When the Moonlight fades

I cried all night before I slept. The next day I managed to console myself to get to work. I am a medical doctor.

The oath I took, must be kept irrespective of my emotional state and struggles. At exactly 7:29, I stepped out of the clinic. As I did, I heard a car horn.

I gazed at the car park and recognized Zephyr's ash Land Rover.

I kept moving, holding my bags firmly. The bus stop was just 5 minutes away from the clinic and down the corner.

“Nymeria!” He called out.

I hastened my steps feigning deaf. He started to drive towards me, so I jumped to an alternative culvert , knowing he couldn't drive that way.

He had tried dropping text messages and chats on Whatsapp for me.Yet,I didn't reply to any. Then he sent a delivery guy with two bouquets of roses to my clinic and a note asking me to call him.

I blatantly ignored.

He persuaded his pals to apologize to me.

My phone vibrated. I looked at the call and realized that it was Zephyr's .

I cut the call. and hurried to the bus stop.

The bus arrived and I hopped in quickly.

Just then Zephyr's car drove down, crashing the brick fence that separated my clinic and the bus stop.

The front of his car had been messed up by the rigid bricks.. He was aiming for the bus.

I turned to the driver and screamed. "He's trailing me. Please, drive."

He obliged,he shut the door just as Zephyr approached. Zephyr bashed the bus with his Land Rover. The driver was moving already. I sat, covering my face,so he wouldn't see me.

He ran out of his car, but the bus took off instantly.I gazed at him from the back window. If he wanted his childhood sweetheart, Zarya,he should be with her.

– –

I went straight to my house, knowing fully well that Zephyr followed me even though we lost track of him. I climbed the staircase only to see him standing at my door.

“Thought you've escaped huh?” He tried touching me.

“Let me be Zephyr. Or I'll—”

Or you'll what?” He walked slowly to me.

“Stay away from me. Go and meet her”

I pushed him away and tried opening my door. He held me back.

“Why did you hang up on me?”

“I thought you were busy with something. I mean Zarya.” I feigned an empty smile, as I wanted to rush inside immediately.

I know, if he uses his sweet and romantic tone to apologize to me, I may fall for it.

All my mind was projecting, was his intimate closeness with Zarya at the yacht.

“Am very sorry Nymeria, we can still hold the engagement?”

He was on his knees.

“Can I atleast make amendments for the embarrassment I cost you today? Let me take you out. We can fix another date.”

I was instantly arrested by those words. I stood for a while. “Okay, where?”

I could feel his sigh of relief. It pained me with what I experienced and saw online today.

Zephyr stood up and held my hands. He left me slowly down the staircase.

“But, I am still in my clinic attire?” I asked with a worrying face.

“Don't worry, Nymeria, we're just hanging out with a few friends.”

I shrugged my hands off. “Few friends? Zarya? Will she be there?”

“Everything does not revolve around Zarya. It is Seraphine’s birthday today.”

Seraphine is Zarya's closest friend. Although I knew her when I started dating Zephyr.

She always speaks badly about me. I wanted to leave but Zephyr convinced me to stay. I was praying in my heart for Zarya not to show up today.

My fears became real. When we entered, I saw Zarya, she was dressed in the most exquisite dinner dress. Same with everyone else around there.

I was the only one with an odd dress. I was just coming from work. The atmosphere changed instantly as I stepped in. Everyone muted and stared at me and shared as they whispered.

"Look who we have here."

Zarya stood up from her seat and hugged my boyfriend as if he was hers.

I took my hand out of his, expecting him to say something, but he remained silent.

"Wow, I didn't think Nymeria would actually come." Seraphine said. "There's just one seat left."

"Well, we can always fit one seat at the end of the table, Nymeria," Zarya said, holding Zephyr and pulling him across the room to the empty seat beside hers.

I watched them sit side-by-side while I was given a small excuse for a chair at the end of the table with a total stranger.

Everyone looked between me and Zephyr expecting me to say something.

Because it didn't look like Seraphine’s birthday. The setting was actually like an engagement party for Zarya and Zephyr.

I tried to calm myself down, took a sip of wine, then raised my glass. "Cheers to the birthday girl."

I could hear silent whispers and murmurs around the table. leaving me to watch Zarya feed Zephyr from her own plate.

Seraphine noticed what was going on.

She pointed at me and Zarya turned, adjusting her sitting position and said "Oh yeah, I should thank you for yesterday."

"What for?" I angrily twisted the spoon I was holding on the plate.

"Lending me Zephyr. The wave sparklers were awesome .

Hope you're not angry about it?" Zarya chuckled like she had won a battle.

All eyes were fixed on me. Anticipating my response.