The Devil's Sweetheart

It was half-past midnight when Leena opened the bathroom door. Holding the walls for support with no energy left to walk, she slowly made her way into the walk-in closet. She changed the dress and returned to the bedroom. She picked the blanket and pillow from the bed and went out without sparing a glance at the man who was eagerly waiting for her to turn to him and talk with him.

''She even hates my presence now?'' Devin felt like a mockery from the heavens. What on earth happened to act in such a way. He wanted to run to her and hug her until she was all okay. But he can't. Afraid of her rejection, afraid that she would turn him down again just as she did in the bathroom. The thought itself scared him. Devin never thought he would witness those cold eyes directing at him. He never imagined he would have to hear her distant voice, but he did witness and heard today. It's not his Leena. She would never do this to me.

Devin went down and kicked Nick's bedroom door until it was opened. ''That crazy Leena disturbed my sleep a while ago. Who is it now?'' Eyes still closed, Nick yawned and stretched his body.

''Did Leena come here already?'' Devin questioned.

''Yeah. She has come and took Savny with her.'' Rubbing his eyes, Nick glanced at Devin's face, and he could sense a worried expression. ''What's wrong with you? Didn't Leena come back to your room?''

''Did something happen in the Amus.e.m.e.nt park when you went to bring her back?'' Devin questioned back instead of answering Nick's question.

Nick stiffened at the memory of the amus.e.m.e.nt park. He never hides anything related to Leena from Devin, but he did promise to Leena today. ''Nothing. She is fine.'' Nick lied.

''If you say so,'' Devin calmly responded and went back to his room. What Nick failed to notice was Devin had seen the split hesitation on Nick's face. Something happened. Did that blondie said something to her?

Devin couldn't sleep with his mind consumed with the thought of how much easier it would be if Leena were by his side now. He felt like a part of his soul has been ripped apart without having Leena in his arms. 

Without his conscience, his legs made their way out and checked all the spare rooms. Finally, Devin found her sleeping in one of the rooms. Through the sheer curtains, the night sky cast a light needed enough into the room. Her face shone like stars in the night sky. Squatting in front of the bed, he gently stroked her cheeks. ''I know you will sleep like a log even if you take a nap in a fireplace.'' With that said, he kissed her forehead. 

''I cannot sleep because my mind knows I can't sleep without you in my arms. It's a bad habit, isn't it?'' He paused and stroked her hair before continuing. ''If you think I am crazy, I am not. It's my unconditional love for you. Please don't stay away from me, Sweetheart. I can't live without you, and you know that. I love you.'' He spoke his mind, although knowing that Leena doesn't hear him.

Devin was reluctant to part away from her, but Leena seems to be really hating his presence for some reason. With a heavy heart, he went to his room to give her space.

The moment Leena heard the door gently being closed, tears forcefully squeezed out of her eyes. ''Sleep like a log even in the fireplace? I would have said yes if you hadn't crashed into my life, idiot. Even the slightest sound of your footsteps can awake me from the deepest slumber.'' As Leena uttered those words, she opened her eyes and looked over the wall clock. With the bit of light passing into the room, she could see the clock with the picture of Devin lifting her in the air. Nick often complains that she has filled every corner of the house with their photographs. But she was least bothered. All she wanted was to see Devin wherever she goes.

She wanted to talk to him and hug him, but she was scared that she would lash out at him again as she did in the bathroom.

Her mind cannot let go of Morvena's thoughts for a second. Whenever she sees Devin, the love he has shown to that woman in the past would torment her. ''Why didn't I meet you before? Why is that bully your first love?'' She cried until there was none left, and somewhere around the time, she drifted into sleep when the fatigue enveloped her.

The following day, Devin heard from Aunt Jalapeno that Leena had already left for the office and Cutie in the morning. He got up early in the morning to catch a glimpse of her and, if possible, talk with her, but she is already gone. How worse can his mood get today? ''Why didn't you go with Leena?'' Devin sharply turned to Nick. 

''I_I was asleep.'' He sheepishly added and looked at the breakfast table. He was even scared to look into Devin's eyes. ''But she is safe.'' Nick assured him.

''That poor girl didnot even eat breakfast. She is worried over something since yesterday.'' Aunt Jalapeno's voice filled with concern. She packed the breakfast and handed it to Nick. ''I want Leena to complete all the three boxes; otherwise, prepare your buns for squeezing.''

Nick gulped hard as he nodded his head. He has to keep them safe from her hands. ''I will go to the office now.''

Before Nick got up to leave, Devin stopped him. ''Nick.''

''Yes, Devin.''

''Do you want to say something to me?'' 

''I_I" Nick shook his head in the end.

Devin expected he would at least hear the truth, but it seems Leena has strictly warned Nick to keep it a secret. How long they are going to keep, he will see.

...

With the boxes untouched, Nick couldn't help but worried about both Devin and Leena's state. Both are tormenting themselves with a simple misunderstanding. All thanks to that stupid blondie. 

''Leena, believe me, I have been with Devin since childhood. That blondie is lying. Why don't you confront him and ask?''

Even if she confronts him, it will yield Nothing. If she tells Devin had lost memories of only one person, Nick will probably laugh at her. How did he conceal everything without leaving any clue for others? With no sleep,her mind started throbbing with the memories of last night. ''I am going out. Please don't follow me.''

''No, Devin_''

''I want to have some privacy.'' Having said that, Leena made her way out of the office.

''Hey, Leena!'' Her head snapped with a start and again surprised to see her mysterious friend along with a woman. He whispered something into her ear, and with that, the woman made her way out.

''Hi, Enger.'' Leena forced a smile. Why do I bump into him whenever I am in a bad mood. Last time it was in the hospital, and she has to miss talking to Devin when he first woke up after the accident.

''It's been a long time we met.'' He made himself comfortable on the opposite chair. ''How is your husband?'' Enger stressed. Leena's face looked as pale a paper. It seems like Morvena's words have provoked deeply, just like Nash said. Good that he followed her here. He only hoped Devin would not come to cling onto her again.

''He is doing good.'' She said. ''Was it your girlfriend?'' She pointed to the retreating woman who was ascending the steps.

''No way.'' He chuckled.''She is only a friend. My heart is stolen by someone already.''

''That's pretty cool.'' Her eyes held happiness for him. ''Who is she? You rarely mentioned girls when we were chatting. Do I know her?''

''I am pretty sure you know her,'' Enger wanted to propose to Leena most grandly. But that can be done later. Strike the iron when it's hot is his motto. With Leena and Devin's misunderstandings, he has to grab the chance. With their misunderstandings, she will now think of him.

''Umm..I don't remember,'' She replied in uncertainty. 

''Well, how will you know when the girl is_''

''Devin,'' Leena muttered, cutting Enger in the middle. Her breath caught in the throat as she saw him walking towards her. The arrogance in him spoke as he walked with a carefree face. Leena's legs trembled. She suddenly felt like a cheating wife caught by an innocent husband now.

"Nick.'' She heard him order with haughtiness. ''I want this place to get vacated in another two minutes.''