Chapter 8 Memories gone

The next day I wake up with pounding headache and mascara stained face and my body very weak. Well that because of what happened yesternight. Claudia who was also with me the whole night is peacefully sleeping by my side . I just look at her with sympathetic expression knowing that I'm a burden to her,and I decide to go and take quick shower then head to kitchen to prepare something for us to eat. I make pancakes and coffee and after I'm done I sit on dining table sipping my coffee and drinking my tea.

Later Claudia comes from bedroom and I tell her to eat the pancakes and the coffee. While taking our breakfast Claudia can't help but see that I'm still in pain and struggling to move on .

She reaches out and gently touches my hand, her eyes filled with concern. "You don't have to go through this alone," she says softly. "We can face it together, step by step." Her words offer a glimmer of hope in the midst of my pain. I take a deep breath and nod, grateful for her unwavering support.

Then suddenly my phone rings, Claudia is the first person to reach my phone and she sees it's Eli. She refuses to give me my phone not allowing me to talk to him.

"You still have the nickname,babe,what the fuck joestassy, can't you see you hurting yourself, just move on already,why are you doing this to yourself? atleast love yourself,stop pleasing others for their happiness,try to also see how it is affecting you,this is not the joestassy I know,how bad is the situation that's making you so desperate for this man,huh"

Claudia snaps at me as she shed tears too. I know I have been an asshole lately and I'm so much stupid to let go of a guy who used me and left me for a man.

"Claudia stop crying......I'm sorry but.... it's.... it's not easy,I wish you would understand what is really happening here"~joestassy

I immediately hug her as she continue to tremble trying to control her tears that fall easily and staining my shirt.

We later decide to take a walk to the park to calm down our minds. At the park we do many activities and at least once I feel like I'm ok after the heartbreak. We head to the ice cream stand and I order two cups then I pay. The rest of the day we spend together at the park and later we part our ways as Claudia heads to her house and I head to my house. Upon reaching my house I find many people there and also I see firefighters there. Oh no my house is on fire. I scream loudly and cry in pain ,my house my only place of comfort all my memories burnt into ashes. Marco immediately come still on his robe and hugs me as I cry louder. All my childhood memories and my certificates and everything are now ashes.

"Marco,let go of me" Marco hold me tightly as I continue to scream. Claudia who was also on her way to her house comes immediately and sees the scene Infront of her.

" All my hard work and all I struggled for are now ashes. The only pictures left of my parents are now gone,no childhood memories,I'm done,I'm fucking done,who has done this to me? why ? what did I do to deserve this kind of pain?I'm tired "

The next thing I remember is finding myself in hospital bed surrounded by hospital equipments and Marco, Atticus, Claudia,My boss and some of my co workers besides me looking at me with sympathetic expression. I don't say a word. But I start feeling something strange is going on. The one behind my house burning must be someone I know or it might be something that was planned. Those in the room talk to me and assuring me everything will be ok and I'll get through this. How? my house is burned and everything is gone. How will I be fine?. But wait all my coworkers are here but why is Eli and Noah not here ,I understand what's going on but why aren't they here. And also why didn't they call me or something. Anyways it is what it.

Days later after I head to hotel for some shelter,I decide to go to my burned house to check if I can get some remaining pictures maybe. I start looking around the house, gladly I find my parents picture and atleast feel relieved,I also get some of my jewelries and a diamond necklace Eli once gave me, atleast I'll keep it too as I remember we once dated and we're in love.

The sight of my burned house is devastating, but amidst the ruins lies a shimmering piece of glass catching my eye. It's a framed photograph a snapshot of Eli and me during happier times. As tears well up in my eyes, memories come flooding back moments stolen away together at secret hideaways and whispered promises exchanged under moonlit skies. Although our love story had its flaws, there was beauty in what we shared. Holding onto that photo tight against my chest, I make a silent promise to myself –to move on from this pain with strength and resilience.

As I stand there in front of my burned house, clutching the framed photograph of Eli and me, a sudden gust of wind blows through the charred remains. It's as if nature itself is reminding me to let go and find the strength to move forward. With tears streaming down my face, I take a deep breath and release all the pain that has been consuming me. The fire may have taken away my physical belongings, but it can never erase the love and memories that still live within me.

Standing amidst the ruins of what was once my home, I realize that this fire has become a symbol of rebirth rather than destruction. Like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, I am filled with an indomitable spirit that refuses to be defeated by tragedy. With each step forward into an uncertain future, I carry with me not just photographs or possessions but also inner strength and unwavering hope.