Sunrise: Chapter 14 - The Date

Chapter 14 - The Date

"Hey Amelia wait, I want to talk to you, Amelia wait..." He said coming in front of me.

"Yes."

"How are you today?"

"Fine."

"Okay, I just wanted to know when are we performing the practical for our project? You said we will do it this weekend."

"Yeah."

"So when are we doing it and where?"

"I will do it on my own."

"No please I want to help."

"I don't need your help."

"Is something wrong?"

"Does it matter?"

"You can share it with me if you want to?"

"No thanks."

"Okay but I want to do the practical too. What if Mr. Thompson asked me about it later?"

"Okay."

"So when?"

"When what?"

"I mean when and where are we going to do it?"

"You can come to my house."

"Okay, so we will start from tomorrow?"

"No I am busy tomorrow. You can come at 12 noon to my house on Sunday."

"Okay, are you sure there is nothing you want to share?"

"No, I am fine."

"Hmmm... if you say so. See you day after tomorrow then."

"Bye," that was the last word I said to him yesterday and that too so rudely. But I am not angry at him, I am angry at my stupid dead heart which fell for him and broke in the end as a consequence; I thought opening my eyes and looking at my tear-streaked face in the mirror. I was so rude to him, and for that I deserve these tears now. I wish I could leave everything, stop feeling anything and get buried in a cold and dark place with my heart, but it's not possible. I hope I can get through this pain of poison running through my veins which is slowly destroying me, degrading whatever is left in my body now. I have to get through this, I can't lose hope, life is not over yet.

I stood up, went to the washroom and splashed water on my face. I am already late and I have to re-do my makeup now. Brian will be arriving shortly for our date. He is taking me out for the dance cruise on the steamer belle. This one was the first cruise of this year on belle. It had been postponed the last time, I just hope it don't get postponed today. I had been to belle many times since my childhood but never on a date. This one will be my first experience. It had always been like a normal disc but the part of dancing on it while being surrounded with miles of water is the best part of it. I had dressed simply, just a dark black jeans with red one shouldered top and had tied my hair up, with a few flicks by the side of my face.

I did a light makeup. I don't like getting too dressed up. The moment I finished applying the eye-liner, I heard the front door of my house opening and closing. Soon I heard Rick's voice as he talked to Brian about the time when I should be back home. I love my brother for this but I have to hurry downstairs before he starts behaving like my dad to Brian.

I quickly went downstairs and went into the living room. They both stood up when I entered. I saw a proud smile on Rick's face and a surprised expression on Brian's.

"What? Am I looking bad? Should I go and change."

"You are looking awesome sis," Rick said.

"Thanks."

"You are looking gorgeous Amy; really you look breathtaking today." Brian said.

"Thanks." I said, "You too are looking handsome." I said after noticing what he had worn. He really looked awesome in that brown t-shirt.

"So I am telling you too Amy, come back early. Don't be late." Rick said.

"Okay daddy." I said which brought chuckling sounds from both of them.

"Am I being too bossy?"

"No I love you for this bro. Okay now I am going." I said giving Rick a quick hug.

Brian and I went outside and the cool gentle breeze hit my face sending shivers down my spine. Jacob - I heard my heart calling his name. Why am I remembering him when I am going on a date with Brian right now? Stop thinking about him Amelia. Maybe Brian is the one for you. I looked at Brian. He was smiling, but a sudden chill enveloped my body, everything was turning cold and numb, his smile was not making me feel warm, I felt my body shiver again as if somebody walked over my grave turning me dead cold again.

"Hey you cold?" Brian said hugging me sideways.

"No, I am fine." I said trying to hide my uneasiness.

"Then shall we go?" He said showing his cute smile.

"Hmmm."

He opened the passenger door for me and closed it after I slipped into the seat giving him a fake smile for his polite gesture. He rounded the hood of the car and sat beside me. His smile was not leaving his face, so I tried to look as happy I could at that time for his sake. He switched on the radio and one of my favorite songs 'waiting for thee' started playing. I felt as if the lyrics were clearly describing the broken, painful, scorched situation of my heart. Every word echoed in my heart striking its wall trying to break it more and more...

Nothing is alive, inside me,
Am still bound, but you're free,
The leaves are brown,
Down on the ground,
But still stands the tree,
With open arms,
Waiting for thee...

The soul is cracked,
Nothing is green,
Heart has turned mean,
Blood has stopped,
Veins are blocked,
Since the time,
My love got robbed...

My eyes have drowned,
In the ocean of tears,
I hate the moment,
When at you I frowned,
The leaves are brown,
Down on the ground,
But still stands the tree,
With open arms,
Waiting for thee...

Fingers are numb,
Coz I'm so dumb,
Am cheating on you,
I know this is true,
My heart is broken,
But it still beats for you...

I miss the smile,
Which made me feel warm,
Made me feel strong,
For all night long...
The leaves are brown,
Down on the ground,
But still stands the tree,
With open arms,
Waiting for thee,
Still waiting for thee,
Nothing is alive, inside me,
Am still bound, but you're free,
The leaves are brown,
Down on the ground,
But still stands the tree,
With open arms,
Waiting for thee,
Still waiting for thee...

"You like this song, huh?"

"Hmmm."

"So here we are, for our first date, and I hope it's not our last," he said with his cute smile.

"I hope so." I said smiling.

"Let's go." He said getting out of his car.

"May I have the pleasure of holding the hand of most beautiful lady I had ever seen and making every person jealous of us." He said chuckling and offering me his hand. I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow and we started walking towards the steamer belle.
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Rough cold fingers ran down my face, causing nothing to my being but just a slight shiver and heartache. Those blue eyes observing every inch of my face with a gleam that sacred me. I closed my eyes out of fear coz I didn't have the energy to protest. The drink I took earlier had drained the energy from my body. I was leaning against him and he had his arms around my waist, holding me tight. His friend stood by our side blocking the only view left, by which others could see us.

I tried opening my mouth and crying for help, but no sound came out. The man cupped his hand over my mouth and a devilish grin got plastered over his face. It seemed as if the loud music was trying to burst my head. A tear coated my eye and blurred my vision. My mind cried, why can't anyone see us? We are so close to the floor, somebody please help, please god, please send someone. Jacob where are you? I need you Jacob.

"Shhhh.... don't cry sweetheart. We are here for you na? There is still a lot more to go." He said looking at me with those blue eyes filled with mockery.

He kissed the tear that crawled down my cheek and I felt pain at the region he kissed. When he raised his head and looked at me, I saw blood on his lips. The next thing I heard was a thump and the next thing I saw was darkness.

"Andrew see if Amelia is fine or not," someone cried in a painful voice.

"Okay I am checking," another man said.

Are they still there? What's happening? Why am I not able to open my eyes?
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"Amy, are you okay? Please open your eyes. Please Amy see I am here. I shouldn't have left you alone. I am sorry Amy. Please look at me." I opened my eyes slowly to look at the person who was calling my name.

"Br-ian."

"Yeah Amy, I am here. I am sorry Amy."

"Ho-o-me."

"Yeah we are going home Amy. You can sleep now."

"Hmmm." I murmured as I felt defeated again by the hands of weakness my mind was engulfed in.
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"I am asking you again, just tell me what the hell happened to her?" Some guy shouted close to me. I felt being lifted and carried by someone.

"I am sorry Rick."

"Brian just tell me what happened to my sister. You were responsible for her. I told you to bring her back home early."

"I am sorry Rick, I just went for a drink and some morons tried to physically assault her. I am really sorry Rick, I shouldn't have left her alone."

"What? Are you trying to tell me that because of your stupid glass of drink, she was going to get raped? If I wasn't carrying Amy right now, you would have been surely dead."

"I said I am sorry Rick. I never expected this could happen there."

"Get out."

"I am sorry Rick."

"I said get out of my house right now, before I call the security guards to throw you out."

"I am going, but seriously Rick I am sorry, it wasn't my fault." I felt being lowered down on a soft thing, but I wasn't able to move any of my limbs or even open my eyes. The voices started drowning, I strained my ears to hear the faint voices coming from downstairs but it was of no use. Slowly I drifted back to unconsciousness.
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"I am not able to find words to describe the beauty of steamer belle tonight." I said to Brian as we were walking towards it.

"Yeah its beautiful." He said as we proceeded towards the dining room. It was mostly decorated with golden and red colors. The beautiful carnations hanging down from the walls and the brightness of the place was giving it a magnificent look.

"You like it?" He asked.

"Uh-humm." I said roaming my eyes over the hypnotic beauty of the place again.

As a nice gentleman he is, he pulled the chair out for me and waited for me to sit.

"What will the princess like to have today with me?" He said giving his boyish smile.

"Anything you would like to order." I was beginning to enjoy, but there was an unexplained fear that was constantly bugging me.

"Hmmm so I think I should place the order from your side too." He said smiling.

"We will like to order Lime margarita for the lady and wine for me. For the main course we will like to have Ensalada mexicana fresca and Gazpacho."

"It will be ready in short time sir." The man said and departed.

"How do you know I like Mexican food?" I asked Brian.

"I like you Amy, and so I should be knowing what you like." He said showing his cute smile.

"Hmmm." I said feeling that fear creeping through me again.

We both enjoyed our dinner together and proceeded towards the disco room that was meant for us teenagers. The roaring music was intoxicating and I was beginning to feel a little dizzy. No fear and worries were there on my mind. I was feeling like a bird who has just flown up high in the sky for the first time in its life and who is no longer afraid of falling now.

We moved to one corner of the dance floor and started dancing to the beats of the song. I felt someone's hands encircling my waist from the back, and the unexplained fear clutched my heart again. I tried to shout but no voice came out. Sweat droplets appeared on my forehead and my voice disappeared somewhere deep down my throat. For one last time I tried again and found my voice this time.

"Help, somebody please help me. Please help. Please listen to me. I need your help."

"Amy wake up. Wake up Amy. It's just a bad dream. You are safe Amy open your eyes."

"Help please help me, he is pulling me, please help me."

"Amy you are safe, please open your eyes. Look I am Rick, Amy, you are with me. Open your eyes Amy."

I opened my eyes suddenly when I recognized Rick's voice. I immediately started crying and hugged Rick tightly. My tears were unstoppable. I could hear my heart beating in my ears.

"Shhh... everything is alright Amelia. You are safe. You are at home. No need to worry sis, I am here." Rick said patting my hair.

"Rick - Rick he - he-held me and - and pull-ed me back. No-nobody listened to - to my cries." I said between my hiccups.

"Shhh... nothing happened sis. You are safe with me. Relax now. Don't think about it. It's over." He said pulling back and kissing my forehead. He gave me the glass of water that was kept on the corner.

"Here take this and relax." He said offering me the glass.

"You look tired, you need to sleep more?" He asked as he took the glass from me after I had taken some small sips from it.

"Hmmm."

"Okay now sleep peacefully, no need to worry, I am here, by your side only." He said sitting beside me. Once again I closed my eyes and drifted into the much familiar peaceful darkness.
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Indian Gal - Hi, I am also an Indian and a hearty thanks for liking my story. Please keep reading.