Enchanted Love

Flashback ends.

Alina looked at Jason and sighed sadly.

“What happened?” Jason asked as Alina stopped narrating the story. To be honest he was so engrossed in the story that he wanted to know more about them.

“That was the last thing I knew. When we woke up, we found out that Clara and Alex left the place early. We thought that they left to sort out the issue and we even though they went to celebrate.” Alina smiled sadly.

“After three days, we went back to our place and things were not what they were supposed to be” Alina’s eyes teared up recalling the state of Clara.

“Alex’s mom had a stroke and she became paralysed. His dad also met with an accident a week later.” Edward explained and sighed tiredly.

“Alex gets hysterical whenever I start talking about Clara. So I never asked him about the reason.” Edward spoke, recalling his friend’s state.

“As for Clara, she stopped expressing anything to me. She locked herself in her room for some days and even stopped talking with anyone.” Alina’s throat went dry recalling her pain.

“Jason, she was very cheerful and a happy person. Now her frustration and irritation are just because of her pain. So I just want you to be with her always. Don’t judge her with her harsh words. She doesn’t mean anything. She thinks that she would never trust anyone and give that liberty for them to hurt her in a way Alex does.” Alina explained why she opened up the story to Jason.

“Thanks for trusting me. Clara is a nice person. I have had great respect for her when I witnessed her helping nature towards her patient. She hides that from those patients too. But never thought that she was once a colourful person. I will try to make her like before.” Jason is hurt to know everything about Clara. He is lucky to witness Clara’s good nature when he was also thinking of her as a rude girl. Now he could at least sense her pain. Whatever may be, Alex is like a prince in a fairy tale. Clara can never forget such a person in her life and move on. She is stuck in her past and is struggling a lot to overcome loneliness.

*****

“Are you planning to murder me?” Alex winced in pain. Clara rolled her eyes at his whining.

“Stop being an annoying grandma. But even that grandma doesn’t whine like you” Clara threw her hands up in frustration. Alex is not at all allowing her to even raise his hand to stretch his muscles.

“Grandma? Did you just compare me to a grandma?” Alex asked, gasping loudly.

“Don’t tell this to that grandma. She will feel offended” Clara replied as she stood up, giving up on her treatment.

“Let’s try the same tomorrow and see if you can adjust till then.” Clara took her bag as he rolled his eyes.

“Problem is not with me. It’s with you as you are not able to treat me.” Alex replied with a frown. Clara doesn’t feel like replying to him as she checks her watch. She tiptoed and saw Jason already there waiting for her. A big smile itched her lips, making his frown deep. He doesn’t like it at all whenever she smiles with Jason. Who is that guy by the way?

“Okay, Mr Smith. I should leave now.” Clara didn’t even wait for his reply as she left his room, making him frustrated with her attitude.

*****

Edward and Alina decorated their home happily. Alina was very happy to hear Clara’s cheerful voice after a long time. She even agreed to the party which she never does earlier. Maybe this change is good for her.

“Baby, can you prepare the dessert?” Alina asked sweetly.

“As if I have ever denied you!” Edward replied with a flying kiss. Alina blushed instantly.

“Edward, should we ask them about that incident again?” Alina asked Edward to cut the fruits.

“Did you forget how Clara got a panic attack when you pressured her to tell you?” Edward reminded her and both went silent for a couple of minutes recalling the day when Clara went out of control. She was shivering badly that day.

“Why didn’t you ask Alex?” Alina asked with a large pout.

“He just stated that everything was because of Clara. The accident and whatever happened with them was because of Clara. You can never imagine what his parents meant for him” Edward ended his statement

“Everyone loves their parents like that only. Don’t just mention that he is the only kid who is very attached to his parents.” Alina is annoyed with the way Edward takes Alex’s side always whenever they take this topic.

“Alina, I didn’t” his words died when they heard the knock on the door.

“Let’s welcome them now.” Alina went to welcome their friends to the party.

*****

Alex stood there in a corner examining everything. He drank his drink and sat there as his pain was getting worse.

“I have a pair to come with” Clara’s words were haunting him and he knew that she would be coming with the same guy who is picking her up.

The hall was glittering with green colour light and the disco song was loud enough to make the guys go crazy with the zone. Edward and Alina are busy hosting the party and serving everyone with everything.

The hall went silent when the song suddenly went off.

“Who has switched off the song?” Alina yelled as the DJ went to the entrance to see the speaker’s wire.

Everyone looked at the entrance as Clara entered the platform. Her red long dress touched the floor flawlessly. Alex’s eyes popped out seeing her in an off-shoulder dress. Her milky neck and shoulders are so tempting as it was highlighted with red colour fabric. With her minimal make-up and dark shade of lipstick, everything is just perfect and cute.

“Hi everyone” Clara waved her hand as the crowd exclaimed loudly.

“Omg, Clara, is this you?” One of her friends asked, gasping loudly. Clara has never been so good during their college days. She is known for simple attire and natural beauty. But with a small effort, she stole the evening.

“You look fantabulous,” another one commented. Alex holds the glass tightly with red shot eyes. Is this her new drama? To show him how much she has changed?

“Jason, welcome” Alina shook her hands with Jason. Clara pulled Alina instantly.

“How do you know Jason?” Clara is very possessive towards her friends. She doesn’t like to share her friends even with her friends.

“Just like that, we got to know each other and he is too sweet” Alina exclaimed but that didn’t go well with Edward who joined Alex at his counter to have a drink.

The party was very smooth and it was more like a college reunion for Alina and Clara. As for Edward and Alex, they have had few friends to hang out with. The music was loud and everyone was enjoying it except for Alex whose stares didn’t leave Clara at all. Clara on the other hand makes sure to enjoy it like hell.

“You are single now, right?” One of their friends asked her as her smile vanished instantly.

“Sorry, I just wanted to ask you as there were rumours about your husband and you” Rachel replied with a smile. Clara glared at Alina for even inviting Rachel to this party. She is always jealous of Clara and has despised her for everything.

“Guess you have been waiting for that?” Clara asked back.

“Don’t tell me that all those rumours were true.” Rachel gasped loudly. They all knew that but no one was ready to believe that. Clara and Alex were the sweetest couple ever and they can’t imagine them even fighting.

“Don’t get me wrong. Alex is one in a thousand. No fool would miss such an awesome person” Rachel voiced out as her stares didn’t leave Alex.

“I didn’t know that you would call clowns also to the party. I hate that” Gauri gulped her drink casually as Rachel stared angrily without realizing that it was an alcohol.

“Rachel, can you leave if you want to rant these stupid things?” Alina is pissed now. She knew how much Rachel is attracted to Alex and she was always not happy with Clara Alex’s love life.

“Yeah, sure. I should leave now” Rachel now walked towards Alex, leaving Clara in an attempt to make her jealous.

Looking at them, Clara gulped her drink vigorously. She didn’t like how Alex is smiling after whatever he did with her. Her eyes lined up with tears recalling her dreadful night. He has no right to be happy. She stood up with only the motive to snatch that smile from his face.