I could tell by the way hisjaws clenched and his eyes narrowing to the
side that he could sense I was there, but he refusedto look directly
at me.
I wasn't sure if I was invading his privacy, but turns out this tree
was as much as his safe haven asit was mine.
I guess we both shared that in common. I didn't want to pry so I
stayed silent, standing because I didn't want to ruin my Grams efforts
of buying this pretty dress for me.
I leaned against the tree and watched him watch the lake streaming by,
and by the looks of the gloomy grey color that claimed the sky - made
certain that it promised rain.
For a while he and I said nothing, and just as I thought the elephant
of silence was only going togrow thicker in the air.
I decided my presence wasn't welcome and was about to retreat, Satchel
gave me a side-long glance before I could, however, and I found myself
mesmerized by hiseyes again.
I broke the gaze a little abruptly and decided my feet were a better
advocate. He crooked a smile.
"If you came to just stare at me, the least you coulddo is allow me to
do the same." I pursed my lips toconceal my smile in hopes that he
didn't see that his joke made a dent. He chuckled.
"I really do wish you cut that out though." He said and went back to
staring out in to the water. My eyebrows furrowed.
"Cut what out?" He looked at me accusingly again, as if I'd said
something stupid.
"The staring. I'm not a zoo animal you know, and I'd appreciate if you
could stop making me feel like one."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Its just…" I struggled to explain, since I didn't want
to look like the supposed-stalker-weirdo-type that just stares
aimlessly at people.
I frowned at the mentionof 'animal' and I found myself thinking of the
animal that bit me.
"What were you doing inthe forest?" It was an abrupt subject change,
and I saw on his expression that I'd caught him off guard.
"Hmm?" I shook my head.
"The night I was attacked, what were you doing in the forest?" He
seemed contemplative like he was fishing for anexcuse. He shrugged.
"I told you, I heard someone screaming, and then ran into you." I
nodded absent mindedly.
"You didn't see the animal?" He shook his head. I was relieved when I
thought he was telling the truth, even if half of me was saying that
he wasn't telling all of it. I let it go.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel like a zoo animal, butI can't help it.
Your eyes are amazing." I shut my mouth and was astonished at how bold
I was sounding lately. He blinked.
"Er…" I could tell I had made him uncomfortable, just by his movements
and the fact that he was trying to avoid eye contact.
But then I felt the light pitter patter of raindropsand realized that
maybe he was just uncomfortable from the rain. I started to get
annoyed at the rain too, and the light pitter pattersoon turned into a
torrential downpour.
The leaves provided some temporary cover, but the stubborn surge made
no match for eitherof us, and we both were soaked in seconds.
He guided me up the treeinto the hut, until I was safe from the rain,
while he endured the harshness of it. I wasn't sure if this tree hut
could hold the both of us, with his height and stature, but I scooted
over so he could fit.
He had to dip his head even in a sitting position,but it provided the
cover we needed. I gathered my knees to my chest to keep from
shivering, and we waited it out until therain calmed.
I was aware of the confined space and the warmth of his arm compressed
with mine.
The white shirt he wore clung to his skin, while water dripped
carelessly off the edges of his hair.
We were so close to each other, his breath was almost meddled with
mine. I could make out his level breathing too, and I watched his eyes
roam my face, and restedon my lips.
My breathing was ampedup by his stare, however, and at that moment, I
was anticipating his kiss.
I wanted him to and by the looks on his face; I could tell he wanted
to too. I leaned in to give him an invitation, and just when I thought
he'd meet me half way. He squeezed his eyes shut, and retreated. I
frowned,and felt heat rise to my cheeks at the instant rejection.
"Why didn't you answer my letters?" He whispered. I frowned.
"Letters?" He seemed frustrated.
"I wrote to you every year, on the anniversary of your leaving. And it
was the same question I'd been asking myself forthe past eleven
years." My jaw must have dropped by now, I didn't recall any letters.
"Question? Satchel I don'tknow what you're talking about. Letters?
What letters?"
"Why did you leave? Was it because of me?" He said in a voice that was
barely audible. I shook my head.
"You know why I left. My Grams didn't see my step mother fit to take
care of me. Neither for my father, besides its not as if they seemed
to think my leaving, was of any importance. They were probably
screaming goodriddance." He shook his head.
"Your father mourned your leaving like he'd losta daughter to the
grave. Your step mother also." I frowned.
"I…what? No. They sent me to Grams because they couldn't deal with a
liability in their care. And even if that's true. Why didn't they
contact me? A call Satchel, not even a call, I may as well have been
dead for all they cared."
I felt my eyes sting with salt, and I hated to cry in front of
company. I neverwas the crying type.
"Your father called you every birthday, every holiday, and even just
to say hi, but he'd get the same response that you didn't want to talk
to him."
"He called?" He nodded.
"I was there when he asked to have you for theChristmas holidays. Your
Grams said you didn't want anything to do withhim and to stop calling.
He stopped contacting you after that."
"I didn't know." I looked up at him and the gentle swipe of thumb made
merealize I had been crying.His expression softened and his gaze
taunted my attention again.
"I've got a boyfriend." I blurted. And I felt his hand freeze on my
cheek.He lowered his gaze and let go.
"I should've known you were claimed already." He looked out of the
tree hut and found the downpour had settled. He jumped out and landed
gracefully on his feet.
"I guess you should be packing soon, your Grams says you are leaving
at the peak of dawn, you don't want to leave anything
importantbehind."
I nodded as he helped me down from the hut. His presence so close it
stirred that electric feeling I got when I was around him. I wasn't
surewhat to make of it just yet.
"I never really unpacked anyway; I wasn't planning on staying no more
than a day." He shrugged.
"Figures. Lucky for you, you have nothing to detach yourself from." I
forced a smile.
"I guess not." I found myself saying, but I didn'tknow who I was
trying toconvince. Him or me.
We both departed into different directions, and Ireluctantly found my
feetto walk home.
--
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
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