“Why?” she asked again, breaking Darien away from his thoughts. He looked down at her confused face.
‘You idiot! Don’t look at her! It will only make this harder,’ he scowled himself. He quickly looked down at his shoes, making sure not to make eye contact.
“Why are you doing this? Is it something I did?” she asked sadly, trying to force Darien to look at her. Darien noticed a small drop land in front of Serena’s shoes. A tear drop.
“Please…tell me what I did. Tell me what happened. Everything was going wonderful until-”
“You didn’t do anything! This is my own decision!” He interrupted. Knowing Serena, she would probably blame herself for this. She would think he is ending things with her because of something she did. “I am tired of this plan. We were together for what seems like eternity…I feel like I have to follow this guide book to my own life. We have been together in our past lives. We’re together in the present and the future is already forming…Maybe I don’t want that future,” he added trying very hard not to look at her.
“But Darien…” Darien could hear it in her voice. The struggle to keep the tears at bay.“…What happened to all those things you promised me? Just a few months ago we were in your apartment talking about our future. You said that our wedding was going to be the biggest the world has ever seen. You said that Rini would grow up in a loving family!”
Darien looked up at the mention of Rini.
“What about Rini?” Serena was screaming now and she didn’t bother controlling her tears. Even though she thought Rini was a pain in the butt, deep down she loved her. “If you end this, if you end us, you’ll end up killing Rini! Is that what you want?”
Rini had never crossed his mind. He had decided to leave her out of this, it just made it harder then it already was. It was like he decided who would live. He knew if he married Serena she would die. But if he didn’t Rini wouldn’t even be born. He had to decide quickly. He knew Serena loved him and she wouldn’t let him go, even if it caused her pain. But he wouldn’t let her do that.
‘This is for the best,’ he thought. He knew it would be best for both of them if he ended this…Even if it killed him.
“Think about it Darien! She could be in your apartment watching TV happily or be with the girls at the arcade. Not having to worry about disappearing. Imagine that Darien! Imagine her being happy then all of a sudden she disappears. Before she disappears she will be thinking…” Speaking was getting harder for her. She tried to calm her tears but the more she tried the harder it was to speak.
”…Why Daddy? Why are you doing this?” she said imitating Rini’s voice. “Why are you doing this Darien?” she asked, her voice returning back to normal only colder.
“I told you Serena. I-”
“Liar!” she interrupted. “I know you Darien; you wouldn’t do this just because of that. It’s not like you,” she said more calmly.
“Serena, I can’t do anything to make you believe me,” he said thinking, ‘Why are you so stubborn?’
“So you expect me to believe you just like that?” she asked her tears finally starting to calm down.
“I can’t make you believe me, Serena, but that’s the truth,” he said but inside he was yelling out, ‘NO IT’S NOT!’ He turned to leave but stopped when Serena wrapped her arms around him.
“I’m not letting you go,” she whispered. “You can’t go, you can’t go. I won’t let you. No, no, no. Can’t you see I love you? I don’t want you to go.” Darien turned, grabbed Serena’s shoulders and took one giant step back
“Serena you have to understand…This isn’t good-bye forever. Anytime you need me I’ll be here as a friend. And any time you are in trouble I’ll come to the rescue,” he said softly. He then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead in a big brother sort of way. He turned to leave but was stopped once again when he heard her voice.
“Don’t bother. If I can’t have your love, I don’t want your friendship,” her voice sounded so cold and emotionless, is scarred Darien.
‘Serena, don’t be like that,’ he thought. He let out a sigh and continued. “Serena…” He turned to her and she now had her back to him. He wanted so badly to hug and comfort her. No. This was for the best. Maybe it was better if they didn’t see each other at all. It took all his will power to turn around and start walking, but once again was stopped by Serena’s voice.
“Darien. I just want to you to know that I love you and always will,” she said quietly.
‘Me too! I will always love you! I hope you know that I never stopped loving you,’ he thought to himself. Darien left and when he was sure he couldn’t be seen he let the tears he had been holding back fall. Rain started to fall and soon it got heavier. Both of their faces were wet…but not from rain…but from tears…
