Pierced Rose - Episode 22

 

Brad opened the door for her as she silently slumped on the seat. He slammed the door and jogged to the driver's side.

He leaned on the driver's seat running his fingers through his hair. Anger was all over his face as he tried to calm himself by making his breaths shallow and even.

He wasn't mad, he was half scared of how possessive he could be and half happy of how he pulled her away from Peter. 

But Reginah didn't wanna kiss Peter, the kiss never ignited anything inside her. Only Brad did that, he was her knight of armour, her prince charming, her saviour, her perfect half. Deep down she was sure Brad would never let anything bad happen to her.

Gripping the wheel too tightly, he was lost in his own world. Not once did he glance or stare at Reginah. His eyes never moved off the road. Reginah scanned his face for a reaction but the silence hung up in the air like the suspended moment before a falling glass shatter on the ground. 

Reginah expected him to yell, to scold, to throw tantrums at her but he did none of those.

When they arrived at the apartment parking lot, he opened the door for her and held her hand and they walked to his apartment. Reginah didn't complain or resist she had embarrassed him enough for the night.

Brad dropped her hand immediately they got into the apartment and slumped on the sofa  as he rubbed his forehead in circles. 

After some minutes, he stood up and walked  to the kitchen.

He opened the refrigerator, poured himself a glass of milk and drank it seated on the counter.
Reginah really wanted to go home, but  she couldn't leave him mad at her. She cared a lot to have him mad at her.

Silence,
Who said it was golden??
How can it be when she needed to hear him speak??
Just whisper Brad,
Even if its for a moment
She could never be contented in your silence, it was killing her.

Reginah couldn't hang in there anymore. She was okay with him hitting her so she walked to where he was seated, inches away.

"Brad, hit me if that what it takes to make you speak," Reginah sobbed taking his hands to her face.
Brad just  shook his head  and pulled his hands away from her face getting off the counter and started walking.

Reginah grabbed his arm and walked in front of him.
"Say something, don't do this. Its killing me." Reginah pleaded  one of her hands  placed his face  so he would face her.

There was flash of anger in his eyes. Without talking, he again dropped her hand and took quick steps to the living room.
"Lets talk," Reginah cried out wrapping her hands from behind around his waist, resting her head on his back.

Brad quickly took hold of her hands and turned around leaving her head on the air for a while before  pushing her to the wall.

He later pinned her hands on the wall and thundered," Do you think I want this?? I am falling harder for you every time you were with me. I am going crazy for you. I didn't ask for this but I can't control it either. I am mad at myself because I can't let you live your life without me in it. I cant." Brad blinked for more tears not to fall.
"I am going mad," he added punching his chest twice and walked away leaving Reginah behind with her paralyzed brain. She couldn't think or talk. She just sat down there her legs cringed to her chest,  As she placed her chin on her  knees holding firmly to her legs.

Reginah wanted to scream out silence of sorrow but she just sat there. She had to fight it what if he left like the rest how would she survive?? She switched off the lights and went back to her former state.

She was born to be strong but here  she was always showing the frightened side within. Damaged and afraid. 
What if Brad left, it was her duty to work on it not others to mitigate.

She tried closing her eyes for an hour or so but she couldn't . She could hear him, She could see him all over the living room. He was coming. Before he could reach to her, she opened her eyes. The fear had triggered her leaving her body in a flight mode. 

She had to be calm and steady but was unable.. Many times Reginah wished she could retract all bad things in her mind and assume it was just a bad dream but she wasn't ready to tell herself that the inner demon was only in her  mind.

With wide eyes and shaking limbs she walked in the dark towards Brad's room praying for hope. She wasn't strong yet. She panted for air leaning on his door, not sure if she should go in.

It only took the last ounce of pride she had for her  to open the doorand switched on the lights.
With puffy eyes she called out to him," Brad, I can't sleep." 
Reginah gasped and he woke up staring at her in silence. His eyes filled with pain and sadness.

"Why did you let him kiss you?" Brad sounded heartbroken as he sat properly in bed. He wasn't asleep he was just thinking. 

He was just jealous that's why he wasn't talking to her.
"I didn't expect him too. When I wanted to pull back. You pulled me back. I am sorry if I hurt you I didn't mean to. I was carried away because I had really missed them. " Reginah replied with the hope he would believe her. 

"Okay, you can sleep beside me." Brad said flatly, his eyes on the carpet," switch off the lights before coming to bed."

Reginah did just that while he looked the other way. "Goodnight, I will make it right, I just don't know but I will try to do something on your nightmares."
Reginah only said thank you, happiness filling her heart, even though he was mad he still cared. 

Reginah was still restless, she couldn't get some sleep.

"Brad let's talk please," Reginah insisted shaking him.
"Riri I am really tired, can't we talk tomorrow???" Brad requested but Reginah declined.

Brad woke up, switched on the lights and sat beside her, "Okay I am listening."

"I am sorry I never told you about riding. it's just that I never thought you loved riding. We never talked about our hobbies or anything.We never talk.." Reginah said exasperated.

"I know, I really love you Reginah and seeing any man around you makes me jealous..." Brad confessed cupping her face.
Reginah just stared blankly at him. The silence from Reginah made Brad look utterly baffled and offended.

"Do you love me???" Brad whispered playing with his fingers.
"I don't know.." Reginah replied walking towards the window.
"It's okay..." Brad replied standing beside her...

"What is with you and Jayson???? What's your connection between you and him??" Brad asked looking at the stars...

Reginah's heart stammered wildly against her chest, she wasn't ready to tell Brad her real relationship with Jayson.

"He introduced me to bikes, after school when we joined high school he would take me there...Andrew, Jayson, Peter,Beatrice and I were the one who begun the Motorride street association." Reginah stuttered, her head on Brad's arm.
"But I have never heard about you???"
"People knew me as Renah short form of Reginah back them."
"Yah I have heard about Renah," Brad murmured seeming lost in thoughts.
"Brad are you okay???" Reginah shook him.
"Yes, I am just wondering you and Jayson seemed so close but everytime you two are together there is hatred in your eyes, you don't even talk..." Brad's voice trailed off.

"Things have changed, we have all grown up and we went our different paths. We don't click anymore..." Reginah said, frown marring her forehead...
"Okay goodnight..Switch off the light when you come to bed.." Brad stated placing a kiss on her forehead and walked to bed  savouring himself into the duvet...

Although the night was cold since Reginah wasn't wrapped in his arms she slept with a smile on her face. Beside him she felt comfortable and safe.