or to Heat that Serph had graduated as Summa Cum Laude. Argilla noticed his face that day. This should have been the happiest day of his life, but his face looked dead. He didn't look happy; on the contrary, he looked miserable. There was no twinkle in his eyes. There was only a vast emptiness.
She felt horrible. She too should've been happy that day; she had also graduated with honors. Graduating at a humble Magna Cum Laude, she should have been happy. But, after seeing her best friend's face as such, all the happiness seeped out of her.
It was then that she realized how far apart they had actually been. Heat's words rung fresh into her ears. She really did need to spend time with him. She loved him. He was someone very special to her; it wasn't fair to him. It wasn't fair that when he had helped her in everything that she did, that she would leave him when he needed her most.
That was why she had asked that they spend time with each other. Serph had been out of it of course, telling her that she could go out with Heat and that he didn't feel like going out because he was exhausted. She didn't take no for answer and dragged him out of the house.
Flashback
"Come on Serph!" she said dragging him towards their car.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"We're going clubbing!" she replied excitedly.
He raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to spend the night with Heat?"
She shook her head, looking into his silver pools, "Nope. There's no Heat tonight. It's just you and me."
He smiled, "Really?" he asked, a bit if disbelief lacing his voice.
She walked up to him, "Yup. Now let's go."
"Alright."
End Flashback.
They had a blast that time. They wore the night out. Serph was smiling a lot that night and not just his pasted smile; a real smile.
xxxxx
Serph couldn't be happier. It had been a long time since they spent time with each other. He was beginning to lose hope a fortnight past, but not anymore. He had been overwhelmed when Argilla had told him that she had wanted to leave with him that night after graduation. He had been happy that night. They drank to their heart's content and he was happy that his self-control even in the influence of alcohol was superb; otherwise, she would have found out his secret.
They danced the night away. And for a while there, it felt like the old times.
The next day, for the first time, she roused him from his sleep. He was shocked; it was the first time, ever, that she awoke sooner than he did. She yelled into his ear that day, saying that she wanted to go for a picnic.
He remembered scratching his head, telling her that they weren't prepared and they had no food to bring. She shook her head and told him that all was well. Here, he had to look at her suspiciously.
Flashback
"What do you mean everything's ready?" he asked suspiciously.
She pulled him to his feet, "It means just that idiot. Now go and shower, you smell!"
He blushed, "Well excuse me."
She disappeared through his door.
He came down a quarter of an hour later, wearing just his gray tennis shirt and his khaki walking shorts. His sunglasses hung on his neck.
"Well?" he asked.
She turned around as she heard him speak. She blushed as she saw him but quickly shook it aside, "Well, you're looking decent today."
He snorted, "Jealous?"
"Shut up."
They laughed.
"Oi! Help me with this will you?"
He walked over to the kitchen counter and lifted the basket effortlessly, "What's in this?"
She smiled, "Just the usual."
He still didn't trust her. It wasn't a secret that Argilla wasn't the homiest girl around. She didn't even know how to cook.
"Which is?"
"Oh you know…"
"No I don't know." he said. "That's just it. You don't cook."
"I do too!" she yelled, glaring at him.
He laughed, "Burning the kitchen down doesn't count."
She stomped over to him and looked into his eyes, glaring. He met her intense gaze with his own. Feeling unnerved by his stare, she yielded and turned away. Wanting to salvage whatever pride she had, she turned back to him and stuck her tongue out playfully.
He just laughed, "Okay, I won't ask but when we get there, I need to inspect this first."
She laughed, "Whatever!"
They arrived at the park half an hour later. They sat near the lake. She looked on; a dreamy look in her face. Serph looked not at the scenery but at her. She was so beautiful. His eyes trailed over to her whole figure. She looked overly cute today. She was wearing a pink halter tank top with her gray walking shorts. Simple but stunning. Suddenly, he felt his heart get constricted once more. But, odd as it may sound, it was different from the other times when his heart would constrict.
This time, it wasn't out of pain or sadness; it was of something else. It was out of…happiness? His eyes remained where they were; on her neck. And there, dangling on it was the necklace that he gave her.
'She hasn't forgotten…' he thought with a smile.
She turned her gaze to him, "Well, let's dig in! I'm starved!"
Serph could only watch as she pulled out the plates and their glasses. He was still unsure of the "food" that she brought. For all he knew, it could be nuclear waste that she mistook for soda or poisonous fruits that she mistook for harmless berries.
He blinked incredulously as she opened the basket and took out harmless, typical sandwiches. He raised an eyebrow. Next, she brought out a small bowl; filled with, potato salad? Then…sushi?! At this time of day?
"Okay, hold up." he said, calling her attention.
"Eh? What's up?" she asked, confused.
"Where did you get this stuff?" he asked.
She smirked, "I happened to prepare them." She glared and put her hands on her hips as she heard him laugh his lungs out.
"What the hell is so funny?!" she asked, enraged.
"Nothing. You just expect me to believe that you actually know your way around the kitchen?"
She growled, "Of course! Heat's been teaching me!"
There was that name again. He felt a knot in his gut but ignored it, "Did he now?"
"Yes. Don't worry, it's not poisoned. Promise."
She held out a sandwich to him and he stared hard at it, wondering whether or not he should take it. She growled in impatience and just shoved it in his hands.
He slowly took it to his lips and was about to take a bite but stopped as he saw her staring intently at him. He grinned, "Call the paramedics immediately if I start to convulse out of poisoning. And if I die out of food poisoning, I'm telling you now that I'm holding you personally responsible."
She glared at him, "Maybe I'd just leave you here."
He took a bite; it wasn't bad. His eye widened; actually, it was pretty good.
"It's good ne? Told you so!" she said, thrusting her hands up the sky. He smiled; she was so cute.
After they had finished their brunch, they just lay there, side by side, staring at the blue sky. It was Argilla who broke the silence, "Serph?"
"Hm?"
"I wanted to say I'm sorry…"
"For what…?"
"For forgetting…"
"Argilla…" he began, turning to face her. She turned as well, "Serph…I've been neglecting you…I was right you know?"
"About what?"
"About not deserving you…You're too good for a person like me."
He touched her face, "Don't say that…I understand anyway…You have Heat…It's different now."
She smiled, "That's exactly why I don't deserve you…You're too good for me…too kind. Oh Serph…"
He pulled her close to him, "Hey don't say that. What's important is that you're here now…We're here now…together."
She smiled and kissed him. It was a chaste kiss; but a kiss nonetheless. Serph's spirits felt lifted at that moment. How he wished that this moment would last forever.
End Flashback
xxxxx
Serph felt absolutely blissful as he felt a small body cuddle up to him. It was late in the lazy afternoon that the two had decided to stay at home. They had decided to watch a horror movie while eating popcorn; just like the old days.
They had drawn the curtains in, making their living room eerily dark.
"You ready?" he asked, holding the remote.
She leaned in on his shoulder, "You bet! This better be good."
He scratched his head, "It's a new movie and I haven't seen it yet, so I'm not promising anything."
"Yeah, yeah…"
Serph laughed, "Want popcorn?"
She took some into her fingers, but stopped as she was about to eat them, "Wait; this isn't poison is it?"
His eye twitched, "Hey, just because you can't cook, doesn't mean that you have to drag me in with it too."
She slapped him, "Hey! I can cook too! You ate my snacks today didn't you? And you didn't suffer from poisoning!"
He snorted, "Yeah well, there are some toxins that take time to take effect; you know that. Besides, the dosage may be small that's why the effects aren't noticeable."
She tackled him, her hands on his neck, "Why you!! After slaving over it for hours…!!"
The world stopped; wait; she had been spending the early hours of the morning preparing their food. His heart melted; she didn't forget about him after all.
Her hands on his neck were adding pressure on him that he was beginning to feel his breathing constricted. Wait; was it the fact that she was strangling him that gave him this feeling? Or was it that her close proximity that gave him pleasurable jolts? Hm.
He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him, pressing their chests together. She fell on him with in a light thud, "Ooh!"
She let go of him and just pressed herself to him, inhaling his scent.
"Serph…"
She put her hands on either side of his face and put an inch of space in between them in order to look into his silver eyes. He blinked; she was looking at him differently today.
"What…?" his heart was beating rapidly that he could have sworn she would have heard it too.
She looked at him in her trance-like state for a moment longer before blinking, shaking herself off the feeling and getting off of him completely. He sat up and saw her looking for the remote. He felt a bit disappointed but let it slide.
"Well, let's watch it then!"
'God…what was that feeling…?' she thought.
"Aa." he replied, assuming their previous positions. She looked at him, her innocent smile back in place, replacing the one that she earlier had.
'Argilla…' he trailed off inwardly.
She jumped on the sofa and quickly secured herself in his arms, "Let's go!"
She pressed the 'play' button and let the movie run, leaning her head on his shoulder. She smiled; a moment later, she felt the all too familiar weight on her head; it was his own.
xxxxx
Serph walked in the hyper market with a bored look on his face, "Why are we here again?"
She laughed and looked back at him while he pushed the trolley, "We're here because we're running out of supplies."
He slumped back, "Yeah…but this is a woman's job. Why am I here?"
She walked up to him and grabbed his shirt's collar, pulling his face a mere inch from her own, "You…you chauvinist, sexist pig…!"
He smiled, "You look cute when you do that."
She pushed him off of her, "Shut up!"
He laughed, "But seriously,"
She made a face, "But seriously," she repeated after him, "shut up."
He slumped, defeated and pushed the trolley along. She smiled at seeing him and clung to his arm, "Come on Serph…it isn't so bad. Besides, I want to spend time with you right…? I thought it would be fun…!" she said, her eyes twinkling.
Serph further shrunk; he always had that weakness for her, "Fine; let's just hurry."
"Yay!"
She disentangled her arm from his and looked at the aisle before them; it was the men's section, "Say Serph, do you have enough handkerchiefs? Towels?"
Serph looked at her with a bored expression on his face, "Huh? I think so."
She looked unconvinced, "Oh no you don't. I don't think so. Come on, help me pick a good design for you."
"Uuugggh…" he groaned, walking up to her, "I don't really care what design you pick, as long as it isn't girl-"
He was cut off as she ran from him, and headed towards the section behind him. He followed her, curious as to what she found.
"Ah! You don't have enough underwear either. Hm, you wear boxers more than briefs…so…" she trailed off absentmindedly.
Serph blushed beet red, even his ears turned red. He marched up to her and grabbed the pair of boxers that she held in her hands, "Hey! I don't need any more pairs! Besides, I can buy them on my own."
She looked at him dumbfounded, grabbing the pair back from him, "Nonsense. Why buy them later when we're already here? Now, let's see…This one is cute!" she said, picking up a pair from the rack. Serph bit his lower lip; this was just too embarrassing that it was beyond words. She held up the pair close to his face, "Isn't this cute? It's checkered and is pink and olive green combination! Nice huh?"
Serph panicked; looking frantically from left to right, watching out for people who might be looking. His head fixated themselves behind her and saw a young woman, no older than they were, giggling at them.
He slumped and turned back to Argilla who was looking at the sizes.
"Hm, what size are you again? Hmm…? Medium?"
He looked around again while trying to grab the boxers from her; but she dodged his hands easily although she kept her eyes on the pair that she held. Serph could only wonder as to how she could do that. He looked around again and saw that there was now an old woman with her grandson who was interested in buying underwear as well.
She looked at him and smiled. He sharply turned away, blushing.
"Hm? Serph? Medium right? Or was it large?"
Serph panicked as he heard light giggles from nearby. Form the corner of his eyes, he saw two women grinning at them. They were talking to one another. He could hear them too, "That's sooo cute; she's picking a pair of boxers for her boyfriend."
"Serph!" she yelled, pulling his face to face hers, "Are you listening to me?!"
He sweat-dropped, "O-of course I'm listening."
"Well, which is it? Medium or large?!" she yelled louder than she previously intended.
Serph looked from left to right frantically and noticed that everyone had heard. The old woman chuckled while holding her grandson's ears, muffling them with her palms.
The other two females laughed too.
He leaned over to her and whispered, "Medium okay? Just grab them and let's go!" he whined.
She thought for a moment, "Are you sure…? I could have sworn it was large…"
The others chuckled again and Serph looked at her, miserable, "Please…let's go!"
"Well, if you're sure it's medium..." she trailed off putting the pair in the trolley when she stopped suddenly, "Wait up!"
Serph groaned, "What is it this time?"
"I think I like this design too!" she beamed holding out another two pairs.
Serph covered his eyes with his hands, "Whatever just grab them and let's go already!"
"Okay!" she beamed, flinging them on the trolley and dragging him from the aisle, all the while oblivious to the chuckles around her.
'And she thinks I'm dense…' he thought hopelessly.
xxxxx
They sat there on their dining table; they had just finished their dinner. Argilla looked at him with half-lidded eyes. Serph shifted uncomfortably in his seat; she was looking at him in that way again.
She cleared the table in silence. Serph said nothing as well, but just watched her intently. What was she feeling right now?
He noticed how she looked at him; he also noticed how she tried not to look at him. He felt confused; why did she do that? Was she afraid to tell him something? He frowned; didn't she trust him with her secrets?
"Argilla…?"
"Hm?" she asked, blinking.
Serph stood, seeing as the chores were done, and walked over to her. He took her hands and noticed that they were cold. She was nervous about something. He was worried. He led her easily out of the dining room and into their living room. He sat down and ushered for her to do the same.
She did so without another word.
"Argilla…"
"What?"
"What's wrong? You've been acting strange…" he said.
She sighed, "It's nothing…really…"
He grasped her shoulders and tilted her chin upwards, making her look at him, "No…it isn't nothing…You're feeling something isn't it? What is it? Are you troubled?"
She stiffened and widened her eyes before settling back down, 'How…?'
"It's nothing Serph…don't worry about me…"
He embraced her, "Don't tell me not to worry…because you know I would…Argilla, whatever it is, you can trust me. I can see it in your eyes…Whatever this thing is…it's bothering you."
She stiffened again, "Serph…"
He pulled back from her and looked into her pink eyes, "Well?'
"Well…" she whispered, drawing her face closer to his. He froze; what was she doing? She held his hands in her own and leaned in closer.
He leaned in as well, his body moving on its own. Soon, their lips met. He parted her lips and invaded her mouth; she moaned. Her hands grasped his own tightly. And in that instant, he pulled back.
"Serph…!" she whispered, covering her mouth with her palms, guilt clearly spread on her features, "I'm sorry!"
He could only watch as she ran from him and dashed for her room, slamming the door. He slumped his shoulders in defeat, burying his face in his hands, "Argilla…"
xxxxx
'Why did I kiss him?' she thought.
She touched her lips with trembling fingers. She ran her tongue over her lips, 'His taste is still there…'
She had been feeling this way for a while now. Ever since their night together, her perception of her best friend had changed. Sure he was still the silly, overly sweet over achiever but at the same time, their time together had opened a door for her and saw a side of him that she didn't know existed.
She remembered as he held her that night…she remembered how he kissed her…how gentle he was with her. It was a side of him that he always kept hidden. She remembered his eyes…They were filled with sadness and…was it longing?
That was why she had opted to put a bit of distance in between them…She wanted things to return to the way they were before that night…
She wanted herself to look at him the way she did before. And she wanted him to look at her they he did before. No malice, no awkwardness…but as they spent their time this day, she found out that it wasn't possible. It couldn't be undone.
They had said that one could live a lifetime in a day…She never really believed it…until now. The time that she had spent with him…it was the most blissful and slowest day of her life. Every second that they spent together was like an eternity…
But she thought of Heat. She loved him too…she loved him a lot…but then, what did she feel for Serph?
'I don't know…' she thought honestly.
He was still an enigma to her. He was piece in her puzzle that didn't fit anywhere. He used to…but after that night…it was as if he changed…and she longer knew where to put him.
'Serph…'
Her contemplation was cut short as she heard a soft knock on her door, "Come in…"
His silver hair peeked from the door way, "Argilla, I brought you this."
She smiled; it was hot chocolate. It was her favorite comfort food, erm, drink, whenever she felt depressed or hurt. He was just so sweet, "Thanks."
He walked over to her and set the mug on her side table, sitting next to her, just holding her.
"Serph…I…I'm sorry…"
"Sssshh…you don't have to say anything that you don't want to. You can figure it out…whatever your problem is…But know that I'm here should you need me."
"Thank you."
xxxxx
In the next few months, Serph and Argilla still spent a lot of time together. They spent it working and playing. After all, their board exam was approaching and they need all the extra training that they could get. They wore themselves out at the hospital but still managed to spent quality time with each other.
Granted, she still spent time with Heat; spending the night with him but Serph didn't mind. At least, that was what she thought. Serph still felt a twinge of hurt, but tried his best to accept it, knowing that Heat had the right…while he didn't.
It was another of such nights. He lay there on his bed just thinking of her. He sighed; he really didn't know what to make of himself anymore. Where did he fit in her life? Sure, he was her best friend, but he wasn't just any best friend…
'Yeah…I'm the best friend that fell in love with her and became her first lover…'
'Lover…?' he asked, 'Hm…maybe that was a strong word…Argilla…if only…'
If only he didn't become her best friend. If only he wasn't her best friend; then maybe, just maybe, that he'd be the one in Heat's place right now. He'd be the one holding her, kissing her, touching her…making her his…
He sighed.
xxxxx
The results for the board exams had arrived; they both passed. They were seated at a restaurant, celebrating.
Heat held out a toast, "Here's to you two. Congratulations and may you guys not be sued for malpractice in your careers!"
"Cheers!" Argilla and Serph yelled in unison.
xxxxx
The night was a blast. It was filled with dancing and partying. Suddenly, the music had softened. Serph walked out of the dance floor and sat at their table. Argilla came up to him, "Hey, aren't you going to dance?"
He shook his head, "Nah; you go ahead. I'm taking a break. I'm pooped."
She chuckled, "Well alright."
She jogged back to Heat who was waiting for her at the dance floor. Serph watched on longingly as he saw him take her hand, pressing it against his own while his other one encircled her waist. They danced slowly in the dance floor. Serph watched as they looked and gazed at one another; they were so in love.
He felt the all too familiar feeling of hurt. He couldn't take this anymore. He had been riding this thing out for months now…but now, he didn't think he could anymore.
He listened to the music that they were dancing to. It was an old song sung by an old band called Bread. What was this called again?
'Aubrey…' he thought knowingly and sadly.
His breathing stopped for a moment when he saw Argilla wrap her arms around Heat's neck and pulled him closer to her. Heat leaned down and captured her lips with his. Serph couldn't take this anymore. He stood up and left the restaurant, hoping to get some breathing space. He had thought that he could keep this up…but he couldn't. He was in love with her…and seeing her with Heat just killed him.
xxxxx
"What do you mean you're leaving?!" Argilla yelled, her eyes watering.
He stood there, his face cast down, "I meant what I just said. I'm leaving for Capital City. I applied there and they accepted me."
Argilla gritted her teeth, holding back her tears, "What about me? You're leaving me?!"
Serph sighed and touched her shoulder, "Argilla, you won't need me. You have Heat."
She slapped his hand away, "Who are you to say whom I'll need and whom I won't need?!" she yelled.
"I'm your best friend." he deadpanned.
She was taken aback. His simple sentence was as simple as it was complicated. It had held more truth than it let on. He was her best friend…he was her friend. He was letting her go. Serph had no choice; that was all he was ever going to be to her…Her best friend. Every day that he spent with her, seeing her in Heat's arms, took away a bit more of his heart.
He was dying and she didn't even notice.
She sat down slowly, "…Fine…Do what you want…"
He nodded, "You'll be fine."
"…"
xxxxx
The day finally came; Serph was all packed and was all set to leave. He took all of his boxed belongings and put them on the mover's truck. Argilla hadn't spoken to him since he told her he was leaving. That was last week.
His heart hung heavily; he wanted nothing more than to stay with her…but…doing so would kill him.
He had tried speaking to her but it was either she avoided him or she didn't show up at home at all.
As he fitted his luggage in his car, he knew that it was time to say goodbye. He went up to her room and knocked slowly. There was no reply. He slowly turned the knob and saw her sitting by her windowsill, a sad and yet faraway look in her face.
"Argilla…"
"…"
He sighed; she was being difficult. So, he walked over to her bed and left a piece of paper, "That's where I'll be at Capital City. Just…holler if you need anything…"
That was it; there was nothing more to be said. Taking a deep breath, he walked out of her room. He went down the stairs, taking in the apartment intently. This was the last time that he'd be living here…
He felt miserable; but it was for the best. It was the best for the both of them.
'She didn't even say goodbye…' he thought sadly.
As he reached his car and opened its door, her voice stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Serph!! Serph!!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.
He looked at her and saw her running to him. She jumped at him and held him, "You…you…you're really leaving me…!"
"Argilla," he began but she cut him off.
"You're doing it again!!" she screamed in his chest.
He held her tighter, "I'm doing this because I've got to…"
"There's that excuse again…It's me isn't it?" she asked desperately.
"No…it's not…"
"Then…why?!" she wailed.
"…"
"Tell me!!" she screamed again.
"…It's me…"
She stiffened; him? But why? She still didn't understand.
"You'll be fine." he said, pulling her away.
"I won't!!" she wailed.
He grasped her again and placed a firm kiss on her forehead, "You will…" he cooed.
"Please stay with me Serph…" she whispered desperately, tears cascading down her face.
"Argilla…I'm sorry…This time, I can't…"
She cried again; this was the first time he had ever refused her.
"Don't worry…you'll be fine…really." he smiled sadly, stroking her hair softly.
"No I won't…You're lying. You're just saying that so that you could leave…" she wailed.
He cooed again, "You will…Just…forget me."
Seeing her stunned at his words, he set her in the sidewalk and got in the car, waving one last time before driving off.
"Serph…!" she yelled after him, seeing his car get farther and farther away.
xxxxx