The day I broke up with Derek Harmon was a rainy night.
I hadn't brought an umbrella and called Derek, but he didn't pick up. I ended up getting soaked when I arrived home, only to receive a message from Derek, explaining that he had gone to deliver an umbrella to his childhood sweetheart.
How absurd.
Raindrops fell from my cheeks onto the floor, splattering like flowers, mirroring my shattered heart.
I walked into the bedroom, where there was a photo of him and his childhood sweetheart, Beatrice Sweeney, on the bedside table. In the picture, Beatrice was snuggled up to him, her smile as bright as a flower.
I gave a self-mocking smile and turned the photo face-down on the table.
Beatrice was like a younger sister to Derek, and whenever she spoke, he would always comply.
As for me, according to Derek's friends, I was nothing more than a dispensable replacement, a mere distraction, and a desperate admirer in the eyes of others.
I didn't bother cleaning up but hastily packed my things and called Derek. The one who answered the phone was Beatrice.
"Riya Ellison, it's me. Derek got caught in the rain and is taking a shower now."
Beatrice's voice was cloyingly sweet and grating to the ear.
"Thank Derek arrived on time. Otherwise, I would have been soaked. By the way, Riya, did you get wet?"
The provocation was clear.
I didn't bother responding. Hearing the door open on the other end, I knew Derek had finished his shower. Calmly, I said, "Give the phone to Derek."
"Hmm, alright then, Derek, it's Riya on the phone."
Making sure Derek had the phone, I didn't wait for him to speak. I decisively said, "Derek, let's break up."
After saying that, I hung up the call and promptly packed my things to leave this gilded cage.
……
After moving back to my old place, I was too weak to tidy up due to the rain. I lay in bed, half asleep. The next morning, after informing my whereabouts, my good friend Vivian Jefferson rushed over anxiously.
"Are you out of your mind? I heard from the group chat that you broke up with Derek?"
Huh, the news spread fast.
Just how desperate was I to be considered someone who would only leave Derek in a moment of madness in her mind?
"Yeah, I guess I was out of my mind."
I felt weak and feverish. What else could it be but a fever?
Vivian was taken aback by my words. Seeing that something was wrong with my complexion, she quickly touched my forehead and exclaimed, "Riya, you have a fever! Lie down, I'll find some fever-reducing medicine for you!"
Watching Vivian fussing around, I laughed weakly. It felt great to be cared for.
After taking the fever-reducing medicine, I lay weakly on the sofa. The screen of my phone next to me remained lit, with messages popping up one after another. When I picked it up, the phone was still vibrating.
It was a group of Derek's friends, one I had shamelessly asked to join.
"Have you heard? Riya is causing a scene and has run away after breaking up."
"Huh, it's not the first time for her. She's probably trying to force a marriage."
"Exactly. A girl from a small town, finding someone like Derek is a huge blessing."
"Let's make a bet. How long do you think she'll stay away this time?"
I quickly scanned through the messages. Some said a day, others an hour, and one even said, "I'll just be outside waiting. As soon as Derek whistles, I'll crawl back."
I picked up my phone and sent a message.
"I bet forever."
Then I cleanly and decisively left the group and locked the screen.
