LILY.

Chapter: 5.

*****

The airport taxi was already waiting for Steven by the time he got out. The drive to the airport made him wish he'd never travel again. The taxi sucks. The air was so fucking hard to breathe in. Eventually, they made it to the airport and once Steven was ready to go on board, the sight of the plane made him want to throw up the little of what's left from last night. Steven might never board a plane for the rest of his life again.

I think I'm going to be sick.

That is if I made it home alive.

What did I ever do wrong? Why did my sick heart have to love someone else's wife? David hates his guts, he would never speak to him again, his face this morning told Steven more than enough.? How would he go on living knowing too well that David is no longer part of his life?

It's no longer D&S.

It's just him.

What could be worse? His life right before his eyes is fading away, there would be no one to talk to, no one to share his pain and worries with. Never had he ever thought a day would come when he would look around him and not find David. Steven wished this plane would just crash and he would die. But he is the only one who deserves death, not these beautiful people here. Steven was too busy drowning in his own misery of thoughts when a little girl came up to him and gave him a single red flower. Steven looked at her for a while, he needed to be sure she was real and that he was not deluded. Steven leaned forward to take the flower from her.

"Thank you, sweety." He said with a thin smile.

"You're welcome." She replied, made to leave and turned right back immediately. Steven had never seen anyone turn around so fast in his life. She looked into his eyes like she was searching for something.

Have I got something in my eyes? Steven wondered.

"Why are you sad?"

"What?" Steven asked surprised at that come-back question.

"You look so sad and your eyes are all red and puffy like you've been crying a whole lot."

"What?"

Steven couldn't find his voice, who is this girl and how did she know he was sad?

Have I been crying?

"Can you tell me why you're so sad."

OK, two things, it's either there is an angel talking to him right now or he is really really messed up in the head.

"Are you shy?"

OK, he's had it. He's been interrogated by a child. Talk about awkwardness. Steven looked down like he dropped something a little bit ashamed of himself.

"What?" He whispered, seriously can't believe what was happening to him.

"Don't worry, I used to be very shy but I got over it. You know how I did that?" She asked.

"No!"

"You want me to tell you?"

"Yes please."

"But first, I need to sit down. You don't tell a story while standing plus you didn't ask me to sit."

Steven was forced to let out a good laugh.

"Please, you may sit." He told her between laughs and she sat, made sure she was very comfortable, she looked at Steven seeing he had a big grin on his face and she smiled back at him.

"Thank you." She said,

"You're welcome, please tell me your name before you start with your story and your age too."

"OK first my name is Lily and I am 8 years old."

"Really? I like your name and I'm really glad you came to talk to me. Where are your parents?"

"Oh, there is my mum!" She said pointing toward a sleeping lady. "But she is asleep and I was bored, so when I saw your sad face I knew I found someone who is just like me and then I gave you my flower."

Steven laughed so hard that he lost his breath and started coughing. She took his water from the stand and gave him to drink. As Steven drank from the bottle she placed her hand on his back-patting him on the back while saying. "There you go! Take it easy." Lord! That cracked Steven up so much that he lost it again and laughed even more.

"Where did you learn how to do that?"

"From my mummy, each time I coughed she would always give me water and pat me on the back."

"Lily, you know what you are?"

"Mm-mm" she shook her head.

"You're an angel. And your mother must be so proud of you." She smiled.

"Thank you uncle--,"

"Steven." He told her.

"Can you tell me why you were sad uncle Steven."

"Well, honey I am not sure I should tell you."

She became sad, Steven felt bad. This is the only person who has spoken to him today and had actually made him happy. Has he suddenly turned into a monster that saddens everything it came across?

"Why can't you tell me?"

Even if Steven needed to talk about his problems with anyone, it doesn't have to be a child. Is talking to an 8-year-old the best thing to do? She's just a kid. Steven was sure she would forget the whole thing even before he finished.

"Lily you see I broke up with my best friend." She opened her mouth in shock then quickly covered it with her hands.

"That's awful! I'm sorry uncle Steve, but why did you break up with her?"

"Oh, Lily! Is not her. His name is David and he is like a brother to me."

"OK! But what happened? Brothers fight all the time, I have these neighbors, they fight all the time, sometimes they won't talk to each other for a long time but soon they'll get back together. I am sure your brother will talk to you again."

"I wish he would, but he told me he's never going to forgive me."

"Ouch!!!" She shouted. "that had to hurt, why would he say that?"

"It's kinda all my fault, I wasn't around when he got married and when I came back, he asked me to visit him. I got to his house and met his wife. The minute I saw her, she took my breath away and I think I may have fallen in love with her. That got me so torn up and worried."

"Is that wrong?"

"Yes, Lily! You don't love someone else's wife."

"Did you tell that to your best friend?"

"No, Lily I didn't tell him, they just got married and I wouldn't want to ruin their marriage."

"Would you do that if you had told him?"

"I'm afraid so, and when he figured I wasn't happy, he pleaded for me to tell him. But I didn't, instead, I told him I'd be going back home. He said if I left without telling him, he would never forgive me and yet I foolishly left."

"You were trying to save your best friend's marriage and then you ruined your relationship?" She asked, sad and Steven felt somewhat like he had been spoken to by an adult.

"Yes, Lee."

"Are you happy you made that choice?"

"No! No, I am not, I hurt so badly. My best friend is gone, I feel as if my whole life has come to an end, I can't live without him."

She became quiet and Steven wondered what she was thinking about, he hoped he wasn't putting too much on her little shoulders. Steven really doubts she would forget this story.

"Uncle Steve."

"Yes, Lee, I'm right here."

"My mother used to say, you don't make other people happy so you can be sad. You make them happy so you too can be happy. I never understood what she meant by that until now. Because just so you can save a marriage, you would remain unhappy and miserable for the rest of your life."

"Wow! What exactly is your point?"

"My point is, you think about what you've done. If you really can't live without your best friend and you love him so much. Then you should tell him the truth and make yourself happy." She had just finished with her words when a very beautiful lady walked up to them.

"I am really sorry if she had bothered you."

"No it's fine, Lily is an amazing little angel, in fact, you've gotten yourself the best daughter ever madam," Steven told the beautiful lady and gave her his hand for a shake, she took Steven's hand into hers and smiled.

"My name is Alice and I believe you've met my daughter."

"Yes I have, and I am Steven."

"Nice meeting you Steven, but we should get back now."

"Yes of course." Steven kissed Lily goodbye and watch as they both walked back to their seats. Once again he was left alone to be reminded of how lonely his life was at the moment. Lily wanted him to talk to David and that he would do. What if David didn't take his calls? Well for David he'd gladly take the next available flight back to see him again and beg for his forgiveness even if he has to. With his mind made up Steven couldn't wait to get home. Maybe things would work out and his marriage wouldn't be ruined, although he strongly doubts that. Its was about time Lily came to wake him up, never realizing when he fell asleep. Steven opened his eyes and saw her smiling down at him.

"Hey, Lee!" Steven greeted her.

"Hello, uncle Steve! We are getting down now."

"Is that right? I must have fallen asleep. Thank you, Lily."

Steven asked Alice if he could always call Lily and she gave him her number and that of her daughters. After he got the numbers, he said a quick thank you to her, kissed Lily on the cheeks and took a taxi home. The moment his feet touched his bedroom floor Steven fell on his bed face down and fell asleep instantly.

It will all work itself out.

He hoped.