Chapter 49 - happy

“What is that saying?” Calista questioned, making the blonde frown, wondering what she meant.
“Forgiveness is predicted on compassion, right? Empathy on understanding? I can’t tell you to forgive someone especially when they hurt you like that. Only you understand the pain you felt and the pain you still feel. I can’t imagine someone recovering from something like that, but you’ve done it, and if that doesn’t scream courage, then I don’t know. It is up to you to forgive him. Don’t pressure yourself”
Wren Austin smiled harder and leaned her head against Martin’s truck as she looked out the window, taking pleasure in the trees that swept by her gaze.
It was much later in the day and nighttime was fast approaching. The conversation Wren had with Calista replayed in her mind and she couldn’t help the smile that crept to her cheeks. After that talk, a lot of things were made clear to her and for the first time, she felt free.
It was an alien feeling, but it was something she saw herself getting used to.
“Calista, Martin” Wren called out from the backseat, earning a hum from Martin and a head tilt from Calista.
“Thank you so much for having me” she offered them a smile, and for a second, Wren thought she saw a pool of tears form in the older woman’s eyes.
“Thank you for being open and sweet. Your presence was comforting” Calista uttered, and Wren smiled harder.
Wren Austin frowned when she saw that they had passed the entry point in Craigsburg. All of a sudden, Wren Austin felt the sudden urge to scream out loud that she didn’t want to part from them. But she knew that would be pushing the limit.
So, when the car came to a halt in front of Teq’s pub, Wren bid farewell to Martin and Calista, with the promise to hold dear to heart everything Calista had said and to visit often. Then, she took in a deep breath and gently stepped out of the car.
Then, she felt her heart drop.
Evenings in Craigsburg, especially on weekends meant that Teq’s pub was always crowded. Like it was right now.
And with what happened yesterday, Wren understood the reason for their stares and whispers.
She swallowed a lump that formed in her throat as she watched Martin’s car take off, before turning to the direction of the pub.
She had two options. Walk in there for a drink, thereby stirring more rumours and possible drama. Or walk to her apartment and enjoy the rest of her night in quiet and get more strength to face the drama the following day.
And of course, she went with the second option.
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You know that feeling when you travel for a while, and when you return, everything kind of feels new? That was the same thing Wren felt when she first walked into her apartment. It didn’t matter that she had been out for less than twenty-four hours, she had that feeling.
She’s spent a night out of her apartment. Somehow, even her living room smelled differently and she missed it.
That was until she heard ruffles emanating from her bedroom and panic flowed through her body, but that was replaced when she saw a distraught Gwendolyn emerge from her bedroom.
Her eyes were red and puffy and she held one of Wren’s tops which the blonde assumed was used to blow her nostrils.
“Oh my God, Wren” the dark-haired rushed into the blonde’s arms and took her in for a long and tight hug.
“I was so worried for you. Where have you been?” Gwendolyn Jefferson questioned, momentarily pulling back from the hug, before leaning in again.
“God. Are you okay?” Gwendolyn began to inspect the blonde for signs or scratches or whatever the hell she was searching for.
Wren Austin chuckled. “Gwen, I’m okay” the blonde placed her hands on either side of her shoulders.
“If anything, I should be asking you that. You look like shit” the blonde murmured with amusement in her voice.
Wren Austin walked past Gwendolyn towards the fridge and fished out a bottle of water.
“What do you mean I look like shit? This is all your fault. You ran out of there, leaving your phone and house keys and wouldn’t even turn whenever I called out to you, so of course, I got worried. I came back and you were nowhere to be found. I searched the few spots I knew you would be but nothing, I was worried sick” she exclaimed.
Wren Austin didn’t mean to scare her friend. She acted in the heat of the moment and went wherever her legs took her too. Even though she worried her, Wren didn’t regret anything.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you” she apologised.
“What happened? Where were you?” the dark-haired pressed further.
“Uh, this really sweet couple almost knocked me off the road and they took me to their house. I stayed there for the most part of the day and they drove me back here. That’s it” the blonde explained with such ease that it made Gwendolyn tilt her head quizzically.
“This old couple you speak of didn’t have a cellphone, to call and tell me you were okay?” she fired.
Wren sighed. “I mean, they offered, but I declined” she retorted and she could see the hurt in Gwendolyn’s eyes which is why she quickly corrected.
“I needed the peace and tranquillity, Gwen. I needed some time to think. Whilst I was there, it felt like I was in paradise and I wanted to enjoy that” she explained.
Gwendolyn Jefferson’s expression soften as she heard her friend speak. Her anger faded seeing the look of calmness and relief on her friend’s face and that was all she needed.
“I’m sorry I worried you” she added.
The dark-haired spread out her arms, inviting the blonde in for a hug.
Wren Austin accepted the hug and sighed at the familiarity that came with it.
“I’m happy you are okay” Gwen murmured on the nape of Wren’s neck.
“I am too” she retorted.
Because despite everything, she was happy.

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