HURTING.

Chapter: 4.

*****

"I am sorry David but I can't stay, I've got some packing to do." Even if Steven hasn't unpacked yet, he has a flight to book for tomorrow. Just as he walked into the living room Steven saw Raya, she stood there looking into his wet blue eyes then she ran into his arms and went on her knees.

What is wrong with this woman?

She cried begging Steven not to leave. Obviously, she was eavesdropping on them all along.

"You know it's bad eavesdropping on other people's conversations and please get up."

"What is going on?"

"I won't answer a woman on her knees." She got on her feet and pleaded for Steven to look at her in the eyes, just this once. She was right although Steven would never forget her, he still needed just one last gaze of her. Steven looked into her eyes and he froze.

"Tell me, what is going on?"

"Raya I'm leaving tomorrow and I am glad you're in David's life now, don't forget he loves you very much, so take good care of him for me. I love him so much." Steven could feel his heart constrict as he said those words.

"But you're hurting him."

Steven took Raya's beautiful face in his hands and he wished so badly that she wasn't married. It's so clear that he loves this woman and he can't be in this house, he can't love another's wife and he won't betray David. Steven dropped his hands from her face and turned around.

"It's for the best Raya."

"For the best? Are you even listening to yourself right now, after all, he has told me about you? How could you treat him this way? If he did something to you or I did something to you, don't you think you owe it to us to at least tell us what went wrong."

"You think I wanted this? Do you think this is easy for me? Do you think I came all the way here to hurt him? Do you actually think I like what I am doing to him right now? Steven yelled at her, losing it again, two times in one day. I'm a total mess. Steven couldn't help the tears anymore, he has been trying to hold them in since David turned his back on him. Now he just let them. Steven was this close to escaping when David's voice hit him hard. Could this night not get any worse than it already has? The universe wasn't in his favor tonight and this right here is the worst situation he's ever been into all his life.

"Then why are you doing this to me?" David asked, his voice unrecognizable. He sounded strange and so broken, Steven never thought he would ever hear David sound like that, ever. For some strange reason, he wanted to run to him, to hold him close to his heart. To protect him forever.

"I-I'm so sorry."

"That's all you keep saying." He cried, even more, shattering Steven's heart into a million pieces.

"I know, but believe me when I say I really am sorry. Forgive me, both of you." Steven pleaded. Raya ran off to their room and Steven really needed to do the same, but David prevented his escape yet again. Steven turned to look at him and perhaps beg David to let him go with the last dignity left in him.

"Why?"

The thoughts of hurting you burn me.

God! What is wrong with me?

Looking at David straight in the eyes, Steven got even more confused.

"David, if I tell you, you would never forgive me."

"You really want to know what I would never forgive?"

"What would that be?"

"If you leave my house tomorrow and not tell me what has been hurting you since Raya walked into the room and as you held her just a while ago I saw you freeze a moment. If you don't tell me. I would never forgive you for that."

That was David. He reads everyone so well or maybe it's just Steven. David could tell when he's uncomfortable and so can Steven. David may not know why Steven is acting all strange. But he doesn't want David to hate him. Steven couldn't lie to him either, David would know. Steven would rather die than have David hate him for the rest of their lives. On a second thought It's better David hates him. Steven can't ruin a marriage that has just begun, this is what David has always wanted, a beautiful wife and kids, It's his dream come true. No matter what Steven's sick heart is telling him to do right now, that is the right thing to do, he couldn't bring himself to tell David the truth, the moment Steven did that, there's bound to be problems and he doesn't want that. Holding onto the second thought Steven turned to him.

"I've got a flight to book."

Surprisingly David let go of his hand and Steven walked away. Why can't one just see through the future and change time? Stop things before they get out of hand. Not once has their lives ever come to this point. Not once have they had any fight? This is all his fault, why can't he just tell David the truth and damn the consequences? David matters to him more than anything and here he was doing the one thing he knows how to do best, running. That night was the worst night ever. Steven wished he never sleeps again, perhaps that would be enough punishment for what he'd done. The next morning he came out from his room and met dead silence. Steven found a maid outside and asked for David and Raya.

"Good morning sir."

"Have you seen David?"

"No sir, they've not left their room this morning."

"I should go see them then."

"They gave an order not to be disturbed sir."

"Is that right, well I am sorry to break that order, I need to be sure they're fine." Steven went back into the house and went straight to their room, he knocked and knocked, until he was convinced no one was answering. He hasn't even left the house yet and the hate has started, that sting so much to know. He took his cell phone and dialed on David's. He heard the phone ringing but David wouldn't answer it. He was about to leave when he heard keys jingling and the door was opened, he put down his phone and stood facing David.

"What are you doing here?" He asked with a voice Steven barely recognized as David's. That was harsh but after last night, he wasn't expecting a hug, Steven gave David his best smile, hoping it would make the situation any better, but to his greatest disappointment David did not return Steven's smile with his killer smirk, he didn't even act like he had seen Steven smile. He used to love it when I smile, I'd get whatever I want with that smile. It's clear that he meant every word he said to Steven last night, he's probably never going to forgive him. Steven guesses it's all for the best. He swallowed something that wasn't in his throat and tried to speak.

"D-d-David I only wanted to be sure, you're both doing alright."

"Not like you cared, now tell me why you're here." He threw right back at Steven. Steven felt his heart burning inside of him.

"Thanks for having me a-around." He said hiding his tears filled face so David doesn't see him cry. David looked at Steven for a while then raised Steven's face up to meet him and saw the tears on the other man's face.

"If you want to die with your pains go ahead and do it, and please be sure that you tell your mother what you did. Don't forget to let her know we have nothing together anymore, you broke that bond yesterday." David said, closed the door behind Steven and left him standing out there looking like a helpless lost child desperately in need of love and care. The deed is done, there's no point crying over spilled milk.

All thanks to him.