WIPING OUT WOUNDS
3.

...—"Maybe it hurts more when you're betrayed not for the first time. Although by different people."—...

...Andrea Edith's...

...•••...

"I wouldn't let the child be born without a father figure." Andrea said later. "I'll make sure my and Robin's marriage doesn't happen so she can marry you, Amanda!"

"No, Andrea. I don't want to marry Amanda. I don't love her. I love you.." cried Robin. The man was now crouching on Andrea's leg. Saying a thousand apologies that Andrea cannot accept.

Andrea wagged her leg which was hugged by Robin. "I have to go. I don't have time to linger with you guys. I must evict my invited guests after entertaining them well!" Andrea stepped her feet with certainty. Just a few steps before he turned around again. "Ah yes, thanks for the betrayal. Today I learned something new. Never trust someone else too much. They could have stabbed you in the back. Bye then.  Ah, naw. I don't want to see you guys again. So, good-bye."

After completely making up her sentence, Andrea walked away. As he turned around, slowly, the tears he was enduring shed as well. He could not lie to himself that his heart was also torn and felt pain.

Andrea did not turn her head again even though she heard Robin calling her name. Today he was heartbroken again. Just like ten years ago. He was thrown out for the second time. And betrayed for the umpteenth time.

"I can't be with you anymore" said someone ten years ago. He held Andrea's hand as usual. Take him to the backwoods of the school as usual. With a different purpose; separate.

Andrea felt her ears misheard, so she had to confirm it a second time. "Whatdidyou say? Why suddenly?"

"Andrea, I have to go. I can't get you involved in a dangerous affair like this. You need to be safe..."

Andrea who at that time still did not understand could only look into the eagle's eyes with a question mark. "What's the danger that you have to leave me alone?!"

"So dangerous that your life will be threatened if we continue together." the man held Andrea's chin, asking her to look at him. "As soon as the business is done, I promise I'll come back to you."

The pain is painful. Cold and frozen. "I'll wait. But when are you going?"

He shook. "Of course."

Andrea could wait for decades with certainty. But the absence of certainty makes his hope fall from day to day. Until he no longer believes in love. And after this, it might get worse.

Andrea got into her car. No hurry to leave. He wanted to cry for a moment. Maybe that way his chest could be more relieved. Ten years ago he was left with the most preposterous saying. And now, betrayal.

Andrea wiped her tears. Maybe God is not being kind by putting love in his heart. Maybe God didn't want to make her happy. He was only destined for heartache. And finally die of misery. Didn't he?

Andrea was just really sane when she heard the phone call coming in. Her dad. Andrea remembered that surely his father was in a confusion because he took care of the invited guests alone. Andrea has to do something. He raised the call.

"Andrea, where are you?" asked Martin with a worried tone. "Everyone is waiting for you, son. How's Robin? Where is he?"

It was only natural that so many questions his father had asked. Martin must have been so troubled and worried to see his daughter was not in the fold. Andrea desperately held back her cries. "Lad..."

"What's up, kid? You don't sound okay!"

"Papa, I'm fine. Papa listen to me, yes." pinta Andrea. "There will never be a wedding today, Papa. I'm not getting married to Robin."

"He's... He betrayed me. He impregnates Amanda and says it was a mistake. I was sure Papa would support my decision not to marry such a man, so I cancelled the marriage. I'm sorry..."

His father sounded strangled. "God... Then where are you now? Papa can pick you up. You don't drive yourself!"

Andrea shook her head. "I can handle it, Papa. But please, just leave me alone first. Don't come, don't look for me... I can't face Papa like this. I beg..."

"Andrea..."

That was when Andrea's cries broke. Her tears could no longer be contained. "Don't worry! Now Papa just needs to apologize to the invited guests and welcome them home after eating. I'm sorry for having to involve Papa in this. But can Papa do it for me?"

"Don't worry about that, son. Papa will handle it. Now the important thing is, you calm down first. Papa won't look and ask about you. Papa trusts you, Andrea."

Andrea wiped her tears. His shoulders were shaking with great crying. For God's sake this is too much for her. "Thank you, I love you, Pa."

"Papa too, son. Whatever happens today, believe that whatever your decision, Papa will support you and be proud of what you did. Don't think of anything. Everything that makes you happy will make you happy too..."

Andrea ended the phone call with a heart so sore. Everything's ending. Her love. Her wedding. Everything was.

Andrea drove the car at a moderate speed. Mixed with a passing vehicle. Thought's dead-end. He doesn't know where to go. Until late at night, Andrea kept driving. Leaving the car glass open and as breezy as the cold wind froze his body. Andrea doesn't care.

Later, his car stopped in front of the old building. Almost no vehicles passed this late. Andrea got out of her car and decided to climb onto the roof of the tall building. Heavy rain began to pour over her body which was only covered in a wedding dress.

The rain was not the only thing he hated, so many successful things made him sick. Including his life path. When he thought his marriage would go his way, but instead, he felt his soul die. Maybe Andrea should also kill her own body.

Die. Suicide.

That phrase used to make no sense. To him, the one who ended his life for whatever reason was a coward. They are unable to fight the world and fight for their lives. They are ungrateful people when God gives him free breath without paying a dime.

But now, everything seems reasonable. Everything seems real...

Andrea's eyes stared down for some twenty meters from where she was standing. He cannot predict. To be sure, the moment he jumped down, he would feel it hovering for a while before his body hit the ground and shattered into pieces. Then he'll die.

That easy.

The shadow if he will no longer experience feelings of sadness and pain at the same time makes him round the throat. Death is the best option for now.

Andrea spread her hand. His eyes were tightly closed. Just need to jump, right? He's ready!

I love you, her inner self.

He felt his body almost float before a strong jolt to his waist held him back. Throw it backwards. His body turned around, slamming as his body hit a hard surface. But he knew he wasn't dead.

...•••...