After Effects Novel – My fiancé didn’t come home all night, I took a taxi to the bar where we had our bachelor party last night. “He is upstairs in one of the private rooms Mam, I wouldn’t suggest going there.” The bouncer hesitated. My heart was hammering, my mouth was dry. He unlocked the door and I stepped ahead to peek inside. And what I saw was worse than any nightmare I’ve gone through in my life. Keith was fast asleep with his hands resting on the woman beside him, on her chest to be exact. The sheets covered their lower parts, but I knew they were undressed! “I love you Doll,” “I can’t wait to marry you.” Words, his beautiful words echoed through my head, then shattering down into smelly dust. Liar. Cheater. I’ll make him pay!
I dreamily caressed the gown from the see-through cover it had. I can’t believe I am getting married a day after tomorrow, it felt like a dream coming through. I lay down thinking about my handsome, considerate, amazing fiance who was going to be my husband for life. I glanced at my ring and smiled seeing the older silver one. Keith gave me that after he told me his feelings, and his intentions to marry me someday and I reciprocated. I met him at a summer camp in California when I was seventeen and he was twenty-two, and we became friends quickly. But something always hung between us that was more than platonic. We hit the love level five years later though and got into a relationship immediately.
Keith officially proposed to me hoping we could get married soon. But me being the super cheesy and hopeless romantic person, I wanted my dream wedding. But of course, I asked him if he was fine waiting for that long until we had enough money for that. He didn’t mind at all, why would he? I was already moving in with him, so we were just a ceremony and a register away from doing that. Living with him was such a great decision because he treated me like a literal princess all the time. Suppose I flinched if my feet hurt a little he was already bringing oil to massage. If I squealed seeing a movie trailer, he surprised me with the first show tickets. On my periods, God I wasn’t allowed to do any chores, he did it all. He did my hair, helped me with my work, and transferred a sum of money monthly despite my refusals. He is an elevator engineer in San Francisco, worked for a well-known Company and was often out on work trips around the country as well. In short, we both had done well for ourselves at this point, where we could get married and start a family.
He was my Man, and he would be the husband of my dreams very soon. After peacefully dreaming about our future I fell asleep. When my eyes opened I gasped because it was already dawn. I was hoping to see my fiance at night when he returned since I couldn’t meet him today. I checked my phone and I had zero texts from him, it was so unlike Keith. He texted even if he was visiting the grocery store or landing or boarding a flight, from the big issues to the smallest ones he always messages me if he is away. My heart was suddenly in turmoil, and it was upsetting me. Is he even okay? Oh God did something bad happen? I grabbed the robe of my nightgown and stepped out with my flip-flop on. It was yet to be sunrise so everyone was asleep. But I know my brother would be up since he prefers waking up before the sun and working out early with or without equipment. I knocked on the suite door twice and he opened the door dressed in his workout clothes.
“Karry? He frowns a little in confusion. “Where is Keith?” I asked in a trembling voice and my brother’s features softened. “In his room for sure.” He replies and follows me to his bedroom in the suite. He was staying alone since I was the only one he preferred sharing a bed with. I open the door and the bed is set the room is all clean and steady, also untouched, setting a sinking feeling in my stomach. I checked the bathroom and the balcony. I tried calling him but his phone was turned off. Oh God let him be okay. “He is not here,” I yelled unable to handle the situation. Tears formed in my eyes. Hearing the commotion the other guys exited their room and looked at me worried. “What’s wrong? Roman asked. “Where is Keith?” I turned to them, and they all looked perplexed leaving me more anxious. “How did you not know where he is?” I barked,because we decided to have a bachelorette party before the wedding, the guys would go to a bar.
They should know. Dexter stepped forward. “He got into an argument with Taylor and he left early. We thought he was sleeping since we didn’t see him anywhere.” “Was he drunk?” I questioned and already guessing the answer. “What happened there Dexter?” I cried out tears streaming down my face. “Taylor called dancers,” Dexter mumbled and I turned my head sharply towards him glaring at him. “You know what Taylor, I’ll deal with you later.” Saying so, I stormed out as my brother followed behind. It already sunrise, so we hailed a cab from the Hotel instructing him to drive to the pub. I hope my Keith is fine. It took us twenty minutes, the second we reached there I climbed off, hurriedly running down the path and sprinting straight to the front desk by the office area. Just then a bouncer walks up towards us. “Who are you guys searching for?” He questions.
I showed him the picture and he frowned for a second before responding. “Who is he may I ask? He asked me, I hated the tension in his voice. “My fiance.” My words only made him more troubled, and then he shook his head, something like empathy dancing in his eyes. “He is upstairs Mam in one of the private rooms Mam, I wouldn’t suggest going there.” He utters hesitatings and up to the private area for the rooms. My heart was hammering, my mouth was dry. Relax Karissa he is fine, just drunk and exhausted. He unlocked the door and I stepped ahead to peek inside, with my head throbbing. And what I saw was worse than any nightmare or horrendous situation I’ve gone through in my life. Keith was fast asleep with his hands resting on the woman beside him, on her chest to be exact. The sheets covered their lower parts, but I knew they were undressed! I stumbled a step back in horror at the sight, an excruciating surge of spear stabbing straight into the middle of my heart.
I felt expanded by the tremors spreading throughout my body, wobbling back and forth, yet unable to move. My hands came up to my chest, rubbing fiercely, to soothe the unbearable pain. Like a sword jabbing deep inside, tearing past my muscles, ramming right into my chest, in my heart shredding it apart in two, twisting, digging, ripping. The massive hole bleeding out the trust it harboured, the faith it treasured. My mouth clasped shut tight, to hold the breath that was struggling to escape, afraid it was my last breath, I held it inside. Letting it mix with the bile rushing up my throat. My Keith, he, he was there, in that bed, he never likes sleeping beside anyone but me. But he was sleeping beside that brunette, a beautiful slender brunette, those palms that used to caress my face, Me, with so much tenderness and care now resting on her skin, a woman that wasn’t his anything. Was it possible to even feel frozen to death and hot molten lava being poured onto your heart at the same time? To feel someone strangling you, with all their might, yet you’re still somehow shockingly alive.
Like an iron-clad fist had pounded inside your chest, grabbing your damaged heart and crushing it into a pulp of blood. Is this what, che-cheating feels like? A forbidden word, an ominous occurrence and one of the most sinful, inexcusable acts. “I don’t know if this would affect our friendship but I like you, Karry, more than a friend.” “Would it be too soon if I wanted you to be my girlfriend?” “Will you Marry me Doll?” “I love you Doll,” “I am only yours.” “I can’t wait to marry you.” “I want to have a herd of babies with you.” Words, his beautiful words echoed through my head, shining, chiming peacefully, then shattering down into tainted, smelly dust in my mind.