Why Does It Hurt So Much?

Narla Diamante rode off without putting on her helmet. She needed the wind to wake her up from her nightmarish reality. 'What shitty luck!' Narla mentally cursed her unbearable fate.

After covering a remarkable distance, Narla stopped near her former high school. It was built in a rather fascinating area. Right by the outskirts of the town near a rather eerie forest. And it also has a rather fascinating name: Elite Fangs High School. Narla had always wondered what inspired that name, but the reasons she was given had always been absurd.

And when they moved from the East to the Western region of their state, she had been sixteen and had already decided on a school. However, her deadbeat dad had insisted on Elite Fangs High. Like he has always done. The old man monitored everything about her. This sparked Narla's defiance.

Anyway, it was at Elite Fangs High, that she met Jared Redmoon, her boyfriend of two years. Initially, Narla did not want to date whilst in school, but somehow, she felt unnaturally drawn to the handsome and well built captain of the school rugby team. Jared was every teenage girl's dream.

Apart from the unnatural pull she felt for him, Jared left her no reason to say no to his advances. He was a gentleman, and Narla found that she had become quite dependant on him. He even paid off her father's gambling debts and helped her pay her tuition fees.

Well, that was not the only reason she was with him. Narla believed she truly fell in love with Jared at first sight. They had been in a whirlwind of love for a year and six months. However, things changed in the seventh month. Jared had become distant and evasive.

Narla was allowed to go to his office anytime without prior notice. However, lately, Jared had been keeping her at arm's length. Last night, she was thrilled when he called telling her that he would sleep over at her place. "I want to be the first to wish you a happy birthday at midnight, and I don't want to do that over the phone." Jared had said and Narla was touched.

Narla was beside herself with joy. She prepared dinner and waited. "To think that I even shaved and entertained the idea of giving myself fully to him! Damnit!" Narla cursed as she replayed the previous night's events in her mind. Everything that transpired was downright infuriating.

Jared Redmoon had come as promised. He brought her favourite cake and an array of gifts. Narla was used to his extravagance. The guy's family was wealthy and Narla knew that what Jared gave her was just a drop in the ocean for his loaded family. Nonetheless, she truly appreciated Jared from her heart.

They had a quiet candlelight dinner and all was seemingly well. Arla dared ask Jared why he had become distant and he pulled her close and told her not to sweat it. "Babe, you know that my family business has been keeping me on my toes. Can you stop with the interrogation and just allow me to hold you for now?" Jared had complained and Narla nodded.

"Narla, you're turning eighteen tomorrow, which is the legal age for marriage in this state. My father has been pressurizing me to marry. He says he wants to retire and let me manage the family business. But the old man thinks that an unmarried leader is unstable. No,, let me finish. It is a family tradition. Every heir is expected to settle down before taking over. So, my love, this is what has been weighing me down. I have not been deliberately distant."

Narla had lifted her had and kissed Jared tenderly. That was her way of telling him that she understood his struggles. "So, what should we do? If it can put your dad's mind at ease, we can go and get our marriage certificate tomorrow, Jared. This is the only thing I can do for you." Narla offered, whilst looking straight into his eyes so he could see her sincerity.

"I know that you wouldn't let me down, my precious diamond. But it's not that easy to lead beside me. There has to be a balance. Ahem... Let's wait till after midnight. Only then can I tell you everything openly." Jared stopped explaining and Narla was confused. "Come on, Babes, I need to know." Narla pouted but Jared remained tight-lipped.

Narla observed him, worry etched on her face. She could feel that Jared was hiding something from her but she had no way to find out. His brow kept furrowing, his nose kept twitching, as if he was trying to detect a scent of sorts. Narla dared nudge at him and he snapped out of it.

"Listen babe, my father and the other elders of my family have chosen a ma... A woman they believe is suitable to stand by my side and lead the Redmoon family to glory. But I already told them about you. That's why they have allowed me to come spend your birthday with you. I'm sure now that you e come of age, they will gradually accept you."

Narla stared at him, struggling to make sense of it all. But because she loved him, she never questioned him. "There's no way I could have mistaken that scent, two years ago. No way." Jared mumbled again as he placed his half empty glass of whisky on the table. Narla raised an eye row but ultimately, kept quiet.

Whatever Jared was talking about, was a riddle. Besides, he had said he would explain things by midnight. So, Narla exercised patience. Unfortunately, Narla fell asleep snuggled in Jared's arms and missed the midnight hour. When she finally woke up, it was way after eight in the morning.

She even missed her alarm. "Jared? Jared! Are you in the kitchen, babe?" Narla called out as she descended from the bedroom. But the house was eerily quiet. Just as she picked up her phone, she noticed a message from Jared. When she read it, her world spun and her heart ached.

It was a deep, excruciating pain that was almost palpable. She did not understand why a break-up message would cause her to double over in pain. Even now, standing at the empty high school gate, reminiscing of their year together at school, Narla's heart ached deeply.

Her most beautiful memories flooded her mind like a tidal wave. She recalled the countless afternoons she spent with Jared, laughing and studying together. The way he'd hold her hand, making her feel like she was home. But amidst the happy memories, doubts crept in like shadows.

"Why did he say those things?" Narla wondered, her mind replaying the conversation like a broken record. "Why did he make me feel like I was the only one for him, only to discard me like yesterday's trash?"

The pain still lingered, a dull ache in her chest. Narla took a deep breath, trying to shake off the memories. But they clung to her like a damp mist, refusing to let go. She drew in a deep breath and steadied herself whilst clutching her chest. Narla looked up at the sky and muttered, "Why does it hurt so bad?"