The Smith's Legacy

Broken

Chapter 9

A week passed, but Ava still hadn't come around. Asher had thought time would heal whatever drifted between them, but nothing changed. He couldn't shake the guilt off, the quiet thought that his inability to provide had been the wedge driving her away. 

So, he worked harder. Pushed his limit, believing that if he could just earn more, give more and be more. He could bring her back and be happy forever after.

But, months passed, and still nothing changed, not even a glimpse of her smile.

Ava remained distant. And her mother, Geraldine. Treated him like a tenant overstaying his welcome. He tried not to feel it. The suffocating tension in the house, the icy stare, the silence. He told himself it didn't matter, not if he could still win Ava back.

Then, one evening, everything collapsed.

 Asher came home late, his shoulder sagging from exhaustion. But even in his tired state, he still dropped by the store to get Ava a gift, something to remind her of what they once had. The beautiful days they spent with each other, and wishing it never comes to an end.

His heart pounded with fragile hope, as he climbed the stairs. Would Ava love it? Will she smile? He pondered, as he quickly pushed the door open. And there she was, in bed. Not alone, but in the coiled arms of another man.

"Ava..?"

 

He called out, his voice cracking.

But Ava turned to look at him briefly, then looked away as if he was invincible.

 

He backed out, his limbs suddenly heavy as he walked down the stairs. And then, something happened. Geraldine was sitting in the living room, right on the couch, laughing like she had waited for that moment.

"Is this funny?" 

He whispered to himself, but didn't stop moving and suddenly, he heard.

"Have you done the dishes?" 

She asked casually. But the weight of her question got Asher frozed. He turned quickly and stared at her, blinking his eyes profusely. 

"The dishes" she repeated. "Have you done it?"

He shook his head, then turned around to leave, when he heard.

"Stop, right there. Asher!" She snapped. "One more step, and you will be back in the slump where you belong"

He stood there, torn between lashing out or retreating. But said nothing in the end, just dropped the bag on floor and walked towards the kitchen.

"Not even rich" Geraldine muttered. "And so full of himself"

But still, her eyes were fixed on the bag, Asher dropped. She eyed it curiously then stood up and reached for it.

The next morning, Asher couldn't move. He lay flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The memories of what happened, kept replaying like a bad dream, but it wasn't a dream.

His chest hurt, but he wondered what hurt more. Ava's betrayal or his own refusal to stop loving her?

Time was ticking and Asher tried to rise, to get ready for work. But lifting his arms, suddenly felt like too much.

What's the point? He thought. What's the struggle without Ava's close beside him?

He tried to reach his phone, to call somebody. But who? When he practically made the choice to start a new life in the desert.

And suddenly the door cracked opened he look up, but it was Ava, standing before him. His heart leapt, why had she come? He thought. Was it possible she had realized herself? Was she going to be nice to him again?

"Hi Asher" she said softly, breaking her silence. "Mum and I have some dirty clothes in the trunk. Please wash them before you leave for work.

Asher was still blinking his eyes, his mouth wide open and before he could speak. Ava was already on her way.

" No!" 

He snapped and shot out of the bed to meet her. The lost strength suddenly showed up, but he could not explain how it happened.

" Stop right there, Ava!" 

He shouted from the distance, but she didn't stop. Her face focused in her way, like Asher's voice never meant a thing.

Luckily. Asher caught up with her and quickly grabbed her arms. But she swiftly turned around and threw his hand off.

"What are you doi..?"

"No, Ava. What are, you doing?" He interrupted. "What I'm I now? The errand boy your mother think I am? Or.." 

He wasn't done. He wanted to pour out his worries, his pains, when Ava stopped him halfway.

"Maybe you'd rather go back to your wretched world"

The word hit him like a slap, as he staggered back and leaned on the wall. His breath suddenly gone shallow.

"But you never cared about my status, Ava. What changed? Why is it suddenly a turn off to you?"

He asked, his voice barely above a whispered sound. Just then, Ava smiled then took a few step towards him, looking straight to his eyes, eyeballs locked up.

"Who said I never did, Asher? 

She asked, but when Asher said nothing. She stepped back, turning her face to leave. But then, Asher's voice held her back.

" So the words" he said, in a quiet broken voice. "You never meant it?"

Ava turned and looked at him, a small smile playing on her face. She tried to walk away but the urge to say it, won't let her.

"I was never in love with you, Asher" she said. "Call it whatever you wish, but it was never love..."

As she spoke. Tears rolled down Asher's face. Why was it so easy to loose her after believing she was the one?

"Go back home, Asher" she continued. "We are clearly from a different world, you're poor and I, I obviously deserve someone rich. Just look at me, do you really deserve me, Asher?"

Asher was already swimming inside his tears from the words Ava said to him, when he saw her leaving. 

"But I love you, Ava" he implored. "Please don't leave me. Not now, not like this"