Her smile grew wider as a tear rolled down her cheek and not matter how much I tried.
It cannot go unnoticed by me as it engraved heartbreaking emotions in my heart.
"I couldn't sleep for the past weeks… I wish you could be there as well." She mumbled, clutching my shirt tightly while biting her lips.
I moved my hand to her neck and pulled her slightly closer.
"I am saying this now." I whispered.
She wrapped her arms around me, engulfing me in a hug, whispering sadly, "It's so cold, Tyler…"
"Shall I get you a blanket?" I asked, rubbing her back.
"It won't be eradicated this way…" She replied, tightening her grip over me.
"Then..?" I asked.
‘Initiate it, my Love and I will break every boundary to reach your domain- my sanctuary.’
She pulled away, forcing a smile, "Ah, Leave it."
She let out a toothy smile, wiping the tears and asked, "Tell me how was your day?"
"Fine."
"Do you know-" I cut her off.
"Get off from me first." She hugged me again.
I didn't hug her back as we remained like this where she was holding onto means as if I am her last hope while in reality it's the other way around.
She got off from me but not leaving me, I also closed my eyes, resisting my caprice to hold her back and remained like this; uncomfortable.
After a while, I sensed her getting away from me not before placing a kiss on my cheek whispering ‘I love you’ in my ears.
I tried my best to stay unaffected. What’s the point of it anymore? Woah, no.
I am not melting in just one night.
I didn’t put this facade only to break it in a few moments.
I sensed her leaving the room. Why wouldn’t she after being locked here for almost a month?
After a while, I also got out, with lost comfort without her, I walked out as well.
Looking for her and finding her traces when a cry reached my ears- I made her cry.
When this thought strikes my mind, my heart beats in feeble pain, gritting my teeth while curling my hands in a tight fist.
The sound wreaks havoc in my mind, stirring it in inexplicable distress.
Realizing my emotions were caged by me for a stupid cause, my feet moved on their own to reach her. I am sorry.
Why when I avoided her tears and ended up giving her the most of it?
I cannot bear her consternation. She has already suffered enough and I want to give her every smile.
My heart could never live without showing how much she means to me.
‘This whole ordeal was a damn delusion!’
The sound stopped, I went to the rooftop and saw her looking at the sky while sitting on the ground.
Leaning her back on the wall, her eyes showed she cried but now they were devoid.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, putting my hands in my pocket, looking away.
Biting my cheeks, she turned to me and smiled, “Oh, Tyler. You?”
“What are you doing here?” I asked again.
“Didn’t I tell you? It’s cold here.” She replied with a captivating smile.
“Take some blankets. Come back to the room.” I said, annoyed but her smile didn’t vanish.
“Tyler… would you do something for me?” She asked.
“What?” I asked.
“Actually two things.”
“What is it?” I asked again.
“Can you play piano for me? And second… can you- we- leave it… Please play a melody for me.” She asked sweetly but it cannot hide how dolorous she was.
When I did reply, she spoke up again, “What happened?... Did I ask… for too much?” She asked.
Breaking my moment of heartache, I shook my head.
‘My anger is not worth Her sorrows.’
“No. I won’t. Come, I am sleepy.” I replied emotionless.
She didn’t react, just made an ‘o’ face. “Oh… I see…”
But then her smile became wider as she offered me her one hand.
“At least… Hold my hand so I could know you are here for me.”
An arrow pierced my heart when I heard it.
I couldn’t see her gaze but I couldn't control anymore when she said such words.
‘I was always here for you.’
I thought and took her hand in mine, looking away.
***
“Thank you…” She murmured, holding me from behind while I was playing piano for her.
I could feel her smile on my skin, while the aura deluged in gloom but something vibrant gave me eerie flutters.
She kissed my neck. I stopped and closed my eyes for a moment, indulging in the moment, not wanting to lose this warmth in my life again.
Everything broke at that moment and I asked, desperately, sadly, breathlessly.
“Candice… am I bad?”
She let out a short giggle, snuggling closer.
“No… you are the best… You love me like no one.” She replied, providing equanimity to my soul.
I swallowed hard, turning to look at her, losing my breaths, hopeless by the trepidation stealing my senses in the form of a silent chaos.
“Candice… if I couldn’t control my wrath… If I remain a Mafia leader… be this bad…”
“Even if the world would be against me would you still… stand with me and call me this?” I asked with a tear stinging in my eyes.
A tear fell from her eye as her grip over me became firm.
“Even if the whole world would be against you, I won’t leave you again.” She replied in a croaked voice.
I bit my cheek, lowering my gaze, “Leave me alone….” I said in a barely audible tone.
“Tyler. You were alone all this time. I won’t leave you now, that time is gone.” She said with a grin.
“What if I make you hate me?” I asked, looking at her panting, lips quivering.
“I can never hate you… I tried… but couldn’t…” She replied.
“What if my upheavals are with you?” I asked again, turning to her. She smiled softly, ruffling my hair.
“Tyler… when I first heard you playing piano… you were crying. Back then, If I asked for the reason for your tears… I wouldn’t be surprised by your despair… but I never did. I never tried to know your devastation and placed my insecurity on you.. I am sorry… but now…”
She moved to my laps, holding my face, leaning close.
“Now, I promise I won’t leave you. We will solve our afflictions together, okay?”
I lowered my head as a tear fell from my cheek, my breaths burned for her name, the spell of her words shattered my frontage, drenching me in rain.
Her pain requested me to receive the tranquility emanated by her presence.
“Tyler-” I quickly said.
“Sleep Candice… The cold might be lessened…”