Gypsy Lover

"You already took care of me and Nicu, Alodia. That was all I asked of you, right? Besides, you've done more than you ever know. You made me strong when my husband was gone. You came into my life and Nicu's just in time! And believe it or not, I found the best friend in you. You never left me high and dry," she said and laughed, quoting her. "And I want to do the same for you. I'll be by your side to get you through this, Alodia. That's a promise. So, you have to show me that you are strong, too. You're not like Alyanna. You're different from your sister. You can do this. You were able to get through this before. Why not again? Just think of it as a replay." Her friend soothed her by rubbing her back gently. She tried to nod as she continued to cry. It still hurt especially that it was about Harman. She thought she was over him after all these years. But then, she had loved him still all these years. And nothing changed even a bit! And everything in their past came back to her, good or bad. Everything was memorable, and she could not forget every detail, like it just happened the day before.

***

It was Monday. A part of her did not want to go out to send Nicu to school. She was afraid that Harman would see her. As it was, Nicu told her that a guy seemed to wait right across the street, facing their house since yesterday. If she did not know it was Harman, she would have had already called the police to report the stalker.

And because Nicoleta's car still was not fixed, they had to commute to Nicu's school. She prayed that Harman was already gone somewhere like work or something or that he was still in bed. But of course, who was she kidding? Harman was an early riser. It was only that day in Vaslui after the party that he did not rise up early, as he was drunk with his cousins and uncles.

She closed her eyes tightly. She did not want to go back to that day. She wanted to forget everything.

And she did not even pay attention to that sound of his voice when he called her name, just when she went out of the gate with Nicu. The kid looked at the man before he looked at her afterward. However, she walked faster with Nicu's hand in hers.

"Don't look back. You don't know him, Nicu. He's a stranger. What did your mom tell you about strangers?" she warned the little kid.

"But, Alodia, he knows you! He's not a stranger. He knows your name!" the kid pointed out. "And he's in his car, following us," he added as he looked over his shoulder.

"I told you not to look back, Nicu!" she scolded him again firmly and they crossed the street to the bus station.

How could I be so unfortunate! There's no bus coming yet! Really! Her mind was panicking. She was panicking! She cursed under her breath and silently as much as possible as she did not want Nicu to hear it. "Alodia!" Harman kept calling her, and now, his car was just in front of them.

She looked away as if she did not hear him while Nicu kept staring at the good-looking man. She didn't want to see those cherry lips, those dark brown eyes and wavy lashes. She did not want to see that very good looking face she had come to love for so long... until now... She did not want to get swayed by her feelings for him that were obviously still there, lingering in her heart and sticking like a leech!

"Alodia!" He decided to get out of his car and stood in front of her and Nicu. The kid was still holding her gloved hand, looking up at the tall man. He held it tightly as his glance transferred from her to him.

"Alodia! He knows you!" Nicu said firmly as if she did not hear him the first time.

She bit her lower lip. She was about to say something else when she saw the bus. "Let's go to the bus, Nicu!"

The bus stopped just behind Harman's branded car. She was racing with the others as she pulled Nicu toward the bus. Even though Harman called her once again, she ignored him like a ghost. And he could not go after them as he had to move his car.

She tried hard not to cry when she and Nicu settled in a couple of seats. Why does he keep on following me like a shadow? Couldn't he get it? I want to stay as far away from him as possible! Why did I have to see him again? Why does he want me to suffer now? Is this my punishment for playing him then? These were her silent questions.

She was reminded of their child that was miscarried. It was because of stress and sorrow that she had that miscarriage. And she only had herself to blame for it. However, she did not know it at first until she had that miscarriage. She did not know that she carried Harman's child when she left him! If only she had known... she would have taken care of it... But it was all in the past now. She could not bring back yesterday like Nicoleta kept on telling her. And she only had to move on. That was her only choice.

They had already arrived at school and told Nicu that she would come for him later to pick him up. Nicu nodded but with concern in his eyes.

"Alodia, I think that man wants to talk to you so badly. Why don't you give him a chance?" he asked suddenly.

"Nicu, you don't know what you're talking about. Just go on ahead. You're going to be late for class." She shook her head and urged him to go by pushing him gently.

"I never saw you like this before. You look sad, Alodia. And I don't feel comfortable about it." The boy stopped her and looked at her in the eye.

She wanted to speak right away. Instead, she bit her lip and pushed him gently again with a forced smile. "I'm okay, Nicu. Don't worry."

"I heard you and Mama talking the other day," he revealed.

"That's enough, Nicu! Now, you go to your class! Or else, I'm going to tell your mom that you're not listening to me anymore!" she warned him.

The poor kid sighed. She could only watch the thick air that he blew because of the cold temperature. "Fine! Just that... I want you to be happy, Alodia. I care for you too, you know." He shrugged and walked backward to bid her goodbye with a toothless smile.

She smiled at him too and waved at him. As she turned around, she bumped into someone.

"Alodia!"