Hades

What eternity means is something I understood during the plane ride. My hurried steps felt as if they were slapping against the concrete, down into the heavy pour, but I didn’t care enough. More so, Rose loved the rain…

I sighed as I got inside the sedan. My trench coat and pants were completely wet. But again, I didn't care. My blood was blazing warm with the anticipation of what followed. She would look at me with hatred in her gaze, her soft lips curled in distaste, and most importantly, the tears, the same I had caused.

As the sedan moved, I looked out of the window at the contradicting scene changes, from tall buildings to cozy houses to broken apartments… where my Rose lived. My heart clenched so hard that the pain that shot up my throat had me gasping for a moment. Knowing well that I was responsible for it.

For everything, for all her misery and pain. I took a deep breath as I got out of the car. I already knew the floor she lived on. I felt movement behind me as I signaled my security to leave. My men frowned but listened to my command. I needed all her anger, all her curses; if she had started to curse, all her tears… everything for myself. I knew I was being selfish, barging back into her life. A good man should have let her go. Let her build a new world for herself. But I never claimed to be good.

“Sir, the locality isn’t good. I believe we should stay.”

One of my men stated as I clenched my fist. Yes, the greedy eyes of the men as they looked towards the car told the same story. But…

“If my wife could survive here for so long. I am sure I can for a couple of hours.”

My voice was sharp and cold. Detached.

I squared my shoulders, gathering all my courage. To face the consequences of what I have caused. As I walked up, the wooden stairs creaked under my weight. 

Second Floor. Apartment No. 18 and the chipped wooden door. The only physical distance between us.

I knocked on the door twice as I held my breath. But I couldn’t hear any movements. Nothing, just silence.

“Must be at work.”

I reminded myself.

I waited for an hour or so as the rain outside throbbed with a rhythm. Sometimes high notes and other times with low notes. I looked down at my watch, 6:05…

I sighed as I kept looking towards the stairs.

Movement, I could hear movements on the stairs as I prayed for it to be Rose, and as if my prayers were to be answered today. There she stood, my Rose. Her thick hair in a bun, her skin paler than I remembered, and her clothes slightly tattered. But did she look radiant and divine to me!

My goddess.

“Rose…”

I said as softly as possible, but it came out as a wounded plea. She looked up at me; first surprise, then the pain, and lastly fear…

Rose took a step back as my eyes watered. I have imagined this movement a hundred times and have always told myself that I am prepared to face it. 

But seeing the subtle fear and sadness, I felt as if I was being stabbed a thousand times.

“My flower…”

I started. My voice is shaky. Through my blurry vision, I could make out that Rose was fumbling with her fingers. Something she did when she used to do when she was nervous. A habit that took a long time for me to break.

“I know love, my apology would mean nothing to you right now. But still, let me just say it once for now…and a zillion times more. I am so sorry.”

I started as a bile of guilt and regret rose in my throat. Say something, love. Anything.

“What bri-ngs you here?”

Rose completely dismissed my apology, but at least she talked back to me. Her voice made goosebumps rise up my arms. How much I missed this voice.

On instinct, my steps move on their own accord, desperately wanting to hug her. Cocoon myself in her essence. To make myself believe that my Rose was standing in front of me.

“Don’t you dare touch me!”

My steps halted at Rose’s outburst. A traitorous tear slipped down her hazel orbs as she started to shake.

“Rose…”

I stated, but…

“Rosie?”

A man who was a couple of inches shorter than me came to stand next to Rose, my Rose.

As the blonde touched her shoulder, I was expecting the same reaction, knowing the overstimulated state she was in. But I was let down as she wrapped her arms around him, the same way I wanted to wrap mine around her. A loud sob echoed through the corridor.

The man looked up to me as he continued consoling Rose. A sneer marred his face as his eyes burned with disgust and hatred.

The same emotion I was feeling for him at that very moment.

“Let's go inside the house. You look rather exhausted.”

The man stated as she slightly nodded her head. I moved out of the way as that man took out a key from his pocket before twisting the knob. Seeing the key emerging from his pocket, many questions ran through my mind.

The one that made all the others seem small and dismissive was, ‘Has she moved on?’

I should have done a little more research before coming here. I should have expected her to move on. But it still hurts so bad. What was I supposed to do next? Prove my love, once again. Show her, I can take care of her better. But even after all that, will it be enough for her?

I didn’t realise that I stood in the hallway like a fool as the man helped Rose onto the couch. As I walked in, I couldn’t help but admire the handiwork in the apartment. The essence of Rose lingered everywhere. 

“I will get you water.”

The man stated as he wiped a few stray tears along her cheek before vanishing into the kitchen.

“Who is he?”

I questioned. I couldn't help the aftertaste of jealousy that lingered on my tongue.

“Asher.”

Rose replied as Asher came back with a glass of water. Once he had handed it to Rose, he turned in my direction. Arms crossed and irritation written over his face.

“What brings you here, Hades Knight?”

Asher questioned. His tone is sharp and dismissive. A tone many fear to use against me.

My fist clenched on my own accord. His tone told me he knew enough to hold such a hard grudge against.

“Listen, I am simply here to talk…”

“I have complete belief, Rose has no interest in talking to you.”

Asher cut me. I bit my tongue. I wasn’t here to scare Rose any further. I needed to keep my temperament in order.

To make it fair, I directly addressed Rose

“Rose, I need to talk to you. I can explain everything. I was blinded, Rose. Let me explain it to you.”

I pleaded. Looking directly at her, but she never looked in my direction. 

“I can’t. Just leave.”

Rose stated. Never looking up, but the shakes of her shoulder told me she was having a hard time holding herself together.

“You hear her, Knight. Now leave.”

Asher stated as I gritted my teeth.

“And who are you to take such decisions for her?’

I questioned.

“Someone who can.”

Asher retorted.

“Who?”

I fired back.

“Her boyfriend.”