Chapter 9 & 10 : The Ghost of Christmas Love
Liam drove madly to the hospital.
He didn’t even remember to close his car door before rushing into the hospital.
He ran past Pinkie without even realizing it.
“What’s wrong with him?” She muttered.
She then noticed his car door open.
“Huh?” She arched her brows up.
LEXI’S WARD*
“Lexi” Liam sat beside her on the bed.
“Liam” Kimberly muttered.
“Where are mom and dad?” He asked.
“Um, they went with the doctor” Kimberly replied, and Liam shifted his gaze back to unconscious Lexi.
Pinkie is standing outside the ward, watching through the glass door.
“I wonder what’s wrong?” She took in her lower lip in worry.
Liam bashed his lids. “I sure saw pinkie earlier” He said in his head.
She made to go in but then changed her mind.
“I wish you quick recovery, Lexi” She muttered, and turned to leave.
Someone held her wrist. It’s Liam.
“Pinkie” He called calmly, and she turned.
“Liam” She smiled lightly.
“I’m sorry”
“For what?”
“For running past you earlier. I wasn’t in a right state of mind”
“It’s fine. Why are you apologizing?” She chuckled softly.
“Thanks for your understanding, ma’am” He smiled.
Silence.
An angel of awkward silence descended in their midst.
He pulled her closer.
“L-Liam” She gently pulled away.
“Sorry, I got carried away for a moment” He apologized.
“How’s Lexi?”
“Getting better, hopefully”
“O-Okay. That’s good to know”
Awkward silence again.
“I should get going. My regards to her”.
“I’ll drop you off”.
“No, you should be with her”.
“But my parents and Kimberly are here”.
“Kimberly?”
“Kimberly is my friend” He replied, and her mouth formed an O shape.
“So we shall?”
“No, you should stay behind” She said.
“You don’t want me-
“Actually I came for a check up. My eyes are acting up lately”
“So You’re here to see an optimist?”
“Yeah”.
“Okay… Call me when you’re done then”.
“Sure” She adjusted her glasses before walking away.
He watched her until she was out of sight.
•PAST•
Pinkie walked into the house yawned loudly, only to meet Aurelio, Austin, Beauty, and her family decorating a christmas tree.
“Come join us, Cutie” Aurelio smiled.
“Forever” She rushed to him.
He embraced her tightly in his arms.
“You know that could be us” Austin whispered in Beauty’s ear, earning a deadly glare from her.
“You’re tired, right?”
“Yes” She nodded on his shoulder, and he chuckled breaking the hug.
“Don’t worry. We’ll celebrate the next Christmas together”.
“Really?” Her face brightened, and he gave a nod stroking her hair.
“Come on, come help me out” Ivan told Pinkie, as he set up the lights.
“The cookies!” Her parents rushed to the kitchen.
“The presents!” Austin and Beauty exclaimed at once.
The door bell rang, and they rushed to get it.
“Well done, Bro” Pinkie chuckled.
“I said come help me out” He reminded.
“Calm down, Ivan. She hasn’t done her duty yet” Aurelio chuckled, and she faced him.
“Which is?”
He picked up the gallant golden and shiny star beside the tree.
“Let’s do it together” He winked.
“Is this like a tradition for you two now?” Beauty said, behind them as she dropped the presents beside the tree.
“Maybe” They replied at the same time, and then burst out in laughter.
“Let’s count then” Ivan said.
“Okay” Everyone agreed.
Her parents are out of the kitchen already.
“3”
“2”
“1”
Aurelio and Pinkie placed the star on the tree, and the lights immediately came on.
They exchanged glances. “Perfect” They said at a time and then started chuckling.
•BACK TO THE PRESENT•
Pinkie is on her way back home. She’s in a cab.
She then rested her head on the car’s window staring the beautiful decorations on almost every building in the city.
Every where yells and screams Christmas.
It’s Christmas in a few days.
Her mind shifted to Liam.
What the heck! She forgot to call him.
She brought out her phone to dial his number.
Just then, his call came in.
She picked up immediately.
“Hey Pinkie, where are you?”
“I-I-I-
“Please don’t tell me you’ve left already”
“I’m sorry. I forgot” She muttered slowly.
“It’s fine”.
“Are you fine? You sound a bit….
“I’ll come see you later, bye” He ended the call.
“Is he mad at me?” She wondered in her head.
PINKIE’S PLACE*
She met her family, Beauty and Austin decorating a Christmas tree.
“Pinkie come join us” Austin smiled.
“Oh” She slowly walked towards the gallant green dark coloured tree, which is already surrounded with presents.
Every year she spent celebrating Christmas with Aurelio, flashed right in front of her eyes.
His loud laughter echoed through the walls.
She made to pick up the golden star, then her head started banging.
“Ah!” She held her head.
“Pinkie!”
“Pinkie!” They rushed to her, and just like that her vision became blurry.
She passed out.
PINKIE’S ROOM*
“For the first time in five years, she tried to lift the star but then, this happened” Beauty said tearfully.
“I was happy though. I thought she was recovering from the effect his déath had on her” Ivan muttered.
“Me too” Austin mumbled.
AN HOUR LATER*
Pinkie’s eyelids slowly parted.
“Pinkie” Beauty smiled.
“Beauty” She managed to speak.
“I’m right here”.
She sat up. “How are you? is your head hurting?” She asked worriedly.
“I’m fine” Pinkie smiled lightly.
“And your eyes?”
“The optimist said my eyes are perfectly fine, and I might have to stop using my glasses”
“Really?” Beauty’s face brightened.
“Yeah but……
“But what?”
“I keep seeing him”
“Who?”
“Aurelio”
“What?!”
The family rushed in when they heard Beauty scream, Austin inclusive.
The whole family including Austin and Beauty sat around the dining table, having dinner.
“We’ll be on our way” Beauty got up, and Austin followed.
“Good night” Mrs Eloise smiled.
“Thanks for coming to help out” Mr Evan added.
“I’ll call you, Beauty” Ivan said.
“What about me?” Austin said.
“Did someone just say something?” He joked, making everyone chuckle.
What? Did Pinkie just chuckle? That too, loudly!
Eyes turned to her, and she smiled in returned.
“I’ll see you guys off” She got up.
Their eyes widened even more.
BUS-STOP*
“I’m glad you’re back to your normal self, Pinkie” Beauty eyes stung with tears.
“Not fully” She smiled lightly.
“I missed you, Pinkie Pink” Austin hugged her.
“Hey, back off” Beauty sniffles, and he gently pulled away.
“Twinnie” Beauty hugged her.
“Stop crying”.
“I’m not crying”.
“The cab driver is waiting, you know?”
“Gosh, you’re really back to your annoying self” She joked, making her chuckle.
“Bye” They wanted before entering the cab.
Pinkie then sighed staring at the ring on her finger.
Her phone chimed. It’s Liam.
{Liam} : What’s with the reunion?
{Pinkie} : Reunion?
{Liam} : Yeah. What’s with the hugs, if it isn’t a reunion?
{Pinkie} : Wait, where are you?
“Right behind you” She heard his voice, and turned.
A PARK*
There’s a park close to Pinkie’s place.
“What did you want to talk about?” She said, moving back and forth on a swing.
“Lexi” He replied, settling on the swing, right next to her.
“Is she fine?” She stopped moving.
“Yeah” He lied.
“Okay….”
“What’s with the ring though?”
“It’s-nevermind”
“Are you engaged to someone?”
“Yeah” She faced him.
“But he’s dead”.
“What?!” His eyes popped out of its sockets.
“Aurelio. His name was Aurelio” She looked away.
“He was Italian, but he lived here with his parents until their demise. No one came for him so the orphanage down the street, took him in and then he got enrolled in my school”.
“We were at each other’s neck at first, cause my first impression of him was that he was rude”.
“He hardly speaks even when you try to speak with him, he just ignores you. So, I found him rude”.
“And he said his first impression of me was that I was a chatterbox and he doesn’t like a talkative, so he instantly disliked me”.
“Crazy, isn’t it?” She chuckled softly.
“We became friends after playing the role of a couple in a drama”.
“Gosh, it was so tiring to put up with his annoying attitude, back then”.
“This minute he’s happy and jovial and the next minute he becomes a jerk” She laughed.
“He was my first love and might probably be my last….. too” She faced him.
“We started dating in elementary school. Grade 8 precisely”.
“Embarrassing, right?” She looked at him.
He shook his head.
She smiled lightly, before staring back at the empty space.
“We shared a lot of happy and sad memories together”.
“We always prayed together that he didn’t got adopted, and luckily he never did”.
“We thought fate was on our side, but sadly it wasn’t”.
“December 2018, a year I’d never forget”.
“He díed on your fifth year anniversary. He got hit by a car” Her eyes stung with tears.
She faced him. “Do you know the worst and most heartbreaking part of it?” Tears escaped her eyes.
“He díed cause of me” She burst out in tears.
“If only I didn’t insist that he went to get me Ice cream, then Aurelio would probably still be alive today”.
“Pinkie” He got up, and hugged her.
“I insisted on having ice cream and I lost him, forever”.
“He díed cause of me. I’m a murderer, Liam”.
“No, don’t say that”.
“He was going to propose to me on that night”
“I’m not fated to live a happy life, Liam”
“Just shut up, okay?” He broke the hug.
“Liam….
“Don’t say a word, anymore, got it?” He almost snapped.
She gave a nod.
“You’re not the cause of his déath, got it?”
“But….
“I told you not to say a word, right?”
She fell silent.
Chapter 11 & 12 : Liam’s Confession
It’s been two days since Liam and Pinkie last spoke, or heard from each other.
He hasn’t call, neither send a message like he usually does.
She’s worried.
She has called and texted him, but he didn’t return her calls or reply her texts.
She stood in front of THE BROOKS mansion.
She was about to go in, and she saw Liam coming out of the house.
“Liam!” She called, and he turned.
“Pinkie” He smiled lightly.
INSIDE THE MANSION*
“So she’s still unconscious?” She asked.
“Yeah” He gave a nod sadly, and she sighed before getting up from the couch.
“May I?” She asked, and he gave a nod.
She settled beside him on the couch, and he faced her.
“Be positive. She’s going to be fine. I guarantee you” She held his hands.
He smiled lightly.
“What brings you here, by the way?” He asked.
“Uh? Me? Here? Oh….I haven’t heard from you for two days now so I was worried” She replied.
“You were worried about me?”
“Don’t be silly” She rolled eyes, with a light smile.
“Answer me” He smiled.
“No, I won’t” She lied, and his smile fell.
“I wanted to come check up on my friend, Lexi” She concluded.
“You just broke my heart, I thought you came to see me” He looked away.
“Okay fine. I came for you” He turned with a smile.
“And Lexi too”.
“Doesn’t matter whether you came for Lexi or me. All that matters, is that you cared to come check up”
“Can I go visit her, at the hospital?” She requested.
“Sure, you can”.
“Who is she, Liam?” Mrs Brooks asked, climbing down the stairs.
Pinkie quickly got up. “Good evening, ma’am” She greeted.
“Evening, Sweetheart” She smiled sweetly at her.
“Liam?” She called, and he got up.
“Actually, mom meet Pinkie, Pinkie meet Mrs Brooks” He introduced.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am”
“Nice to meet you too, Sweetheart-But the name Pinkie sounds familiar”
“She saved Lexi’s-
“Oh sweetheart!” She pushed Liam aside, and rushed to hug Pinkie.
“I went to your ward to come express my gratitude, but I was told you’ve been discharged already” She broke the hug.
“I asked Liam to help get your address, but he keeps postponing it, saying today, tomorrow, and blah blah blah”
Pinkie chuckled softly.
“Gawd, it saddens my heart that we met this way. I’m truly sorry, Sweetheart” She apologized, holding Pinkie’s hand.
“It’s fine, ma’am” She smiled.
“Are you two friends?” She asked.
“Yes-
“No, ma’am. I’m only friends with Lexi” She chipped in, cutting Liam off.
“Ohhh Okay” Mrs Brooks mouth formed an O shape.
Liam is dumbstruck.
“How about you come over for dinner, some other time, probably for Christmas or something?”
“Oh” Her mouth formed an O shape.
“Mom, don’t you think-
“I’m trying to help you woo her, so shut up”
“Mom!” He exclaimed in shock, laughing.
“I’ll think about it, ma’am” She smiled.
“Are you politely rejecting my visit?” She chuckled.
“No, ma’am. I’ll be here for Christmas, for sure. I promise” She assured.
“Promise?”
“Promise” They shared a hug.
“I’m off to the hospital. Look after Liam for me, okay?”
“Actually, ma’am, I was on my way to the-
“Sure, mom. She’s going to look after me” He pulled Pinkie to himself.
“Liam?!” Pinkie chuckled.
“You know how to take care of a grown up guy, right?” He teased.
“Especially when you two are all alone” He concluded, and her eyes widened at his naughtiness.
“Okay, I’m out of here” Mrs Brooks raised her hands up in surrender.
“But I want to come with you ma’am, I have to go visit Lexi”
“Don’t worry, Dearest. You’ll get to visit Lexi, but first take care of me”.
“Liam!” She chuckled.
Mrs Brooks cleared her throat. “I’ll leave you two to enjoy” Pinkie faced her in shock.
“I meant I’ll leave you two to talk” She rushed out of the house.
The maids rushed out of the house too.
“What’s going on, Liam?” She asked cluelessly.
“I guess Mrs Brooks sent a general message, ordering them to evacuate the house” He wrapped his arms around her.
“Don’t you think you were being too naughty in the presence of your mom?” She pushed his head backwards with a finger, and he laughed.
“Dear Mrs Brooks, knows the personality of the son, she bore for Mr Brooks” He kissed her neck.
“Liam…..”.
“What? Didn’t you promise to look after me?” He whispered.
“I know but…..
She pulled away, and went to sit on a couch.
“Sorry, I was just joking around. I’d never try to take advantage of you, you know?” He got on one knee, in front of her.
“I know” She pinched his cheeks.
“Have you always being this cute and adorable?” He teased.
“Stop teasing me before I turn into a tomato” She looked away shyly.
“Got it” He stood up.
“I’ll go get changed, so we’ll leave for the hospital”.
“Okay” A blush crept on her cheeks.
He placed a kiss on her forehead, and then lowered his eyelids, locking eyes with her.
He then placed a kiss on her nose bridge, and then locked eyes with her again.
“Calm down, I’m not gonna touch you” He assured, and she gave a nod.
This time around, he kissed her cheeks.
He then raised his eyelids before holding her chin.
He locked eyes with her for a moment, before aiming for her lips.
“Wait, Liam” She turned away, and he came to his senses.
“Sorry” He went upstairs, and he fell on his bed with a loud thud.
“What were you thinking, Liam?” He scolded himself.
He was putting on a shirt when a gentle knock came on the door.
“Come in” He’s done buttoning it.
“You left your phone behind” She slowly walked to him.
“Oh” He took it from her.
“It was ringing” She muttered, and he pressed the power button.
“Do you know who called?”
“No, I don’t. All I know is you saved the person’s contact with a lot of hearts” She almost sounded like a jealous fellow.
“It was Lexi”.
“Liar-Wait, Lexi?!” Her eyes brightened.
He gave a nod.
“But why was she calling?” She muttered, remembering that Lexi is mute.
“That I don’t know. She normally sends texts instead” He muttered, dialling her number.
The call got picked at the first ring.
“Hello?” He said.
“Hello?”
“Hello?” Pinkie joined him.
“Hello?”
“I can hear you two” Lexi’s voice came.
The duo faced each other in shock, disbelief, confusion, just name it!
“Come to the hospital, bro!” Kimberly said excitedly.
“Come son!” They heard his dad’s voice.
“Your mom is crying her eyes out, here” Lexi chuckled.
Liam is crying already.
“We’ll be there” Pinkie said, and quickly ended the call.
“Come here” She hugged him.
“Was that Lexi’s voice?” He asked on her shoulder.
“Yes, it was”.
“I’m so happy right now” He chuckled out more tears, breaking the hug.
“I’m happy too” She began chuckling out tears, too.
“Are you crying cause of me?” He laughed softly, wiping her tears off.
“No” She shook her head.
“I’m just overwhelmed with happiness. I’m happy for Lexi” She looked him in the eye, and he smiled placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Becoming an habit?”
“Yeah, I’m going to do it until I breathe my last”
“Even when you get married?” She chuckled.
“Yes” He smiled.
“How shameless!” She gasped.
“How is that being shameless?” He bashed his lids.
“That’s ridiculous. You’re going to be someone’s husband, and yet you’ll still be doing the forehead stuff?”
“Yeah, I know I’m going to be someone’s husband, but I’m going to be pecking my wife’s forehead not a stranger’s” He smiled.
“Your wife not a stranger…..Uh?”
“I’m going to get married to you, Pinkie”
“Uh?” She muttered in shock.
“Wanna bet?” He raised his pinky finger to her face.
“What are you saying….
“Let’s go” He swept her off her feet, carrying her in a bridal style.
“Liam”.
“Just shut up, okay?” He chuckled, and she took in her lips.
“There’s no one here” He said, and then walked out of the room.
HOSPITAL*
Pinkie and Liam rushed into Lexi’s ward at a time.
They froze on their tracks in shock.
Liam passed out.
“Liam!” Pinkie quickly caught him, but he could land on the floor.
AUSTIN’S PLACE*
Beauty is still asleep, the duvet covering her body.
She’s wearing Austin’s shirt.
Austin smiled, placing her head on his lap.
He then started stroking her hair.
“Austin, stop it” She murmured in her sleep.
“Stop it”.
“Stop it”.
“I’m not in the mood, right now”.
“Stop it” She started moving from one side to another.
“Wake up, Beauty” He tapped on her shoulder, and she sprang up.
“Which Austin? What mood? What sort of dream were you having? Was last night not enough, that you’re busy dreaming….
She shut him up with a kiss.
“Good morning, Sweetheart” She smiled.
“Morning” He frowned cutely, getting up from the bed.
“I made you breakfast” He said.
“I’ll be out in ten” She grinned.
“It’s here” He pointed at the bedstand.
“Thanks”.
“I’m going to the gym. See you later” He kissed her cheeks.
“Bye” She pecked his cheeks, too.
He exited the room.
Beauty then burst out in laughter.
She wasn’t having an dream. She only said those things to see his reaction.
“Gawd, he’s so adorable” She laughed.
“I knew it” He chuckled, entering the room.
“Sweetheart!” She gasped, as he pulled the duvet off her body.
“Playing dirty, uh?” He smirked, crawling above her.
“Not really” She took in her lower lip, and he smiled, before claiming her lips.