"And here we are", Liam said and quickly unbuckled his seat belt. Scarlett followed his actions. Her heart was still beating fast due to Liam's actions which he carried a few minutes ago. Her face was red and she was looking everywhere but not at him.
The place was pitch dark, the moon was the only source of light. There were bushes all around and between them went a thin rough pathway leading to somewhere which Scarlett didn't know.
"Follow me, Hold my hand or you might slip," he said clutching her hand carefully. Soon they were on that rugged path hand in hand. The path was steep, so they had to be careful. After walking for 8 minutes they reached a place which was similar to what you call "paradise". Scarlett gaped in aww by looking at that place. There was a small round lake surrounded by small sand dunes and bushes. The water in the lake shined golden not because its color was golden but because the fireflies that were flying above the water were emitting golden light. The amber water was so alluring that Scarlett ran to touch it and feel the color.
"This place has so many memories attached to me. When I was a kid, I used to visit this place and play all alone. I felt good and peaceful here." Liam spoke softly. He took a deep long breathe spreading his hands in the air. Scarlett dipped her legs in the water and she splashed it with her hands. "Did you like it?" Liam asked. Scarlett shook her head in yes vigorously, happiness clearly visible on her cute face showing her white teeth. They both sat beside each other staring at the water and the fireflies. Their eyes sparkled amber and they looked content.
On their way back home Liam and Scarlett had experienced some new feelings growing inside them. Liam knew that his love for her is increasing every day, he had long forgotten his oath to stay away from Scarlett which he made the previous day. Scarlett had realized she loved him, she knew it long back but she was too naive to even admit it. For once she thought that is this what happiness feels like? Is it how to love and be loved? She was stealing glances at him from time to time. She even pinched her hand to check whether she was dreaming or was it real? She felt the pain that means it was all real and she was a part of it.
That night both of them slept the most peaceful sleep of their lives. They were no shyer, no angrier. They were satisfied with each other. But for how long was this little happiness going to last was already planned.
"HAPPINESS DOES NOT LAST FOREVER"
On Sunday Liam and Scarlett were getting decently dressed to visit Mr. Smith and Mr. Leon. Liam had bought her formal clothes: a white shirt, tight fit pencil skirt, a black overcoat and told her to be professional and greet the client in the best way she could.
Arriving at Mr. Smith and Mr. Leon's office Scarlett was extremely nervous. She had unknowingly wrapped her fingers around Liam's hand and her eyebrows twitched and her heartbeat rose. Sweat was visible on her forehead and neck.
On seeing Scarlett's condition, Liam assured her that it will be fine and she should not lose her confidence.
They entered through the gates together and soon were called inside a large air-conditioned room. Walls were painted greyish with white curtains and a black sofa set. Two men sat there on their respective seats around a rectangle-shaped glass table. Lots of books and files were spread in front of them. There was a large window in the middle of the room and a bookshelf at the right opposite the sofa set. Scarlett and Liam approached them and greeted a *good evening* to which they replied back. Soon they were busy discussing the contract.
"So, Mr. and Mrs. Liam we have decided to publish Miss Scarlett's works but the only problem we will face is...she is mute," they said making Scarlett's face fall.
Liam remained content and answered, "What is the problem with her being mute?"
"Mr. Liam the problem is that she will have to perform workshops and seminars to promote and market her book but her inability would act as a barrier in this. It will be difficult for her." Mr. Smith said.
"I understand your point Mr. Smith but can I not do it on her behalf?" said Liam.
"You can Mr. Liam but do you have enough time to leave your huge estate and go around marketing her book?" said Mr. Leon.
Liam became quiet for some time. It was true that he was extremely busy, leaving his business and helping Scarlett can cause a huge downfall but then he looked at Scarlett's defeated expressions. He can't see her sad, no he can't. After so many days he was successful in making her smile and now he can't afford to lose it.
"Mr. Smith and Mr. Leon can we not hire a speaker for her?" he suggested.
"Hmm Yes, we can provide one who learns everything about the book and everything about Miss Scarlett," Mr. Leon said.
"You don't worry about that I will manage everything. You please just start preparing for publishing her book?" said Liam. Outside their office, Scarlett looked at Liam with utmost love and bewildered expressions. She couldn't believe that this kind-hearted human was her husband. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have him but what surprised her was she didn't know that he had this utterly solicitous side behind that cold handsome face. It was all possible because of him, she thought and now she should thank him. But How?
She had little idea what and how she should thank her husband. Rummaging through her thoughts an idea popped up in her head and she decided to follow it. Yes, this would be perfect, she thought. Later that night a figure was found standing in front of the bathroom mirror talking to itself. Who it was? and what it was doing no one knew.
A shrill creaking sound was heard and then the figure freaked out. Someone had opened the bathroom door and now was getting in. The figure got scared and hid in the shower cabinet. Liam entered the bathroom to pee. He had no idea that someone was in there watching him doing his private business. He was quite sleepy and paid no attention to his surroundings. The figure got nervous on seeing Liam performing his personal business. It closed its eyes shut and tried not to make any sound to get noticed. Liam was back closing the door "shut". The figure took a deep breath and sighed. It came out of the bathroom after five minutes quietly and got under the covers beside Liam to sleep. This figure was none other than Scarlett who was busy practicing different ways to say "I LOVE YOU" to her dear husband. She was still trying to acknowledge what had just happened. Her heart was beating so fast and she could hear it loud and clear. She was scared of the consequences she would have faced if Liam had caught her. She would have been embarrassed to her core.
She decided to forget everything and never to think about it again.
Days went by, Liam was a bit busy in his company and Scarlett was busy compiling her story for her book. She had titled it "My Kindred-spirit" a story of a boy who gets haunted by a soul of a girl who is mute. She wanted to showcase the hardships faced by mute people and all the adverse circumstances they face in this brutal world and how inferior are disabled people treated by others. She was at the end of the story where the boy dies and unites with the girl up in heaven. A story including murder, dark mystery inclusive of sweet romance, and pious love. She ended it on the note,
"We all have been attached to someone dear by fate. We just have to find them and make them ours."
Soon the day of the launch came. Scarlett was extremely nervous, it was time for seminars and workshops. She had never faced more than 2 people at once and here it was all together a clan of 100s of people. Liam had assured her that nothing will mess up and she will do great but this girl was like a scary cat who would better choose to box her up rather than come out and fight the situation. Fortunately, the book sold 210 copies on its first day and it all was a good start. The Liam couple was standing backstage, the girl clutching her husband's hand as tightly as she could chewing her lower lip in nervousness. She was nervous because she felt that people will mock her for her inability. No matter how much etiquettes Liam had taught her, her heartbeat had raced and anxiety bid in destroying all her in-built confidence. She was all together insecure about herself.