The past has hurt her but she has learned from it, for it would only destroy the future if she dwells on it and she has left it for good. But right now, it has attacked her present with the pain of memories she had locked. The only way, she can withstand now is to face it valiantly.
"Leena!! How are you? Do you recognize me? I am Flynn, your senior! I can't believe I am meeting you here after a long time." He felt an unwelcome rush of excitement when he saw someone he was aware of.
"Likewise. My friends are calling and I have to leave." With a forced smile, Leena turned to flee away from the place but like a barricade, he blocked her path.
"Woah! You are still the same, shutting eyes to every soul. As always, you look stunning, I must say." Flynn breathed, remembering their university days where Leena was regaled as the Diva in every man's eyes. Countless proposals, from the senior to juniors, almost the whole university was behind her but she has resolutely turned a deaf ear to everyone. He was also the one among them. But her ignorance made the men got behind her again and again, while girls envied her impeccable winsome. The first time she entered, everybody thought she was just a beauty with no brain but Leena soon changed their viewpoint utterly. She was the lethal combination of brain and beauty. Right after she has rejected Ethan in front of the entire university, Leena became the hot topic. Even after he graduated, Ethan kept a tight taboo on her scared that she would be snatched out and It nearly took him four long years to make her accept his proposal.
"No wonder Ethan was head over heels for you. It's been a long time, I spoke to Ethan. Are you both together now?" Flynn asked hesitantly. He knew a scandal shattered her right before she graduated and he even heard a rumor that Ethan broke up with her and he wanted to confirm if it's true or just fake news.
"Never bring his topic in front of me! He is the most disgusting two-faced man I have ever seen and a worthless bastard." Leena shut her eyes tightly to keep a check on her emotions. Just the mere name, Leena jerked as if an awful creature has crawled on her body.
"I think there is some kind of misunderstanding between you guys. He loved you from day one, Leena! Why don't you talk to him once and sort out your misunderstandings?' He urged.
"Misunderstanding?" Leena scoffed, if only he had witnessed the animal in him on that night, he would have changed his opinion on that beast.
"I don't want to hear anything about him. If at all, you want to do me a favor, please don't tell him that I am in Seattle. I don't want to see his disgusted face." Right, when Leena was about to move away from the place, Flynn instantly tried to catch her hand to put some sense into her brain thinking that she is barking the wrong tree, but a strong hand-blocked his move even before he could touch her.
"It's not a gentleman's demeanor to hold a woman's hand without her consent Mr.... nevermind." His voice was low but powerful enough to send chills through Flynn's body.
For Leena, his voice was enough to calm her in a way that she could never imagine.
"Do you know him?" Devin turned to Leena, pulling her to his side.
"A senior from the university," Leena confessed clasping his hand. She was happy that whenever she needs him, he would be there like an omnipresent God.
Flynn widened his eyes in incredulity when he composed his thoughts. He knew the man standing in front of him. Who doesn't know Wang Devin? Model, Businessman, his very name speaks to power and wealth. Once when he went to a business event along with Ethan, they encountered him and Flynn realized Ethan held deep animosity with the way he spoke, And the way Leena is acting now, it seems she is dating him. Never he has seen her holding Ethan's hand even after they were together. Did she move on already? or to get back Ethan, she is playing a push and pull game? Does Ethan know about it?
"Can we go somewhere else," Leena asked, turning her face towards Devin. "I don't want to be here?"
"Ok." With a smile, he nodded his head and took her out not before giving a warning stare to Flynn.
Gazing at the retiring figure, Flynn was contemplating notifying Ethan or not about Leena and Devin.
....
"Rest here. I will ask someone to bring you food." Devin was inclined to leave the place, but Leena held his hand which instantly curtailed his footsteps.
"Thanks for not asking," Leena whispered, referring to the earlier clash with Flynn. She was not yet ready to share about her past with him.
"You don't need to thank me. I can understand." Devin meant. Just like she shared her accident with him, Devin was certain that she would speak about her past in the future. He has to be a little patient with her.
"Thank you. Can you send Andrew here? I am searching for him for the past hour, but he vanished like thin air. We thought of playing sock toss game with some other children." Leena pleaded.
"What are you? Five?"
"Pretty please," Leena pleaded, shaking his hand. That's all, Devin has to comply with her wishes when he saw her puppy face.
"Alright, madam." And before he walked out, Leena held his hand again to get a confirmation on something.
"Why did you give a charm bracelet? What do you mean by 'Figure it out by yourself'?" Leena asked to ensure if he shares the same feelings as her.
"Your vision becomes clear when you look into your heart." Having said that, he walked away leaving Leena in confusion again.
"What now! Mad fellow. Can't you speak in a normal language?" Leena threw the pillow knowing that he was already out of the room. "I should google and ask someone about his behavior or should I confess my feelings first?"