“Are you sure you're moving?" Uncle Roland asked as I handed over my mom's belongings and a few items I wouldn't be taking with me before the move.
I nodded, signaling to the moving crew that had helped me with the many items I was giving to Uncle Roland. Suddenly, Ricky appeared with Christine. His arms were full of typical moving-day stuff.
Before I could say anything, Ricky quickly explained, "I'm just helping Christine move from her old place. It's too far from our office, don't get the wrong idea."
Christine nodded quickly, putting on an innocent face and glancing at Ricky with a fearful expression. I knew she was just pretending, so I simply nodded without changing the flat expression on my face.
Ricky looked relieved that I didn't seem to misunderstand, then he invited Christine to take the elevator first since their stuff was much less than mine.
"Hey, Uncle Roland. So glad to have you here. Christine will definitely be safer with you around," Ricky greeted, just noticing Uncle Roland behind me.
Once they were out of sight, Uncle Roland and I both took a deep breath. "Who said I’d look after that tramp even if she lives next door?" he grumbled, annoyed.
I chuckled dryly. At least I had Uncle Roland on my side. He knows everything about me but is wise enough not to spill anything to my parents.
"Are you sure about your decision to move? Do you need me to warn Ricky to stay away from that woman?" Uncle Roland asked seriously.
I nodded firmly. "And what about the wedding? You don’t have to force yourself if you don’t want to get married. You can just leave Ricky," Uncle Roland added.
I shook my head. Five years isn't a short time, but it wasn't long enough to make Ricky choose me over other women.
When Ricky completely ignored me after feeding me chocolate with his own hand, I started to realize my life was too valuable to waste on him.
Uncle Roland hugged me one last time before I handed the moving crew over to him. Meanwhile, I went back to my apartment, packed my things, and called Ricky to say goodbye in person.
Strangely, none of my calls or messages were answered. I switched to the group chat, which suddenly blew up again like the day I came back from the hospital.
Only to find photos of a girly-themed bedroom, with Ricky busy putting up fairy lights on the wall. His phone was just lying on the bed. He looked happy, just as happy as Christine's caption.
[Moved to a new city and got help from my boss for my first move. Never felt this lucky. The best boss ever!]
This time, disappointment took over me more than anger. For the last time, I dialed Ricky’s number.
“Can’t you be patient? It takes a lot of effort here, and I hope you understand that I won’t be coming home tonight. Just go to sleep,” Ricky said without giving me a chance to speak. As I was about to respond, the call ended.
I didn’t give up and called Ricky again. This time, Christine’s soft voice answered. “Ricky is getting the delivery food at the front. Can you not bother us? Don’t worry, we’re just tidying up the room together.”
Just like Ricky, Christine hung up right after speaking. This time, I had no desire to try again. Where else would Ricky spend the night if not at Christine’s place?
The next morning, Ricky came to my apartment while I was still asleep. He didn’t care that I had just fallen asleep at 5 AM and told me to get ready for lunch with him at a restaurant he had reserved.
Half-asleep and groggy, I got ready. Imagine my shock when I found Christine already sitting in the front seat. I froze, staring at my throne with a blank look, but Christine didn’t seem like she was going to move.
Instead, she looked at Ricky with a pleading gaze. Ricky glanced at me impatiently and opened the back door for me.
“Don’t look at Christine like that. This morning she accidentally spilled hot water on her thigh and it’s uncomfortable for her to sit in the wide back seat. Grow up, Jemima!” Ricky scolded me.
Too stunned to react, I just sat quietly in the back seat. My brain was busy trying to figure out how sitting in a wide back seat could be uncomfortable when you’ve spilled hot water on yourself.
I glanced forward and was shocked to see a large burn on Christine’s thigh. With a burn that big, why was she still forcing herself to come to lunch?
"Thanks for inviting me to lunch. You didn't have to do this, Jemima. You didn't mean to ruin my birthday party, did you?” Christine said, as if she could read my mind.
I glanced at Ricky, who looked like he was the one being praised. If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn't have come.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the restaurant. I felt like a third wheel because Ricky was taking care of Christine the same way he used to take care of me.
Not once did Ricky pay attention to me throughout the lunch. He was busy helping and pampering the fragile Christine. And when lunch was over, Ricky just left me in front of the restaurant, saying he had to take Christine to the hospital.
"Grow up a bit, I have nothing going on with Christine. She needs me now," Ricky scolded me before leaving me in the restaurant's parking lot.
Did Ricky think I didn't need him? And what was with all the scolding? I didn't even get a chance to say a word before being suddenly reprimanded like this!
Ricky's behavior only solidified my decision to end our relationship. I had hoped we could talk face-to-face this time, but Christine was always in the way.
Or maybe I was the one standing in the way of those two?
