Kiya
"So you wouldn't care if something happened to me?" My vision was blurred from the unshed tears that were welled up in my sage green eyes.
The cold air caressed my bare arms and collarbone. My dark hair was getting blown behind me from the soft wind around us.
I bit my lip to prevent the tears from falling. He just stood there. His hands were in his pockets. His hair was perfectly styled. His suit clanged to his strong figure.
Those eyes I fell in love with were empty of any emotion. It was nothing there. They were as cold as the first day of our marriage. Nothing but emptiness in them.
My eyes traveled over his face to capture a fraction of emotion for a second, but nothing. He felt nothing.
For five months I've been fighting with myself to figure out what I did. What caused this? This madness that was called our marriage. Everything was perfect and then everything changed in one night. On the night of our wedding. When Hade took my hand and we left the wedding party, I though it was going to be the start of something beautiful.
That our lives would be beautiful and peaceful. Just like I have always imagined. I knew that one day I'll have an arranged marriage. With my father's choice of work, I knew something like this would have happened. He was a CEO of a big company and always had to have connections with different business partners, like Hade's dad.
When my dad first told me about the marriage I was not happy, but then I met Hade, he changed my mind. He was sweet, kind, and patient. He showered me with affection and love. That was all it took for me to fall in love with him.
He took me on my dream dates, he would buy me books, read to me, and send me good night and good morning texts. He would make sure that I was comfortable and well cared for by him.
Everything he did was perfect. Something out of a fairytale. My life was like those romance novels I've read. Where the guy of your dreams appears out of nowhere and makes your life better than it was. As a partner should do.
And he did. For a short period of time.
In the two months of our engagement, he was everything I ever dreamed of in a man.
He was... so good to me. I don't know what happened after the wedding.
The lights were decorating the streets around us. The chill weather added to the coldness of his heart and froze me even more. I was used to it. Even though I knew I shouldn't be.
This is not how a union between two people should be.
His jaw clenched. "No." He finally said the word I was afraid to hear.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips and the tears fell down. Of course, he wouldn't. He wouldn't care. He said it. And he didn't move a muscle.
"Not even a little?" I still had hope. Maybe, maybe he was lying this time. Maybe this time he didn't mean it.
Maybe he was going to smile and tell me he was joking. Who knows. I looked at his eyes again. Trying to find something. Something that will justify the tinniest of hope i still had.
"No, Kiya. I wouldn't." His perfectly sculpted face stayed emotionless. The face I fell in love with. He had deep blue eyes that always reminded me of the ocean. I was terrified of the ocean, but every time I looked at his eyes I felt calm. But not anymore.
These last five months all I've felt was cold and bitter feelings from him.
He hated me.
He hated his wife so much that he didn't care if something happened to her.
The dinner we were having a few minutes ago showed me further how much he despises me. His friends were making jokes and rude comments about me but he didn't care. He didn't even back me up when I tried to stand up for myself.
He just sat there, not saying anything.
No one said anything. Not his dad, not his mom, not him. They all laughed together with those rich bastards.
They all laughed, while I miserably sat there not knowing what to do.
"Okay, Hade. I can't change your feelings. As much as I tried, I can't." I wiped the tears and looked down. The ring on my finger glistened. My hands were holding the small bag in a tight grip. My knuckles were turning white and my nails dig into the leather-like material.
"I'm tired. I'll leave. Have a great night." I tucked my hair behind my ear and looked at his eyes again. He was still not moving and just stared at me.
"Fine." His voice was cold and deep. Before I could say anything, he turned around and left.
I watched his figure disappear between the glass gates. He was gone.
A loud sob left my lips as I stood in the chill weather. My body was shivering and not from the cold but from his words and actions.
Slowly I took the phone from my bag and called an Uber. I'll go and visit Sandra. Maybe she'll be able to cheer me up with her funny stories from work. She was my childhood friend. We didn't really see each that much these past few years. She was constantly working and I... well I had my own problems.
I sneaked my arms around me and tried to warm myself.
I didn't even took a coat with me.
Hade's home was the last place I wanted to be right now and I hope Sandra was free at this time of the night. It was 9 pm.
After about ten minutes, my Uber arrived and I stepped inside. Getting comfortable on the seat I leaned my head back. The tears were still falling down my face but I felt numb.
The driver started the car and we drove off.
Hade
The glass door closed behind me and I fought the urge to look behind me.
She was there alone. I left her alone at this time of the night. I was an absolute piece of shit. Her tears... her tears tore my heart apart and left it bleeding in my chest.
I placed my hand over my heart and rubbed over it, trying to get over the pain I was feeling.
Fuck this contract and revenge.
I couldn't do it anymore. She didn't deserve it. None of this was her fault.
I walked to our table with long steps and noticed Dad and Mom laughing. Mason and Marie were laughing with them as well and all of them held their champagne glasses in hand.
When I got closer, I stood next to the table and cleared my throat in need of their attention.
"I'll be leaving." My dad turned his head to me and his smile dropped.
He stood up from his seat and walked towards me. He placed his hand over my shoulder and gestured for me to move over to a quieter place.
We walked over to the hallway and his hand on my shoulder tightened.
His hair was getting more and more white and the wrinkles on his face showed how old he was getting. The expensive suit covered his lean figure and he finally spoke.
His voice sounded more raspy with each year.
"Son. Look, I've been noticing how you're looking at that girl and I don't like it." His eyebrows furrowed upwards in frustration.
That girl, meaning my wife, Kiya.
"Don't forget about our plan." My jaw clenched at that word and my eyes flew past him. Not being able to look at his face.
"Don't you ever forget what her father did to your sister? Do you understand me? Don't ever forget about that." His voice cracked at the end and I knew how hard it was for him to talk about my sister.
"She didn't even get to celebrate her eighteenth birthday." My hands fisted and my eyes still wouldn't find his face. Because if I looked I'll remember all the pain we went through for years.
The pain that was unbearable. The pain of losing someone dear and close to you. The worst kind of pain.
Lily was just seventeen when we lost her. She was small and fragile. And I'll never forget who did that to her. Who was responsible for her death.
But Kiya. She was precious and wasn't aware of her father's wrath. Nothing her father did was her fault. But my dad's plan was to destroy the most loved person in her father's life. Her.
I was the one who was supposed to break her spirit. And I was afraid that I was doing an excellent job at it.
The way she looked at me a few minutes ago tells me that I was succeeding in whatever plan my dad had. And I hated it. I shouldn't be doing this. Not to her.
"Do you understand me, son?" He raised his voice.
I nodded not being able to use my voice.
"Good." He patted my shoulder and fixed my tie, smacking me on the chest before going back to the table.
I watched him leave and then I made my way down the hall to the glass doors.
I got out and looked around. She was gone. She was probably going home.
I hope she was safe.
I had no right to say anything or to even think of her. The way I treat her makes me want to pull my hair out. No one deserves it. Especially not her. My precious wife. She deserved the best this world could give and I was definitely not that.
The valet brought me my car and I took the keys, stared at the car, and drove off.
The streets were quiet and not as busy as usual. Her perfume scent was still present in the car and it calmed my nerves. How was I going to face her after what has happened, I have no idea.
After what seemed like forever, I arrived at the front gates. I opened them with the small remote and drove to the house.
The lights were off and I assume she was already in bed.
I walked inside and the house was pitch silent. Nothing. Everything was dark and the only noise was my shoes clicking on the marble floor.
When I entered our room, the bed was empty. Maybe she was in the bathroom.
I walked there as well but it was empty. Not a single trace from her. I picked up my phone and dialed her number. After a few attempts nothing. She was not picking up.
"Where are you Kiya?" I murmured to myself.
Could she be with her friend? Sandra or whatever her name was. Maybe she was at her place.
I sat on the armchair and dialed her number one more time. Again like before, nothing.
I rested my head on the back of the chair and waited for her. She'll be back soon. She never stays out for this long, especially at night. She'll be here.
Beep. Beep.
I heard my phone ring.
My eyes were closed. Wait, did I fall asleep? I slowly opened my eyes and rubbed them. Trying to remove the sleepiness that was still present.
When I looked at the clock on the wall it was 2 am. Who could be at this time? And where was Kiya? She was still not home.
The phone rang again.
I picked it up. Finally.
"Yes?" I answered. A yaw was threatening to escape my lips.
"Is this Mr. Callahan?" An unfamiliar voice of a woman spoke on the other line.
"Yes, that's me."
"Sir, you're wife Kiya Callahan has been in a car accident." What?
"What are you talking about?" I quickly stood up from the chair and ran my fingers through my hair.
"She has been taken to the central hospital, sir. She's in a critical condition." No, this was not happening.
My Kiya was fine and she'll be home soon. Nothing happened to her.
I felt my vision blur and I exited the room as fast as I could. I ended the call and I was making my way to the car.
My legs felt like jelly and I don't even know how was I able to walk.
My heartbeat increased and I felt my chest tighten with pain. A pained sob left my lips when I started the car.
I pressed on the pedal and drove there at a dangerously fast speed. I didn't care if I got a fine, I just had to see Kiya.
I'm sure they have messed up some records, there is no way my wife was in a critical condition. She's fine and she'll smile at me like always and then we'll get back home.
Her smile that was always present on her face even though she was sad and miserable.
The night of our wedding when I dismissed her and left our house was the hardest thing I had to do. She was so happy and I took that happiness away from her.
During our engagement, I got lost in our moments. I didn't even though of the real reason why we were getting married. She was like the sunshine, warm and welcoming. She lit up my days and made them better in every way possible.
Her touch made me lose my sanity. I became addicted to her. I couldn't stand being away, so when I had to continue with my acting as a distant husband who doesn't actually care about her, I became a shallow, empty man.
I don't know if she was seeing it but I was nothing without her.
My heart was yearning for her every second of the day. For five months I was a walking dead person.
My nights were spent in my office, silently hiding the tears.
I honked at the cars in front of me and after a while, I was at the entrance of the hospital. I got out not caring about the car and ran inside.
I made my way to the information counter. "Where is Kiya Callahan?" I said quickly.
"Are you a relative..."
"I'm her husband!" I yelled. "Now tell me where she is!"
She quickly nodded and told me exactly on which floor and room my wife was. I took the stairs not being able to wait for the elevator.
My steps were rushed and I didn't care if her room was on the sixth floor.
I ran to the room and saw the doctors and nurses in the front.
"Where is she?" I said.
"Sir, calm down. She has been transferred to the room but we still have to wait for her to wake up." He tried to explain but all I had to do is see her.
"Let me see her." I pushed between them. They tried to hold me back but I wouldn't let them.
"Sir, please..." he didn't even finish the sentence when I pushed the door open.
She was there.
Laying on the hospital bed. Tubes were connected to her fragile body. Her skin was pale. There was a wound on her forehead.
She looked... she looked nothing like Kiya I saw a few hours ago.
"Kiya." My voice cracked and I walked to her with slow steps. The monitor next to her showed her heartbeats and it was the only thing keeping me sane.
"Kiya, baby. Please wake up." I crouched down next to her and slowly lifted my arms.
I took hold of her palm and lightly caressed it. Careful not to move any of the equipment attached to her.
I felt her shallow breathing. Her eyes were closed. Her beautiful green eyes were not looking at me. Eyes that were always filled with tears in my presence.
I heard shoes clicking behind me.
"Sir, I will have to ask you to wait outside." One of the doctors from earlier spoke behind me.
I didn't move. I held onto her hand.
"I'll have to call the security if you don't leave." I let out a breath in frustration and stood up. Pushing my hair back, I turned to him.
"Okay, okay." I cursed under my breath.
I'll be waiting at the door until I can go back inside.
I walked past him and got out. There was a policeman in the front and he was what I assume waiting for me.
He made his way over here and stopped in front of me.
He explained what has happened and my heart felt like it was squeezed in my rib cage.
A drunk driver had ran into the Uber car where Kiya was. The driver had passed away but Kiya, we were still waiting for her to wake up.
The thought of losing Kiya made me uneasy and nauseous. Pain ran through my body like lightning.
When the police officer left I sat on the plastic chairs in the hallway and placed my head in my hands.
What would have happened if Kiya was gone? What would my life be without her?
All types of thoughts ran through my mind, creating a headache.
I don't know for how long I waited till I was able to get inside again.
Her body was still in the same position, looking almost... lifeless.
No. I was not going to think of that. She was going to be fine. She'll be back home. When I come back from work she'll be in the garden picking up flowers and placing them all over the living room.
They make me less alone, she said.
She felt alone in our house. She felt alone in a place where she should have been the happiest.
She would wait for me to come from work, a dinner placed on the table. A small smile on her lips even though I treated her horribly. Every day for a month, but then she stopped. She gave up. And I couldn't blame her for it.
I was even surprised by how long she persisted to do it. Her patience and kindness were admirable.
I took hold of her palm again and kissed it. I placed kisses all over it.
Day after day passed and she was still not waking up.
Three whole days and she was still laying, unmoving.
I have not left her room at all. The only time I left is when I was using the bathroom that was attached to the room. I have not eaten and the smell of food made me gag. I just couldn't. Not when she was still not waking up.
The door of the room started to open and I turned my face to see who it was.
I was sitting on the chair, holding her arm, her arm that I have not let go of the whole time.
"We'll have to do a check-up." The nurse said and the doctor was the next one to walk in. I nodded and stood up.
The door was closed after me and I sighed. I should probably get water or something. I was dehydrated. There was a vending machine a few feet away and I made my way there.
I pressed the buttons and took the bottle in my hands. Taking a sip of it, I went back to waiting.
I waited for about fifteen minutes and they were still inside.
My body froze in place and with each passing minute, I waited for them to walk out.
And they did.
"She's awake, sir. Everything's okay, but please don't overwhelm her. She should rest." When he said the words it was like my soul came back to my body.
A breath of relief left my body and I quickly nodded.
"Can I see her?"
"Yes, but like I said, don't overwhelm her."
When he finished his sentence, I walked over to the door and pushed it open.
Kiya was lying on the bed but this time her head was turned to the side. She was facing the windows.
With slow steps, I walked towards her.
"Kiya?" She didn't react to my voice. I heard her soft breathing. Her lashes move with each blinking.
"How are you feeling?" I asked again but she didn't answer. Maybe I should leave her to rest for a while. I doubt she would want to see me right now.
The way that we parted our way that night, I wouldn't want to see me as well.
The only thing I did was crouch next to her bed and place a kiss on her hand. She didn't move and didn't react to my touch.
"I'll be outside if you need anything." I should give her some space. As the doctor said to not overwhelm her. I won't be persistent and expect her to talk to me.
--
It was a few hours after she was awake. I was pacing the hallway. Restless.
Would she want to see me right now?
Should I go there?
The nurses already did another check up an hour ago and they said that she was doing good.
Debating on what I should do, I grabbed the knob and opened the door. When she noticed someone walking in she quickly wiped her face.
Her eyes were red like she has been crying.
And fuck if it didn't break my already bleeding heart.
My eyes were rimmed with tears and I probably looked the same way. They stung every time I closed them. These past few days all I've been doing was crying and not sleeping. Of course, they'll sting.
I sat on the chair next to her and turned my body to her.
She was looking in front of her. Her bottom lip was captured between her teeth.
I didn't say a word. I waited for her to talk. There was nothing I could say that it would make this situation better. Everything I'll say will make things worse.
I didn't deserve to be in the same room with her. I didn't deserve to breathe the same air as her.
She should have been smiling, enjoying her day and not being here in the bed hospital with tubes attached to her body.
And the last words I said to her before the accident, I'll never be able to forgive myself.
Of course, I would have cared if something happened to her. Now that she was in bed made me realize that I'll die before she would be lowered to the ground.
I won't be able to live without her. Not now. Not ever.
She wiped her tears and I watched every one of her moves. The way her hands were paler than usual, her glossy eyes...
She slowly turned her head to me. Her eyes found mine. My heart skipped a beat at that small gesture.
She stared at me for a second, the tears welled up in her eyes again. I watched her lips slightly open. And I barely heard the words.
The words that cut through me like a knife.
"I want a divorce."
CHARACTERS AESTHETICS:
KIYA CALLAHAN
HADE CALLAHAN
Well, we can't say that he didn't deserve that.
Another one shot story. Not gonna lie this one made me sad. I love marriage in trouble trope so i decided to write something on my own.
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