"I'm so sorry, Miss Hart, but you have about just three months to live,
Three Months. The words echoed in the chambers of Maya's mind, sounding like a foreign language she couldn't understand, yet the meaning was terrifyingly clear.
She had just left the Hospital a few minutes ago and was currently in a cab, on her way back home. Recurrent headaches, blurry visions and other growing symptoms had prompted her to visit the hospital, where she had undergone some tests, and she had just discovered she had glioblastoma.
She had kept her cool while the doctor had explained everything to her, but now that she was alone, staring out the window of the cab with the beautiful sight of the setting sun reflecting in her eyes, a strangled gasp escaped her lips. Her face was pale, holding a dawning horror in it.
Her throat had a lump in it, and then a single tear fell down her right eye, tracing a lonely path down her smooth cheeks. She was slowly acknowledging that life was slipping away from her, and she probably wouldn't even make it till Christmas this year.
Quietly, she pulled off her glasses and wiped off the tear. As much as she wanted to let go and cry her eyes out till she passed out, she couldn't afford to look sad since she was on her way back home, and her grandmother was probably waiting for her.
Moreover, she couldn't let this sad news ruin her day, after all, she was having her first date with Alastair Kingsley today!
Alastair was her next-door neighbour, and they also attended the same college and graduated together. Although they were just friends, Maya had had a huge crush on him from the moment she set her eyes on him when they were both freshmen.
He was so handsome and popular. She knew she never stood a chance with him, so it had come as a complete shock to her when he had asked her out to dinner last week.
Dreams do come true!
Maya drew in several deep breaths and focused on thinking about her date. Slowly, her pale face began to light up, and a vibrant smile appeared on her face.
It was a few minutes walk from the roadside to her home, and she adjusted her round glasses as she dropped down from the cab. She had a long, black skirt on, a cute white top with long sleeves and a small orange scarf around her neck.
Her red hair was tied up in a messy bun. It was late September, and winter was slowly setting in.
Her Nana was sleeping on the couch when she got home, and Maya placed a kiss on her grandmother's forehead before she headed to her room.
Having a date with Alastair was exciting. She had already picked everything she was going to wear, starting from the hairstyle and down to the shoes. They were supposed to meet by 8:00pm at a restaurant, and it was already about 6:30pm.
Quickly, Maya threw herself into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
.
.
.
"Oh my God!" Teresa exclaimed cheerfully as her granddaughter walked out of her room looking gorgeous.
Maya was wearing an emerald green dress with a luxurious, flowing fabric. The silhouette was feminine, designed to gracefully hug her curves. The bodice was neither too tight nor loose, but perfectly tailored to accentuate her natural form. It ended just above her knee, in an elegant floral design.
Her jewellery was sparkling red, bringing out the colour of her hair.
Her hair was let down. It's Red waves were long, lustrous and almost touching her waist. The Heels she wore matched her dress, simple yet glamorous. Her face had a bit of make-up on it, especially the pink lipstick that brought out the shape of her heart shaped lips.
"You look so beautiful!" Nana cheered even more, clasping both hands together.
"Thanks, Nana," Maya blushed, "I have to get going now, I'm already late!"
"Right," Nana nodded, "Have a good time, okay?" She yelled after her as Maya ran out of the house, "Be yourself okay? He's gonna love you!"
Maya heard her, and a warm smile appeared on her face. She has been looking forward to this day for a while now, and she couldn't believe it was finally happening.
.
.
.
Maya arrived in front of the restaurant about five minutes late. It was one of the fanciest restaurants in town, which had prompted her to dress like this in the first place. But the main reason was to impress Alastair.
Maya was just about to walk in when two familiar faces rounded up the corner of the building, hand in hand about to walk into the restaurant.
Maya blinked, "Alastair?"
They both stopped to stare at her, and it only took a few seconds for Maya to recognise the woman he was with.
It was Heather Stuart, Alastair's ex back in college. Heather was the daughter of a wealthy man, and she was as gorgeous as always. During their time in college, they had broken up and gotten back together more times than Maya could count.
"Oh, it's you," Alastair said, rather disappointingly.
"What's going on?" Maya inquired, pain curling up her chest.
"Babe, who's this?" Heather questioned, sounding irritated.
Did she just call him babe?
"She's my neighbour, don't worry," Alastair replied.
Heather still retained the Frown on her face, but didn't say anything after that.
"I was just about to call you," Alastair said to Maya, his eyes suddenly lacking warmth, unlike the way he had looked at Heather a second ago, "I'm cancelling our plan. As you can see, I have other, more important plans. But I hope we are cool,"
Maya's heart stung, hard. The feeling went beyond simple pain or disappointment, it was also the lack of respect or consideration of her feelings. Like she was a mere afterthought that could easily be discarded.
He must have seen the displeased look in her face because he added, "But Come on, I wasn't even serious in the first place," He was breaking her heart even more, "I mean I see you often, but that's it," Each word felt like a slap on her face.
"Alastair, what's going on?" Heather demanded, glaring between him and Maya.
"She's the clingy neighbour I was telling you about. Always trying to suck up to me, and I may have been too nice to her which...," Alastair gave Maya a mocking once over, "led to all this nonsense,"
The pain intensified, "You asked me out!" Maya defended.
"And you really thought I was serious?"
"You're Quite daft, you know," Heather chipped in this time rudely, "And I thought people who wore glasses were smart. That cheap dress doesn't even belong in a restaurant like this. You really think people like you belong here?"
"It's my fault, babe. I was way too nice to her," Alastair frowned.
Maya refused to appear defeated. It hurt so much, but she fought back the emotional impact of their cruelty. "Despite your toxic relationship, I must say you're a perfect match for each other," Maya's voice was laced with cold, and it dripped in sarcasm.
"What?" Heather exclaimed angrily.
"Excuse me!" Maya said in a dismissive tone, before she turned around and walked away.
Tears clogged up her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. The only thought that had been keeping her sane after receiving her death news was the thoughts of the date with the man of her dreams, but that wouldn't be happening anymore.
She was a fool to ever think she meant anything to Alastair, after two years of living next to him.
Each perfectly proportioned meal she's packed for him over the years now felt like a fool's offering, each grocery shopping and dry cleaning too. She's never felt more unvalued in her life!
The tear fell, but she quickly wiped it away. She wanted to stop a cab and get back home so she could properly cry into her pillow, but she wasn't sure if she could handle the pain on her own.
Today was a very bad day for her. The news of her impending death already got her off balance, and got her heart breaking into pieces and now...this?
No, she couldn't afford to cry.
Looking around, Maya caught sight of a bar just across the street.
.
.
.
A woman leaned over the bar to support her weight despite already seated. Her Amber eyes, usually sharp, held an unfocused but dreamy look in them.
There was an almost empty glass of wine sitting in front of her, and she stared at it for a while before her gaze drifted around the room, lingering on nothing in particular before facing her glass again.
A soft, somewhat wistful smile played on her face, displaying at bittersweet thoughts only she knew about. Even in her drunken haze, she couldn't dispell the bad occurrences that had happened to her today.
She suddenly yelled at the bartender, her voice carrying a slight slur, "Another one, please...!"
That sounded more aggressive than she had intended, but she couldn't care less right now.
The bartender refilled her glass, dropping it in front of her. As she reached out to pick it up, a hand snatched it up out of nowhere, startling her.
A bit of the drink spilled on the counter, and her eyes naturally jerked to the person who had done that.
"Hey Asshole!" She drawled drunkenly, stretching and arm out at the man sitting next to her, "My Drink, now!"
Wait, hadn't she been sitting alone till a second ago? She never heard him plop down next to her.
He turned his head to her, and Maya gasped softly. Green eyes met hers in an enchanting collision, and all of a sudden a hiccup barrelled out her lips.
The alcohol and Lights dimmed her vision, so she couldn't see his other features clearly but her sixth sense picked up something else about him, "Did you collect my drink to pull my attention?" She began lazily, then waved her hands over her face, "Unfortunately, I'm not interested so hand over...,"
His deep eyes narrowed slightly at her, but he didn't speak.
"Now, now!" She cried, slightly annoyed as she leaned over to take her drink from him. Her fingers wrapped around his that were already around the glass, and suddenly an electric feeling coursed through them.
Maya paused, involuntarily letting out another hiccup.
Slowly, her eyes found his. They were even deeper than she remembered, darkened with arousal and intrigue. He stared back intently at her, making her swallow tightly.
"M...my drink...," she muttered, still hoping the strange, sexy man would let go and let her have it back. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips that had done dry, and his darkened eyes followed every move with unteamable hunger now burning in the depths of his eyes.
Maya's cheeks reddened as she saw the look on his face, and she couldn't deny herself that she... felt something too. Her lips parted slightly as if to say something, but it all happened so fast.
Her breath hitched, a sudden gasp caught in her throat as his lips crashed against hers.