Speechless was indeed the word of the night.
Perhaps it was the embarrassment, or maybe it was the chagrin that left me feeling so deflated.
On the way home from the hospital, I rested my head against the car window, giving off the vibe of a "bitter heroine".
Zoe sent me messages on WhatsApp asking how things were going.
I had nothing to offer in response except a string of ellipses.
After Caleb dropped me off at home, he reminded me to take a shower.
In the rush of the moment, I had only rinsed off and hurried on.
I looked at him with a tinge of despondency, caught between wanting to say something and knowing it was better to remain silent.
Some moments, once broken, lose their charm when you try to rekindle them.
I nodded, got out of his car, and melted into the night without a backward glance.
-
Two days later, Zoe was discharged from the hospital and called me for a pick-up.
I asked, "Where's Caleb? Why not have him pick you up?"
"He's on a business trip."
"Oh..."
Zoe picked up on my dejection and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did Caleb turn you down?"
"No... but it's almost the same."
If he had been interested, he would have messaged after I'd made my move the other day.