I opened my eyes
I can hear cicada's loud murmur
Feel the hot afternoon sun
A blistering memory emerged
One summer day
Long time ago
I curled my body
The resonating pain from the memory
Embedded, entwined
Entangled
A lone teardrop paved its way
Down my hallowed cheeks
Leaving traces of its bits and pieces
An affectionate touch
If only it was
Why now? I asked
When I almost forget you
************
'Somehow you don't even have to open your mouth to make my head hurt?' she turned and gave him a stinky eye. She was sitting outside near to her favourite wisteria tree, it was dark, and the wind was cold seeping to her bones but still, she prefers to bask in the solitude she rarely finds in between her missions: and now this. Ivo was standing a few paces away from her, wearing a mischievous look on his face. A face many admired but should not be trusted.
'Ivo.' A snickering sound followed, she just stared, watched him change colour like a chameleon. She lifted an eyebrow.
'I hope you choke. Are you done wheezing your pathetic and poisonous air around?'
'Oh. That was a good one.' Her frown deepened. Such thick skin. 'Never thought I could make you feel something other than.... nothing. I thought you're a stone.' He murmured the last bit of statement fearing that I will hear him, which I did. She gave him a sharp glare.
'Don't be stupid.' He only smirked and walked towards her, flunking his huge body next to her, stretching his arms. The heat emanating from him engulfed her heat-starve body. She audibly sighs earning another smirk from him.
'Will you quit doing that?'
'What?'
'That.' Puckered her lips, pointing it at him. His gazed drop to her lips leaned forward, then shifted his blue eyes on her, looking at her intensely. She felt goosebumps travelled all over her body. She scooted away but his huge hands stopped her. He dragged her body towards him. Alarmed, she flails her hands trying to avoid his torso, eyes downward closed. He lifted her chin, eyes still closed, a prickle of awareness caress her lips prompting her to open her eyes.
'W-what?'
He tilted his head, a steady, intent look on his face. A tiny frown reappeared between her yes, lingered a trifle longer than before. She cannot let her guard down, especially around him. That would be a big mistake. He can be unpredictable to the point of annoyance. He smirked again. This guy.
'Quit smirking at me, I'm serious.'
'I'm not smirking!' and release a boisterous laugh, showcasing his dimpled cheek. She narrowed her eyes, unimpressed.
'Then stop whatever you're doing. It's irritating.'
'Hmmmm.' he released her, touched his jaw and look at her teasingly. 'It's nice to know there's someone who appreciates my humour.'
'It's not even funny.' She groused. 'I wish you'd stop and realize just how irritating you can be.'
'I'll try my best.'
'Like hell, you will.'
He burst a loud, masculine yet annoying sound, grating her ears.
'You're such an electron.'
'Very funny.'
They lapsed into a comfortable silence watching fireflies dancing with the wind when all of a sudden...
'I....I think I might be falling in love with you.' Her glance wandered towards him, whose sonorous murmur reached her like a lightning strike, sudden and imperative. To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. No. She was speechless.
'I love you.' He reiterated, eyes serious.
'...…'
'I love y-----'
She put her hands up. 'Give me a second...….. I'm not drunk enough to listen to this,' stood up, paced back and forth in front of Ivo who was silent. She stole a glance from him. Lo and behold, his sparkling blue eyes remained trained on her, watching her flounder for words. She snatched her head and gaze forward and paced once more.
This guy. Is he really serious? No. This is Ivo we are talking about, he's joking, teasing, or maybe a prank?
'...ey!'
'Hey!'
A splintery glance shut him up. 'Please be quiet, I can't even hear myself struggle to control the urge to slap you hard across the face, kick you where the sun doesn't shine or pretend you did not utter such words. I'm in a crisis right now.' Hell. This is hard. 'Are you perhaps....' Shaking her head. 'No...Did you hurt your head that hard for you to.....to.....to....you know?' She can feel the heat rising up to her usually pale cheeks, hands clammy, as her heart thudded louder than her thoughts. Nobody told her what to do in this kind of situation.
'Are you.... perhaps blushing?
'What, no…' denying his claim vehemently.
'....'
'What is this? Did I make the ever serious, badass, queen of iciness, and too-invested-on-her-expression to-remain-cool-at-all-times to blush?
'No. It's the…uh….cold. Yes….it's cold.'
'Huh....it's the cold and not that I told you 'I fell in love with you? I love you' he grinned.
She blushed harder from his frank words...' N-no.' her voice cracked and ran far away from him as possible while covering her reddened face.
Idiot Ivo.
Stupid Ivo.
Author here:
Hi! Lovelies. Here is my early March gift to you readers….. An extra unrelated chapter that I am sure you'll enjoy.
Feast on Ivo and Athy's off duty interaction. Hehehehe. They are both such enjoyable characters to write.
Please vote and comment as usual.
Hugs and kisses
Azri