Once, my paranoid love

I picked up the landline phone. Losing my phone the previous night had left me feeling strangely disconnected.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

As I held the landline to my ear, I couldn’t shake the worry that Eva might not be okay and that she had discovered the true nature of Ron’s intentions.

Eva picked up my phone after a minute; the sound of her voice on the other end was like a lifeline. “Eva!” I blurted out her name, a mix of relief and urgency lacing my tone.

“Elena!” Eva’s voice mirrored my emotions, carrying a blend of worry and shock. “Are you okay, dear?” Her concern was palpable, and I could sense that she was grappling with her own set of anxieties.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I replied, “I am, but… are you okay, Eva?”

There was a moment of hesitation at her end, as if she were considering her words carefully. Then her voice came through, a mixture of resignation and heaviness. “I… I will be, Elena.”

I felt a pang in my chest at the weight behind her words. I knew recent events had deeply affected Eva, and her tone told me that her heart was heavy with the burden of what she had discovered.

Just as I was about to speak, Eva’s voice broke through, carrying a mix of regret and sorrow. “Elena, I am sorry. Because of me, you got into trouble. I should have listened to you.”

Her words caught me off guard, a mix of emotions swirling within me. I wanted to assure her that it wasn’t her fault.

“Eva, it’s okay,” I interjected, my voice gentle but resolute. “It’s not too late. I’m glad you found out his true colors before something worse happened.”

There was a pause at the other end of the line, as if Eva was processing my words. I could sense the guilt in her tone-a heavy burden that she carried.

“But Elena,” Eva’s voice trembled, heavy with emotion, “it could have been you. I… I really have no words. I am so sorry.”

Her admission hit me like a wave-a surge of emotion that left me momentarily speechless. The gravity of what could have transpired weighed heavily on both of us, a reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath the surface.

“Eva,” I said, my voice steady despite the roiling emotions within me, “We can’t change the past. Whatever is done is done, okay? Now forget it.”

Eva’s sigh carried a mixture of resignation and concern. “I will forget it, Elena. But tell me, what happened to your home? I heard Uncle has a problem with business.”

I pressed my lips together, a mixture of emotions welling up within me. It wasn’t easy to admit the family troubles that had been weighing on my shoulders, but I called Eva because of it as well, and I knew I could trust her with my concerns.

Yes, Eva, you heard it right,” I replied, my voice tinged with a touch of sadness. “Actually, I need your help.”

There was a pause at the other end of the line, and I could almost feel Eva’s curiosity and concern growing. “Of course, Elena. You know you can always count on me. What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, before I began to tell her everything. I shared the details of how my father’s business had hit a rough patch, how much money he had taken from Mr. Huston, and the growing burden that weighed on our family.

Eva’s voice at the other end of the line carried a mixture of concern and empathy. “Love, it’s a huge amount of money,” she said, her tone reflecting the gravity of the situation. “I can give you 10%. You know my dad and mom are out of the country, and if I ask them, I’m not sure how much they’ll be able to help. But still, I can try.”

Her offer caught me off guard, a mix of gratitude and humility welling up within me. The financial strain we were under had been a heavy secret to carry, and the fact that Eva was willing to help-even with a portion of the amount-was both touching and overwhelming. And I can manage some of my savings or in some other way.

I pressed my lips together, my heart full, as I listened to Eva’s words. It was true that the money my father had borrowed was substantial, and a part of me felt hesitant to accept her help. But I also understood the sincerity of her offer and the way she was willing to stand by me in a time of need.

“Thank you, Eva,” I said, my voice soft but sincere. “Thank you for being such a dear friend and for offering to help when we’re in such a tough spot.”

Eva’s response came with warmth and a hint of a smile, her voice holding a reassuring tone. “Mention not, Elena. That’s what friends are for, right? I’ll always be by your side, no matter what.”

After hanging up the phone with Eva, a sense of gratitude lingered within me. Her offer to help had provided a glimmer of hope in the midst of our financial struggles. Still, I knew I needed to explore other avenues to secure the money my dad desperately needed. With determination etched into my thoughts, I planned to review my bank accounts and assess any potential options.

Lost in my contemplation, my footsteps were about to carry me to the second floor when the phone suddenly rang again, its jarring intrusion disrupting the quiet atmosphere. I turned back and picked up the receiver, uncertainty knotting my stomach.

“Hello?” I greeted her, my voice guarded.

“Hi, who is this?” A girl’s voice inquired on the other end. My brows furrowed as I tried to place the unfamiliar voice. Something about it struck a chord of curiosity.

I adjusted the receiver and responded, my tone cautious, “It’s Elena here. And who are you?”

“Oh, Elena!” The sound of my name carried along the phone line, accompanied by a chuckle. In the background, the distinct thumping of loud music resonated, a clear indicator of a lively environment. “It’s me, Nikita.”

As her voice registered in my ears, a mixture of surprise and curiosity welled up within me. Nikita was not someone I expected to hear from at that hour. My brows arched inquisitively as I instinctively held the phone closer.

‘Nikita? Why does she call me at this hour?’ I wondered silently, preparing myself for whatever she was about to say.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice laced with a cautious tone. The circumstances and the timing of her call had piqued my interest, though I couldn’t help but wonder about the reason behind it.

In response, a burst of loud laughter emanated from the other end of the line. It was the kind of laughter that seemed to have a carefree, uninhibited quality, as if the person on the line was in high spirits. The laughter subsided, making way for Nikita’s voice, which carried a certain playfulness, almost as if she were intoxicated.

“I just want you to inform Anne aunty that Paul will stay with me tonight,” Nikita declared, her words punctuated by a sense of mischief.

I stood there, shock and disbelief washing over me like a cold wave. Nikita’s words echoed in my ears, each syllable causing a pang in my chest. My mind struggled to process the reality of the situation as my heart raced.

‘Paul… staying with her tonight?’

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, as I attempted to steady my voice. Stammering, I managed to utter, “What did you say?”

Nikita’s chuckle on the other end of the line was laced with a playful tone. “You heard it right, Elena. I’m with my boyfriend.”

The words hit me like a blow, constricting my heart painfully in my chest. Boyfriend? Paul? The truth of her words crashed down upon me, the weight of it overwhelming. It felt as though the ground beneath me had shifted, and I struggled to find my footing.

As Nikita’s laughter continued, I could feel my eyes welling up with tears, the emotional torrent threatening to spill over. The tears stung as they gathered, a mixture of hurt, betrayal, and confusion swirling within me.

He had said he needed my support, that together we could overcome the challenges he faced. He had convinced me to stay by his side, promising that things would get better with time.

And now… here I was, learning that he had been dishonest. My chest tightened as I realized the extent of his deception. He had painted a picture of his struggles, while behind my back, he was enjoying himself with Nikita in a pub.

I pressed my lips together, fighting to control the overwhelming rush of emotions threatening to spill forth. My clenched fists betrayed the turmoil within me as I grappled with the harsh reality. My heart felt raw, as if it had been laid bare and wounded by the very person I had cared for.

‘Why would he lie to me?’

I wondered, my thoughts a mix of anger and sorrow.

‘He knew how much I cared, how much I wanted to be there for him.’