Chapter 156 Moving on
Chapter 156: Moving On
Northbridge was an institution that tested one's wit, grit, perseverance, and brilliance. It challenged everything Golden knew. Every new session came about with it's own experience and strategy.
Golden was already in the second semester of her third year. She and Xander had been courting for about five months.
One thing she noticed about Xander was the fact that he was intentional about her. Even after going back to Florida, with his crazy schedule, he still made out time to always call and check on her.
He defied time difference and made sure to call her first thing in the morning, and last thing at night.
During her test week, he ordered a care basket to be delivered to her in school. And before every paper, he made sure to revise with her over the phone.
He basically became her study buddy and private tutor. He also discussed some of his cases with Golden and sought her opinion on things.
He saw Golden as an equal and valued her input. Together they were giving power medical couple vibes.
Golden still hadn't told anyone that Xander was courting her. She wanted to be sure before she got anyone emotionally invested.
Xander's birthday was coming up and Golden planned to surprise him. She wanted to fly out to Florida but she was seriously contemplating.
The last time she flew in to surprise a guy, she had ended up being surprised. And although she had moved on, she still had trauma thinking about it.
Allan had tried to reach out to her a couple of times since they broke up about 8 months ago. In the first three months of their breakup he had been persistent with the calls and texts, but Golden ignored him.
Then in the sixth month, two months into her courtship with Xander, he showed up at Northbridge.
As Golden contemplated her travel plans, she remembered the day Allan showed up. She had just finished from the clinic and was walking back to her apartment.
She entered into the residence and seated on one of the lounge chair in the common room downstairs was Allan. His eyes were closed like he was resting.
He was wearing his signature black jeans, and a black button down shirt. His dreadlocks packed neatly in a man bun.
She was stunned for a moment and her steps faltered. He hadn't noticed her yet and she thought about just going quietly to her apartment.
When she passed by him, she decided to stop and tapped him.
“What are you doing here Allan?” she asked.
“I came to see you Gigi.” He said with a tired look on his face.
Gigi didn't want to take him up to her apartment. It was her sanctuary and she didn't want him in it.
She asked him to follow her out and she took him to a Breakfast & Diner place on campus. It was a ten minutes walk from her residence.
They walked in silence, the atmosphere heavy and neither of them spoke till they got to their destination.
The Diner wasn't too crowded. Golden led Allan to one of the booths by the window and they placed their orders.
“What do you want Allan?” she asked immediately the waiter went to get their order.
“Why did you come here?”
“Gigi, can we start all over again? I promise to do things right this time around. For the past four months, I haven't been able to get it together.
I realized that hurting you, I hurt myself. I love you Golden and I'm truly and deeply sorry. Please can you give us another chance? I promise I wouldn't mess this up.” Allan said remorsefully.
“What about Lindsay? Have you dealt with your feelings for her?”
“Look I haven't spoken to her since that day, not a word. In fact I've ended things with her. I will never speak to her again if that will make you come back to me.” Allan said.
Golden shook her head. Allan hadn't changed. He still hadn't addressed what he felt for Lindsay. At best, he just suppressed his feelings for her.
Those feelings sooner or later would surface again and the cycle will continue. Golden wasn't going to be a part of that cycle.
“I have forgiven you Allan and that's the truth, but I'm sorry I can't come back to you.
There's someone else. He really adores me and isn't ashamed to tell the whole world.
You know what hurt me most about our breakup? It isn't your cheating, but the fact that I can't easily love or trust again. You took that from me.
Now I have a guy that truly loves me, but I'm afraid to love him back. He's willing to wait for me to fall in love with him and I know that I will eventually fall in love with him.”
Allan listened to what Golden said and his face got darker and darker. There was already someone else? And from the look of things, he didn't stand a chance.
“Move on Allan because I have. Seeing you today just further strengthened my resolve to fall in love with my new man. I deserve to be loved the right way and I too will make sure I love him right back.”
Golden stood up and left after that. She didn't even look back. It was like she had finally closed a chapter.
Golden called Alex and Fab on group call. It was time for her besties to know about her relationship with Xander.
“Hey bestie, what's up?” Fab greeted as soon as the call connected. “Wait Alex is here with me. We were on call together and just finished our rotation. Let me connect to a bigger screen so you can see the both of us.”
“Hey boo. How are you? You look really tired.” Alex said.
“I am actually. I came back from class a few minutes ago and I'm on call tonight in A&E.”
“Wow! Tough one. Three weeks ago I was on rotation in A&E and it wasn't funny. This nerd should be in A&E next week.” Alex said.
“Well guys I have something to tell you. Alex please don't scream and don't make a big deal out of it.”
“I'm not making any promises, but I will try to behave myself because we are in the hospital cafeteria.”
“I am kind of dating Xander.” Golden said.
“Wait, what did you just say? Who's Xander?” Alex asked with a surprised look on her face.
“You know, Dr. Alexander Mendez. Rosa's childhood friend Xander.” Golden tried to remind Alex.
“Oh she means Dr. Hottie. What do you mean by you are kind of dating? It's either you are, or you are not. How long has this been going on for?” Fab asked with a smile.