Chapter Seven
Three Years Later
Angela arrived at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, eager to go home at last. She had just graduated from her school in California and took the first flight home. Alex was waiting for her impatiently in his dark blue Honda Civic.
"Why do you need so many luggages?" He grumbled, loading four suitcases onto his car.
"Grandma and I used to go shopping every weekend," she explained and Alex stared at her in disbelief.
"Where did you get so much money from? Dad sent you in moderation, " said Alex with a surprised look on his face.
They climbed onto his car. "I worked at grandma's cafe, after school," she informed him and he chuckled.
"Smart girl. Well, you've grown up, little sis," he smiled indulgently, starting his car and driving towards home.
Angela inhaled the air of her hometown, Austin. "I'm so happy to be home at last. So I guess, no one's at home now? Dad would be at his university. Arnie at his hospital and Adam, here, at the airport. He was busy so couldn't come down to meet me," chirped Angela. Alex watched her happy face. She had grown vivacious, confident and bold, very different from the unhappy, shy, uncertain little girl who had left Austin. California had done her good. It had been a sudden decision to send her away after the huge fight between their dad and Damian's dad.
Angela looked out of the window to count the changes that happened in the last three years that she was away. "Everything's just the same, Alex. It seems that I had left just yesterday, " she said, smiling.
"Yes, nothing ever changes here," he answered.
"So, how's your school going?" She wanted to know. Alex was a Special Educator. He had his own educational institution for differently-abled children just like he had always dreamt.
While Arnold was an orthopaedic surgeon, Adam was a flight engineer working at the airport.
"School's going great. I'm getting funds sanctioned by the state to expand," he informed with a smile.
"Oh, that's wonderful news," she said excitedly.
Alex's smile widened. "So what are you planning to study?" He asked.
"Architecture, I'll go for the undergraduate course at the University of Austin," she informed him.
"Wow, you're so focussed. Good, I appreciate it, Angie," he said.
Angela grinned. She didn't mention that she'd suggested important renovations to the exterior of her grandma's cafe. Her family there had appreciated her suggestions and had worked upon them. That was when she had discovered her natural flair for architecture.
They drove into their neighbourhood and Angela felt the pang of pain. Pain as the childhood memories of Damian flooded her mind. Would she catch a glimpse of him today? She sighed at her pathetic wishes. After all these years she couldn't get over her love for Damian. She remembered her friend Steffi's comment,' True love never dies.' It was the biggest truth of her life.
As they passed Damian's house, Angela tried to see if she could catch a glimpse of him. But to her disappointment, there was no one. Alex parked his car and they both climbed down and went inside the house.
"I've got to go to my school now Angie. Do you need anything?" Asked Alex in a hurry to leave.
"No, no, I'm good. You go ahead," answered Angela as she went up to her old room. Alex unloaded her luggage and placed them inside before rushing off. Angela took them all up to her room to unpack.
Her room was the same as she had left it. It was spotless and clean to her surprise. Who cleaned her room for her, she wondered.
She walked upto the balcony of her room to breathe in the fresh air. Taking a deep breath, she looked around. All the sights and sounds were the same, nothing had changed. She saw that Damian's house was still the same as she remembered from her childhood days. She sighed and turned to go inside when a white Audi skidded to a stop in front of Damian's house.
Angela's curiosity was peaked and she turned back to the balcony to see who came out of the car. Xavion got down and dashed inside the house. She saw that he had grown so tall and muscular. They were eighteen, and Xavion was already above six feet two inches tall. Maybe Damian was also as tall as him. She sighed and thought of going back inside and unpacking when Damian came out of the house with a girl, followed by Xavion.
The boys went to Xavion's car, while the girl walked up to Damian and kissed him full on his lips. She walked off, swaying her hips, wearing a micro mini skirt that showed her florescent green thongs and matching bra under a transparent top.
Damian and Xavion chuckled at her as she walked off, when suddenly Damian's eyes fell upon Angela. His smile froze and he just stared at her, as if hypnotised.
Angela just turned and went inside. She was disgusted by what she saw. Steffi was right. He had moved on and become a man whore. A tear fell from her eyes and she wiped it away angrily. She would never allow Damian to hurt her. She would forget that she loved him.
She quickly got ready and decided to do something productive with her day. She would go to the university and check out the undergraduate courses on architecture. She took a bus to the university. It was emptier than it would be on a normal day. Maybe some term break was going on. She went straight to the administrative office to enquire.
It took her an hour approximately to sit and fill up her admission form and submit. She was prepared with the necessary documents that she needed for admission. Relieved to have completed an important task, she called Steffi and invited her to a nearby cafe for a chat.
Steffi came in fifteen minutes and they hugged each other tightly. They had always kept in touch through chat, calls or emails. She was the only good friend Angela had.
"Have you taken admission?" Asked Steffi curiously.
"No, just submitted the form. Let's see if I get selected," she said, with a shrug.
"Oh, you will be, " encouraged Steffi.
"Have you enrolled yourself into cosmetology?" asked Angela and Steffi nodded excitedly.
"I completed the admission formalities just last week," she informed. Steffi had always been interested to study cosmetology at the University of Austin and she got through. Angela was glad for her friend. She just hoped that she would get admitted too.
"So how's Harry? Is he into engineering?" She asked. Last when she had heard, Harry was preparing for the entrance exams.
"Yeah, he's into chemical engineering. So boring," said Steffi, rolling her eyes. "Well, he asked me to be his girlfriend, yesterday, " informed Steffi with a shy smile.
"Oh, that's wonderful news, treat me," said Angela with a grin.
"Ok, sure, get whatever you want. I'll pay," offered Steffi. They got coffee, burgers and chips and caramel pudding.
"So, did you meet Damian?" Asked Steffi, curiously.
Angela sighed and informed her what she saw today. "Don't ask me about him anymore, Steff. He doesn't exist for me," she said.
"Do you know Freddie was asking Harry about you yesterday. Why don't you give him a chance? He still likes you," said Steffi.
"I don't think I want a relationship right now. If he wants my friendship, I'm ready," Angela told her frankly.
"Expect to meet him anyday when he finds out you're back," chirped Steffi with a knowing look on her face.
"Oh, what's he doing these days?" She asked her.
"Why? Are you interested in him?" She asked her, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm just asking," said Angela, rolling her eyes.
"He's enrolled into finance into the same university as us," informed Steffi.
"Oh, I see. It's been three years since I left. I can't believe that I'm back, you know," said Angela.
"Why don't you move in with me? I'm staying at a three bedroom apartment with another girl. We're looking for a roomie," said Steffi.
"I'll think about it. I don't think dad would allow, " said Angela.
"Oh come on. You're an adult now," coaxed Steffi.
Angela thought for a moment. She really didn't want to stay anywhere near Damian and see him making out with girls everyday. She wanted to agree to Steffi's offer. She would have a talk with her dad tonight. "I'll talk to dad and inform you, ok?" She asked.
"Sure, I'm in no hurry. Take your time. It'll be fun," said Steffi. Angela agreed and after catching up a little bit more, they parted. Angela took the bus home. As she walked down from the bus stop towards her house, she saw Damian standing in front of his house with a blonde wearing a short dress, clinging to her body. She wanted to turn back and escape but he had seen her.
So she just walked on ahead, her face devoid of any expressions.